Solar Power Installations Research Articles

Features of methods of optimising calculation of parameters the combined solar power installations

In given paper use of solar water heaters for processes of the industrial factories is observed. Besides, the analysis of the results gained on experimental installation is presented. However settlement results showed that in the chosen range of temperature its growth leads to increase in total efficiency of installation, as efficiency a steam power cycle raises more intensively, than decreases K.n.d. Photo batteries. It is known that the least decrease in efficiency with temperature growth is characteristic for photo converters on the basis of gallium arsenide. Thus, essential raise of efficiency of the combined photo thermodynamic solar power installations has a consequence considerable martempering of their technical and economic characteristics.

Impact study of NOOR 1 project on the Moroccan territorial economic development

Morocco is one of the countries investing more and more in Renewable Energy (RE) technologies to meet the growing demand for energy and ensure the security of supply in this sector. The number of solar projects planned and implemented, as well as solar thermal projects in the form of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) installations is steadily increasing. Many of these installations are designed as large utility systems. In order to provide strong evidence on local, regional and even national impacts, this article examines the impacts of large-scale renewable energy projects on territorial development, based on a case study of the NOOR 1 (Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)) project in Ouarzazate, Morocco. The data collected during this study, conducted through semi-structured interviews with experts, stakeholders, local community representatives and combined with an analysis of documents provided by the NOOR 1 project managers, investors and consulting firms specialized in the field of Renewable Energy, provide detailed evidence on the type and magnitude of impacts on the economic development of the Moroccan southern region where the NOOR 1 plant is located. The data collected is analyzed using NVIVO software. The study results in a consolidated list of many impacts with varying levels of significance for different stakeholder groups, including farmers, youth, women, community representatives and small and medium firms owners. It should be noted that the importance of analyzing the economic impact of large infrastructure projects is widely recognized, but so far, there is little published in the academic and professional literature on the potential impacts of these projects at the local level. Even less information is available on the local impacts of large-scale project implementation in Morocco. While many macroeconomic studies have fed the recent surge in investment in RE projects with the promise of multiple social, economic, environmental, and even geopolitical benefits at the macro level, public debates and discussions have raised considerable doubts. The question of whether these promises would also leave their marks at the local level has also arisen. Despite these uncertainties, very few academics and practitioners have conducted research to empirically develop a good understanding of the impact of RE projects at the local level. To fill this research gap, the economic impact analysis of NOOR 1 provides a detailed empirical overview, which allows a better understanding of the effects that the infrastructure developments of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants can have on the economic environment in which they are located.

Credit Risk Modelling for Assessing Creditworthiness for Homeowners Who Can Avail Solar on Finance at Peacock Solar, Gurugram

Peacock Solar is a household solar installation company based in Gurugram, Haryana. It provides hassle free installation of solar power. In an era of rising demand for renewable energy, solar power is seen as a future of energy. The markets are becoming more competitive as better technologies increase the efficiency and lower the cost of solar power. In India, solar power is in its nascent stage of development and being price sensitive markets, cost remains the bottom line of competition. The present study is an attempt to showcase the strategy adopted by Peacock solar to enhance its sales by making solar available on finance.” The objective of this research paper is come up with a model that anticipates the probability associated with default for homeowner who avails solar on finance. The next objective is to develop a scorecard that represents this probability of default in form of credit score for enhanced understanding and decision making. By making solar available on finance, the company aims to overcome its price related hindrances. The methodology used for development of credit risk model is Logistic Regression as it is one of the best techniques for predicting a binary outcome (will default or will not default). This is followed by a technique for scorecard development. It can then be concluded that credit risk can be reduced to a considerable extent if correct analytical methodologies are put in place which will bring down the default rates on credit.

Combined thermophoto electric installation for increasing the efficiency of a solar power installation

The article developed and investigated a thermo-photoelectric device for the combined production of heat and electricity from a single receiving surface. The proposed energy device consists of a solar heat collector absorber, on top of which polycrystalline solar cells are placed. This unit is a combined helio profile that can be installed on the roofs of buildings and structures. constructions. The design is intended to improve the energy performance of solar energy converters.

