Application Of Solar Photovoltaic System Research Articles

Solar Energy: Applications, Trends Analysis, Bibliometric Analysis and Research Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Over the past decade, energy demand has witnessed a drastic increase, mainly due to huge development in the industry sector and growing populations. This has led to the global utilization of renewable energy resources and technologies to meet this high demand, as fossil fuels are bound to end and are causing harm to the environment. Solar PV (photovoltaic) systems are a renewable energy technology that allows the utilization of solar energy directly from the sun to meet electricity demands. Solar PV has the potential to create a reliable, clean and stable energy systems for the future. This paper discusses the different types and generations of solar PV technologies available, as well as several important applications of solar PV systems, which are “Large-Scale Solar PV”, “Residential Solar PV”, “Green Hydrogen”, “Water Desalination” and “Transportation”. This paper also provides research on the number of solar papers and their applications that relate to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the years between 2011 and 2021. A total of 126,513 papers were analyzed. The results show that 72% of these papers are within SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. This shows that there is a lack of research in solar energy regarding the SDGs, especially SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. More research is needed in these fields to create a sustainable world with solar PV technologies.

A review on non-isolated low-power DC–DC converter topologies with high output gain for solar photovoltaic system applications

Abstract The major challenges of the high-gain DC–DC boost converters are high-voltage stress on the switch, extreme duty ratio operation, diode reverse-recovery and converter efficiency problems. There are many topologies of high-gain converters that have been widely developed to overcome those problems, especially for solar photovoltaic (PV) power-system applications. In this paper, 20 high-gain and low-power DC–DC converter topologies are selected from many topologies of available literature. Then, seven prospective topologies with conversion ratios of >15 are thoroughly reviewed and compared. The selected topologies are: (i) voltage-multiplier cell, (ii) voltage doubler, (iii) coupled inductor, (iv) converter with a coupled inductor and switch capacitor, (v) converter with a switched inductor and switched capacitor, (vi) cascading techniques and (vii) voltage-lift techniques. Each topology has its advantages and disadvantages. A comparison of the seven topologies is provided in terms of the number of components, hardware complexity, maximum converter efficiency and voltage stress on the switch. These are presented in detail. So, in the future, it will be easier for researchers and policymakers to choose the right converter topologies and build them into solar PV systems based on their needs.

Mathematical modelling for solar cell, panel and array for photovoltaic system

Renewable energy is considered as next alternative to fossil fuels and nowadays, it attracts much attention in agriculture and environmental protection. Application of solar photovoltaic system is drying and dehydration of products, heating, irrigation, greenhouse and power generation etc. Temperature and sun radiation varies nonlinearly. Power generation varies with reference to radiation and temperature in photo-voltaic (PV) system. PV characteristic is nonlinear and PV cell is the basic unit for electricity generation. To get the characteristic response of PV, it aimed to develop a solar cell/panel model and array on a platform like MATLAB. In this research paper, step by step procedure has been defined for modelling solar cell, panel, and array models of the photovoltaic system. Kyocera solar KC-200GT 200W solar panel is used as a reference model for further modelling. The PV array characteristic are simulated for different irradiance(200W/m2,400 W/m2 ,600 W/m2 ,800W/m2 ,1000W/m2)and temperature variation(25°C, 35°C, 45°C, 55°C, 75°C). The output characteristic of the reference model matches with simulated results. The output reduced when the solar irradiation reduced from 1000 to 200 W/m2. As the temperature increased, the output voltage decreases, whereas the output current increases slightly. This model would be useful for investigating the effect of different parameters like series resistance, shunt resistance, thermal voltage, solar cell temperature coefficient of short circuit current etc. It would also be useful for investigating the working parameters like temperature & radiation condition and different series and parallel combinations of panels. This modelling is useful in investigating the performance of solar arrays in different applications of solar power generation, as well as modelling provides a major role in the mounting of PV panels.

Comparison study of lead-acid and lithium-ıon batteries for solar photovoltaic applications

The battery energy storage systems are very essential for maintaining constant power supply when using solar photovoltaic systems for power generation. The viability and ability of battery energy storage systems are assessed based on battery usage in Solar Photovoltaic utility grid-connected systems. The power supply quality and reliability are improved by utilizing battery energy storage technologies in conjunction with solar photovoltaic systems. This paper presents a comparative analysis of Lead-Acid Storage battery and Lithium-ion battery banks connected to a utility grid. The battery mathematical model simulation study gives their performance characteristics of these batteries under grid-connected loads. Cost-benefit analysis of battery usage for determining the best battery suitable for solar photovoltaic system applications is also presented in this paper.

