Grid-connected Building Integrated Photovoltaic Research Articles

Design and comparative analysis of grid-connected BIPV system with monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon in Kandahar climate

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system is a new and modern technique for solar energy production in Kandahar. Due to its location, Kandahar has abundant sources of solar energy. People use both monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon solar PV modules for the grid-connected solar PV system, and they don’t know that which technology performs better for BIPV system. This paper analysis the parameters, described by IEC61724 “Photovoltaic System Performance Monitoring Guidelines for Measurement, Data Exchange and Analysis” to evaluate which technology shows better performance for the BIPV system. The monocrystalline silicon BIPV system has a 3.1% higher array yield than the polycrystalline silicon BIPV system. The final yield is 0.2% somewhat higher for monocrystalline silicon than polycrystalline silicon. Monocrystalline silicon has 0.2% and 4.5% greater yearly yield factor and capacity factors than polycrystalline silicon respectively. Monocrystalline silicon shows 0.3% better performance than polycrystalline silicon. With 1.7% reduction and 0.4% addition in collection losses and useful energy produced respectively, monocrystalline silicon solar PV system shows good performance than polycrystalline silicon solar PV system. But system losses are the same for both technologies. The monocrystalline silicon BIPV system injects 0.2% more energy to the grid than the polycrystalline silicon BIPV system.

A new hybrid BIPV array for enhancing maximum power with reduced mismatch losses under extreme partial shading scenarios

ABSTRACT Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are gaining major attention in modern cities due to the absence of free space to install ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plants. A large interconnected BIPV array (liBA) is essential for standalone and grid-connected BIPV systems. The major problem with liBA is the partial shading (PS) phenomenon that increases the mismatch losses (MmLs) and reduces the maximum power (MP) output. Modelling, simulation, and performance analysis of a novel 7 × 5 and 7 × 8 hybrid triple-tied total-cross-tied (TrTd-TtCrTd) fixed BIPV array for increasing MP with reduced MmLs under extreme PS conditions are the main goals of this research paper. In addition, existing hybrid arrays such as series-parallel total-cross-tied (SePl-TtCrTd), bridge-linked total-cross-tied (BdLk-TtCrTd), and honey-combed total-cross-tied (HnCb-TtCrTd), as well as conventional triple-tied (TrTd) and total-cross-tied (TtCrTd), are compared. The simulation results are also validated experimentally using two PS situations. Finally, the global maximum power point (GlMxPoPt), MmLs, fill factor (FiFa), and efficiency (Effy) are used to evaluate the performance. Under six different extreme PS scenarios, the simulation results show that the proposed 7 × 5 hybrid TrTd-TtCrTd array increases GlMxPoPt by 4.84 %, decreases MmLs by 3.46 %, and increases FiFa and Effy by 2.20 % and 0.34 %, respectively. Under two severe PS scenarios, simulation results show that the proposed 7 × 8 large size hybrid TrTd-TtCrTd array increases GlMxPoPt by 3.43 %, decreases MmLs by 2.29 %, and increases FiFa and Effy by 1.26 % and 0.23 %, respectively. Under two extreme PS scenarios, experimental results indicate that the proposed 7 × 8 hybrid TrTd-TtCrTd solar array increases GlMxPoPt by 2.84 %, decreases MmLs by 2.12 %, and increases FiFa and Effy by 1.82 % and 0.22 %, respectively. The proposed hybrid TrTd-TtCrTd array improves GlMxPoPt, reduces MmLs and improves FiFa and Effy with low wiring requirements under different PS cases.

Buck-Boost Single-Stage Microinverter for Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems

Microinverters for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems must have had a small number of components, be efficient, and be reliable. In this context, a single-phase Buck-Boost Single-stage Microinverter (BBSM) for grid-connected BIPV systems is presented. The concept of topology is extracted from the buck-boost converter. The leakage current in the system is kept under control. It uses an optimal number of active and passive components to function at a high-efficiency level. The suggested topology provides a high level of reliability due to the absence of shoot-through problems. To validate the findings, a simulation in combination with an experimental system for a 70 W system is developed with the design approach. The efficiency of the microinverter, total harmonic distortion of the grid current are measured as 96.4% and 4.09% respectively. Finally, a comparison study has indicated the advantages and disadvantages of the suggested inverter.

