Solar Plant Research Articles

Comparative LCA of thermal power plant with CCS and solar PV system: sustainability assessment in Indian context.

The study's objective is to evaluate and compare the sustainability of power production techniques for India's transition to clean power generation. It specifically focuses on coal-based power generation with emission control technologies, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) with carbon capture and storage (CCS), and compares it with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The study conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine the environmental impact of electricity generation in each scenario. Inventory data has been collected for each case through plant visits, emission modelling, and literature searches. The study evaluated midpoint and endpoint impact indicators utilizing the ReCiPe (H) assessment methodology. The economic viability of all the cases was determined by calculating the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The results showed that retrofitting an existing power plant with flue gas desulfurization (FGD) and carbon capture and storage (CCS) reduced efficiency by 30%, required 1.2 times more auxiliary power, and increased heat rates. The LCA results showed that the global warming potential (GwP) for FGD and CCS together was 0.614 kg CO2 eq. per kWh of power generation. On the other hand, the GwP for the solar PV system was much lower, at 0.043 kg CO2 eq. per kWh. There were trade-offs in both cases, but solar PV plants are more environmentally friendly than thermal power plants equipped with CCS systems in almost all categories. Furthermore, the LCOE results showed Rs 3.87 per kWh for an on-grid solar PV plant and Rs 5.33 for thermal power, with CCS and FGD showing solar as an economically more feasible option. Retrofitting thermal power facilities with emission control technology is necessary to achieve net zero emissions, but transition torenewable energy sources isinevitable.

Scales of accountability: Solar mini-grids and clean energy for all in Uganda

There is great hope pinned on solar mini-grids to fulfil universal rural electrification targets and enable clean energy access, especially in low-income African countries such as Uganda. Yet Ugandan realities are complex, with many unelectrified households in villages the electric grid serves, and varied experiences with the few solar mini-grids implemented in recent years, indicating limited downward accountability. Crucially, large solar plants have arrived, making it timely to resolve the dilemma of just clean energy provision both in and from rural areas. Yet little research on energy transitions in this context exists to explain its political economic complexity. We draw on field visits to three solar mini-grids with contrasting performances, to Uganda's largest 20 MW solar plant, through dozens of villages, and on meetings with the regional utility and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. This is supplemented by knowledge of Uganda's energy policy through document analysis and lived experience. We adapt accountability analysis to deploy a novel ‘scales of accountability’ framework at multiple spatial scales of solar deployment. Our analysis offers insights on the challenges Uganda must address to achieve the potential associated with solar mini-grids and multi-scalar solar energy transitions to achieve universal clean energy access.

Modular Multilevel VSC for Solar PV Plant with Battery Energy Storage

Modular Multilevel VSC for Solar PV Plant with Battery Energy Storage

Analysis of CSP/PV Hybrid Power Plants in High Latitude Regions

This study aims to explore the potential of combined CSP and PV systems in high latitude areas. Several performance metrics are evaluated and compared with standalone CSP or PV plants to identify the benefits and challenges of deploying such hybrid plants. Six different sites have been selected and the ASDELSOL hybrid power plant simulation tool, developed by the Thermodynamics and Renewable Energies Group at the University of Seville, has been used. This simulation tool allows performing dynamic performance simulations of hybrid solar plants under various operation strategies, along with conducting economic evaluations. We have analyzed a hybrid solar plant composed of 50 MW PTC and 75 MW PV, with 10 hours of TES and a 15 MW electric heater to transfer excess PV energy to the TES tanks in a 50 MW base load operation strategy, where the main objective of the PV plant is to cover the self-consumption of the PTC plant. Results obtained show that PV/PTC hybridization reduces LCOE and increases CF compared to standalone PV or PTC plants. These improvements are more pronounced in regions where the contribution of PTC plants is lower. In high latitude regions, an N-S orientation of PTC fields achieves higher production than an E-W orientation. However, a combination of both orientations can optimize their production and performance. Finally, it is concluded that it is necessary to carry out feasibility studies in high latitude locations before dismissing them outright, as it has been observed that, in certain regions, hybrid PV/PTC solar plants can offer an effective alternative.

