PV Water Research Articles

An Approach to Multivariable Regression Analysis of a Rooftop PV System in Households’ Sector in Tirana. A Novel Approach using Energy Modeling Tool

Solar power prediction plays an essential role in functioning, mapping, and obtaining energy and climate goals in 2030 and beyond and contributing to real-time balancing of the power system. On the other side, electricity consumption is influenced by Heating Degree Days (HDD), Cooling Degree Days (CDD), average monthly temperature, energy management, human behaviour, architecture, orientation, and many other factors. The simulations are performed based on three consecutive energy consumption data for a typical dwelling in Tirana city. Once the base case scenario is designed, the model is validated based on the monthly electricity bills. In the base case scenario are included some energy efficiency measures (EEM) afterward the optimization of the supply side using PV and Solar Water Heating is part of our simulation, too. The focus of our work is to design a correlation between the relationship between consumption and generation of electricity given as a dependent variable (Y), which is regressed with weather parameters given as independent variables (Xi) under Durbin Watson statistics. The output of the study can help designers to compile a reliable power system, better utilization of energy resources, and forecasting accuracy analysis from both sides of the energy system (demand and supply side). The tested household and EEM applied in the proposed scenario may lead to an electricity reduction level of 8655 kWh per year and 76.6 % of solar fraction is used to meet the hot water demand.

Performance optimization for solar photovoltaic thermal system with spiral rectangular absorber using Taguchi method

Solar collector systems efficiently transform sunlight into energy that may be used to meet various needs. This research aimed to use the Taguchi method to determine the ideal operating parameters for a solar thermal collector with a rectangular spiral absorber. Controllable parameters including mass flow rate, solar radiation, and absorber design were manipulated during the energy recovery process, and features like PV temperature and outlet water temperature were used to assess the system’s effectiveness. The findings indicate that certain criteria significantly affect response indicators. The observed percentage contribution of absorber design, solar radiation, and the mass flow rate was 69.19%, 27.99%, and 2.83% in PV surface temperature. In comparison, the individual percentage contributions were 73.63%, 13.51%, and 10.57% for absorber design, solar radiation and mass flow rate for water output temperatures. The present model’s R2 values for PV and outlet water temperatures are 97.24% and 99.67%, respectively. The Predictive regression model was found in fine harmony and the maximum percentage error is limited to 0.68%. The maximum analytical electrical efficiency was observed with a spiral rectangular absorber of 14.57% at the lowest mass flow rate of 0.04 kg/s at the lowest radiation level of 600 W/m2. In comparison, maximum analytical thermal efficiency was observed with a spiral rectangular thermal absorber of 63.56% at the highest flow rate of 0.06 kg/s and the highest solar radiation level of 1000 W/m2. The analytical and experiment findings were in better agreement in this study, with the highest relative error of 7.52%. According to the study’s findings, the rectangular absorber-based PVT system is at its best at a higher mass flow rate to lower PV temperature and boost thermal energy recovery via water. The present research work can be extended for exergy, environmental, and economic feasibility analysis.

Techno-enviro-economic analysis of grid-connected solar powered floating PV water pumping system for farmland applications: A numerical design model

To meet the required load of a farm in the rural area in Mafraq, Jordan, the complete floating photovoltaic (FPV) water pumping sizing, modelling, and optimization of an on-grid PV system with comprehensive capacity, energy output cost, and emission estimations are outlined in this work. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive approach that integrates technical, environmental, and economic factors into a unified framework for designing a PV water pumping system, particularly in scenarios where grid supply is feasible or economically viable. A proposal has been made to install PV panels over the water lake to improve the overall system efficiency and to give an aesthetic appearance. The proposed system is composed of a 165 kW PV array and three 55 kW inverters, which cost 54696.92 JD as the initial cost, CO2 emission reduction of more than 5000 tons and produce electricity at 0.028 JD/kWh. The results indicated that the FPV option demonstrates an about 5 % increase in efficiency compared to the other two scenarios. Also, the FPV option has higher costs due to a 25 % increase in system cost but results in lower CO2 emissions compared to the other two options. Top of Form As shown from the results, the two sizing methods for solar water pumping systems, the equations-based method, and the PVsyst simulation tool give the same results. By following this methodology, one can assess the load, size the system, simulate its operation, and analyse the expected performance. Furthermore, the findings of this study could be valuable in designing a grid-connected FPV water pumping system.

