scholarly journals Simulation of fault detection in photovoltaic arrays

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-40
Author(s):  
Róbert Lipták ◽  
István Bodnár

In solar systems, faults in the module and inverter occur in proportion to increased operating time. The identification of fault types and their effects is important information not only for manufacturers but also for investors, solar operators and researchers. Monitoring and diagnosing the condition of photovoltaic (PV) systems is becoming essential to maximize electric power generation, increase the reliability and lifetime of PV power plants. Any faults in the PV modules cause negative economic and safety impacts, reducing the performance of the system and making unwanted electric connections that can be dangerous for the user. In this paper have been classified all possible faults that happen in the PV system, and is presented to detect common PV array faults, such as open-circuit fault, line-to-line fault, ground fault, shading condition, degradation fault and bypass diode fault. In this studies examines the equivalent circuits of PV arrays with different topological configurations and fault conditions to evaluate the effects of these faults on the performance of a solar system, taking into account the influence of temperature and solar radiation. This work presents the validation of a simulated solar network by measuring the output curves of a low-power photovoltaic array system under real outdoor conditions. This method can be useful in future solar systems.

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustaw Mazurek

Abstract Estimation of Global Tilted Irradiation (GTI) is a key to performance assessment of typical solar systems since they usually employ tilted photovoltaic (PV) modules or collectors. Numerous solar radiation databases can deliver irradiation values both on horizontal and tilted plane, however they are validated mostly with horizontal-plane ground measurements. In this paper we have compared GTI estimates retrieved from five Internet databases with results of measurements at two PV systems located in Poland. Our work shows that in spite of good agreement in annual scale, there is a tendency to underestimate GTI in summer and overestimate in winter, when PV modules can receive less than a half of expected irradiation. The latter issue affects sizing of PV system components and implies a correction needed to achieve all-year long operation.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Bouzidi ◽  
Abdelkader Harrouz ◽  
Tadj Mohammed ◽  
Smail Mansouri

<p>The inverter is the principal part of the photovoltaic (PV) systems that assures the direct current/alternating current (DC/AC) conversion (PV array is connected directly to an inverter that converts the DC energy produced by the PV array into AC energy that is directly connected to the electric utility). In this paper, we present a simple method for detecting faults that occurred during the operation of the inverter. These types of faults or faults affect the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the photovoltaic system, especially the inverter, which is the main component responsible for the conversion. Hence, we have shown first the faults obtained in the case of the short circuit. Second, the open circuit failure is studied. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method. Good monitoring and detection of faults in the inverter can increase the system's reliability and decrease the undesirable faults that appeared in the PV system. The system behavior is tested under variable parameters and conditions using MATLAB/Simulink.</p>


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 3798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansouri ◽  
Lashab ◽  
Sera ◽  
Guerrero ◽  
Cherif

Renewable energy systems (RESs), such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, are providing increasingly larger shares of power generation. PV systems are the fastest growing generation technology today with almost ~30% increase since 2015 reaching 509.3 GWp worldwide capacity by the end of 2018 and predicted to reach 1000 GWp by 2022. Due to the fluctuating and intermittent nature of PV systems, their large-scale integration into the grid poses momentous challenges. This paper provides a review of the technical challenges, such as frequency disturbances and voltage limit violation, related to the stability issues due to the large-scale and intensive PV system penetration into the power network. Possible solutions that mitigate the effect of large-scale PV system integration on the grid are also reviewed. Finally, power system stability when faults occur are outlined as well as their respective achievable solutions.


Electronics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry Baimel ◽  
Saad Tapuchi ◽  
Yoash Levron ◽  
Juri Belikov

This paper proposes two new Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) methods which improve the conventional Fractional Open Circuit Voltage (FOCV) method. The main novelty is a switched semi-pilot cell that is used for measuring the open-circuit voltage. In the first method this voltage is measured on the semi-pilot cell located at the edge of PV panel. During the measurement the semi-pilot cell is disconnected from the panel by a pair of transistors, and bypassed by a diode. In the second Semi-Pilot Panel method the open circuit voltage is measured on a pilot panel in a large PV system. The proposed methods are validated using simulations and experiments. It is shown that both methods can accurately estimate the maximum power point voltage, and hence improve the system efficiency.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-473
Author(s):  
Henrik Zsiborács ◽  
Gábor Pintér ◽  
Béla Pályi

The energy is one of the most important needs of the humanity. One of its biggest challenge or danger is that the world's demand for energy continues to grow. The aim of present study is to review the introduction of solar energy utilization, the economic determination of the return of crystalline solar photovoltaic systems in Hungary, the electricity price reductions for individuals and the change in the payback period. The effect of the changing investment cost to the payback period based on the changes in electricity price reductions and in central bank interest rate is written in this study. An important question is for a household: decide by or against a solar (PV) system. The main direction of our recent research is the utilization of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy with crystalline solar systems. The research was carried out in solar-electric power plants extended from 1.5 kWp to 10 kWp. The calculation of payback time was performed by dynamic indices.


