Abstract
The objective of this paper is to establish the performance of 8 kWp grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power systems based on different PV module technologies in Nanjing, China. Nanjing has a hot summer and a cold winter which are considered based on monthly average solar irradiation and ambient temperature specifically for the deployment of grid-connected PV systems. The study focuses on performance assessment of grid-connected PV systems using typical PV modules made of monocrystalline silicon (m-Si), polycrystalline silicon (p-Si), edge-defined film-fed growth silicon (EFG-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film, copper indium selenide (CIS) thin film, heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT), and hydrogenated amorphous silicon single-junction (a-Si:H single-PV) installed on location. The yearly average energy output, PV module and system efficiency, array yield, final yield, reference yield, performance ratio, monthly average array capture losses, and system losses of seven PV module technologies are all analyzed. The results show that grid-connected PV power system performance depends on geographical location, PV module types, and climate conditions such as solar radiation and ambient temperature. In addition, based on energy output and efficiency, the HIT PV power technology can be considered as the best option and CdTe and p-Si as the least suitable options for this area. The monthly average performance ratio of the CdTe technology was higher than those of other technologies over the monitoring period in Nanjing.
Highlights
Thermal power generation has a number of shortcomings, including consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas resources, serious environmental pollution, and low utilization rate
The four seasons are distinct in this region, with hot summers and cold winters
The annual sunshine is about 2200–3000 hours in Nanjing, and the city has good light conditions, making this region suitable to build a certain capacity of PV power stations
Summary
Thermal power generation has a number of shortcomings, including consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas resources, serious environmental pollution, and low utilization rate. Solar energy has experienced vigorous growth around the world and is one of the most prominent renewable energy sources. More attention has been paid recently to solar PV power generation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nanjing has a hot summer and a cold winter with a north subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons, plentiful sunshine, and rain. The four seasons are distinct in this region, with hot summers and cold winters. The annual sunshine is about 2200–3000 hours in Nanjing, and the city has good light conditions, making this region suitable to build a certain capacity of PV power stations. In the long term, Nanjing should develop renewable energy sources such as solar energy [6,7,8]
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