Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.5
3.2
Journals
Energies
Special Issues
PV System Design and Performance
energies-logo
Submit to Energies Review for Energies Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

PV System Design and Performance

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2018) | Viewed by 125036

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Wilfried Van Sark

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Interests: integration of PV in society in particular in buildings (BIPV) and the (local) electricity grid; simulation and performance analysis of PV systems and modules, shading analyses and shad-resilience options, for land-based and water-based PV systems; forecasting of PV power with AI approaches and sky-imagers; market and footprint analysis of PV systems and circularity approaches
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Photovoltaic (PV) solar technology has been rapidly and continuously growing in the past decades leading to ~300 GWp installed capacity globally, and this has led to enormous price reductions. The strength of the technology is its modular design, and PV power plants range from a few PV modules (~1 kWp) to millions (~250 MWp). Design of such systems depends on the scale level: residential systems are typically roof-based, either flat or tilted, while large systems allow to design for maximum annual yield but also require intricate electrical layouts with multiple inverters and connections to medium voltage transmission networks. Additionally, operation is scale dependent. In residential areas, non-ideal tilts and potential shading will lower annual yields, and designs to minimize these losses have been developed, using, e.g., power optimization per module. Monitoring of such small systems is rare, as economic loss due to malfunction is low. Large-scale systems have proper supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to ensure maximum economic benefit, which is of importance to investors.

This Special Issue solicits papers with original research and studies related to the above-mentioned topics, including, but not limited to, PV system design on residential and larger scales; methods for operational control and analysis; failure detection; performance analysis of systems; mapping performance differences; performance variability; degradation of systems and modules. Papers selected for this Special Issue are subject to a rigorous peer review procedure with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments and applications.

Dr. Wilfried van Sark
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photovoltaic system design (residential and large scale)
  • monitoring of PV systems
  • performance analysis
  • mapping performance
  • performance variability
  • shade-resilient system design and operation
  • system malfunction detection

Published Papers (21 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 4214 KiB  
Article
Impact of Component Reliability on Large Scale Photovoltaic Systems’ Performance
by Stefan Baschel, Elena Koubli, Jyotirmoy Roy and Ralph Gottschalg
Energies 2018, 11(6), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11061579 - 15 Jun 2018
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 6218
Abstract
In this work, the impact of component reliability on large scale photovoltaic (PV) systems’ performance is demonstrated. The analysis is largely based on an extensive field-derived dataset of failure rates of operation ranging from three to five years, derived from different large-scale PV [...] Read more.
In this work, the impact of component reliability on large scale photovoltaic (PV) systems’ performance is demonstrated. The analysis is largely based on an extensive field-derived dataset of failure rates of operation ranging from three to five years, derived from different large-scale PV systems. Major system components, such as transformers, are also included, which are shown to have a significant impact on the overall energy lost due to failures. A Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is used to estimate the impact on reliability and availability for two inverter configurations. A Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is employed to rank failures in different subsystems with regards to occurrence and severity. Estimation of energy losses (EL) is realised based on actual failure probabilities. It is found that the key contributions to reduced energy yield are the extended repair periods of the transformer and the inverter. The very small number of transformer issues (less than 1%) causes disproportionate EL due to the long lead times for a replacement device. Transformer and inverter issues account for about 2/3 of total EL in large scale PV systems (LSPVSs). An optimised monitoring strategy is proposed in order to reduce repair times for the transformer and its contribution to EL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2563 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Reactive Power Support Capability and Associated Technical Costs of Photovoltaic Farms’ Operation
by Luís F. N. Lourenço, Renato M. Monaro, Maurício B. C. Salles, José R. Cardoso and Loïc Quéval
Energies 2018, 11(6), 1567; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11061567 - 14 Jun 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3531
Abstract
The share of photovoltaic (PV) farms is increasing in the energy mix as power systems move away from conventional carbon-emitting sources. PV farms are equipped with an expensive power converter, which is, most of the time, used well bellow its rated capacity. This [...] Read more.
