Performance assessment of three grid-connected photovoltaic systems with combined capacity of 6.575 kWp in Malaysia

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the performance of grid-connected photovoltaic systems based on three PV technologies along with a composite PV system installed at the rooftop of the engineering tower building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The grid-connected PV systems are based on poly-crystalline (p-si), mono-crystalline (m-si), and thin-film (amorphous silicon (a-si)) technologies. The performance evaluation is based on the monthly and annual data that is monitored from January 2016 to December 2019. A comprehensive analysis is conducted on eleven performance parameters such as; performance ratio, capacity factor, array yield, final yield, PV array efficiency, PV system efficiency, inverter efficiency, AC energy, array losses, system, and the overall losses. Results show that p-si based PV system performs better with high annual average (array yield (1309.7 h), array efficiency (12.17%), and system efficiency (11.33%)) accompanied by less degradation in eleven parameters as compared to a-si and m-si PV systems.Moreover, the performance ratios of p-si and a-si PV systems are found higher than the values reported in some of the existing literature studies, subjected to similar and different climatic conditions. The results also indicate that environmentally the composite PV system has the potential to avoid 28143.7 kg of CO2 emissions in four years. This research is expected to deliver valuable statistics to individuals and organizations about the real performance of grid-integrated PV systems in Malaysia, including other tropical climate regions in the world.