STRATEGIC ORIENTATION TO SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTIONAND LONG TERM FINANCIAL BENEFITS

The strategy for developing and improving the application of green, clean, renewable and gratis solarenergy is a challenge for multidisciplinary teams of scientists. Exquisite examples of positive worldpractice of the largest solar power plants are presented in this paper, with all the characteristics, startingfrom the materials of photovoltaic panels and technical performance to the cost and financial benefits.The aim was to analyze the development of solar technologies in the function of defining furtherperspectives. The techno economic feasibility of the strategic orientation towards solar energy has beendemonstrated in the model of the solar power plant, carried out by experiment, profitability calculationand multi-criteria analysis. The conclusion is that long-term financial and holistic benefits can beachieved by investing in solar power plants.

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Prospects for Solar Energy Development in Belarus and Tatarstan

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14248491 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (24) ◽

pp. 8491

Author(s):

Uladzimir Bahach ◽

Anton Brin ◽

Yuri Vankov ◽

Konstantin Verchak ◽

Olga Afanaseva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Electricity Production ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Electricity Cost ◽

Industrial Enterprises ◽

Solar Power Plants ◽

The Cost

This paper discusses the resource, technical, and economic potential of using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Belarus and Tatarstan. The considered countries are characterized by poor actinometric conditions and relatively low tariffs for traditional energy resources. At the same time, Belarus is experienced with solar power due to different incentive mechanisms that have been used over the past decade. Moreover, the cost of building solar power plants in Belarus in 2013–2017 was lower than the world average. The cost of electricity production is analyzed depending on the geographical location of sites and the type of owners of solar power plants (i.e., households, businesses and industrial enterprises, electricity producers). Using the data on the cost of photovoltaic systems as presented by IRENA and considering actinometric data for Belarus and Tatarstan, a long-term forecast of PV electricity cost is made. The moments of the break-even points and payback periods are defined for Belarus and Tatarstan.

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Predicting the Performance of Solar Power Generation Using Deep Learning Methods

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11156887 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 6887

Author(s):

Chung-Hong Lee ◽

Hsin-Chang Yang ◽

Guan-Bo Ye

Keyword(s):

Power Generation ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Power Output ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Photovoltaic Cell ◽

Power Prediction ◽

Seasonal Characteristics ◽

Variable Nature ◽

Solar Power Plants

In recent years, many countries have provided promotion policies related to renewable energy in order to take advantage of the environmental factors of sufficient sunlight. However, the application of solar energy in the power grid also has disadvantages. The most obvious is the variability of power output, which will put pressure on the system. As more grid reserves are needed to compensate for fluctuations in power output, the variable nature of solar power may hinder further deployment. Besides, one of the main issues surrounding solar energy is the variability and unpredictability of sunlight. If it is cloudy or covered by clouds during the day, the photovoltaic cell cannot produce satisfactory electricity. How to collect relevant factors (variables) and data to make predictions so that the solar system can increase the power generation of solar power plants is an important topic that every solar supplier is constantly thinking about. The view is taken, therefore, in this work, we utilized the historical monitoring data collected by the ground-connected solar power plants to predict the power generation, using daily characteristics (24 h) to replace the usual seasonal characteristics (365 days) as the experimental basis. Further, we implemented daily numerical prediction of the whole-point power generation. The preliminary experimental evaluations demonstrate that our developed method is sensible, allowing for exploring the performance of solar power prediction.

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A Review of Conventional and Innovative- Sustainable Methods for Cleaning Reflectors in Concentrating Solar Power Plants

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10113937 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 3937 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sahar Bouaddi ◽

Aránzazu Fernández-García ◽

Chris Sansom ◽

Jon Sarasua ◽

Fabian Wolfertstetter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Concentrating Solar Power ◽