The share of photovoltaic (PV) farms is increasing in the energy mix as power systems move away from conventional carbon-emitting sources. PV farms are equipped with an expensive power converter, which is, most of the time, used well bellow its rated capacity. This has led to proposals to use it to provide reactive power support to the grid. In this framework, this work presents a step-by-step methodology to obtain the reactive power support capability map and the associated technical costs of single- and two-stage PV farms during daytime operation. Results show that the use of two-stage PV farms can expand the reactive power support capability for low irradiance values in comparison to single-stage ones. Besides, despite losses being higher for two-stage PV farms, the technical cost in providing reactive power support is similar for both systems. Based on the obtained maps, it is demonstrated how the profits of a PV farm can be evaluated for the current ancillary services policy in Brazil. The proposed method is of interest to PV farm owners and grid operators to estimate the cost of providing reactive power support and to evaluate the economic feasibility in offering this ancillary service. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1751 KiB  
Article
Urban Environment and Solar PV Performance: The Case of the Netherlands
by Panagiotis Moraitis, Bala Bhavya Kausika, Nick Nortier and Wilfried Van Sark
Energies 2018, 11(6), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11061333 - 23 May 2018
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5444
Abstract
The modern urban landscape creates numerous challenges for the deployment of solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology. The large structures that dominate the skyline of every city create compactness, which, in turn, limits the available rooftop area and creates unpredicted shading patterns. The majority of [...] Read more.
The modern urban landscape creates numerous challenges for the deployment of solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology. The large structures that dominate the skyline of every city create compactness, which, in turn, limits the available rooftop area and creates unpredicted shading patterns. The majority of research today relies on modern applications such as geographical information system (GIS) software to evaluate urban morphology; however, this approach is computationally intensive and therefore it is usually limited to a small geographical area. In this paper, we approach this issue from another perspective, utilizing the enormous amount of high resolution PV yield data that is available for the Netherlands. Our results not only correlate performance losses with urban compactness indicators, but they also reveal a significant seasonality effect that can reach 15% in some cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 5743 KiB  
Article
Visualization of Operational Performance of Grid-Connected PV Systems in Selected European Countries
by Bala Bhavya Kausika, Panagiotis Moraitis and Wilfried G. J. H. M. Van Sark
Energies 2018, 11(6), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11061330 - 23 May 2018
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3271
Abstract
This paper presents the results of the analyses of operational performance of small-sized residential PV systems, connected to the grid, in the Netherlands and some other European countries over three consecutive years. Web scraping techniques were employed to collect detailed yield data at [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of the analyses of operational performance of small-sized residential PV systems, connected to the grid, in the Netherlands and some other European countries over three consecutive years. Web scraping techniques were employed to collect detailed yield data at high time resolution (5–15 min) from a large number (31,844) of systems with 741 MWp of total capacity, delivering data continuously for at least one year. Annual system yield data was compared from small and medium-sized installations. Cartography and spatial analysis techniques in a geographic information system (GIS) were used to visualize yield and performance ratio, which greatly facilitates the assessment of performance for geographically scattered systems. Variations in yield and performance ratios over the years were observed with higher values in 2015 due to higher irradiation values. The potential of specific yield and performance maps lies in the updating of monitoring databases, quality control of data, and availability of irradiation data. The automatic generation of performance maps could be a trend in future mapping. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4482 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Prediction of Power Loss for Damaged Photovoltaic Modules Using Electroluminescence
by Timo Kropp, Markus Schubert and Jürgen H. Werner
Energies 2018, 11(5), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11051172 - 07 May 2018
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4594
Abstract
Electroluminescence (EL) is a powerful tool for the qualitative mapping of the electronic properties of solar modules, where electronic and electrical defects are easily detected. However, a direct quantitative prediction of electrical module performance purely based on electroluminescence images has yet to be [...] Read more.