A review of modern techniques for efficient control of AC motors utilized in PV water pumping system

A review of modern techniques for efficient control of AC motors utilized in PV water pumping system

Two Different Approaches of Applying ANFIS Based MPPT for a PV Water Pumping System with a SEPIC Converter

Two Different Approaches of Applying ANFIS Based MPPT for a PV Water Pumping System with a SEPIC Converter

Design and simulation of solar pumping system using PVsyst, case study: TSABIT - ADRAR in Algeria

In isolated sites, the extension of the electricity network requires a very high capital cost. For agriculture work, irrigation is a necessity. A possible solution is using renewable energy sources like solar power, which is environmentally friendly and available for free. This paper presents the design and simulation of a photovoltaic water pumping system for irrigation of a farm located at a place named Tsabit in Adrar southwest Algeria. A detailed approach for the design of an optimized PV water pumping system based on real water usage data is proposed. Besides, system design work and performance assessment were carried out based on hourly climatic conditions. PV SYST software is used to carry out this work. A comparison was also made between two water pumping systems with and without use of a sun tracker. From the obtained results, the use of this kind of system could have an important contribution in the social and economic development of a country, especially in the presence of a sun tracker device, where we recorded more efficiency.

Optimizing Method for Photovoltaic Water-Pumping Systems under Partial Shading and Changing Pump Head

Photovoltaic systems for pumping water, based on direct current powered motor pumps, have great application in small rural regions without electrical networks. In addition, these systems provide environmental benefits by replacing fossil fuels. However, these systems reduce their performance due to partial shading, which is magnified by the internal mismatch of the PV modules. This work proposes an intelligent, low-cost, and automatic method to mitigate these effects through the electrical reconfiguration of the PV array. Unlike other reported techniques, this method considers the pump head variations. For that, the global voltage and current supplied by the PV array to the motor pump subsystem are introduced to an artificial neural network and to a third-order equation, which locates the shaded PV module and detects the pump head, respectively. A connection control implements the optimal electrical rearrangement. The selection is based on the identified partial shading pattern and pump head. Finally, the switching matrix modifies the electrical connections between the PV modules on the PV array without changing the interconnection scheme, PV array dimension, or physical location of the PVMs. The proposed approach was implemented in a real PV water pumping system. Low-cost and commercial electronic devices were used. The experimental results show that the output power of the PV array increased by 8.43%, which maintains a more stable level of water extraction and, therefore, a constant flow level.

Status of photovoltaic water pumping systems in Iran: A comprehensive review.

This study investigates the current status of photovoltaic water pumping systems (PVWPSs) in Iran, a country endowed with significant solar irradiation potential, notably in its southern and central regions. Despite this potential, there is a scarcity of comprehensive studies on solar water pumping systems within the country. This purpose of this study is to conduct a thorough review of the existing literature to assess the state of solar water pumping in Iran. The adoption of PVWPS across various provinces demonstrates the system's versatility, proving effective in both highly sunny and less irradiated regions. Iran's widespread utilization of PVWPS is attributed to its ample irradiations, even in its northern areas, which possess lower solar irradiance levels. There are limited comprehensive studies encompassing technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects of solar PV water pumping projects in Iran. Most of the research has been conducted during the last few years, indicating an increased recognition of the possible advantages of this technology. Finally, this review provides valuable insights for researchers and farmers, showcasing the benefits of solar PVWPS. It sets the stage for further innovation and implementation in the country's agricultural landscape, emphasizing the need for continued exploration and adoption of this sustainable approach.

Modeling of a PV/Thermal Hybrid Panel for Residential Hot Water System

Abstract Despite the extensive body of research on PV/thermal systems, a gap remains in evaluating their performance in residential settings. This study aims to bridge this gap by focusing on the energy modeling of a PV/Thermal (PVT) hybrid panel that incorporates heat pipe technology. The evaluation is conducted through MATLAB code to assess the system's capability to fulfill the electricity and heating demands of residential buildings. The model's reliability is affirmed by comparing it with experimental data from a PVT panel tested in Sydney, exploring the transient variations in both water heat gain rates and power generation. The model's precision is evident from the percentage of error in the estimated temperatures of the PV panel based on the test results under various weather conditions, which ranged from −8% to 6%. This method was also utilized to determine the overall energy efficiency of the PVT under different climatic conditions. The results reveal that the overall energy efficiency of the proposed PVT panel, on a typical day, is approximately 45%, significantly outperforming traditional PV panels by more than double. Furthermore, the payback period for a typical residential PVT system, providing both hot water and electricity, is found substantially shorter than that of installing separate PV and solar hot water systems, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of the proposed hybrid system.

