Abstract
The existing processes that determines the yield of a photovoltaic (PV) system before construction commences are fairly unstructured. Research that defines a structured process for simulation purposes is limited. This article builds on prior research where a proposed structured pre-assessment process, which may be applied before construction commences, was generated so that electricity yield from a PV system can be predicted with a higher degree of accuracy, and then subsequently optimized. By implementing the proposed pre-assessment process, calculating the future return on investment (ROI) by private investors is simplified, given that the existing process is restrictive. The research used the results from a South African case study over 24 months to ascertain the validity of the proposed pre-assessment process. The validation process includes analyzing the load demand of the shopping centre before and after the PV system was constructed, comparing the electricity yield from the PV system to the simulation results obtained in the preceding research, and amending the proposed pre-assessment process accordingly for improved electricity estimation. The case study shopping centre operates in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and consumes approximately 5000 kVA under maximum load.
Highlights
Deployment of renewable energy technologies is undertaken to improve energy security, reduce dependency on current infrastructure, encourage economic development in rural and manufacturing sectors and reduce the environmental mitigating effects caused by fossil fuel-based technologies [1]
By estimating the electricity yield from the PV system before construction commences, an investor can determine the financial viability of the investment or the EPC company can determine warranty conditions [37]
Research that defines a structured pre-assessment process to be implemented by investors to estimate the electricity yield from a PV system within South Africa, is limited
Summary
Deployment of renewable energy technologies is undertaken to improve energy security, reduce dependency on current infrastructure, encourage economic development in rural and manufacturing sectors and reduce the environmental mitigating effects caused by fossil fuel-based technologies [1]. The South African utility has experienced difficulties in providing reliable electricity to the grid, resulting in the implementation of a controlled blackout mechanism (known as load shedding) to protect the power system from total failure [2]. This has further exaggerated the need for electricity, as approximately. By implementing the IRP, diversification of the various energy sources within South Africa is possible [6] This is especially important since approximately 77% of South Africa’s energy supply is reliant on coal-based technologies [8]
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