Electroluminescence (EL) is a powerful tool for the qualitative mapping of the electronic properties of solar modules, where electronic and electrical defects are easily detected. However, a direct quantitative prediction of electrical module performance purely based on electroluminescence images has yet to be accomplished. Our novel approach, called “EL power prediction of modules” (ELMO) as presented here, used just two electroluminescence images to predict the electrical loss of mechanically damaged modules when compared to their original (data sheet) power. First, using this method, two EL images taken at different excitation currents were converted into locally resolved (relative) series resistance images. From the known, total applied voltage to the module, we were then able to calculate absolute series resistance values and the real distribution of voltages and currents. Then, we reconstructed the complete current/voltage curve of the damaged module. We experimentally validated and confirmed the simulation model via the characterization of a commercially available photovoltaic module containing 60 multicrystalline silicon cells, which were mechanically damaged by hail. Deviation between the directly measured and predicted current/voltage curve was less than 4.3% at the maximum power point. For multiple modules of the same type, the level of error dropped below 1% by calibrating the simulation. We approximated the ideality factor from a module with a known current/voltage curve and then expand the application to modules of the same type. In addition to yielding series resistance mapping, our new ELMO method was also capable of yielding parallel resistance mapping. We analyzed the electrical properties of a commercially available module, containing 72 monocrystalline high-efficiency back contact solar cells, which suffered from potential induced degradation. For this module, we predicted electrical performance with an accuracy of better than 1% at the maximum power point. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 7686 KiB  
Article
Photovoltaics (PV) System Energy Forecast on the Basis of the Local Weather Forecast: Problems, Uncertainties and Solutions
by Kristijan Brecl and Marko Topič
Energies 2018, 11(5), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11051143 - 04 May 2018
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3764
Abstract
When integrating a photovoltaic system into a smart zero-energy or energy-plus building, or just to lower the electricity bill by rising the share of the self-consumption in a private house, it is very important to have a photovoltaic power energy forecast for the [...] Read more.
When integrating a photovoltaic system into a smart zero-energy or energy-plus building, or just to lower the electricity bill by rising the share of the self-consumption in a private house, it is very important to have a photovoltaic power energy forecast for the next day(s). While the commercially available forecasting services might not meet the household prosumers interests due to the price or complexity we have developed a forecasting methodology that is based on the common weather forecast. Since the forecasted meteorological data does not include the solar irradiance information, but only the weather condition, the uncertainty of the results is relatively high. However, in the presented approach, irradiance is calculated from discrete weather conditions and with correlation of forecasted meteorological data, an RMS error of 65%, and a R2 correlation factor of 0.85 is feasible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 5561 KiB  
Article
Variations of PV Panel Performance Installed over a Vegetated Roof and a Conventional Black Roof
by Mohammed J. Alshayeb and Jae D. Chang
Energies 2018, 11(5), 1110; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11051110 - 01 May 2018
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5124
Abstract
The total worldwide photovoltaic (PV) capacity has been growing from about 1 GW at the beginning of the twenty-first century to over 300 GW in 2016 and is expected to reach 740 GW by 2022. PV panel efficiency is reported by PV manufacturers [...] Read more.
