A Comparison of Energy Generated from Photovoltaic Panel for Two Technologies Installed in a Remote Area of Kuwait

Abstract

A survey was conducted to locate a suitable site to install a meteorological station in the desert of Kuwait. A meteorological station was installed with two pyranometers that provide global and diffused irradiation on the horizontal plane as well as the global irradiation at an inclination angle of 20 o . The meteorological station also measure wind speed and direction and ambient temperature as well as temperature of a photovoltaic (PV) panel for two technologies: First Solar (CdTe) and Suntech (c-Si). The station was autonomous and powered by built-in-battery that was charged using the two installed PV panels. The collected data were automatically transmitted to the research facility through mobile communication. A panel cleaning protocol was conducted to enable the experts to define the best optimized cleaning schedule for a future PV power plant in Kuwait. The conclusions of this protocol will help the experts to define a panel sourcing and cleaning strategy for future PV power plants in Kuwait. Collected data are drawn, analyzed, and studies. The two PV panels installed on the meteorological station enabled the experts to validate all theoretical models and PV panel supplier’s specifications in the climatic conditions of Kuwait by simply analyzing the output power of each panel and comparing it with theoretical computation. This is particularly important in an environment which is quite different from PV panel manufacturer’s standard conditions of use. Results of the study are set to provide specific parameters for better understanding of the exact sun radiation or the effect of dust, aerosols, humidity and temperature in the energy production forecast.