Estimation of the photovoltaic cells/modules parameters using an improved Rao-based chaotic optimization technique

One of the most important challenges issues while addressing the industrial applications of solar photovoltaic systems is to predict the performance of a photovoltaic system since the current–voltage and power-voltage characteristics are highly nonlinear. Note that the majority of manufacturer's data sheets do not provide full information about internal parameters of photovoltaic systems which are crucial to simulate an accurate photovoltaic module. As a major alternative for parameters' extraction of solar photovoltaic cells/modules, mathematical based optimization and global research techniques are more suitable compared with other methods. In this context, a new optimization method is proposed in this paper to extract the parameters of solar photovoltaic cells/modules of different technologies while providing an accurate representation of the current–voltage and power-voltage curves. For this purpose, the proposed optimization algorithm is based on a chaotic generator combined with the newly developed Rao-1 optimization algorithm to extract the photovoltaic parameters. A comparative performance analysis shows that the proposed optimization algorithm with a chaotic based search sequence has better performance in terms of robustness and accuracy while extracting the photovoltaic parameters than many recent well-known optimization algorithms. Further, comprehensive results show that the double diode model is more accurate to estimate the appropriate values of the model's parameters.

Photovoltaic Power Prediction for Solar Car Park Lighting Office Energy Management

Abstract The photovoltaic energy is widely used in modern power network due to its environmental and economic benefits. Solar car park is one of the solar photovoltaic system applications. The photovoltaic energy has disadvantages of intermittence and weather's variation. Thus, photovoltaic power prediction is very necessary to guarantee a balance between the produced energy and the solar car park requirements. The prediction of the photovoltaic energy is related to solar irradiation and ambient temperature forecasting. The aim of this study was to evaluate various methodologies for weather data estimation, namely, the empirical models, the multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN), and the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The simulation results show that the ANFIS model can be successfully used to forecast the photovoltaic power. The forecasted photovoltaic energy was used for the solar car park lighting office management algorithm.

A New Nonisolated High-Step-Up DC–DC Converter Topology with High Voltage Gain Using Voltage Multiplier Cell Circuit for Solar Photovoltaic System Applications

The solar photovoltaic (PV) source is preferred to be functioned at low voltages. The practical systems such as grid-tied systems require a high output voltage causing a reduction in conversion efficiency. To handle this problem, this paper presents a new nonisolated boost DC–DC converter with a single switch suitable for solar PV applications. This converter comprises dual voltage multiplier (VM) cells, leakage energy recovery scheme, and coupled inductor (CI) techniques to get the desired output voltage from the converter. The double-clamp capacitors are connected to the primary side of the CI. The clamp capacitors can share the current through CI, and it ensures that the leakage inductance energy of CI can be recovered, leading to an expansion in the converter voltage gain and conversion efficiency. In addition, the clamp circuit clamps the voltage stress of the MOSFET switch, and the clamp capacitors will discharge at a specific time to increase the converter gain. A high duty cycle is not necessary for getting a high voltage gain, which avoids the diode reverse recovery issues. The converter can be operated in both continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). A 500-W experimental prototype is developed for experimental validation, and the supporting simulation results are presented. The maximum efficiency of the converter is 93.94%, and, at full load, the efficiency is 92.55%.

The Application of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation System in Ships

Chen, L.; Li, X., and Xu, C.-X., 2019. The application of solar photovoltaic power generation system in ships. In: Gong, D.; Zhu, H., and Liu, R. (eds.), Selected Topics in Coastal Research: Engineering, Industry, Economy, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 94, pp. 525–529. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Nowadays, we are in the era of information technology explosion. Science and technology are various and changing with each passing day. All of these are responding positively to the continuously deepening innovative ideas throughout the country. It has become one of the most concerned green technologies on ships to use solar energy and other new energy power generation technology and electric propulsion technology to form integrated electric propulsion technology. Aiming at the application of solar photovoltaic system in ships, based on the introduction of the principle and mode of use of solar photovoltaic system, the application characteristics of solar photovoltaic system and its components in ships are analyzed, and the important characteristics of ship power grid based on solar photovoltaic system are discussed and summarized, which provides a basis for future system design and application. The results showed that the pollutants CO, NOX and HC showed a downward trend. With the further development of solar photovoltaic technology, the utilization of solar energy will be one of the key measures to realize green navigation for ships in the future.