The total worldwide photovoltaic (PV) capacity has been growing from about 1 GW at the beginning of the twenty-first century to over 300 GW in 2016 and is expected to reach 740 GW by 2022. PV panel efficiency is reported by PV manufacturers based on laboratory testing under Standard Testing Condition with a specific temperature of 25 °C and solar irradiation of 1000 W/m2. This research investigated the thermal interactions between the building roof surface and PV panels by examining the differences in PV panel temperature and energy output for those installed over a green roof (PV-Green) and those installed over a black roof (PV-Black). A year-long experimental study was conducted over the roof of an educational building with roof mounted PV panels with a system capacity of 4.3 kW to measure PV underside surface temperature (PV-UST), ambient air temperature between PV panel and building roof (PV-AT), and PV energy production (PV-EP). The results show that during the summer the PV-Green consistently recorded lower PV-UST and PV-AT temperatures and more PV-EP than PV-Black. The average hourly PV-EP difference was about 0.045 kWh while the maximum PV-EP difference was about 0.075 kWh, which represents roughly a 3.3% and 5.3% increase in PV-EP. For the entire study period, EP-Green produced 19.4 kWh more energy, which represents 1.4% more than EP-Black. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 4754 KiB  
Article
A Novel Improved Cuckoo Search Algorithm for Parameter Estimation of Photovoltaic (PV) Models
by Tong Kang, Jiangang Yao, Min Jin, Shengjie Yang and ThanhLong Duong
Energies 2018, 11(5), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11051060 - 25 Apr 2018
Cited by 140 | Viewed by 4563
Abstract
Parameter estimation of photovoltaic (PV) models from experimental current versus voltage (I-V) characteristic curves acts a pivotal part in the modeling a PV system and optimizing its performance. Although many methods have been proposed for solving this PV model parameter estimation problem, it [...] Read more.
Parameter estimation of photovoltaic (PV) models from experimental current versus voltage (I-V) characteristic curves acts a pivotal part in the modeling a PV system and optimizing its performance. Although many methods have been proposed for solving this PV model parameter estimation problem, it is still challenging to determine highly accurate and reliable solutions. In this paper, this problem is firstly transformed into an optimization problem, and an objective function (OF) is formulated to quantify the overall difference between the experimental and simulated current data. And then, to enhance the performance of original cuckoo search algorithm (CSA), a novel improved cuckoo search algorithm (ImCSA) is proposed, by combining three strategies with CSA. In ImCSA, a quasi-opposition based learning (QOBL) scheme is employed in the population initialization step of CSA. Moreover, a dynamic adaptation strategy is developed and introduced for the step size without Lévy flight step in original CSA. A dynamic adjustment mechanism for the fraction probability (Pa) is proposed to achieve better tradeoff between the exploration and exploitation to increase searching ability. Afterwards, the proposed ImCSA is used for solving the problem of estimating parameters of PV models based on experimental I-V data. Finally, the proposed ImCSA has been demonstrated on the parameter identification of various PV models, i.e., single diode model (SDM), double diode model (DDM) and PV module model (PMM). Experimental results indicate that the proposed ImCSA outperforms the original CSA and its superior performance in comparison with other state-of-the-art algorithms, and they also show that our proposed ImCSA is capable of finding the best values of parameters for the PV models in such effective way for giving the best possible approximation to the experimental I-V data of real PV cells and modules. Therefore, the proposed ImCSA can be considered as a promising alternative to accurately and reliably estimate parameters of PV models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 1810 KiB  
Article
Non-Destructive Failure Detection and Visualization of Artificially and Naturally Aged PV Modules
by Gabriele C. Eder, Yuliya Voronko, Christina Hirschl, Rita Ebner, Gusztáv Újvári and Wolfgang Mühleisen
Energies 2018, 11(5), 1053; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11051053 - 25 Apr 2018
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5330
Abstract
Several series of six-cell photovoltaic test-modules—intact and with deliberately generated failures (micro-cracks, cell cracks, glass breakage and connection defects)—were artificially and naturally aged. They were exposed to various stress conditions (temperature, humidity and irradiation) in different climate chambers in order to identify (i) [...] Read more.
