Performance measurement of 5 kWp rooftop grid-connected SPV system in moderate climatic region of Imphal, Manipur, India

Abstract

The performance of 5 kWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic (SPV) system has been measured for period of 24 months which is installed in north-eastern region of India, Manipur. The performance parameters i.e. reference yield, array yield, final yield, PV system efficiency, performance ratio (PR) and capacity utilization factors (CUF) are used to evaluate performance of the system feasibility. The measured performance is compared with the simulated results using PVsyst software to study feasibility of the SPV technology at the site having three distinct seasons of summer, winter and monsoon. The PR is a key indicator to check performance of SPV system, and is found to be 74.4 % which is satisfactory. The CUF of the system is also another indicator to judge performance of the system and found to be 14.31, which is favorable condition for SPV system. The PV system efficiency is found to be 14.4 %. The performance is compared with similar SPV systems installed elsewhere in different regions. In India, the performance SPV systems which have been studied mostly, are in hot and humid climatic conditions, thereby it is appropriate to compare those systems with moderate climatic condition as Imphal. The performance analysis of present grid-connected rooftop system is studied for the first time in the state Manipur, India. The results will help in setting up SPV systems at different locations within the state by stake holders and also similar climatic condition elsewhere.