Grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Research Articles

Application analysis based on solar grid-connected photovoltaic power generation and intermittent energy storage system

Solar photovoltaic power generation as a building electrical professional in the energy use of important technical means, through the realisation of photovoltaic conversion, can be a large amount of light energy transmission to the building application, once the electrical energy surplus is too much, but also can be transmitted to the power grid use. Based on this, the article takes the solar photovoltaic power generation system as the basis, comprehensively analyses the operation principle and basic characteristics of solar photovoltaic power generation, summarizes the main influencing factors of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power generation, as well as the impact of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power generation on the grid, and researches on applying automation technology to solar photovoltaic power generation, such as photovoltaic buildings, DC inverters, reactive power compensation, etc., so as to comprehensively improve the grid-connected solar photovoltaic power generation efficiency and provide a constant source of energy for buildings. Solar thermal power generation technology is another kind of solar power generation technology besides photovoltaic power generation. It is a renewable energy generation method that integrates solar thermal conversion power generation, large-scale heat storage and the characteristics of power grid synchronmachine. According to the influence of different intermittent heat load fluctuation characteristics on the design of solar heat collection and heat storage system, the design method of heat collection and heat storage of intermittent solar heating system is established. The operation characteristics of solar energy system in three typical intermittent heating modes are compared and analyzed. It provides the design method and operation optimization strategy for the efficient utilization of solar heating system.

Photovoltaic capacity dynamic tracking model predictive control strategy of air-conditioning systems with consideration of flexible loads

Building photovoltaic (PV) power generation is intermittent, volatile, random, and uncontrollable; thus, the use of solar grid-connected power generation can lead to a series of problems, such as grid voltage fluctuations and power imbalance. As a typical flexible load, the scheduling and regulation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system load can help a grid-connected solar grid achieve balanced and flexible operation. This study proposes a PV capacity dynamic tracking model predictive control strategy for air-conditioning systems with flexible loads. This strategy aims to effectively address the issue of unstable grid-connected output of solar PV systems. In particular, a solar radiation prediction model based on a long short-term memory neural network optimized by the grey wolf optimization algorithm was established, which effectively improved the model prediction accuracy. The cost function of HVAC flexible load control considers the law of solar PV output and the human thermal comfort model. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to obtain the optimal control parameters for dynamic regulation. The GA was employed to efficiently and effectively optimize the control of flexible HVAC loads, considering the variability of the solar PV output and ensuring human thermal comfort. A dynamic regulation model was developed for a typical office building with a grid-connected solar PV power generation system. TRNSYS was utilized for verification based on the actual measured data and relevant meteorological parameters of the case building. A new evaluation metric, volatility, was proposed to evaluate net load fluctuation. The simulation platform based on the physical building yield results indicated a strong resemblance between the energy consumption curve under the predicted control conditions using the flexible model and the PV generation curve. Additionally, the net load volatility was measured to be 2.63. Compared with the predicted control condition without the flexible model, the net load volatility of the grid was reduced by 47.08%, and the energy-saving rate reached 10.89% in the summer.

A comprehensive analysis of eight rooftop grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants with battery energy storage for enhanced energy security and grid resiliency

This study presents the outcome of a utility-run rooftop photovoltaic (PV) power plant with battery energy storage systems (BESS) as a viable solution for enhanced energy storage and grid resiliency at the distribution network level. A comprehensive techno-commercial analysis of PV plants with BESS for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers of a distribution company (DISCOM) is presented. The analysis is based on consumer data from eight different sectors in India. The impact of voltage rise, thermal loading and reverse flow are analysed for different PV + BESS grid network integration scenarios, which are found to be factored in the individual capacity and number of distributed systems connected to the grid, length and current carrying capacity of the feeder, running load and the location of PV + BESS integration. The cost-benefit analysis results show that the maximum economic benefit from PV + BESS can be attained by managing peak load, reducing diesel generator use, and increasing solar fraction in the energy system. The normalised net benefit is higher when PV + BESS is installed with load profiles, which coincides with the DISCOM load profiles. Results show BESS needs to be an essential element of a PV plant for reliability, flexibility, and grid stability.