Technoeconomic feasibility study of grid-connected building-integrated photovoltaics system for clean electrification: A case study of Doha metro

Issues like air pollution and high CO2 rates are forcing the government of Qatar to mitigate these pollution rates as Qatar is considered the highest country that has can emissions per capita. As a result, huge efforts are executed to reduce these high rates of pollution so many renewable technologies projects are introduced, and solar PV plant is a major one. In this paper, Doha metro project is taken as a case study to implement a hybrid system within one of the metro stations to assess the economic profitability of it and then it can be a proposal for the country of Qatar to implement such a hybrid system within the governmental projects to mitigate the pollution rate. The methodology adopted in this paper is to evaluate the profitability of the hybrid system proposed by using HOMER software where it can model, simulate and optimize the proposed system with the desired components. Main finding is that due to the low electricity tariffs with and without the governmental subsidies, the implementation of PV system in Qatar is not economically feasible unless the PV system capacity is enlarged into a big scale or the tariff prices being increased with Carbon tax regulations.

Performance evaluation of building-integrated photovoltaic systems for residential buildings in southern India

The integration of photovoltaic modules into the building structure is a challenging task with respect to power generation of PV module and the effect of incident solar radiation. The performance of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules varies depending upon the orientation and azimuth angle of the building. In this work, the year-round performance and economic feasibility analysis of grid-connected building-integrated photovoltaic (GBIPV) modules is reported for the hot and humid climatic regional condition at Kovilpatti (9°10′0′′N, 77°52′0′′E), Tamil Nadu, India. The appropriate mounting structures are provided, to experimentally simulate the performance of GBIPV modules at various orientations and inclination angles (0° to 90°). The result indicated that the optimum orientation for installation of BIPV modules in the façade and walls is found to be east while that for a pitched roof south orientation is recommended. The overall average annual performance ratio, capacity utilisation factor, array capture loss and system losses are found to be 0.83, 23%, 0.07 (h/day), and 0.17 (h/day), respectively. In addition, the economic feasibility of grid connected PV system for residential buildings in Tamil Nadu, India is analysed using HOMER by incorporating both a net metering process and electricity tariff. Practical application: Grid-connected building-integrated photovoltaic system has many benefits and barriers by being installed and integrated into the building structure. The application of GBIPV in building structures and its orientation of installation needs to be optimised before installing into buildings. This study will assist architects and wider community to design buildings facades and roofs with GBIPV system which are more aesthetic and account for noise protection and thermal insulation in the region of equatorial climate zones. By adding as shading devices, they can reduce the need for artificial lighting, and moderate heating or cooling load of the buildings.

Reactive Power Control of a 3-phase Grid-Connected Building Integrated Photovoltaic System

Recently, a tendency in the growing of grid-connected building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems has been noticed in most countries. Hence, high penetration of PV power into the system network can be observed in many points in the network. This may cause severe problems in the distribution network originated by the intermittent behaviour of PV systems. As a feasible solution, the reactive power capability of voltage source inverter in PV systems can be employed rather than approaching expensive grid infrastructures in the distribution network. The purpose of this study is to implement a 3-phase grid-connected BIPV system with reactive power control to regulate the system voltage and improve the system power factor. Subsequent to this, the system model is designed and developed in MATLAB Simulink application. The inverter control system along with the reactive power control is developed for the proper system operation at different system conditions to reduce the var compensation on the utility grid. A better system accuracy of the developed system model is verified by validating with real system data.

An analysis of a medium size grid-connected building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system using measured data

There are many immediate adverse effects on the environment such as large amount of greenhouse gases and pollutants emissions from the burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are promising solar energy applications to generate electricity without emitting pollutants and requiring no fuel. In modern urban cities, most buildings are high-rise with limited spaces for PV system installation, the concept of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) would be an appropriate alternative form of the application. This paper studies a medium size grid-connected BIPV system mounted in an institutional building. Technical data including solar radiation and energy output were analyzed. The operational performance and electricity benefits of the BIPV system were examined in terms of cost, energy and environmental aspects. The monetary, embodied energy and greenhouse gas payback periods were estimated and reported. To shorten the payback periods, the BIPV system should incorporate with more passive energy-efficient architecture designs. This on-site measurement contributes the most accurate method of obtaining reliable data for determining the performance of various designs under the actual operating environments for evaluation.

A comprehensive method for estimating energy losses due to shading of GC-BIPV systems using monitoring data

In this paper, a comprehensive method for evaluating energy losses of a grid-connected building integrated photovoltaic (GC-BIPV) system due to partial shading is described. The method consists to make a comparison between theoretical and measured (monitoring data) curves of the maximum output energy produced by a GC-BIPV system installed at Jaén University (Spain). The results showed that loss of energy is 1.79kWh/day, which corresponds to a shading factor of 14.4%.

