scholarly journals Typical performance reductions in pv modules subject to soiling in a tropical climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1158-1168
Author(s):  
H.O. Njoku ◽  
K.M. Ifediora ◽  
P.A. Ozor ◽  
J.M. Dzah
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Power Outputs ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Soiling severely hinders the ability of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to absorb incident solar radiation, causing significant  deterioration of module performances. In this study, the thermal profiles and the electrical power outputs of PV modules were  evaluated in order to establish the impact of soiling under tropical field conditions. Two case-study PV installations in the Universityof Nigeria were considered. Assessments of the PV systems, undertaken both when soiled and after they had been cleaned, involved the measurement of electrical power outputs and the acquisition of infrared (IR) thermograms. It was found that soiling had noticeable impacts on both module surface temperature distributions and their power outputs. The IR images, which showed spatial distributions of module surface temperatures, revealed the occurrence of hotspots on the modules when soiled. Furthermore, as a result of soiling, up to four-fold declines in module electrical efficiencies were observed. These declines were more significant in theground-mounted PV system at the University Staff Primary School compared to the roofmounted system at the University Energy  Research Centre. Simple cleaning of the modules led to the disappearance of hotspots and significant improvements in output, showing that it is an effective means of maintaining PV modules performance and recovering the performance potentials lost due to soiling. Keywords: solar PV, PV soiling, infrared thermography, module failure, PV performance

scholarly journals Lookup Tables for Power Generation Performance of Photovoltaic Systems Covering 40 Geographic Locations (Wilayats) in the Sultanate of Oman, with and without Solar Tracking, and General Perspectives about Solar Irradiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13209
Author(s):  
Osama A. Marzouk
Keyword(s):  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Lookup Tables ◽  
The Impact

An energy modeler for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems may be limited to climatic data of certain major cities, not covering the one for which the PV system is intended. Additionally, a person not skilled in solar PV modeling may still desire a quick estimate of PV system electricity generation to help decide the level of investment in PV systems. This work addresses these points by establishing lookup tables to summarize predicted electricity generation, solar irradiation, and optimum orientation at various locations in the Sultanate of Oman. The results are produced by processing simulation data using the online open-access tool PVGIS (Photovoltaic Geographical Information System) of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC). The tables cover 40 out of the country’s 61 s-level administrative divisions (wilayats) and cover fixed and movable PV panels. The results show that the yearly electricity generation can change up to 11.86% due to the change of location. Two-axis PV tracking offers a small improvement (about 4% on average) over single-vertical-axis tracking but offers noticeable improvement (about 34% on average) over optimally oriented fixed PV panels. Monthly profiles of expected PV electricity generation, as well as the generation drop due to changing the PV mounting from free standing to building integrated, were examined for three locations. As general perspectives that may be of interest to global readers, this work provides quantitative evidence of the overall accuracy of the PVGIS-SARAH database through comparison with ground-measured global horizontal irradiation (GHI). In addition, a full example is presented considering 12 different countries in the northern and southern hemispheres that brings the attention of solar energy modelers to the level of errors they may encounter when the impact of longitude (thus, the exact location) is ignored for simplicity, while focus is given to the latitude.