Large, grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants renewable energy

As an essential part of renewable energy, the solar photovoltaic technic grows rapidly with two main types: off-grid and grid-connected systems. This paper focuses on grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants and introduces the main physical principles of solar photovoltaics. Typical components of solar photovoltaic power plants are also presented, along with their functions. The extraordinary environmental impact and the relatively low and decreasing cost of grid-connected solar photovoltaics reflect its excellent development potential. Compared with other energy, grid-connected solar photovoltaics provides an alternative to conventional fossil fuel generation. With the improvement of silicon purification technology and the working efficiency of solar batteries, the scale of grid-connected solar photovoltaics power plants will be further expanded.

Application of 30 MWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant for Djibouti Vision 2035

Nowadays, like most of African countries, Djibouti is facing challenging energy access. The country was suffering a shortage of electricity for a long period until the government of Djibouti signed an agreement with the Ethiopia electric power cooperation (EEPCO) company in 2011. Thereby, the electricity consumption of the country is mainly from imported fossil fuels and the interconnection project. In order to realize Djibouti Vision 2035, the Republic of Djibouti signed an agreement with an Emirati company (AMEA) to build the first solar photovoltaic power plant in Grand Bara. In this paper, sizing, and simulation of the 30 MWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant will be done using PVsyst 7.2 software. A 400 W bifacial monocrystalline panel and 160 kW string inverters are used in this study. The simulation results from PVsyst software are to acquire the system production, the performance ratio, and the various power losses such as losses due to irradiance level. The average global horizontal irradiance of the site is 2317.2 kWh/m 2 while the average ambient temperature is 25.75° C. About 59.6 GWh of electricity power is injected into the grid with an average performance ratio of 83.21% in the year. This study is an example in terms of solar energy application in Africa and also its contributions to the socio-economic development of African countries will be observed in the near future.

Techno-economic feasibility analyses of grid- connected solar photovoltaic power plants for small scale industries of Punjab, Pakistan

The globally soaring energy prices and electricity shortfall are major hurdles in the economic development of Pakistan. To cope with periodic power outages, small and medium enterprise (SME) business owners have to fall back on alternate power sources such as backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), which further increase the per kWh cost of electricity, power quality issues, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On the contrary, grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are not only economical and sustainable but support the national power grid to mitigate environmental emissions. This study aims to investigate and compare the techno-economic viability of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants for the manufacturing SME sector in four different districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Based on the technical, financial, and environmental indicators, a detailed techno-economic, sensitivity, and GHG emission analysis is conducted using RETScreen Expert software. The research findings clearly show that the proposed solar PV projects for all four locations are technically, financially, and environmentally viable, however, Sargodha as compared to other sites is the most feasible location with the highest capacity factor of 17.8 %, highest internal rate of return 14.9 %, lowest payback period 7.7 years, and least levelized cost of electricity 8.5 ¢/kWh. For validation, the simulation results are compared with performance metrics from PV plants erected in various parts of the world. Applying the same research approach to the whole industrial sector of Punjab recommends adding 13,469 MW of PV capacity to satisfy the industry’s 20446.21 GWh annual energy consumption and to cut emissions by 90,17,581 t CO2 per year. This research work presents guidelines for researchers to evaluate the feasibility of suitable PV technologies for the SME sector thereby helping investors to have a holistic view of potential investment zones.

Performance Evaluation of 1.1 MW Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Louisiana

In this work, performance analysis and comparison of three photovoltaic technologies are carried out in the Louisiana climate. During the calendar year of 2018, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette constructed and commissioned a 1.1 MW solar photovoltaic power plant for researching solar power in southern Louisiana and for partial energy demand of the university. It was one of the largest solar photovoltaic power plants in Louisiana when constructed and receives an annual solar insolation of 4.88 kWh/m2/d at latitude minus five degrees (25°) tilt. The solar power plant has a total of 4142 modules and incorporates three module technologies. Preliminary performance data from the system level are presented. The evaluation of different technologies is based on final yield, performance ratio, and capacity factor for one year from September 2019 to August 2020. An economic analysis is carried out using levelized cost of energy for the three photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Finally, the results are compared with simulated results of System Advisor Model (SAM) and PVsyst. It was found that copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) has better performance ratio of 0.79 compared with monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon, which have performance ratios of 0.77 and 0.73, respectively. The simulation results correlated with the actual performance of the plant.

