Abstract
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have demonstrated growing competitiveness as a viable alternative to fossil fuel-based power plants to mitigate the negative impact of fossil energy sources on the environment. Notwithstanding, solar PV technology has not made yet a meaningful contribution in most countries globally. This study aims to encourage the adoption of solar PV systems on rooftop buildings in countries which have a good solar energy potential, and even if they are oil or gas producers, based on the obtained results of a proposed PV system. The performance of a rooftop grid-tied 3360 kWp PV system was analyzed by considering technical, economic, and environmental criteria, solar irradiance intensity, two modes of single-axis tracking, shadow effect, PV cell temperature impact on system efficiency, and Texas A&M University as a case study. The evaluated parameters of the proposed system include energy output, array yield, final yield, array and system losses, capacity factor, performance ratio, return on investment, payback period, Levelized cost of energy, and carbon emission. According to the overall performance results of the proposed PV system, it is found to be a technically, economically, and environmentally feasible solution for electricity generation and would play a significant role in the future energy mix of Texas.
Highlights
It is necessary to determine the utilizable area of a rooftop based on several factors such as support structure features, spacing required for avoiding shadow on modules, tracking system type, suitable space for maintenance purposes to calculate the number of modules that can be installed on available areas
To use a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) metric to compare the cost of energy generation from different energy source options, two criteria have been used for assessing the profitability of a project without including interest or the timevalue of money that are known as return on investment (ROI) and payback period (PBP) [27]
These three economical indictors values refer that the system is worth for investment compared to the traditional power plants, especially if LCOE E of the system was compared with other LCOE values of PV systems that have one-axis tacking, and installed on the rooftop: 4.91–6.05 c/kWh [38], 3.9–6.8 c/kWh [39], and 4–6 c/kWh [36]
Summary
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are a promising technology through offering a significant potential for providing energy in a sustainable way. Access to PV energy will play a critical role in shifting consumption toward low-carbon electricity. PV systems on the roof of buildings can be adopted as one of the major future sources of electricity generation mix due to drastic reduction in PV module cost, faster installation than other renewable energy technologies, avoidance of land costs, minimized grid transmission line cost and lessening dependence on fossil fuels. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the cost of PV modules and systems have declined by 80% and 67% of their initial cost, respectively. PV systems’ contribution to global electricity generation is forecast to increase to 16% by 2050, compared with 11% in 2010, and this would avoid up to 4 gigatons of annual greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions [1]
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