Maximum Power Tracking and Current Control for Solar Photovoltaic System Applications, Hybrid Dynamical System Approach

The problem of a DC-DC buck converter control to extract the maximum power from a photovoltaic (PV) system is considered in this paper. A controller is proposed based on the hybrid dynamical system approach dealing with both voltage and current control. This approach allows the system to track a desired voltage using the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm while keeping the output current at a moderate level. The stability of the closed loop of the full system is demonstrated by means of Lyapunov theory. The simulation utilizes realistic PV array parameters obtained using particle swarm optimization (PSO) identification algorithm. Experimental results are also presented showing the good performance of the proposed controller.

Application of solar photovoltaic system to power air blower and mixing mechanism in a tilting furnace

Gas and oil-fired furnaces require air blower and stirring mechanism to produce homogeneous metal matrix, alloyed metals and metallic composites. Both the blower and the stirrer require electric power that is not reliable in some urban areas and non-available in some rural communities in sub-Saharan countries. In this paper, a 20 kg oil-fired tilting furnace for melting iron, gold, aluminium, lead, magnesium, copper, tin et cetera and also used to produce metal matrix composites through liquid metallurgy routes, is designed for off-grid locations. Photovoltaic system specification of 250 W solar panel, 20A charge controller, 300 AH deep cycle battery and 1,400 W inverter were used to provide electric power to the air blower and mixing motor of the tilting furnace. With this arrangement, this versatile tilting furnace could be used in cottage industry without electric mains by small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), thus reducing unemployment among the populace and reduction of emission products into the atmosphere.

Application of solar photovoltaic system to power air blower and mixing mechanism in a tilting furnace

Application of solar photovoltaic system to power air blower and mixing mechanism in a tilting furnace

Solar-energy mobile water aerators are efficient for restoring eutrophic water

Surface water eutrophication has become a worldwide social issue. large amounts of secondhand energy, high capital investment are required, and most ecosystem disturbances will arise in the conventional eutrophication restoration measures. However, mobile solar-energy water aerator has the better oxygen transfer rate, hydrodynamic condition and can be used in the large waterbody for its cruising character. Second, the device is low carbon and sustainable for the solar photovoltaic system applications. So the device can be widely used in the eutrophication restoration.

Progress of electrowetting applications in micro-nano energy conversion and utilization systems

Dynamic wetting is a process that one fluid replaces the other fluid (usually gas) on solid surfaces, which is very common and widely involved in our daily activities and many industrial applications, such as printing, dyeing, coating, drag reduction, and many others. Due to the complexity of the dynamic wetting, most of studies have focused on understanding the dynamic wetting behaviors of simple fluids on homogeneous flat surfaces without any external fields in early ages. The gaps between the research with ideal wetting conditions and real applications facilitate the studies of dynamic wetting with complex conditions, such as complex fluids (non-Newtonian fluids, colloidal solutions, nanofluids etc.), real substrates (hydrophobic surfaces, hydrophilic surfaces, micro-nano hybrid surfaces or others), and complex external fields (electric fields, thermal fields or magnetic fields). Among these studies, the dynamic wetting with external electric fields, also known as electrowetting, is a hot topic. Electrowetting is a modification method of the surface wettability using an applied electric field. Electrowetting has been widely used in many microfluidic systems, such as electronic microlenses, electronic-paper, electrowetting display and others. This paper provides a review on the recent developments of electrowetting applications in the emerging micro-nano energy conversion and utilization systems, ranging from the physical and theoretical research, fundamental applications to industrial applications. The fundamental physical concepts and principles involved in electrowetting phenomena are reviewed in the first part. The mainstream physical mechanisms related to electrowetting are summarized and compared to illustrate their successes and limitations. The challenges in the topic of electrowetting phenomena are summarized, which lie in four aspects: (1) the contact angle saturation; (2) the contact angle hysteresis; (3) the electric puncture & electrolysis; (4) electrowetting reversibility on super-hydrophobic surfaces. This paper also reviews and summarizes the new achievements and contributions on material, structure and complex external conditions related to electrowetting applications. The gaps between electrowetting fundamental research and industrial applications lie in several facts, including the new electrowetting materials with low triggered electric field strength, the novel structures which can easily manipulate the liquid transport using electrowetting. Among the electrowetting structures, the “sandwich” style, the open-style, the twins-style, as well as the pole-array-style are summarized to illustrate their advantages and disadvantages. The liquid manipulation, the complex inner flows and the droplet vibration with external electric fields using electrowetting provide potential applications in the energy conversion or thermal management devices. There have been some pioneering studies on micro-nano energy conversion and utilization systems using electrowetting. The latest development on the research of the applications in the micro-nano energy conversion and utilization systems is reviewed, including micro-channel systems, electronic cooling, phase change and solar photovoltaic system applications. The outlooks on the topic of electrowetting are provided in end of this review, including: (1) new materials and EWOD (electrowetting-on-dielectric) structures; (2) electrowetting of complex fluids containing functional particles; (3) electrowetting coupled with thermal field or magnetic field; (4) enhancing boiling and condensation heat transfer using electrowetting; (5) smart thermal management methods using electrowetting.