Evaluation of the viability potential of four grid-connected solar photovoltaic power stations in Jiangsu Province, China

Grid-connected solar photovoltaic (GCSPV) power generation is conducive to the large-scale promotion of PV power generation. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of the construction of 1-MW GCSPV power stations at four locations in Jiangsu Province, China. The economic, environmental, sensitivity, and risk analyses of the proposed systems were performed using the RETScreen clean energy management software. The GCSPV systems in Xuzhou are more economically viable than those in the other regions under consideration, whereas the systems in Nanjing are relatively less economically feasible. The GCSPV power stations in Xuzhou have the largest reduction in annual greenhouse gases emissions, because of producing the most electricity from the proposed system. Sensitivity analysis results on the net present value (NPV) show significant variations owing to the variations of the electricity export rate (EER) and initial costs (ICs) parameters. The NPV of the proposed system increases from $707,589 to $2,046,766 with an increasing EER, while the NPV of the system decreases with increasing ICs at the same EER. The risk analysis shows the largest influence on the NPV of the project is the change of the EER with positive correlation, while the least impact on the NPV is the debt term with positive correlation.

Making Indian airports sustainable by using solar photovoltaic system: analysis of three airports

ABSTRACT Consumption of fossil fuel generated electrical energy can be reduced substantially by the application of renewable energy systems in transportation-related facilities like airports. This paper focuses on present trend of usage of three domestic airports of India located geographically at different locations and proposes a detailed design and feasibility analysis of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants for three airports located at Udaipur, Raipur and Aurangabad. The capacity of solar PV power plants designed at Udaipur, Raipur and Aurangabad airports are 2.43 MWp, 3.20 MWp and 2.08 MWp respectively. Carbon dioxide emission reduction due to the energy generated by solar PV power plants at Udaipur, Raipur and Aurangabad airports are 3919.156 tCO2, 4634.596 tCO2 and 3167.559 tCO2 respectively.

Performance and degradation assessment of large-scale grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant in tropical semi-arid environment of India

The performance and degradation of a 1 MWp utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) system located in the tropical semi-arid climate of India is investigated based on four years of monitored data. The reference yield, final yield, system efficiency, capacity factor, and performance ratio are 4.64 h/day 6.23 h/day, 11%, 19.33%, and 74.73%, respectively, according to the standard IEC 61724. The performance is compared to other large-scale PV systems in different climate conditions. The degradation of the PV plant is quantified by using various statistical methods. These methods include the linear least-squares regression (LLS), the classical seasonal decomposition (CSD), the Holt-Winters seasonal model (HW), and the seasonal and trend decomposition using loess (STL). The degradation rate is estimated at 0.27%/year, 0.32%/year, 0.50%/year, and 0.27%/year, respectively, after 50 months operating period. The degradation accuracy analysis classifies the LLS and HW as lower accuracy methods (0.22%) than CSD (0.11%) and STL (0.15%). A comparison of the degradation of mono-Si PV systems for various locations is performed using different statistical methods. This study contributes to the improvements in the knowledge of PV degradation in the Indian climate.

Performance of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants in the Middle East and North Africa

A conceptual design Study of a solar electrical power system using PV array for a 5.3MW as nominal power required is presented. A Bird model has been used to estimate hourly, daily, monthly and yearly solar radiation amounts. f-f-chart is a design method was chosen to simulate the fraction of the solar energy required for the load given the PV array areas and climatic conditions. Four cities in the Middle East and North Africa representing different locations at southern Mediterranean region are selected Tripoli, Alexandria, Tunisia and Gaza city. Tripoli City has the best performance for 73% of nominal Power followed by Alexandria about 66% and then Gaza around 63%, Tunisia City has lowest solar fraction about 59% according to the Monthly and annual solar fraction Data.