Water Based ◽

Solar Power Plants ◽

Cleaning Methods ◽

The Cost ◽

Solar Field ◽

High Reflectance

The severe soiling of reflectors deployed in arid and semi arid locations decreases their reflectance and drives down the yield of the concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. To alleviate this issue, various sets of methods are available. The operation and maintenance (O&M) staff should opt for sustainable cleaning methods that are safe and environmentally friendly. To restore high reflectance, the cleaning vehicles of CSP plants must adapt to the constraints of each technology and to the layout of reflectors in the solar field. Water based methods are currently the most commonly used in CSP plants but they are not sustainable due to water scarcity and high soiling rates. The recovery and reuse of washing water can compensate for these methods and make them a more reasonable option for mediterranean and desert environments. Dry methods, on the other hand, are gaining more attraction as they are more suitable for desert regions. Some of these methods rely on ultrasonic wave or vibration for detaching the dust bonding from the reflectors surface, while other methods, known as preventive methods, focus on reducing the soiling by modifying the reflectors surface and incorporating self cleaning features using special coatings. Since the CSP plants operators aim to achieve the highest profit by minimizing the cost of cleaning while maintaining a high reflectance, optimizing the cleaning parameters and strategies is of great interest. This work presents the conventional water-based methods that are currently used in CSP plants in addition to sustainable alternative methods for dust removal and soiling prevention. Also, the cleaning effectiveness, the environmental impacts and the economic aspects of each technology are discussed.

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ASSESSMENT OF SURFACE DOWNWELLING SHORTWAVE RADIATION IN 2021-2050 IN LAAYOUNE − SAKIA EL HAMRA REGION, MOROCCO

EUREKA Physics and Engineering ◽

10.21303/2461-4262.2019.00863 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 23-29

Author(s):

Youssef El Hadri ◽

Valeriy Khokhlov ◽

Mariia Slizhe ◽

Kateryna Sernytska ◽

Kateryna Stepanova

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Spatial Resolution ◽

Cloud Cover ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Energy Resources ◽

Shortwave Radiation ◽

Total Cloud Cover ◽

Solar Power Plants

Morocco's energy system is highly dependent on external energy markets. According to the Ministry Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development today more than 93 % of energy resources are imported to Morocco. In 2008 the Moroccan Government has developed a National Energy Strategy, and one of its priority areas is to increase the share of renewable technologies in the country's energy sector. Morocco is rich in solar energy resources. Studies on the assessment of the Morocco’s solar energy potential indicate, among other benefits, low additional costs when using solar installations compared to losses associated with the solution of future climate problems and lack of resources. The plan envisages the commissioning of solar power plants in Ouarzazate, Ain Ben Mathar, Boujdour, Tarfaya and Laayoune by 2020. The aim of this research is determination of the characteristics of the distribution of Surface Downwelling Shortwave Radiation in the area of the solar power Boujdour, Tarfaya and Laayoune, located in the Laayoune − Sakia El Hamra region in 2021−2050. The data from regional climate modeling with high spatial resolution of the CORDEX-Africa project are used in this research. The RCM modeling is carried out for the region of Africa, in a rectangular coordinate system with a spatial resolution of ~ 44 km. Then, from the modeling data, values are highlighted for the territory of Laayoune − Sakia El Hamra region. Model calculation is performed taking into account the greenhouse gas concentration trajectory of RCP 4.5 calculated using 11 regional climate models. As a result of the simulation for the period 2021−2050, average monthly values of the Surface Downwelling Shortwave Radiation "RSDS" (W/m2) are derived, on the basis of which the mean values for the period of time are calculated. For more detailed information, average monthly total cloud cover values "TC" (%) for the period under study are calculated. Analysis of the change in RSDS in 2021–2050 relative to the recent climatic period is shown that in the Laayoune − Sakia El Hamra region we can expect an increase or retention of its values. The annual run of the RSDS has one maximum in June and one minimum in December. In the future, the distribution of RSDS in the Laayoune − Sakia El Hamra region will have a significant impact on proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, where an increased amount of total cloud cover significantly reduces the amount of incoming radiation. In the location of solar power plants in the near future, the current RSDS values are expected to be maintained, which creates favorable conditions for the further development of the renewable energy industry in this area and increasing its productivity.

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Improving the Efficiency of Solar Power Plants

Engineering Technologies and Systems ◽

10.15507/2658-4123.030.202003.480-497 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 480-497

Author(s):