Unveiling land footprint of solar power: A pilot solar tower project in China

Land occupation by solar power installations has become a rising concern that may cause adverse impacts on natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Existing studies mainly adopt a local perspective to view land use requirements of solar power and forget that the solar-based electricity system is subordinate to the macro economy and nourished by the material, machinery and service support by various economic sectors. To manifest a key aspect of the footprint of solar power on land resources, this study uncovered the extensive industrial land use initiated by the infrastructure of a representative pilot solar-based electricity plant using a systems perspective. The results in this study show that in magnitude, land footprint by the infrastructure of the pilot solar plant amounts to three times as much as the onsite land area. Also, the land footprint calculated is revealed as one order of magnitude larger than a previous finding that includes primary materials only, and four to seven times higher than the onsite land use by coal-based electricity plants. The outcome implies that existing environmental management policies need to be re-evaluated by putting enough emphasis on the land displacement by solar power systems along the production chain.

Bottlenecks and Countermeasures of High-Penetration Renewable Energy Development in China

China has become the world’s largest producer and consumer of energy, and ranks first in its wind and solar power installation capacity. However, serious wind and solar curtailment in China has significantly hindered the development and utilization of renewable energy. To address problems in the consumption of renewable energy, this paper analyzes four key factors affecting the capacity of power generated from renewable energy sources: power balance, power regulation performance, transmission capacity, and load level. Focusing on these bottlenecks, we propose seven solutions: centralized and distributed development of renewable energy, improving the peak-load regulation flexibility of thermal power, increasing the proportion of gas turbines and pumped-hydropower storage, construction of transmission channels and a flexible smart grid developing demand response and virtual power plants, adopting new energy active support and energy storage, and establishing appropriate policies and market mechanisms. The Chinese Government and energy authorities have issued a series of policies and measures, and in the past three years, China has had remarkable achievements in the adoption of renewable energy. The rate of idle wind capacity decreased from 17% in 2016 to 7% in 2018, and that of solar decreased from 10% in 2016 to 3% in 2018.

Design of solar power system for the new mini region of broadband seismometer shelter in Tiganderket, Karo, North Sumatera, Indonesia

The solar power installation on a new broadband seismometer shelter will greatly be affected by the quality of waveform data. The lower power means a physically smaller footprint and a less costly installation for a new station which must be located far from the main power system. In this case, we have installed the solar power system in the new broadband seismometer shelter in the mini region at TKSM station, in Tiganderket, Karo, North Sumatera Indonesia. The main goal of this study, to design, testing the solar cell, and compute the power spectral after installation of the power cell in the new shelter, which located away from roads and cities and human activity. The results presented that the good performance of the solar power system (solar cell, solar charge controller, and battery) for continuous transmission and to collect the waveform data based on the performance TKSM station using power spectral density function methods.

Supply-side options to reduce land requirements of fully renewable electricity in Europe.

Renewable electricity can fully decarbonise the European electricity supply, but large land requirements may cause land-use conflicts. Using a dynamic model that captures renewable fluctuations, I explore the relationship between land requirements and total system cost of different supply-side options in the future. Cost-minimal fully renewable electricity requires some 97,000 km2 (2% of total) land for solar and wind power installations, roughly the size of Portugal, and includes large shares of onshore wind. Replacing onshore wind with offshore wind, utility-scale PV, or rooftop PV reduces land requirements drastically with only small cost penalties. Moving wind power offshore is most cost-effective and reduces land requirements by 50% for a cost penalty of only 5%. Wind power can alternatively be replaced by photovoltaics, leading to a cost penalty of 10% for the same effect. My research shows that fully renewable electricity supply can be designed with very different physical appearances and impacts on landscapes and the population, but at similar cost.

Is Malaysia Ready for Sustainable Energy? Exploring the Attitudes toward Solar Energy and Energy Behaviors in Malaysia

To meet the larger demand for electricity supply, Malaysia needs to achieve two main psychosocial conditions, among others—having the awareness of renewable energy and demonstrating energy-conserving behavior. To examine whether Malaysia has met these two conditions, we recruited 225 participants (n = 109 women, n = 113 men, n = 3 did not indicate) to complete a series of questionnaires. The results showed that the public was aware of the option of solar energy but was not ready to install solar photovoltaic panels after being told the cost incurred. Furthermore, the public did not show satisfying energy-conserving behaviors. To boost the installation of solar power, increasing the public’s energy knowledge and implementing policies to reduce the installation cost might be helpful. These findings highlighted Malaysia’s low readiness for solar power and shed some light on what needs to be done to be better prepared for solar power.