Broadband and omnidirectional highly-transparent coverglasses coated with biomimetic moth-eye nanopatterned polymer films for solar photovoltaic system applications

Highly-transparent coverglasses coated with broadband and omnidirectional antireflective (AR) moth-eye nanopatterned ultra-violet (UV) curable polymer, i.e., Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA) 63, films are reported. The moth-eye nanopatterns on the NOA63 polymer films/glasses are transferred from the silicon molds with conical nanogratings (NGs) using poly-dimethylsiloxane stamps by a soft imprint lithography technique. For the NOA63 NGs/glasses, surface wetting behaviors, UV radiation/thermal effects, and optical properties, together with theoretical analyses using rigorous coupled-wave analysis calculations, are investigated. For a period of 380nm, the NOA63 NGs/glass exhibits a hydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of ~112°. Furthermore, it increases the transmittance of the bare glass over a wide range of wavelengths and incident light angles, showing the higher solar weighted transmittance (TSW) of ~93.2% at an incident angle (θi) of 0° and the larger average TSW value of ~83.6% at θi=10–70° than those (i.e., TSW~90.1% at θi=0° and average TSW value of ~81.5% at θi=10–70°) of the bare glass in the wavelength range of 350–1800nm. In addition, it shows a relatively good stability under intense UV radiation and high temperature. By employing the 380nm-period NG patterned NOA63 films into an AR coating of coverglasses in encapsulated III-V GaInP/GaInAs/Ge triple-junction solar photovoltaic (PV) sub-receiver modules, an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 31.33% is obtained mainly due to an increased short-circuit current density (JSC) of 14.68mA/cm2 compared to reference PV modules with the bare coverglass (i.e., PCE=30.12% and JSC=14.07mA/cm2) at θi=0°. For incident angle-dependent PV module characteristics, it also has more outstanding solar energy conversion properties in a wide θi range of 10–70°.

Anti-islanding selection for grid-connected solar photovoltaic system applications: A MCDM based distance approach

The main objectives of this paper are to identify the major challenges of islanding-detection and suggest an appropriate islanding-detection method (IDM) for grid-connected solar photovoltaic system (GCSPVS) application using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) analysis. Related articles appearing in the field of islanding-detections for GCSPVS as well as other types of distributed generators are studied and analyzed so that the following questions can be answered: Which factors dominate the selection of IDM? Which evaluating factors are the crucial ones? Which evaluating criteria are paid more attention to for a particular application? In this research, the preferences of the criteria with their correlations have been evaluated by the analytic network process (ANP). And, these criteria preferences are made involved in the decision matrix of the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) which is a distance based optimization technique. Unlike hierarchy based approach, the proposed approach takes into account the interdependence relationships among all the constraint of IDM selection and the sensitivity analysis of the model indicates the robustness of the selection.

Generation of a uniform-square focal spot by a compound lens for solar concentration applications

This paper describes a compound lens for solar photovoltaic system applications, which is composed of a front aspheric or Fresnel surface and a back array of concave surfaces. In contrast to earlier designs, the proposed method can simultaneously focus and shape sun light into a uniform-square pattern on the solar cell. For a square solar cell, this approach can maximize the solar cell's opto-electric conversion efficiency by enhancing the concentrated pattern's uniformity. In this article, the theoretical models of the beam shaping focused lens is derived and then compared with experimental data. The tolerance in assembling the component of the concentrator is also analyzed and the corresponding simulation and experimental results are discussed in detail.