Optimized and Sustainable PV Water Pumping System with Three-Port Converter, a Case Study: The Al-Kharijah Oasis

Optimized and Sustainable PV Water Pumping System with Three-Port Converter, a Case Study: The Al-Kharijah Oasis

Design of a Novel Chaotic Horse Herd Optimizer and Application to MPPT for Optimal Performance of Stand-Alone Solar PV Water Pumping Systems

A significant part of agricultural farms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are in off-grid sites where there is a lack of sufficient water supply despite its availability from groundwater resources in several regions of the country. Since abundant agricultural production is mainly dependent on water, farmers are forced to pump water using diesel generators. This investigation deals with the increase in the effectiveness of a solar photovoltaic water pumping system (SPVWPS). It investigated, from a distinct perspective, the nonlinear behavior of photovoltaic modules that affects the induction motor-pump because of the repeated transitions between the current and the voltage. A new chaotic Horse Herd Optimization (CHHO)-based Maximum Power Point Tracking technique (MPPT) is proposed. This algorithm integrates the capabilities of chaotic search methods to solve the model with a boost converter to maximize power harvest while managing the nonlinear and unpredictable dynamical loads. The analytical modeling for the proposed SPVWPS components and the implemented control strategies of the optimal duty cycle of the DC–DC chopper duty cycle and the Direct Torque Control (DTC) of the Induction Motor (IM) has been conducted. Otherwise, the discussions and evaluations of the proposed model performance in guaranteeing the maximum water flow rate and the operation at MPP of the SPVWPS under partial shading conditions (PSC) and changing weather conditions have been carried out. A comparative study with competitive algorithms was conducted, and the proposed control system’s accuracy and its significant appropriateness to improve the tracking ability for SPVWPS application have been proven in steady and dynamic operating climates and PSC conditions.

Simulation of Photovoltaic Water Pumping System in Sam Ratulangi University

The purpose of this study is to design and simulate a PV water pumping system at Sam Ratulangi University in Indonesia. The methods employed in this study consist of a literature review, design, and simulation using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) software. The comparison between PV water pumps and dieselpowered water pumps is analysed in terms of net present cost, cost of energy (COE), and emissions to meet the water requirements in the laboratory. The simulation results are based on two design scenarios for a solar photovoltaic water pumping system at a laboratory scale. In Scenario 1, the system has a daily load of 1.5 kWh/day, 0.52 kW PV modules, 4 batteries of 80 Ah each, and a 1 kW inverter. In Scenario 2, the system has a daily pump load of 2.5 kWh/day, 0.87 kW PV modules, 4 batteries of 80 Ah each, and a 1 kW inverter. The results indicate that the utilization of solar energy to power a PV water pumping system performs well and serves as a case study showcasing the use of solar energy. Further studies on the application of PV water pump should be implemented and tested to evaluate the system’s performance.

The outflow characteristics of PV water lifting systems based on multiple tracking strategies

In order to clarify the problems of high failure rate, low efficiency, and low outflow rate of PV water pumping stations in pastoral areas due to large differences in resource conditions and poor equipment matching, this study uses the PV water supply model, establishes a pilot site for PV human storage water supply in pastoral areas, carries out research on the relationship between solar energy resources, water supply demand and power system of PV water pumping stations based on group observation tests in the field, and analyzes the PV system. We analyzed the relationship between different tracking operation modes and the amount of solar radiation and water supply flow, and compared the outflow characteristics of fixed type, single-axis tracking type, and double-tracking axis type, in order to explore a kind of PV water pumping station technology suitable for human storage and drinking water in pastoral areas, which can meet the water demand of pastoral water users. The research results show that the single-axis and dual-axis water lifting systems are significantly more efficient than the fixed-support water lifting system, receiving solar radiation at more than 80% of the maximum radiation throughout the day, and lifting water flow at more than 90% of the maximum discharge flow. Compared with the fixed-support PV water lifting system, the radiation of the single-axis PV water lifting system increases by 28.9%, and the daily water output increases by 43%; for the dual-axis PV water lifting system, compared with the single-axis PV water lifting system, the daily radiation of the dual-axis PV water lifting system increased by 4.8% and the daily water output increased by 3.2%; the starting radiation of the PV water lifting system was 256 W/m2.