Dmitriy S. Strebkov ◽

Yuriy Kh. Shogenov ◽

Nikolay Yu. Bobovnikov

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Horizontal Surface ◽

Solar Power Plant ◽

Utilization Factor ◽

Working Surface ◽

Solar Power Plants

Introduction. An urgent scientific problem is to increase the efficiency of using solar energy in solar power plants (SES). The purpose of the article is to study methods for increasing the efficiency of solar power plants. Materials and Methods. Solar power plants based on modules with a two-sided working surface are considered. Most modern solar power plants use solar modules. The reflection of solar radiation from the earth’s surface provides an increase in the production of electrical energy by 20% compared with modules with a working surface on one side. It is possible to increase the efficiency of using solar energy by increasing the annual production of electric energy through the creation of equal conditions for the use of solar energy by the front and back surfaces of bilateral solar modules. Results. The article presents a solar power plant on a horizontal surface with a vertical arrangement of bilateral solar modules, a solar power station with a deviation of bilateral solar modules from a vertical position, and a solar power plant on the southern slope of the hill with an angle β of the slope to the horizon. The formulas for calculating the sizes of the solar energy reflectors in the meridian direction, the width of the solar energy reflectors, and the angle of inclination of the solar modules to the horizontal surface are given. The results of computer simulation of the parameters of a solar power plant operating in the vicinity of Luxor (Egypt) are presented. Discussion and Conclusion. It is shown that the power generation within the power range of 1 kW takes a peak value for vertically oriented two-sided solar modules with horizontal reflectors of sunlight at the installed capacity utilization factor of 0.45. At the same time, when the solar radiation becomes parallel to the plane of vertical solar modules, there is a decrease in the output of electricity. The proposed design allows equalizing and increasing the output of electricity during the maximum period of solar radiation. Vertically oriented modules are reliable and easy to use while saving space between modules.

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Reducing the Cost of Energy From Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants

Solar Energy ◽

10.1115/isec2003-44069 ◽

2003 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Henry Price ◽

David Kearney

Keyword(s):

Mojave Desert ◽

Power Plants ◽

Large Scale ◽

Solar Power ◽

Parabolic Trough ◽

Cost Of Energy ◽

Solar Power Plants ◽

The Cost ◽

The Impact ◽

Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Parabolic trough solar technology is the most proven and lowest cost large-scale solar power technology available today, primarily because of the nine large commercial-scale solar power plants that are operating in the California Mojave Desert. However, no new plants have been built during the past ten years because the cost of power from these plants is more expensive than power from conventional fossil fuel power plants. This paper reviews the current cost of energy and the potential for reducing the cost of energy from parabolic trough solar power plant technology based on the latest technological advancements and projected improvements from industry and sponsored R&D. The paper also looks at the impact of project financing and incentives on the cost of energy.

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Optimal Solar Plant Site Identification Using GIS and Remote Sensing: Framework and Case Study

Energies ◽

10.3390/en15010312 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 312

Author(s):

Abdulaziz Alhammad ◽

Qian (Chayn) Sun ◽

Yaguang Tao

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Alternative Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Electricity Production ◽

Solar Plant ◽

Plant Site ◽

Solar Power Plants ◽

Total Study Area ◽

Site Identification

Many countries have set a goal for a carbon neutral future, and the adoption of solar energy as an alternative energy source to fossil fuel is one of the major measures planned. Yet not all locations are equally suitable for solar energy generation. This is due to uneven solar radiation distribution as well as various environmental factors. A number of studies in the literature have used multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to determine the most suitable places to build solar power plants. To the best of our knowledge, no study has addressed the subject of optimal solar plant site identification for the Al-Qassim region, although developing renewable energy in Saudi Arabia has been put on the agenda. This paper developed a spatial MCDA framework catering to the characteristics of the Al-Qassim region. The framework adopts several tools used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), such as Random Forest (RF) raster classification and model builder. The framework aims to ascertain the ideal sites for solar power plants in the Al-Qassim region in terms of the amount of potential photovoltaic electricity production (PVOUT) that could be produced from solar energy. For that, a combination of GIS and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques were employed to determine five sub-criteria weights (Slope, Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), proximity to roads, proximity to residential areas, proximity to powerlines) before performing spatial MCDA. The result showed that ‘the most suitable’ and ‘suitable’ areas for the establishment of solar plants are in the south and southwest of the region, representing about 17.53% of the study area. The ‘unsuitable’ areas account for about 10.17% of the total study area, which is mainly concentrated in the northern part. The rest of the region is further classified into ‘moderate’ and ‘restricted’ areas, which account for 46.42% and 25.88%, respectively. The most suitable area for potential solar energy, yields approximately 1905 Kwh/Kwp in terms of PVOUT. The proposed framework also has the potential to be applied to other regions nationally and internationally. This work contributes a reproducible GIS workflow for a low-cost but accurate adoption of a solar energy plan to achieve sustainable development goals.

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