Several series of six-cell photovoltaic test-modules—intact and with deliberately generated failures (micro-cracks, cell cracks, glass breakage and connection defects)—were artificially and naturally aged. They were exposed to various stress conditions (temperature, humidity and irradiation) in different climate chambers in order to identify (i) the stress-induced effects; (ii) the potential propagation of the failures and (iii) their influence on the performance. For comparison, one set of test-modules was also aged in an outdoor test site. All photovoltaic (PV) modules were thoroughly electrically characterized by electroluminescence and performance measurements before and after the accelerated ageing and the outdoor test. In addition, the formation of fluorescence effects in the encapsulation of the test modules in the course of the accelerated ageing tests was followed over time using UV-fluorescence imaging measurements. It was found that the performance of PV test modules with mechanical module failures was rather unaffected upon storage under various stress conditions. However, numerous micro-cracks led to a higher rate of degradation. The polymeric encapsulate of the PV modules showed the build-up of distinctive fluorescence effects with increasing lifetime as the encapsulant material degraded under the influence of climatic stress factors (mainly irradiation by sunlight and elevated temperature) by forming fluorophores. The induction period for the fluorescence effects of the polymeric encapsulant to be detectable was ~1 year of outdoor weathering (in middle Europe) and 300 h of artificial irradiation (with 1000 W/m2 artificial sunlight 300–2500 nm). In the presence of irradiation, oxygen—which permeated into the module through the polymeric backsheet—bleached the fluorescence of the encapsulant top layer between the cells, above cell cracks and micro-cracks. Thus, UV-F imaging is a perfect tool for on-site detection of module failures connected with a mechanical rupture of solar cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3905 KiB  
Article
PV System Performance Evaluation by Clustering Production Data to Normal and Non-Normal Operation
by Odysseas Tsafarakis, Kostas Sinapis and Wilfried G. J. H. M. Van Sark
Energies 2018, 11(4), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11040977 - 18 Apr 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4543
Abstract
The most common method for assessment of a photovoltaic (PV) system performance is by comparing its energy production to reference data (irradiance or neighboring PV system). Ideally, at normal operation, the compared sets of data tend to show a linear relationship. Deviations from [...] Read more.
The most common method for assessment of a photovoltaic (PV) system performance is by comparing its energy production to reference data (irradiance or neighboring PV system). Ideally, at normal operation, the compared sets of data tend to show a linear relationship. Deviations from this linearity are mainly due to malfunctions occurring in the PV system or data input anomalies: a significant number of measurements (named as outliers) may not fulfill this, and complicate a proper performance evaluation. In this paper a new data analysis method is introduced which allows to automatically distinguish the measurements that fit to a near-linear relationship from those which do not (outliers). Although it can be applied to any scatter-plot, where the sets of data tend to be linear, it is specifically used here for two different purposes in PV system monitoring: (1) to detect and exclude any data input anomalies; and (2) to detect and separate measurements where the PV system is functioning properly from the measurements characteristic for malfunctioning. Finally, the data analysis method is applied in four different cases, either with precise reference data (pyranometer and neighboring PV system) or with scattered reference data (in plane irradiance obtained from application of solar models on satellite observations). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 3920 KiB  
Article
Shading Ratio Impact on Photovoltaic Modules and Correlation with Shading Patterns
by Alonso Gutiérrez Galeano, Michael Bressan, Fernando Jiménez Vargas and Corinne Alonso
Energies 2018, 11(4), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11040852 - 05 Apr 2018
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 7543
Abstract
This paper presents the study of a simplified approach to model and analyze the performance of partially shaded photovoltaic modules using the shading ratio. This approach integrates the characteristics of shaded area and shadow opacity into the photovoltaic cell model. The studied methodology [...] Read more.