Optimal techno-economic energy coordination of solar PV water pumping irrigation systems

In this study, a water pumping photovoltaic system (WPPVS) provided with a water storage tank is introduced to supply freshwater for drip irrigation in Farafra oasis, Egypt. A multi-objective K-means clustering based on non-sorting genetic algorithm is utilized to minimize both the loss of water supply probability and the total annual costs including capital and running costs. Due to the variability of the water flow rate, a techno-economic energy coordination is developed with particular attention to avoid vibration of water pumps. The economic feasibility is based on the tomato crop yield against the total cost of the drip irrigation system. Sensitivity analysis for dynamic head, crop price, and interest and inflation rates is conducted. At specific dynamic head of 6 m, the results revealed that the optimal design of the WPPVS pumps 10220 cubic meter of water for irrigation through the developed energy coordination against 18575 cubic meter with pump vibration which saves 45 % of the pumped water. This reflects its effect on a decrease of the pumped water for all dynamic head values. Furthermore, the vibration avoidance strategy allows the pump to operate at lower dynamic heads above the water threshold level in the well, which is not possible with the presence of vibrations.

Techno-economic feasibility assessment of a photovoltaic water heating storage system for self-consumption improvement purposes

Photovoltaic excess energy export to the grid starts to be a common issue among residential grid-tied PV systems. Its impact is more significant when the feed-in tariffs are not available (Moroccan case) or if they are far from competition. Load shifting, batteries and thermal energy storage all have the potential to diminish the excess energy sent to the grid. However, the water heating strategy has received little literature attention so far. In this study, we seek to assess the techno-economic feasibility of using the PV excess energy in a hot water storage tank by means of a diverter as the main water heating system for a bioclimatic building. The excess energy of a 2kWp grid-tied PV system has been monitored for one year with a 1-min time resolution. The data is used within a TRNSYS numerical simulation for the city of Marrakesh, Morocco. In comparison to an ordinary solar thermal water heating (STWH) system, the results of the simulation revealed that both systems maintain the setpoint temperature using practically the same amount of auxiliary energy. Additionally, a 52.23 % relative improvement to the self-consumption rate has been obtained by integrating a PV water heater (PVWH). The Levelized Cost of Energy found to be 33 % lower for the PVWH compared to that of the STWH solution, evaluated at 0.06 and 0.09 $/kWh respectively. In addition, PVWH's Payback Time period was four years, while that of the STWH was six years. Ultimately, the Net Present Value was significantly higher for the PVWH (1840.28 $) than for the STWH (1008.8 $).

Optihood – a multi-objective analysis and optimization framework for building energy systems at neighborhood scale

Strategic planning of future energy systems in a district is essential to fully exploit the benefits from sector coupling. In particular, new solutions may arise when a group of buildings is considered rather than individual buildings. Therefore, in order to identify optimal production and storage technologies within a district, new tools are needed. In this paper we present the open-source software framework optihood, which allows for multi-objective optimization and analysis of energy systems for neighborhoods. The tool assists researchers and, in a future stage, energy planners in the design of energy systems as well as in optimizing their operation strategy. After introducing the tool, its applicability is demonstrated with a case study, wherein we investigated the supply of a small neighborhood of four residential buildings with space heat, domestic hot water and electricity demands. The optimizer was allowed to consider heat pumps (geothermal/air-source), PV, batteries and hot water storage tanks as available technologies. We show comparisons between optimal solutions in terms of total annualized cost for the buildings considered (a) together as a group and (b) individually.