Improving the Efficiency of the Power Supply to Agricultural Facilities by Means of Roof-Top Photovoltaic Installations

The purpose of the study is to substantiate the parameters and operation mode of the photovoltaic installation as part of the power supply system of real agricultural enterprise in order to reduce the cost of paying for electric energy. The object of research is the system of intra-workshop lighting of two departments of the baking mill in the Rostov oblast. Placing photovoltaic modules on the inclined part of the industrial building’s roof of the mill compartments, having an inclination angle of 10° relative to the horizon measuring 39 × 10 m and oriented by the wide side strictly to the South. Three options for the layout of the solar power installation with photovoltaic panels were considered: option 1– maximum power supply to the consumer from the solar power plant in the summer (30 modules); option 2–generation mode without the use of electric energy storage devices; option 3–14 modules and the presence of an electric energy storage system. Specific capital investments in the third option increased by 40% in comparison with the second option, although the installed capacity of the installation increased only by 27.2%. The increase in the power of solar installation to 5.4 kW requires specific costs 2.5 times greater than for the second option. The calculation results allow us to highlight the lowest value of the prime cost of generated electric energy, obtained for the second option, which is 4.33 rubles/(kW h). Thus, the use of photovoltaic installations on industrial building roofs of agricultural facilities makes it possible to reduce the payment for each kW h of consumed electrical energy almost by 2.5 times.

Solar Feasibility for Urban Households- Space Limitations for Solar Installation

With the trend of falling costs associated with solar energy production, solar adoption is currently picking momentum in India at the state and federal level. Solar power is being adopted by universities, factories and other large entities readily, but is not prevalent for small scale consumption or for land owners of smaller plots in urban areas. These landowners represent a large chunk of development and their adoption can bring solar energy to the masses, galvanizing forces of agglomeration of economics. Surface area for installation of solar power is essential for solar adoption at any meaningful scale, especially for residential use. Installation of a solar array below the requirement leads to supplementation by the electrical grid and dealing with two different power sources and thus unpopular. The paper calculates this requirement for the average household and a minimum energy demand threshold is identified, below which solar adoption will not make sense to the urban household. Further, the area required for solar installation to meet this demand threshold is calculated. The paper finds this area requirement to be out of reach for most households, which has been identified as an impediment to solar adoption by urban households.

Impact of Partial Shading on Various PV Array Configurations and Different Modeling Approaches: A Comprehensive Review

Since the last decade, partial shading conditions (PSCs) and its adverse influences on photovoltaic (PV) system performance have received due attention. It motivates researchers to explore methods to diminish/disperse the shading effects and/or novel PV array configurations to sustain under PSCs. To diminish the effects of PSCs, this article presents a comprehensive review of various PV array configuration models for PV systems and metaheuristic approaches for shade dispersion effectively. Different PV array modeling approaches are identified, emphasizing their benefits, inadequacies and categorized according to vital features such as shade dispersion and improved performance in terms of efficiency; fill factor (FF), and maxima power, minimized power losses (PL) primarily. Besides these various PV array configurations such as hybrid, reconfigured, mathematical/game puzzle based advanced configurations are uniquely discussed with the existing configurations. In the current scenario, the metaheuristic algorithms are explored and widely accepted by researchers due to the less wire length requirement for PV array reconfiguration. This article discusses and deliberates recent developments in methods of solar PV performance enhancement that deserves further study. Overall, the present study is helpful for academicians and researchers in the committed solar power installation area.

Solution-derived monolithic thin films with low adhesion surface

Nanostructured thin films were synthesized using a silica-based sol-gel method. The morphology of the films was tailored by controlling the hydrolysis and crosslinking mechanisms of the tetraethyl orthosilicate precursor. Silica nanoparticle self-assembled structures and linear silica chains were crosslinked and formed monolithic nanostructured films. The self-assembly mechanism was investigated using coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulation. Three nanostructured configurations were synthesized and studied to optimize the surface features of the films and minimize the adhesion of sand particles. Surface microscopy imaging and adhesion force measurements using atomic force microscopy with an attached silica particle on the cantilever tip were performed to correlate the adhesion force and the surface structure. The solar specular reflectance of coated solar mirror samples was measured across the solar spectrum before and after the soiling test of the samples. The mechanical properties of the thin films were evaluated using nanoindentation measurements on coated substrates. The solution-derived thin film coatings can provide anti-soiling protection of solar glass in desert environments and increase the efficiency of photovoltaic and concentrated solar power installations.