Comparison of Aiming Point Strategy Algorithms and Their Assessment for Volumetric Solar Receivers

The present work summarizes the work done within the scope of CATION, CHLOE, and HECTOR projects related to the aiming point strategies optimization algorithms applied to volumetric solar receivers. Several optimization methods have been applied in the literature for optimizing the aiming strategy of solar power tower plants. However, the use of these algorithms for the requirements of volumetric solar receivers and solar fuel applications has not been accomplished. Herein, the problem is formulated as a constrained optimization problem whose objective function is a combination of the total power on the receiver surface and the flux homogeneity. A comparison of the results is presented in this work. It will be seen that TABU search and SA algorithms are the most efficient in terms of computation time and, in addition, the first one shows very good results in power and spillage. The rest of the mentioned algorithms are much slower and, in general, the results are slightly worse.

Augmenting a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plant With a Solar PV Plant

The search for enhanced dispatchability at decreased prices has led to a surge in research on hybrid renewable energy systems. This paper explores the integration of Photovoltaic (PV) technology with Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants to enhance energy generation and economic feasibility, focusing on optimising the size of PV augmentation for existing CSP facilities. The study considers CSP plants with both Time-of-Day (ToD) and single tariffs, employing modelling techniques to assess the synergies between these two technologies. The cost of PV technology has significantly reduced, making it a cost-effective choice for electricity generation compared to CSP. CSP-PV augmentation promises to reduce online and offline auxiliary consumption, resulting in enhanced energy generation and a subsequent reduction in energy production costs. This study aims to explore the advantages of combining solar PV with a CSP system and determine the ideal PV size to maximise return, building upon previous studies to assess the technological and economic potential of integrating solar PV with CSP, focusing on South Africa. It utilises a rigorous analysis, combining the System Advisory Model and PVSyst modelling tool within an MS Excel framework. This economic assessment and sizing exercise aims to maximise profits while adhering to the limitations imposed by the power purchase agreement of a 100 MW CSP facility. The optimal size is 15 MWp for the ToD tariff and 16 MWp for the flat tariff. This highlights the potential for CSP-PV augmentation to improve energy dispatchability and financial viability, making it a compelling solution for existing CSP plants.

Application of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model for solar plant location selection

This study aims to systematically evaluate and identify the most suitable locations for establishing solar farms in the United Kingdom. It employs a comprehensive Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model that incorporates the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method. Eight potential locations have been identified and selected for their climatic conditions and other pertinent parameters. These potential locations underwent additional assessment considering several factors including temperature, annual hours of sunshine, absolute humidity, proximity to major roads, distance from the power network, and potential demand. The data was normalized to eliminate scale effects and improve comparability. A MATLAB program has been developed with universality and user-friendliness in mind. Its purpose is to establish location selection factors graphs according to application-specific criteria and generate the matrix representation of these graphs for each potential candidate location. The permanent matrix, a composite metric synthesizing six criteria, identifies Torquay as the optimal location with a permanent value of 18.16. This quantitative approach, intersected with qualitative assessments, presents a clear hierarchy of site suitability. The model's simplicity, scalability, and proven accuracy make it a valuable tool for assessing renewable energy project viability in diverse regions.

Fatigue Behavior of H-Section Piles under Lateral Loads in Cohesive Soil

Most structures supporting solar panels are found on thin-walled metal piles partially driven into the ground, optimizing costs and construction time. These pile foundations are subjected to repetitive lateral loads from various external forces, such as wind, which can compromise the integrity of the pile-soil system. Given that the expected operational lifespan of photovoltaic solar plants is generally 20–30 years, predicting their service life under fatigue loads is crucial. This research analyzes the response of H-section piles to lateral fatigue loads in cohesive rigid soils through four field tests, subjected to load cycles of 55%, 72%, and 77% of the static failure load, corresponding to maximum loads of 25 kN, 32 kN, and 35 kN, respectively. Additionally, the effect of load cycles on the degradation of pile-soil adhesion is studied through two pull-out tests following cyclic tests. This study reveals that soil fatigue does not occur under repetitive loads and that soil stiffness remains constant once the cycles causing soil compaction have been overcome. Nevertheless, the accumulated plastic deflection of the soil increases steadily once soil compaction occurs due to cyclic loading. The implications of these results on the fatigue life of photovoltaic solar panel foundations are discussed.