The effects of coolant mass flow rate and atmospheric indicators in a PV/T system with experimental and ANN’s models

In this study, the effects of the mass flow rate of coolant and other atmospheric and positional variables on the performance and efficiency of a PV/T system have been experimentally researched and modeled with ANN’s models. Mass flow rate, irradiance, ambient temperature, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity and coolant water inlet temperature have been measured while solar azimuth angle and solar elevation angle have been calculated. These parameters have been selected as the input parameters (independent variables), mainly having the preliminary focus on the mass flow rate of the coolant. The performance parameters namely, electrical power production, thermal energy production, total energy production, temperature decrease on the PV module, electrical efficiency increase, surface temperature of the PV module and water outlet temperature for the PV modules have been experimentally measured. They were also computed by ANN models, as the output variables (dependent variables) with the most robust estimation of FBPANN based models depending on the real measurement data set from the experimental works. The relevance of the dependability of each targeted variables were revealed by statistical indicators in order to maintain the sensitivity of the ANN calculations. Among all the dependent parameters that were predicted by the ANN models, the strictest predictions were found for electrical power production by the FFANN1 model with the R value of 99.985% and the R2 value of 99.971%. Also, all of the performance parameters have robustly been predicted by the FFANN models. Besides, the order of importance of the predictors that effects dependent variables has been found. The mass flow rate has been determined to be highly effective on electrical efficiency increase, surface temperature of the PV module, electrical power production, thermal energy production and total energy production. The benefit of the present work is that the effects of daily working parameters such as mass flow rate of coolant with respect to the other atmospheric indicators on instantaneous electrical and thermal performance of a PV or PV/T system can be robustly predicted with their order of importance with the developed ANN models. It will make the investors to easily manage their systems.

Optimised sizing of a hybrid renewable water pumping system based on recent metaheuristic algorithms: a case study in Algeria

This paper proposes a new design model for techno-economic analysis and optimization of water pumping systems. The model incorporates the Levelised Cost of Water Pumped (LCOWP) as the objective function to capture the economic criterion, while the technical criterion is represented by the Loss of Water Supply Probability (LWSP). The model integrates three decision variables: the number of PV modules, wind turbines and water tanks, which is a unique combination that has been rarely explored in previous studies.. To address the complexity of this non-linear discrete optimization problem, the Equilibrium Optimiser (EO), a recent metaheuristic algorithm, is employed. Comparative analysis conducted against four other algorithms demonstrates the superior accuracy and convergence time of EO, establishing its effectiveness. To showcase the practicality of the model, it is utilised to optimise a water pumping system for irrigation in Adrar, Algeria, considering four different pumping heads and exploring various reliability levels (represented by LWSP). The sizing results demonstrate how the LCOWP is influenced by the pumping heads and the desired LWSP. For instance, at a pumping head of 45 m, the cost decreases from 1.181$/m3 with 0% LWSP to 0.991$/m3 when accepting 1% LWSP.

Developed and Intelligent Structure of a Control for PV Water Treatment System

The subject of this work is a UV-irradiated water disinfection prototype intended for use in rural areas where access to water is difficult. Given the favorable climatic conditions of our country, the use of photovoltaic panels as a source of energy is particularly interesting, and has relevance in regions with a similar climate. PV energy being a fluctuating source that influences water disinfection operations, we have developed a database to distribute the energy available to the loads (UV lamps, electric pumps) in order to ensure a better quality of the water. This database is used in deep learning to model water disinfection phenomena. This method is able to adjust the speed instructions of the motor pump (therefore the flow rate) and the UV irradiation according to the energy available to ensure optimal water quality. Several other techniques have been implemented to control the instructions generated by the deep learning developed, to control the motor, the inverter and the DC/DC converter (IRFOC, SVPWM, sliding mode). All these approaches are tested in real time and they represent good results in terms of water treatment control. The effectiveness of these types of control is proven by the results obtained.

Experimental investigation and performance evaluation of spiral and serpentine collectors based photovoltaic thermal system in Peninsular Malaysia

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems have been developed for nearly five decades as a further development of PV technology. The PVT system was designed to overcome the limited space for PV and solar water heaters and improve PV cell performance. However, many studies on PVT are theoretical and modeling, so experimentation is needed to confirm it. This study investigated the performance of PVT systems with a spiral and serpentine thermal collector without metal sheets in two scenarios, without and with insulation. Commercial PV was modified with the addition of a copper tube thermal collector and tested with a comparison PV under the weather of the Malaysian peninsula. The experimental results show a maximum electrical efficiency enhancement of 0.53% and a decrease in module temperature up to 5.60 °C in scenario 1. Also, the addition of insulation in scenario 2 increases thermal efficiency up to 18.26%, even though it causes a decrease in electrical efficiency. This research shows that an uncomplicated thermal collector is adequate to increase the electrical efficiency of PV panels. In contrast, the addition of insulation in the rear side of the PVT panel increases the thermal performance of PVT systems.