Comparative Study of System Performance of Two 2.4 kW Grid-connected PV Installations in Tepic-Nayarit and Temixco-morelos in México

Abstract

Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems are needed to introduce photovoltaic energy into rural and urban areas in México. Two 2.4 kWp grid-connected PV systems have been installed for the present study. Each system consists of 10 modules of 240 Wp rated at 15.0% efficiency under standard conditions, covering a roof area of 16.45 sq. m. approximately. One system has been installed at the University of Nayarit in Tepic (21°29’N, 104°53’W, 920 m above msl) in the Pacific coastal area oriented toward the south inclined at 22° to the horizontal and with an azimuth of 9° to the southwest (building orientation). Its main purpose is to introduce the society to the use of renewable energy and the benefits that it represents towards sustainability. The installation also helps the faculty in teaching students topics related to the scientific and technological aspects of the photovoltaic solar energy conversion. The other system has been installed on a suburban house in Temixco-Morelos (18°51’N, 99°13’W, 1450 m above msl) in a hilly inland area with an inclination angle of 15° to the horizontal, and oriented 30o from the south toward west (azimuth angle) due to architectural limitation. The purpose was to meet the total electrical energy need for a middle-class family and hence promote massive use of this type of system in this region of the country. Both systems are grid-tied through a 3kW inverter. The supplied grid energy and performance ratio of the same type PV system in two different climatic locations are described in this work. During a twelve month period, of July-2012 to June 2013, the Tepic-installation generated 3888 kWh, whereas the Temixco-installation generated 4118 kWh. Monthly average daytime temperature and meteorological parameters for this period in Tepic-Nayarit and Temixco-Morelos, are also presented. The Temixco-Morelos PV system supplied nearly 90% of electrical energy need for the house. Results establish that grid-connected PV system is feasible over vast areas in Mexico.