A protection scheme for the transmission line connecting large-scale centralized solar PV plant

A protection scheme for the transmission line connecting large-scale centralized solar PV plant

Investigating the performance of water-mounted solar photo-voltaic systems using different simulation tools

Water-mounted solar photovoltaics plants, which include canal-top and floating systems, offer several advantages over traditional ground mounted systems. However, studying their feasibility can be challenging due to limitations in commercial simulation tools. These tools often rely on unrealistic parameters, and studies comparing them have concluded that they may not be suitable for simulating these newer systems. This research addresses the above-mentioned gap by developing improved simulation methods for water–mounted solar plants. The study compared the actual performance of a 1 MW canal-top system and a 732 kW floating system in India with simulations from six different commercial tools. The analysis revealed that PVsyst and SolarGIS were the most accurate in predicting performance for the canal-top system, while PVsol and SolarGIS–Prospect performed best for the floating system. By following comprehensive methodology outlined in this study, minimal Root–Mean–Square error values ranging from 0.74 to 3.33 for the canal-top system and 2.13 to 5.20 for the floating system were achieved for different parameters. These results highlight that accurate performance predictions depend on three factors: the precision of meteorological data, the capabilities of the simulation tool for water-mounted systems, and the tool’s ability to be customized for specific system details. This study helps solar developers and researchers choose the most suitable simulation tools and customize them for feasibility studies. It also helps stakeholders predict the energy output of existing water–mounted systems more accurately, reducing the risk of penalties due to deviations from predicted output.

Predicting the Impact of Different Cooling Systems on the Performance of Parabolic Trough Concentrating Solar Plant based on Real Data

Predicting the Impact of Different Cooling Systems on the Performance of Parabolic Trough Concentrating Solar Plant based on Real Data

Thermo-economic analysis of a solar district heating plant with an air-to-water heat pump

Solar district heating systems are essential in reducing carbon emissions and alleviating the energy crisis. By integrating with air-to-water heat pumps, it is possible to enhance the system’s efficiency and flexibility. However, the complementary mechanisms and coupling effects between the heat pump and the other components of the system are not clear. To address these issues, it is necessary to investigate the thermo-economic performance of the system, taking into account energy price fluctuations to achieve a more efficient and economically viable operational model. This study focuses on a solar district heating system in the Danish city of Ørum and investigates the impact of integrating a large-scale air-to-water heat pump. Based on energy and economic analyses, the impact of the heat pump on the system efficiency and the levelized cost of heat are investigated for 2020 and 2022. The results show that the heat pump can convert low-cost electricity into heat which will be stored in the tank, increasing the tank’s heat storage content by 1.2 times. The medium to low-temperature water in the tank can preheat the heat pump’s compressor, raising the COP of the heat pump from 3.3 to 3.5 and increasing the annual utilization cycle of the tank by 1.4 times by reducing the return water temperature to the bottom of the tank. Additionally, the system performance has been improved due to the installation of the heat pump, which increased the system COP from 1.22 in 2020 to 2.62 in 2022. Subsequently, the CO2 emission has been decreased from 192 kg/MWh to 74 kg/MWh with a larger share of sustainable energy. Due to the heat pump operation, the system-levelized cost of heat could be reduced to 68.6 EUR/MWh, compared to 94 EUR/MWh if the heat pump is removed. The investigation also revealed that the heat pump improved the flexibility of the heating system in response to energy prices, especially during the 2022 energy crisis in Europe. The findings of the paper provide a good reference for large solar heating applications.

