In this study, we assessed the performance and suitability of a novel control strategy for both a Mini Combined Heat and Power (MCHP) unit and a photovoltaic system, combined with thermal (TES) and electric (EES) energy storage systems. The newly developed control strategy incorporates a forecast for the photovoltaic system output throughout the day, coupled with a daily electric load projection. It also takes the current storage levels of the TES and the EES into account and identifies favourable EES system capacity set-points throughout the day. A simulation model of such a system was realised in Matlab and the performance of the new electric storage-following operational control compared to an identical system operated under a thermal load-following strategy. Furthermore, the investigated system was also analysed against a photovoltaic system with an EES, but without an MCHP unit. It was found that the degree of electric self-sufficiency was always higher in the system operated under the electric storage-following control strategy. Varying the size of the EES and the photovoltaic system, the highest degree of electric self-sufficiency (nearly 100%) was associated with the largest system configuration tested (16 kWh EES combined with a 14 kW photovoltaic system). Acceptable levels of self-sufficiency in excess of 95% were already reached in a system consisting of a 10 kWh EES and a 10 kW photovoltaic system. There is a strong indication that the specific daily scheduling of the MCHP unit [GRAPHICS] combined with the anticipated daily PV system electricity output, advantageous energy storage levels and enhanced EES system capacity utilisation, clearly distinguish the novel electric storage-following control strategy from a thermal load-following operational control. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.