The role of grid-connected, building-integrated photovoltaic generation in commercial building energy and power loads in a warm and sunny climate

For large commercial buildings, power load delivery limits are contracted with the local electricity distribution utility, and are usually fixed at one or more levels over the year, according to the seasonal building loads, and depending on the specific country regulations. Especially in warm and sunny climates, solar electricity generation using building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) can assist in reducing commercial building loads, offering peak-shaving (power) benefits on top of the on-site generation of electricity (energy). This on-site power delivery capability gives these consumers the possibility of renegotiating demand contracts with their distribution utility. Commercial buildings that operate during daytime quite often have an energy consumption profile that is well matched by solar radiation availability, and depending on the building’s available surface areas, BIPV can generate considerable portions of the energy requirements. In this work we present the role of grid-connected BIPV in reducing the load demands of a large and urban commercial building located in a warm climate in Brazil. The building and adjacent car parking lots can accommodate a 1 MWp BIPV generator, which closely matches the building’s typical maximum power demands. Based on real solar radiation data and simultaneous building electricity demands for the year 2007, simulation of the annual solar generation profile of this on-site generator showed that the 1 MWp BIPV system could account for around 30% of the total building’s energy consumption. In addition to the energy benefit, maximum power demands were reduced due to a good match between midday air-conditioning cooling loads and solar radiation availability on both a daily and seasonal basis. Furthermore, we have simulated the effect of this considerably large urban-sited generator on the local distribution network load, and have shown that the 1 MWp BIPV installation can also offer considerable benefits to the local utility in shaving daytime peak loads at the corresponding feeder.

Performance monitoring results of the first grid-connected BIPV system in Colombia

This paper summarizes the operational performance results of the first grid-connected building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system installed in Colombia (in Bogotá, at 4°35′ latitude and 2.580 m altitude) after two years of monitoring. The performance monitoring was carried out with a sophisticated monitoring system, designed and implemented by us using the virtual instrumentation concept. The following parameters were measured: DC and AC power, inverter and system conversion efficiency, energy generated by the PV array, AC energy produced by the BIPV system, parameters to analyze power quality (%THD, harmonic components, frequency, voltage, flickers, power factor, active power, apparent power and reactive power), solar radiation in the inclination plane of the panels and environment temperature. The data obtained allowed to evaluate the general performance and the quality of the electric power generated by the photovoltaic plant. The results indicated that the power generated by the grid-connected BIPV plant fulfills the specifications demanded for such systems by National and International standards.

Grid-connected PV buildings: analysis of future scenarios with an example of Southern Spain

The study presented in this paper is part of a project where several companies, utilities and institutions have been working together to evaluate the limits and competitiveness of PV energy in Spain. One of the tasks carried out in this project has been dedicated to forecast possible future scenarios of grid-connected photovoltaic buildings in Spain, considering technological, economic, social and environmental aspects. To perform the study, a methodology based in PV-scenarios has been developed. This methodology allows the researcher to establish future scenarios defined by a set of parameters that will determine the overall progress in grid-connected BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics). In order to facilitate the analysis, the “ ScenariosPV” software tool has been developed. This program has proved very useful to deal with PV parameters management, future scenarios analysis and detailed comparison. This methodology has been applied to estimate future PV-scenarios in Southern Spain. In an advanced scenario for the year 2020, the total grid-connected BIPV installed surface could reach 2,480,000 m 2, supplying as much as 1,872 TJ per year, 10% of the electricity peak demand in the summertime and providing up to 25,000 jobs.

04/02054 Grid-connected building-integrated photovoltaics: a Hong Kong case study: Yang, H. et al. Solar Energy, 2004, 76, (1–3), 55–59

04/02054 Grid-connected building-integrated photovoltaics: a Hong Kong case study: Yang, H. et al. Solar Energy, 2004, 76, (1–3), 55–59

Grid-connected building-integrated photovoltaics: a Hong Kong case study

The first building-integrated photovoltaic system (BIPV) in Hong Kong has been working successfully for three years, as remote system for the first year and grid-connected system in the last two years. A number of issues have been investigated on the experimental system including technical, economical, operation and management topics. This paper presents the findings from this research project funded by the Industrial Support Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Simulation and data monitoring have been completed for energy performance of the BIPV system under Hong Kong weather conditions. The natural ventilation effect of an air gap on PV module’s power output and heat transfer across the PV wall and PV-roof have been investigated. Good agreement between simulation and experimental results was achieved. The system can provide about 41% of electric power for an indoor lighting floor area circuit of 250 m 2. The harmonics of the power output from the PV system was also measured to check the interference level to the utility grid. Experiments show that the total harmonics current distortion of the grid-connected BIPV system is far lower than that from some conventional equipment, such as personal computers. The total harmonics from this BIPV system is less than 12% for most of the time, even when the incident solar irradiation is very weak.