Modelling and experimental investigation of cooling of field-operating PV panels using thermoelectric devices for enhanced power generation by industrial solar plants

The performance of commercial solar power plants degrades due to an increase in module temperatures for which standard PV-T air or water-cooling techniques are mostly used. In this study, a thermoelectric cooling system is studied for improving photovoltaic cell power efficiency and hence solar power generation. The cooling optimization requires solar cell temperature prediction of field operating PV modules, for which analysis of six models, is presented. The experimentation results show that TEC cooling maintains PV cell at 25 °C whereas PV cell without TEC operates at 55–63 °C, a higher temperature range, showing the effectiveness of the thermoelectric cooling system in precisely controlling PV cell temperature to operate at or near STC conditions in the field creating a temperature difference of 30–38 °C. The NOCT and Faiman model results are found close to the experimental values in comparison to other models. The potential for cooling and a corresponding increase in solar plant energy production is assessed using PV Syst modeling and simulation for three practical PV installation scenarios for 31 different climatic zone locations worldwide showing 6–27 % power loss due to elevated temperatures, which is not studied in previous studies adding novelty to the analysis. The results show that PV-TECS is an effective system to control the temperature of field operating PV modules, which can be used in future photovoltaic power plants. Field results and analysis of PV temperature models is crucial for the optimization and future development of PV-thermoelectric systems deployed under actual outdoor conditions as well as the expected cooling gains in different climatic locations. These aspects are collectively studied in the current work adding to the novelty of the study.

Thermographic inspections of solar photovoltaic plants in India using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Analysing the gap between theory and practice

Aerial inspection of solar PV plants using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is gaining traction due to benefits such as no downtime and cost-effectiveness. This technology is proven to be the low-cost alternative to conventional approaches involving visual inspection and I-V curve tracing to identify physical damages and underperforming strings, respectively. Though the use of UAVs for thermographic solar PV inspection is a popular alternative in developed countries, its use in developing economies experience various challenges. Studies emphasizing these challenges especially in the context of rapid evolution of drones are limited. To overcome this limitation, literature scoping, a one-on-one survey, focus group discussion, and a flight campaign using a UAV with a thermal payload is conducted in India to identify the limitations. These are further categorized into Technical, Behavioural, Implementation, Pre-deployment, Deployment, and Post-deployment categories. The relevance and significance of each challenge are analysed using a hybrid multi-criteria framework developed in this study. Findings of this study highlight the importance of drone regulations, technology readiness, and workshops for drone pilots, industry professionals, and solar developers in India. This study aid developing economies in devising strategies that can promote the use of UAVs for solar PV plant commissioning activities.

Application on ac station service system for gathering station based on roof photovoltaic system

Abstract With the increasingly severe global energy crisis and environmental pollution, it is imperative to develop and utilize clean and renewable energy. In order to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality as soon as possible, and reduce the proportion of fossil energy generation, decarbonization in the power industry is imperative. This article focuses on the design of rooftop photovoltaic systems at gathering stations. By installing solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of the gathering station building, a photovoltaic power generation system is constructed to convert solar energy radiated into electricity. The DC power generated by the solar photovoltaic power generation system is converted by an inverter and connected to the 380V bus of the station power system as a supplementary power supply for the station load, thereby increasing the proportion of green electricity consumption in the collection station and achieving the goal of carbon reduction

Optimizing Concentrated Solar Power: High‐Temperature Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage for Enhanced Efficiency

ABSTRACTMolten salts (MSs) thermal energy storage (TES) enables dispatchable solar energy in concentrated solar power (CSP) solar tower plants. CSP plants with TES can store excess thermal energy during periods of high solar radiation and release it when sunlight is unavailable, such as during cloudy periods or at night. This capability allows these plants to provide reliable, dispatchable power, ensuring a continuous electricity supply to the grid. This paper examines the challenges and opportunities of utilizing higher‐temperature molten salt formulations to enhance power cycle efficiency. Drawing on existing literature, performance analysis of existing power plants, and novel simulation results, we project the expected technological improvements by the end of this decade. By using 15 h of TES and a higher temperature MS formulation, with heat transfer fluid hot temperatures of 700°C, and a power cycle 350 bar 700°C of efficiency 48%, the annual electricity production from a 115 MW power plant in Daggett, California is 688 GWh, the total installed cost is $684 m while the 25‐year LCOE is 6.37 c/kWh.