scholarly journals Performance analysis of photovoltaic plants installed in dairy cattle farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Remo Alessio Malagnino
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Energy Yield ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Technical Parameters ◽  
Global Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Electric production from renewable resources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV), is playing an increasingly essential role in the agricultural industry because of the progressive increase in the energy price from fossil fuels and the simultaneous decrease in the income deriving from farming activities. A central issue in the sustainable diffusion of PV technologies is represented by the actual energy efficiency of a PV system. For these reasons, a performance analysis has been carried out in order to assess the potentials offered by different PV plants within a defined geographical context with the aim of investigating the impact of each component has on the PV generator global efficiency and defining the main technical parameters that allow to maximise the annual specific electric energy yield of an architectonically integrated plant, installed in a dairy house, compared to a ground-mounted plant. The annual performances of three grid connected PV plants installed in the same dairy cattle farm have been analysed: two are architectonically integrated plants - <em>i.e.</em>, a rooftop unidirectional and a multi-field systems (both 99 kW<sub>p</sub>) - and the other is a ground-mounted plant (480 kW<sub>p</sub>). Furthermore, the electrical performances, estimated by the photovoltaic geographical information system (PVGIS), developed by the EU Joint Research Centre, and by an analytical estimation procedure (AEP), developed on the basis of a meteo-climatic database related to the records of the nearest weather station and integrated by the components’ technical specifications, have been compared with the actual yields. The best annual performance has been given by the ground-mounted PV system, with an actual increase of 26% and in the range of 6÷12% according to different estimations, compared to the integrated systems, which were globally less efficient (average total loss of 26÷27% compared to 24% of the ground-mounted system). The AEP and PVGIS software estimates showed a good level of reliability for mean deviations between the annual actual and estimated electrical power yields have been equal to 11.5% for each PV system given the actual irradiation’ s uncertainty during the examined year. The main technical parameters, crucial to maximise the energy yield from a ground-mounted PV system to an integrated one, have been identified in the Tilt and Azimuth angles. Indeed, once a variance of 3÷4% in the global efficiency has been confirmed when the type of PV system is changed, in the case of the unidirectional integrated PV plant, the high roof pitch and the almost South orientation guarantee a solar energy increase up to 18% higher than that obtainable on the horizontal plane and similar to the increase estimated for the ground-mounted generator (+20%). Hence, integrated PV systems, besides reaching the same levels of energy efficiency as those ground-mounted, are also more <em>sustainable</em> than the latter. This is true providing that there are both a suitable orientation and an accurate design, especially to prevent the PV panels’ warming during summer, on an already available surface that is, however, functional to the roof’s architecture.

scholarly journals Operation of TUT Solar PV Power Station Research Plant under Partial Shading Caused by Snow and Buildings

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Torres Lobera ◽  
Anssi Mäki ◽  
Juha Huusari ◽  
Kari Lappalainen ◽  
Teuvo Suntio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measuring System ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Building Structures ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Research Facility ◽  
Electrical Measurements ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Partial Shading ◽  
Power Characteristics ◽  
Pv Modules

A grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) research facility equipped with comprehensive climatic and electric measuring systems has been designed and built in the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Tampere University of Technology (TUT). The climatic measuring system is composed of an accurate weather station, solar radiation measurements, and a mesh of irradiance and PV module temperature measurements located throughout the solar PV facility. Furthermore, electrical measurements can be taken from single PV modules and strings of modules synchronized with the climatic data. All measured parameters are sampled continuously at 10 Hz with a data-acquisition system based on swappable I/O card technology and stored in a database for later analysis. The used sampling frequency was defined by thorough analyses of the PV system time dependence. Climatic and electrical measurements of the first operation year of the research facility are analyzed in this paper. Moreover, operation of PV systems under partial shading conditions caused by snow and building structures is studied by means of the measured current and power characteristics of PV modules and strings.

Effect of Unglazed Transpired Collector on the Performance of a Polycrystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Module

2006 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Naveed ◽  
E. C. Kang ◽  
E. J. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Polycrystalline Silicon ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
Forced Ventilation ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Typical Day ◽  
Electrical Output

The electrical power generated by a polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module mounted on an unglazed transpired solar collector (UTC) has been studied and compared to that of a PV module without UTC for a quantitative analysis of electrical output and its role in reducing the simple payback periods of photovoltaic electrical systems. A 75W polycrystalline silicon PV module was fixed on an UTC in front of the ventilation fan, and effectiveness of cooling by means of the forced ventilation at the rate of 160CFM was monitored. The temperature reduction under forced ventilation was in the range of 3-9°C with a 5% recovery in the electrical output power on a typical day of the month of February 2005. The simulated and measured electrical power outputs are in reasonable agreement with root-mean-square error of 2.40. The life cycle assessment of a hypothetical PV system located at Daejeon, South Korea and consisting of 3kW PV modules fixed on a 50m2 UTC shows that with a possible reduction of 3-9°C in the operating temperatures, the system requires three 75W fewer PV modules. The simple payback period of PV system is reduced from 23yearsto15years when integrated into an UTC air heating system.

