Abstract
The performance and economics of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems are affected by the array spacing. Increasing the array spacing implies reducing the impact of shading, but at the same time, it increases the land purchase/preparation costs and the wiring costs. A number of technical and economic factors are involved when selecting an optimum array spacing. Designers of PV plants often set the row-to-row spacing based on simplified rules, losing the opportunity of improving the profitability of their projects. In this paper, a comprehensive methodology for optimizing the array spacing is proposed. It is based on annual shading energy calculations and incorporates a PV energy yield model together with an economic model focused on investment costs. The method is applied to the climatic conditions in Aguascalientes, Mexico, as a case study. A sensitivity analysis allowed the impact of the technical and economic parameters involved on the optimum interrow distance to be quantified. According to the results, the most relevant technical parameters are the module tilt (often considered by the PV designers), the ratio of plant width to plant length, and the module efficiency. The main economic parameters are the land-related costs and the costs per kWp. The comparison of this methodology to a conventional rule based on the winter solstice condition shows differences in the array spacing for the same location when the multiple technical and economic parameters are considered. Therefore, the proposed method will be useful for PV designers to improve the energetic and economic behavior of their systems.
Highlights
There are several parameters of photovoltaic (PV) plants that can be modified during the early design affecting the profitability of the project
As a number of technical and economic parameters are involved in the optimization problem, the solution is more complex than those commonly employed in the PV industry
This study is based on records of global horizontal irradiance (Ghor) and ambient temperature (Tamb) taken from December 2005 to April 2015 at 10-minute intervals in a meteorological station located near the center of Aguascalientes city (21.9°N, −102.3°E)
Summary
There are several parameters of photovoltaic (PV) plants that can be modified during the early design affecting the profitability of the project. The interrow spacing plays a significant role. Increasing the array spacing implies higher annual energy output because of the reduced impact of shading, but at the same time, it raises costs of land purchase/preparation and wiring costs. Methodologies that optimize the array spacing can be developed. As a number of technical and economic parameters are involved in the optimization problem, the solution is more complex than those commonly employed in the PV industry. Designers of PV plants are losing the opportunity of improving the profitability of their projects because of the lack of comprehensive methodologies regarding this issue
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