This paper presents the study of a simplified approach to model and analyze the performance of partially shaded photovoltaic modules using the shading ratio. This approach integrates the characteristics of shaded area and shadow opacity into the photovoltaic cell model. The studied methodology is intended to improve the description of shaded photovoltaic systems by specifying an experimental procedure to quantify the shadow impact. Furthermore, with the help of image processing, the analysis of the shading ratio provides a set of rules useful for predicting the current–voltage behavior and the maximum power points of shaded photovoltaic modules. This correlation of the shading ratio and shading patterns can contribute to the supervision of actual photovoltaic installations. The experimental results validate the proposed approach in monocrystalline and polycrystalline technologies of solar panels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4252 KiB  
Article
Solar Cell Capacitance Determination Based on an RLC Resonant Circuit
by Petru Adrian Cotfas, Daniel Tudor Cotfas, Paul Nicolae Borza, Dezso Sera and Remus Teodorescu
Energies 2018, 11(3), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11030672 - 16 Mar 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 8688
Abstract
The capacitance is one of the key dynamic parameters of solar cells, which can provide essential information regarding the quality and health state of the cell. However, the measurement of this parameter is not a trivial task, as it typically requires high accuracy [...] Read more.
The capacitance is one of the key dynamic parameters of solar cells, which can provide essential information regarding the quality and health state of the cell. However, the measurement of this parameter is not a trivial task, as it typically requires high accuracy instruments using, e.g., electrical impedance spectroscopy (IS). This paper introduces a simple and effective method to determine the electric capacitance of the solar cells. An RLC (Resistor Inductance Capacitor) circuit is formed by using an inductor as a load for the solar cell. The capacitance of the solar cell is found by measuring the frequency of the damped oscillation that occurs at the moment of connecting the inductor to the solar cell. The study is performed through simulation based on National Instruments (NI) Multisim application as SPICE simulation software and through experimental capacitance measurements of a monocrystalline silicon commercial solar cell and a photovoltaic panel using the proposed method. The results were validated using impedance spectroscopy. The differences between the capacitance values obtained by the two methods are of 1% for the solar cells and of 9.6% for the PV panel. The irradiance level effect upon the solar cell capacitance was studied obtaining an increase in the capacitance in function of the irradiance. By connecting different inductors to the solar cell, the frequency effect upon the solar cell capacitance was studied noticing a very small decrease in the capacitance with the frequency. Additionally, the temperature effect over the solar cell capacitance was studied achieving an increase in capacitance with temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2767 KiB  
Article
Hypothesis Tests-Based Analysis for Anomaly Detection in Photovoltaic Systems in the Absence of Environmental Parameters
by Silvano Vergura
Energies 2018, 11(3), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11030485 - 25 Feb 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3946
Abstract
This paper deals with the monitoring of the performance of a photovoltaic plant, without using the environmental parameters such as the solar radiation and the temperature. The main idea is to statistically compare the energy performances of the arrays constituting the PV plant. [...] Read more.
This paper deals with the monitoring of the performance of a photovoltaic plant, without using the environmental parameters such as the solar radiation and the temperature. The main idea is to statistically compare the energy performances of the arrays constituting the PV plant. In fact, the environmental conditions affect equally all the arrays of a small-medium-size PV plant, because the extension of the plant is limited, so any comparison between the energy distributions of identical arrays is independent of the solar radiation and the cell temperature, making the proposed methodology very effective for PV plants not equipped with a weather station, as it often happens for the PV plants located in urban contexts and having a nominal peak power in the 3÷50 kWp range, typically installed on the roof of a residential or industrial building. In this case, the costs of an advanced monitoring system based on the environmental data are not justified, consequently, the weather station is often also omitted. The proposed procedure guides the user through several inferential statistical tools that allow verifying whether the arrays have produced the same amount of energy or, alternatively, which is the worst array. The procedure is effective in detecting and locating abnormal operating conditions, before they become failures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3767 KiB  
Article
Prediction Model of Photovoltaic Module Temperature for Power Performance of Floating PVs
by Waithiru Charles Lawrence Kamuyu, Jong Rok Lim, Chang Sub Won and Hyung Keun Ahn
Energies 2018, 11(2), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11020447 - 18 Feb 2018
Cited by 118 | Viewed by 8946
Abstract
Rapid reduction in the price of photovoltaic (solar PV) cells and modules has resulted in a rapid increase in solar system deployments to an annual expected capacity of 200 GW by 2020. Achieving high PV cell and module efficiency is necessary for many [...] Read more.
