Technical achievable potential of photovoltaic conversion of solar radiation for the conditions of Ukraine

Abstract

This study investigates solar energy photovoltaic conversion processes while exploring new approaches to identify potential areas for the installation of photovoltaic stations. This research aims to enhance existing methodologies of technical-achievable potential calculation, considering the specificity of territories, the possibility of installing rooftop photovoltaic stations, and the current development of photovoltaic technologies. The developed methodology considers the type of stations, urban building specifics during the calculation of suitable areas for photovoltaic station installation, the potential for installing small and medium rooftop stations, and the modern technical characteristics of photovoltaic modules. The refinement of the PV panels and PV station area ratio calculations revealed that its value depends on the type and power of the station, varying from 0 to 1. This approach simplifies the determination of power capacity of a station that can be installed in a designated area. Consideration of the technical characteristics of the latest photoelectric conversion technologies demonstrates a significant potential increase compared to the existing calculation methodologies. Calculations conducted using the developed methodology revealed that the technically achievable potential of solar energy conversion for Ukraine is 369 TWh/year (254 GWp DC). This figure exceeds the estimations of existing calculation methodologies at least twice. The obtained results showed a significantly greater potential for solar energy in Ukraine, which expands the possibilities of using photovoltaic technologies to supply energy to consumers. This is especially important during the war because of the insufficient electricity production by existing power plants, many of which have been destroyed.