scholarly journals A Linear Regression Model for THD Sensitivity in PV Based Microgrid with Varying Insolation Levels

2022 ◽  
pp. 179-186
Author(s):  
Yuvraj Praveen Soni ◽  
Eugene Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Linear Regression Model ◽  
Solar Irradiance ◽  
Harmonic Distortion ◽  
System Control ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Simulink Model ◽  
The Impact

Solar PV systems can be used for powering small microgrids in rural area of developing countries. Generally, a solar power microgrid consists of a PV array, an MPPT, a dc-dc converter and an inverter, particularly as the general loads are A.C in nature. In a PV system, reactive current, unbalancing in currents, and harmonics are generated due to the power electronics-based converters as well as nonlinear loads (computers induction motors etc). Thus, estimation of the harmonics levels measured by the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is an essential aspect of performance assessment of a solar powered microgrid. A major issue that needs to be examined is the impact of PV system control parameters on the THD. In this paper, we take up this assessment for a small PV based rural microgrid with varying levels of solar irradiance. A Simulink model has been developed for the study from which the THD at equilibrium conditions is estimated. This data is in turn used to design a generalized Linear Regression Model, which can be used to observe the sensitivity of three control variables on the magnitude of the THD. These variables are: Solar Irradiance levels, Power Factor (PF) of connected load magnitude of the connected load (in kVA) The results obtained show that the greatest sensitivity is obtained for load kVA variation.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study for Different Sizing of Solar PV System under Net Energy Metering Scheme at University Buildings

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 450-457
Author(s):  
T. M. N. T. Mansur ◽  
N. H. Baharudin ◽  
R. Ali
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Electricity Bill ◽  
Energy Metering ◽  
Solar Pv System ◽  
University Buildings ◽  
The University ◽  
Net Energy Metering

Malaysia has moved forward by promoting the use of renewable energy such as solar PV to the public to reduce dependency on fossil fuel-based energy resources. Due to the concern on high electricity bill, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is keen to install solar PV system as an initiative for energy saving program to its buildings. The objective of this paper is to technically and economically evaluate the different sizing of solar PV system for university buildings under the Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme. The study involves gathering of solar energy resource information, daily load profile of the buildings, sizing PV array together with grid-connected inverters and the simulation of the designed system using PVsyst software. Based on the results obtained, the amount of solar energy generated and used by the load per year is between 5.10% and 20.20% from the total annual load demand. Almost all solar energy generated from the system will be self-consumed by the loads. In terms of profit gained, the university could reduce its electricity bill approximately between a quarter to one million ringgit per annum depending on the sizing capacity. Beneficially, the university could contribute to the environmental conservation by avoiding up to 2,000 tons of CO2 emission per year.

scholarly journals Modeling of Photovoltaic Module Using the MATLAB

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Alok Dhaundiyal ◽  
Divine Atsu
Keyword(s):  
Standard Test ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Current Voltage ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Mathematical Model

This paper presents the modeling and simulation of the characteristics and electrical performance of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. Genetic coding is applied to obtain the optimized values of parameters within the constraint limit using the software MATLAB. A single diode model is proposed, considering the series and shunt resistances, to study the impact of solar irradiance and temperature on the power-voltage (P-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and predict the output of solar PV modules. The validation of the model under the standard test conditions (STC) and different values of temperature and insolation is performed, as well as an evaluation using experimentally obtained data from outdoor operating PV modules. The obtained results are also subjected to comply with the manufacturer’s data to ensure that the proposed model does not violate the prescribed tolerance range. The range of variation in current and voltage lies in the domain of 8.21 – 8.5 A and 22 – 23 V, respectively; while the predicted solutions for current and voltage vary from 8.28 – 8.68 A and 23.79 – 24.44 V, respectively. The measured experimental power of the PV module estimated to be 148 – 152 W is predicted from the mathematical model and the obtained values of simulated solution are in the domain of 149 – 157 W. The proposed scheme was found to be very effective at determining the influence of input factors on the modules, which is difficult to determine through experimental means.