Design, development, and implementation of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power conversion system

ABSTRACT In this paper, a detailed documentation revealing the design, development, and implementation aspects of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (SPV) power conversion system is presented. Since the inverter is considered as a key constituent of an SPV system, a laboratory developed three-phase four-legged (3P4L) inverter is employed to diminish the overall cost of the SPV system considerably. The multifunctional inverter controlled SPV system proposed in this work not only injects active power into the electric grid, but it also serves as an active power filter (APF) to provide various power quality (PQ) solutions. This typically includes source current harmonic attenuation, load reactive current mitigation, neutral current elimination, source current balancing, in addition to ensure unity power factor operation. A various hardware circuits including signal sensing circuit, signal conditioning circuit, pulse amplification and isolation circuit, and blanking circuit are fabricated and assembled to develop a complete laboratory prototype model. In addition, the voltage and current controllers, the synchronize reference frame theory (SRFT)-based approach, and the phase-locked loop (PLL) control algorithms are embedded in dSPACE 1104 control platform. Furthermore, an STM32F407VGT microcontroller is employed to implement the incremental conductance based maximum power point (MPP) tracking algorithm. The effectiveness of the developed SPV system is first simulated in MATLAB/Simulink software. In the second step, the efficacy of the proposed configuration is investigated under balanced and unbalanced nonlinear loads on a laboratory developed prototype.

Feasibility study of installation of MW level grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant for northeastern region of India

Solar energy is one of the most suitable renewable energy options in India. In the last decade, solar energy installations have received an ample impetus in India due to active initiatives taken by the Indian government. However, the solar energy potential of country’s North-Eastern (NE) part is not utilized effectively so far. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of installation of a megawatt-level grid-connected solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plant in all the state capitals of NE India is carried out. The climatic data collected from various online sources and NASA climatic database were utilized in designing a 2 MW SPV plant. The theoretical procedure involved in designing the SPV plant is also presented in this study. PVsyst simulation software is used to predict the performance of 2 MW power plants for these eight states of India. From the analysis, it is observed that NE India has an immense potential for installation of solar energy conversion devices and thus it can be harvested economically. It has been observed that locations of Guwahati and Gangtok provide a high performance ratio of 0.855. Aizawl provides the minimum unit cost of electricity generated at a value of 3.88 INR/unit. The analysis also reveals that the Aizawl and Guwahati are the most suitable locations for installation of SPV power plant amongst the NE capitals.

Performance Analysis of Grid-Connected 10.6 kW (Commercial) Solar PV Power Generation System

In this paper design aspects and performance of a rooftop grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant (RTGCSPVPP) has been studied. The RTGCSPVPP is installed at Gauri Maternity Home Ramkrishna Puram Kota Rajasthan, India for supplying the energy to whole hospital building. It was observed under a certain period of time during May 2017. Power output and other parameters such as economic parameters which affect the feasibility of a PV plant as payback period, net present value, life cycle conversion efficiency, environmental related parameters as CO2 mitigation and earned carbon credits were calculated. Total energy demand and monthly energy consumption of previous one year of the site was assessed and analyzed for base load calculation and design. The outcome shows the financial viability and possible reduction of burden on conventional energy sources. The grid-connectivity of PV plant made through a net-metering system which supplied energy to the grid when power generation is more than its demand and receives the energy during low power generation.

Reducing Carbon Emissions: Strathmore University Contributions Towards Sustainable Development in Kenya

Strathmore University is the first educational institution in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve a zero-carbon footprint. With 2,400 panels located on the roofs of six buildings, it is the largest rooftop solar installation in the region. Kenya sits on the equator and enjoys year-round insulation. Taking advantage of a green line of financial support created by the French Government, Strathmore embarked on a project to install a 600kW roof-top, grid-connected solar photovoltaic power system to cater for its electricity needs. The system is designed to produce more than the required self-consumption, hence the extra power is sold to the utility via a power purchase agreement. This investment in renewable energy confirms that universities can demonstrate leadership in the area of environment and energy. This paper describes the economic and social impact created by a university through greening its sources of energy.