Energy and thermal storage in clusters of grid-independent buildings

The extensive substitution of fossil fuels with renewables creates the U-shaped demand curve (duck curve) problem which is exacerbated in the summer months with the extensive use of air-conditioning. This study examines the hourly, daily, and yearly operation of a cluster of one hundred grid-independent buildings that completely rely on photovoltaics for electricity generation, including their air-conditioning needs. The cluster stores energy in hydrogen as the seasonal storage medium and chilled water for cooling as the daily storage medium. Thermal storage of chilled water and the use of efficient air-conditioning (refrigeration) equipment significantly reduces the needs for the generated electric energy and stored energy: The utilization of thermal storage in addition to chemical storage has three beneficial results: a) it reduces by about 40% the needed solar power installation; b) it reduces by a factor of three the losses associated with energy storage; and c) it reduces by factor of four the necessary hydrogen storage capacity. The improved performance of the system is expected to significantly reduce the overall cost associated with grid independent buildings.

Community Geography: Examining Open Space, Socioeconomic Status, Housing Market Strength, and Solar Energy Potential in Buffalo’s West Side, New York

Community geography entails a university-community partnership where university researchers are guided by research questions and objectives provided by an organization or entity. Texas State University’s geography department (TXSTGD) partnered with People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH), a nonprofit organization in Buffalo, New York. PUSH identified four objectives for Texas State’s geography department concerning the Westside of Buffalo: (1) develop an open space plan through identification of current and potential open spaces; (2) examine the socioeconomic status of neighborhoods in order to determine areas of vulnerability; (3) analyze housing vacancies, property values, and sales trends to assist in locating new opportunities for affordable housing and other community development projects; and (4) explore suitability for residential solar power installations. Implications of the findings are discussed, and this paper concludes with the implications of community geography for university geography departments and community advocacy and planning.

Barriers identification and analysis of solar power implementation in Indian thermal power plants: An Interpretative Structural Modeling approach

Present day India has tremendous energy requirements, and with each day it is becoming more difficult to meet those needs through conventional power sources. The never-ending demand of population which is growing exponentially has become very tough to fulfill. To enhance its energy security, mitigate carbon emissions and augment its economic development, it becomes an urgent need to implement innovative policies and mechanisms for the adoption of green and clean energy. India because of its demographics has good solar energy potential. This study aims to examine the solar power implementations in thermal power plants situated all across India. This paper contributes to the literature on solar power by identification of barriers for the adoption of solar power in thermal plants. Still, there is some lack of study about solar power implementations in different areas. In this paper, investigating efforts have been made to examine the solar power implementations in thermal power plants within the Indian context by identifying key barriers. In this study, Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) has been adopted to find the contextual relationships among key barriers and Matriced’Impacts Croises- Multiplication Applique’ an Classment (MICMAC) analysis has been carried out for validation of the model. Requirement of gigantic investment, longer recovery period, safety implications, environmental implications, and societal concerns emerge at the top level in ISM structure. Lack of adequate government policies and lack of political leadership appears at the bottom of a structured model and these emerged as the most influential barriers. This research also suggested how to mitigate the key barriers by the installation of solar power in electricity generation utilities.

Solar PV Power Potential is Greatest Over Croplands

Solar energy has the potential to offset a significant fraction of non-renewable electricity demands globally, yet it may occupy extensive areas when deployed at this level. There is growing concern that large renewable energy installations will displace other land uses. Where should future solar power installations be placed to achieve the highest energy production and best use the limited land resource? The premise of this work is that the solar panel efficiency is a function of the location’s microclimate within which it is immersed. Current studies largely ignore many of the environmental factors that influence Photovoltaic (PV) panel function. A model for solar panel efficiency that incorporates the influence of the panel’s microclimate was derived from first principles and validated with field observations. Results confirm that the PV panel efficiency is influenced by the insolation, air temperature, wind speed and relative humidity. The model was applied globally using bias-corrected reanalysis datasets to map solar panel efficiency and the potential for solar power production given local conditions. Solar power production potential was classified based on local land cover classification, with croplands having the greatest median solar potential of approximately 28 W/m2. The potential for dual-use, agrivoltaic systems may alleviate land competition or other spatial constraints for solar power development, creating a significant opportunity for future energy sustainability. Global energy demand would be offset by solar production if even less than 1% of cropland were converted to an agrivoltaic system.