Rapid reduction in the price of photovoltaic (solar PV) cells and modules has resulted in a rapid increase in solar system deployments to an annual expected capacity of 200 GW by 2020. Achieving high PV cell and module efficiency is necessary for many solar manufacturers to break even. In addition, new innovative installation methods are emerging to complement the drive to lower $/W PV system price. The floating PV (FPV) solar market space has emerged as a method for utilizing the cool ambient environment of the FPV system near the water surface based on successful FPV module (FPVM) reliability studies that showed degradation rates below 0.5% p.a. with new encapsulation material. PV module temperature analysis is another critical area, governing the efficiency performance of solar cells and module. In this paper, data collected over five-minute intervals from a PV system over a year is analyzed. We use MATLAB to derived equation coefficients of predictable environmental variables to derive FPVM’s first module temperature operation models. When comparing the theoretical prediction to real field PV module operation temperature, the corresponding model errors range between 2% and 4% depending on number of equation coefficients incorporated. This study is useful in validation results of other studies that show FPV systems producing 10% more energy than other land based systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 14433 KiB  
Article
Organic Soiling: The Role of Pollen in PV Module Performance Degradation
by Ricardo Conceição, Hugo G. Silva, José Mirão and Manuel Collares-Pereira
Energies 2018, 11(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11020294 - 26 Jan 2018
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4081
Abstract
Soiling is a problem for solar energy harvesting technologies, such as in photovoltaic modules technologies. This paper describes not only one complete year of Soiling Ratioindex and rates measured in a rural environment of Southern Europe, but also focuses on the seasonal variation [...] Read more.
Soiling is a problem for solar energy harvesting technologies, such as in photovoltaic modules technologies. This paper describes not only one complete year of Soiling Ratioindex and rates measured in a rural environment of Southern Europe, but also focuses on the seasonal variation of the type of soiling, mainly spring and summer. The Soiling Ratio index is calculated based on the maximum power output and short circuit current of two photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray of glass samples to provide visual and chemical inspection of the type of soiling. Mass accumulation on glass samples mounted on a “glass tree” was weekly measured with a microbalance and related with the Soiling Ratio metrics. Soiling rates were calculated to infer the degree of soiling for each season and the respective comparison made. Results show a soiling rate of 4.1%/month in April (spring), 1.9%/month in July (summer) and 1.6%/month in September (fall). Rain (the main natural cleaning agent of the photovoltaic modules) as well as aerosol optical depth (proxy for atmospheric particle concentration) were correlated with the Soiling Ratio. In-depth analysis on the type of organic soiling was performed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 7713 KiB  
Article
Improvement of Shade Resilience in Photovoltaic Modules Using Buck Converters in a Smart Module Architecture
by S. Zahra Mirbagheri Golroodbari, Arjen. C. De Waal and Wilfried G. J. H. M. Van Sark
Energies 2018, 11(1), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11010250 - 19 Jan 2018
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4264
Abstract
Partial shading has a nonlinear effect on the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules. Different methods of optimizing energy harvesting under partial shading conditions have been suggested to mitigate this issue. In this paper, a smart PV module architecture is proposed for improvement of [...] Read more.
