Residential PV–BESS–SOFC systems under future climate scenarios: A real-world data-driven optimization framework

Integrating PV, BESS, and SOFC technologies offers a pathway to resilient, low-carbon residential energy. This study utilizes a multi-objective optimization framework incorporating real-world SOFC data, battery health indices, and climate projections for 2050/2080. Focusing on a Southern Italian dwelling, it evaluates building retrofits, varying system capacities, and four SOFC operational strategies. Findings reveal that building retrofitting is paramount, reducing energy demand by up to 48%, surpassing the impact of expanded PV capacity. The most energy-autonomous setup features a 3.3 kW PV array, 30 kWh BESS, and a variable winter-only SOFC strategy, successfully balancing grid independence with minimized battery degradation. Economically, current hydrogen prices favor maximizing solar and battery storage while minimizing fuel cell use, underscoring the need for hydrogen incentives. Climate change is projected to escalate cooling loads, shifting optimal designs and marginally reducing battery health over time. By bridging real-world performance data with climate-responsive, health-aware optimization, this work provides critical insights for designing hydrogen-compatible residential systems. The results emphasize that policy support and climate-adaptive designs are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of integrated residential energy solutions. • Real-world validated SOFC model integrated with PV-BESS for residential building. • Multi-objective optimization addresses energy, cost, and battery degradation. • Building retrofitting reduces electricity imports more than PV oversizing. • Optimal setup uses 3.3 kW PV, 30 kWh BESS, and variable winter SOFC operation. • Climate projections increase cooling demand, calling for adaptive SOFC strategies.