Two decades of progressive cost reduction: A paradigm for distributed solar photovoltaics and energy efficiency

The increasing deployment of renewable energy resources has led to massive energy cost effectivity worldwide in the past decade. The emergence of this cost revolution led electricity consumers to increasingly adopt distributed renewable energy resources to decrease dependence on traditional power grids. This paper applies the integrated resource planning framework, the objective of which is to design a least-cost electricity system by looking at renewable energy resources, efficient appliances, and demand response management strategies to reduce electricity bills. The results show that the commercial entity can save its electricity bill by $0.16 if it installs 6 MW solar PV over the lifetime of the solar PV plants. Besides, it was observed that wind turbines were not economically feasible to install at the site because of low wind resources. Biogas power plant is too expensive mainly because of the cost of fuel (waste). It also shows that by retrofitting 2000 compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the company can save $0.15 million. By shifting between 0.5 MW and 1.4 MW of heating and cooling demand to periods of low tariff costs, the company can save $0.013 million annually. The climate transition plan for this company relies on PV, efficiency interventions and demand response. The study also demonstrates that an integrated resource planning framework can be used to plan a mini-grid.

A precise and efficient K-means-ELM model to improve ultra-short-term solar irradiance forecasting

To address the problems of intermittent and uncontrollable solar irradiance faced by grid-connected photovoltaic power plants, this paper proposes an ultra-short-term solar irradiance prediction model that combines K-means clustering with the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM). The K-means algorithm is first applied to cluster solar irradiance data from different seasons in Shanghai based on spatial similarity. Subsequently, the ELM algorithm is employed to train the model, significantly improving both prediction accuracy and training speed. Compared with the prediction accuracy of the model before clustering, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the clustered model is significantly reduced by 28.75 % in spring, and 0.30 %, 6.70 % and 5.92 % in summer, Autumn and winter, respectively. In addition, the model demonstrates stable predictive performance at different time resolutions (5, 10 and 15 minutes) with R2 values close to 1, confirming its accuracy and stability under small sample conditions. In terms of training speed, ELM’s training time is more than 100 times faster than Support Vector Regression (SVR) and significantly shorter than traditional models such as PSO-BP and Random Forest (RF), showing its great advantage in application scenarios that require fast response. Overall, the K-means-ELM model is able to accurately capture the overall trend and sudden changes in solar irradiance, which is of great application value for enhancing the efficiency and stability of solar power generation systems.

Annual relative performance degradation in photovoltaic solar plants

This study aims to assess annual relative performance degradation σ to be used in the computations of the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of new plants based on the standard year for weather and solar resource. The assessment is based on the experimental data of power generation, weather, and resource for different years, and simulations of power generation by using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) System Advisor Model (SAM) software. The raw data of power generation for 53 different plants spanning about one decade show a σ assessed at less than 0.29%. This makes it reasonable to assume in SAM σ=0% to σ=0.29%. This is less than the default σ=0.5% currently used in SAM based on limited outdated data. The updated performance degradation factor diminished to σ=0-0.29% reduces the computed LCOE for typical new projects in the United States from 2.86 to 2.74-2.80 ¢/kWh. Correction of the σ trends for interannual variability of weather and resource is unnecessary, providing enough years of operation are covered, given the inaccuracies in the model and the supporting data, the mitigation by management of the performance changes, and the complex phenomena correlated to the change of weather and irradiance affecting the power output in different directions. The reduced σ is the result of a significant product improvement over the last decades, especially for large power plants, compared to the plant which provided data for the prior correlation of performance degradation, and much better management and maintenance of the plants.

Review on Development of Digital Twins for Predicting, Mitigating Faults and Defects in Solar Plants

Review on Development of Digital Twins for Predicting, Mitigating Faults and Defects in Solar Plants