The decarbonization of residential energy systems requires coordinated integration of distributed renewable generation, electrified heating, and electric mobility. Rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, air-source heat pumps (ASHPs), and electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly deployed at the community scale; however, their techno-economic performance is highly sensitive to climatic conditions, solar resource availability, and regional electricity characteristics.
This study presents a multi-community comparative assessment of an integrated PV–ASHP–EV residential energy system across geographically diverse Canadian regions. A base case community of 500 detached dwellings, each equipped with ASHP heating and two EVs, is modeled under three representative climatic zones. Community load profiles incorporating residential electricity demand, electrified heating, and EV charging are developed and optimized using HOMER Grid software to minimize net present cost (NPC) while evaluating cost of energy (COE), renewable fraction, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and curtailment.
Results indicate that climate diversity significantly influences optimal PV sizing, grid interaction patterns, renewable penetration, and lifecycle economics. Cold continental regions exhibit higher heating loads but improved winter load–generation alignment, while milder regions demonstrate increased seasonal solar surplus and curtailment. Across all regions, grid-connected PV integration reduces long-term energy costs and emissions, though the magnitude of benefits varies with solar irradiance and grid carbon intensity.
By extending analysis beyond a single community to a normalized multi-regional framework, this study provides scalable insights into climate-sensitive design of community-scale renewable energy systems and supports evidence-based residential decarbonization strategies.