Author(s):  
Kevin Lynn ◽  
Jennifer Szaro ◽  
William Wilson ◽  
Michael Healey

In January of 2003, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection/Florida Energy Office (DEP/FEO) allocated $600,000 in hardware funds toward the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems on Florida schools. As a result of this program, grid-connected PV systems less than six kilowatts in size were installed on 29 schools in the State of Florida. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has monitored these systems for approximately one year of operation. The performance of 28 of these systems was analyzed using standard performance parameters such as the performance ratio, PV array efficiency, inverter efficiency, and PV system efficiency. In addition, a life-cycle cost analysis was conducted using new cost data values and updated market assumptions. These data will serve as a benchmark to compare against future systems with respect to performance vs. installed system cost.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 586
Author(s):  
Fadhil Y. Al-Aboosi ◽  
Abdullah F. Al-Aboosi

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have demonstrated growing competitiveness as a viable alternative to fossil fuel-based power plants to mitigate the negative impact of fossil energy sources on the environment. Notwithstanding, solar PV technology has not made yet a meaningful contribution in most countries globally. This study aims to encourage the adoption of solar PV systems on rooftop buildings in countries which have a good solar energy potential, and even if they are oil or gas producers, based on the obtained results of a proposed PV system. The performance of a rooftop grid-tied 3360 kWp PV system was analyzed by considering technical, economic, and environmental criteria, solar irradiance intensity, two modes of single-axis tracking, shadow effect, PV cell temperature impact on system efficiency, and Texas A&M University as a case study. The evaluated parameters of the proposed system include energy output, array yield, final yield, array and system losses, capacity factor, performance ratio, return on investment, payback period, Levelized cost of energy, and carbon emission. According to the overall performance results of the proposed PV system, it is found to be a technically, economically, and environmentally feasible solution for electricity generation and would play a significant role in the future energy mix of Texas.


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milad Zeraatpisheh ◽  
Reza Arababadi ◽  
Mohsen Saffari Pour

It is well known that the use of photovoltaic (PV) systems helps to preserve the environment, produce lower levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and reduce global warming, however, whether it is economically profitable for customers or not is highly debatable. This paper aims to address this issue. To be comprehensive, three different types of buildings are considered as case studies. Then, these three buildings are modeled in EnergyPlus to determine the rate of energy consumption. Afterward, comparisons of various solar system sizes based on economic parameters such as the internal rate of return, the net present value, payback period and profitability indexing for various-sized PV systems are carried out. The results show that by the demand charge tariffs, using PV systems has no economic justification. It has been shown that even with neglecting further costs of the PV system like maintenance, by demand charge tariffs, it is not economically beneficial for customers to use the PV systems. Profitability index of all three buildings with various PV power systems is between 0.2 to 0.8, which are by no means is desirable. Moreover, it was found that bigger solar systems are less cost-effective in the presence of demand charges.


DYNA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (211) ◽  
pp. 54-63
Author(s):  
Andres Eduardo Nieto Vallejo ◽  
Fredy Ruiz ◽  
Diego Patiño

Electric faults in photovoltaic (PV) systems cause negative economic and safety impacts, reducing their performance and causing unwanted electric connections that can be dangerous for the user. Line to line, ground and open circuit faults, are three of the main faults that happen in a photovoltaic array system. This work proposes a characterization of the equivalent circuits and the voltage-power (VP) curves at the output of multiple PV arrays under different topological configurations and fault conditions to evaluate the effects of these three main faults on the performance of a photovoltaic array system, taking into account the temperature and solar radiation influence. This work presents a validation of the characterization by measuring the output VP curves of a low-power photovoltaic array system under real outdoors conditions. This method can be useful in future works to develop low cost systems capable of detecting and classifying electric faults in photovoltaic array systems.


The photovoltaic (PV) panel performances are dependent upon many factors. A study was executed to ascertain the effect of a V-Trough Concentrator (VTC) to be engaged on a PV Panel in this research where the performance of PV panels are compared at different surface temperatures both back and front. The experiment was conducted using two similar rated monocrystalline PV panels. One of the PV panels was installed with a VTC while the other is without the VTC that served as Control for benchmark purposes. The optimum VTC selected is a 60° VTC. Both PV systems were built with a lower supporting mechanism and were placed to operate under similar operating and weather situations, while the PV panel surface temperature both front surface and back surface, Open Circuit Voltage (Voc), as well as Short-Circuit Current (Isc) readings are being recorded down at specific time. The theoretical output is determined and compared. This paper ends with a presentation of the results obtained in a study on the PV panel surfaces temperature in relation to its performance by PV system using a 60o VTC.


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