The potential and economic viability of solar photovoltaic power in Ghana

ABSTRACTIn this study, the potentiality and economic viability of solar photovoltaic (PV) in Ghana was assessed using RETScreen software. 5 MW of grid-connected solar PV power system using SunPower SPR-320E-WHT-D PV module can be harnessed from Navrongo, Bawku, Wa, Tema, Bolgatanga, Axim, Salaga, Kintampo, Kete Krachi, Tamale, Hohoe, Koforidua, Ejura, Takoradi, Bole, Sunyani, Bibiani, Cape coast, Prestea, and Akuse, which requires US$17,752,179 of investment capital and 25,313 m2 of land for PV installation. The potential of 5 MW grid-connected PV development for Accra, Kumasi, Wenchi, and Tafo are limited. However, there are solar PV energy potentials for low-capacity PV modules for these locations. Investing in solar photovoltaic technology is capital intensive in a developing country like Ghana. However, Government’s effort to provide incentives like subsidies and creating the economic environment for private sector investment will boost investment possibilities of renewable energy in Ghana, which can help in curbing the recent power outages and load shedding, thereby increasing productivity and economic resilience.

Performance analysis of a 500-kWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant in Kahramanmaraş

In today's world, the daily need for and cost of energy sources increase and this forces industrial institutions to seek for new ways to generate their own energy. The developments in photovoltaic systems have recently drawn attention in the business world. Although their installation costs are high, they are environmentally friendly and profitable investments in the long run. The cost analysis of a large-scale photovoltaic generator in the climatic conditions of Kahramanmara\c{s} will lead the way to new investments. In this study, the modeling and cost analysis of an on-grid photovoltaic generator of 500 kW, which was installed to provide energy for a textile factory located in the Pazarc{\i}k district of Kahramanmara\c{s} Province (37.5$^{\circ}$N, 37.3$^{\circ}$E; altitude: 748 m), was performed. The findings suggest that the photovoltaic generator of 500 kW installed in the Pazarc{\i}k district of Kahramanmara\c{s} Province in August 2013 produces 816,639 MWh energy and reaches its initial cost in 6.2198 years. Therefore, photovoltaic generators are significantly useful when the climatic conditions in Kahramanmara\c{s} are taken into account.

Viability of solar photovoltaics as an electricity generation source for Jordan

Viability of solar photovoltaics as an electricity generation source for Jordan was assessed utilizing a proposed 5 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant. Long-term (1994–2003) monthly average daily global solar radiation and sunshine duration data for 24 locations – distributed all over the country – were studied and analyzed to assess the distribution of radiation and sunshine duration over Jordan, and formed an input data for evaluation and analysis of the proposed plant's electricity production and economic feasibility. It was found that – depending on the geographical location – the global solar radiation on horizontal surface varied between 1.51 and 2.46 MWh/m 2/year with an overall mean value of 2.01 MWh/m 2/year for Jordan. The sunshine duration was found to vary – according to the location – between 8.47 and 9.68 h/day, with a mean value of 9.07 h/day and about 3311 sunshine hours annually for Jordan. The annual electricity production of the proposed plant varied depending on the location between 6.886 and 11.919 GWh/year, with a mean value of 9.46 GWh/year. The specific yield varied between 340.9 and 196.9 kWh/m 2, while the mean value was 270.59 kWh/m 2. Analysis of the annual electricity production of the plant, the specific yield, besides the economic indicators i.e., internal rate of return, simple payback period, years– to- positive cash flow, net present value, annual life cycle saving, benefit–cost ratio, and cost of energy – for all sites – showed that Tafila and Karak are the most suitable sites for the solar photovoltaic power plant's development and Wadi Yabis is the worst. The results also showed that an average of 7414.9 tons of greenhouse gases can be avoided annually utilizing the proposed plant for electricity generation at any part of Jordan.

Utility grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants for meeting energy needs for rural area in developing countries—A case of India

Abstract Two grid-interactive PV power plants (each 100 kW capacity) are being established in two villages of Uttar Pradesh (India) to meet the vitally needed electrical energy demand of each village and to find additional power to a nearby utility grid. The suitability of such grid connected solar PV power plants are being studied for meeting all the electrical energy need of the unelectrified villages and for the potential of feeding the additional power available from such photovoltaic power plant to a nearby utility grid. At present, the cost of such power plants is very high, around $14.00 per Watt. Such power plants would be very suitable for meeting all the electrical energy needs of rural areas in developing countries when the cost of the PV module and balance of the component will be reduced as a result of development efforts and extension activities going on in the World and in India.