scholarly journals Feasibility Study on Installation of Rooftop Photovoltaic System in Complied with Thailand Energy Building Code

2020 ◽  
Vol 186 ◽  
pp. 01004
Author(s):  
Pathomthat Chiradeja ◽  
Atthapol Ngaopitakkul
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Economic Perspective ◽  
Pv System

Renewable energy especially solar energy has become a significant part in electrical power generation with its advantage in the environmentally friendly and current trend of decrease in installation cost. The photovoltaic (PV) system on a rooftop is one of the power generating system based on renewable energy that can fit building to utilize space efficiently. This paper is analyzing the feasibility of installing a solar PV rooftop on the building using a case study building located in Bangkok, Thailand. The performance will be evaluated in term of both energy and economic perspective. The comparison with Thailand building energy code also been done to show that overall energy consumption with PV system complies with the law. The result has shown that with rooftop photovoltaic system installation, annual energy consumption in the building can be reduced significantly and it can achieve feasibility in term of economic perspective.

Impact of Storage Integrated Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Power System on Utility Peak Loads

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Agyenim-Boateng ◽  
R. F. Boehm
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Peak Load ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Transient Behavior ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Grid Load ◽  
The Impact

The promise of large-scale use of renewables such as wind and solar for supplying electrical power is tempered by the sources’ transient behavior and the impact this would have on the operation of the grid. One way of addressing this is through the use of supplemental energy storage. While the technology for the latter has not been proven on a large scale or to be economical at the present time, some assessments of what magnitude is required can be made. In performing this work we have used NREL’s Solar Advisor Model (SAM 2010) with TMY3 solar data to estimate the photovoltaic system power generation. Climatic conditions close to load centers were chosen for the simulations. Then the PV output for varying sizes of arrays were examined and the impact of varying amounts of storage investigated. The storage was characterized by maximum limiting energy and power capacities based on annual hourly peak load, as well as its charging and discharging efficiencies. The simulations were performed using hourly time steps with energy withdrawn from, or input to, storage only after considering base generation and the PV system output in serving the grid load. In this work, we examined the load matching capability of solar PV generation (orientated for maximum summer output) for a sample Southwestern US utility grid load of 2008. Specifically we evaluated the daily and seasonal peak load shifting with employing varying storage capacities. The annual average energy penetration based on the usable solar PV output is also examined under these conditions and at different levels of system flexibility.

scholarly journals Impact of Soiling Rate on Solar Photovoltaic Panel in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 225 ◽  
pp. 04008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaharin A. Sulaiman ◽  
M. Rosman M. Razif ◽  
Tan Dei Han ◽  
Samson M. Atnaw ◽  
S. Norazilah A. Tamili
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Model ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Solar Pv System ◽  
Time Basis

There are some weaknesses of using solar PV system especially when there is issue of soiling on the surface of solar PV panel. The consequences for absence of this such study can cause unanticipated cost in the operation of solar PV panel. The objective of this project is to study the trend of soiling rate over different time period and its effect on the performance of solar PV panel in Malaysia and to develop a simple prediction model for cleaning interval of solar PV system in Malaysia. The study was conducted on real-time basis on a building’s roof. Measurements of solar irradiance, voltage, current and the mass of dust collected were performed from both clean and dirty panels. It was discovered that the Monthly Test was significant with 4.53% of performance drop. Further analysis was conducted by running prediction model for cleaning interval. Intersection of graph plotting and fixed cleaning cost gives answer of cleaning interval that can be performed. It can be concluded that for every two and half month is the recommended time interval to perform regular cleaning to maximise electrical power generation by solar PV system in Malaysia.

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