Development of Optimum Portfolio for Investment in Oil & Gas Sector (Investor’s View)

With establishment of International Solar Alliance in New Delhi and due to the push given to renewable energy by the current government India has opened new dimension for innovation, investment and industry. This government has made a significant effort to push India’s renewable energy ambition. Due to this push India is now the 4th largest wind power producer in the world only behind of China, USA & Germany. India has made record addition to the solar power capacity in last 5 years. Although the recently concluded Financial Year (FY19) has shown a dip in installation of solar power with only 6500MW installed in the year. With this trend in the country the researchers are focusing on the scenario of renewable energy in India. So, the papers which are recently made available in the public domain are concerned with the current scenario. The surge in renewable energy is a good sign for the nation as renewable is the future. Though the rising demand of the fastest growing economy of the world can’t be satisfied with this growth in renewable energy. In simply words, the growth of the renewable energy is not enough to sustain the growth of the Indian economy. This statement is supported by the growing dependence of India on imported crude oil. Dependence of imported crude oil has gone up to 83.7% in Financial Year 19 from 82% in FY18. Hence, it can be said that the oil and gas sector is not getting the required focus. 
 Development of an optimum portfolio to minimize risk and maximize return is required before taking any investment decision. Portfolio optimization is required when you think of investing in oil and gas sector as its one of the most volatile sectors. This study is focused on developing an optimum portfolio for investment in oil and gas sector in India. Hence, 11 companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange is selected for the study. Risk and return of all the 11 companies are calculated. The companies are ranked according to their risk. Weightage of investment is assigned to the top 5 companies (with lowest risk). 
 The study has been conducted to construct an optimum portfolio of oil and gas companies using Markowitz Model. The study has been conducted on individual securities listed in Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The objectives of this study are:
 
 Risk and return analysis of individual securities of oil and gas companies in India listed with BSE.
 
 
 To identify the opportunities of investment in oil and gas companies and development of an optimum portfolio for investment in these companies.
 
 
 To construct optimal portfolio using Markowitz Model.
 
 
 To check whether Markowitz Model performs well in Oil and gas companies well in BSE or not.

Molecular dynamics simulation of solar salt (NaNO3-KNO3) mixtures

Molten salts have extended applications in concentrated solar power (CSP) installations, both as heat transfer and energy storage materials. In this study, a set of Lennard-Jones interatomic parameters are introduced for simulating NaNO3 and KNO3, as well as their most frequently industrially used mixture the so-called solar-salt (60% NaNO3 – 40% KNO3). Local structures are studied via radial distribution functions. Furthermore, density, thermal conductivity, self-diffusivity, viscosity and surface tension are calculated, from melting to decomposition temperature, and compared with experimental data. The local structures are calculated with both existing and presented interatomic potentials and are found to be in excellent agreement. Additionally, density, viscosity and surface tension present minor differences from literature data. Thermal conductivity, in terms of absolute values is in the proximity of reported data but is questionable in terms of trend. Finally, self-diffusion coefficients declinate from measured values, but are similar in terms of trend. Results are found to be in good agreement. This work represents the first extended validated effort in modelling molten nitrate salts and their mixtures at elevated temperatures using a Lennard-Jones potential, providing new tools that can aid in the fundamental understanding of molten salt structures at the molecular scale.

Sustainable siting of solar power installations in Mediterranean using a GIS/AHP approach

This study aims to present and test a methodology for clarifying and prioritizing, the most suitable locations for siting solar power installations. By employing Geographical Information Systems and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the recommended sustainable siting areas for solar power generation farms siting are identified, allowing the application of a spatial multi-criteria decision-making approach. The methodology identifies the available areas for solar farms siting, based on exclusion criteria defined from the current legislation. Furthermore, the available siting areas are evaluated and ranked through a multi-criteria analysis, considering also the relative importance of the selected criteria, through the AHP implementation performed by involved energy-related groups. The developed methodology employs different types of criteria, such as techno-economic and socio-environmental, it takes into account the distinct opinions of different stakeholders and it enables the evaluation of different scenarios. Finally, the methodology was applied for the case study of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, where the results, in terms of the potential maximum power that can be produced from the highest priority areas are 530 MWp for photovoltaics and 30 MW for Concentrated Solar Power systems.