Partial shading has a nonlinear effect on the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules. Different methods of optimizing energy harvesting under partial shading conditions have been suggested to mitigate this issue. In this paper, a smart PV module architecture is proposed for improvement of shade resilience in a PV module consisting of 60 silicon solar cells, which compensates the current drops caused by partial shading. The architecture consists of groups of series-connected solar cells in parallel to a DC-DC buck converter. The number of cell groups is optimized with respect to cell and converter specifications using a least-squares support vector machine method. A generic model is developed to simulate the behavior of the smart architecture under different shading patterns, using high time resolution irradiance data. In this research the shading patterns are a combination of random and pole shadows. To investigate the shade resilience, results for the smart architecture are compared with an ideal module, and also ordinary series and parallel connected architectures. Although the annual yield for the smart architecture is 79.5% of the yield of an ideal module, we show that the smart architecture outperforms a standard series connected module by 47%, and a parallel architecture by 13.4%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

21 pages, 4663 KiB  
Article
A New PV Array Fault Diagnosis Method Using Fuzzy C-Mean Clustering and Fuzzy Membership Algorithm
by Qiang Zhao, Shuai Shao, Lingxing Lu, Xin Liu and Honglu Zhu
Energies 2018, 11(1), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11010238 - 19 Jan 2018
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 4945
Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) power station faults in the natural environment mainly occur in the PV array, and the accurate fault diagnosis is of particular significance for the safe and efficient PV power plant operation. The PV array’s electrical behavior characteristics under fault conditions is [...] Read more.
Photovoltaic (PV) power station faults in the natural environment mainly occur in the PV array, and the accurate fault diagnosis is of particular significance for the safe and efficient PV power plant operation. The PV array’s electrical behavior characteristics under fault conditions is analyzed in this paper, and a novel PV array fault diagnosis method is proposed based on fuzzy C-mean (FCM) and fuzzy membership algorithms. Firstly, clustering analysis of PV array fault samples is conducted using the FCM algorithm, indicating that there is a fixed relationship between the distribution characteristics of cluster centers and the different fault, then the fault samples are classified effectively. The membership degrees of all fault data and cluster centers are then determined by the fuzzy membership algorithm for the final fault diagnosis. Simulation analysis indicated that the diagnostic accuracy of the proposed method was 96%. Field experiments further verified the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed method. In this paper, various types of fault distribution features are effectively identified by the FCM algorithm, whether the PV array operation parameters belong to the fault category is determined by fuzzy membership algorithm, and the advantage of the proposed method is it can classify the fault data from normal operating data without foreknowledge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

2807 KiB  
Article
Modeling and Stability Analysis of a Single-Phase Two-Stage Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System
by Liying Huang, Dongyuan Qiu, Fan Xie, Yanfeng Chen and Bo Zhang
Energies 2017, 10(12), 2176; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10122176 - 19 Dec 2017
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5717
Abstract
The stability issue of a single-phase two-stage grid-connected photovoltaic system is complicated due to the nonlinear v-i characteristic of the photovoltaic array as well as the interaction between power converters. Besides, even though linear system theory is widely used in stability [...] Read more.
The stability issue of a single-phase two-stage grid-connected photovoltaic system is complicated due to the nonlinear v-i characteristic of the photovoltaic array as well as the interaction between power converters. Besides, even though linear system theory is widely used in stability analysis of balanced three-phase systems, the application of the same theory to single-phase systems meets serious challenges, since single-phase systems cannot be transformed into linear time-invariant systems simply using Park transformation as balanced three-phase systems. In this paper, (1) the integrated mathematical model of a single-phase two-stage grid-connected photovoltaic system is established, in which both DC-DC converter and DC-AC converter are included also the characteristic of the PV array is considered; (2) an observer-pattern modeling method is used to eliminate the time-varying variables; and (3) the stability of the system is studied using eigenvalue sensitivity and eigenvalue loci plots. Finally, simulation results are given to validate the proposed model and stability analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

8606 KiB  
Article
Fuzzy Logic Based MPPT Controller for a PV System
by Carlos Robles Algarín, John Taborda Giraldo and Omar Rodríguez Álvarez
Energies 2017, 10(12), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10122036 - 02 Dec 2017
Cited by 134 | Viewed by 12612
Abstract
The output power of a photovoltaic (PV) module depends on the solar irradiance and the operating temperature; therefore, it is necessary to implement maximum power point tracking controllers (MPPT) to obtain the maximum power of a PV system regardless of variations in climatic [...] Read more.
The output power of a photovoltaic (PV) module depends on the solar irradiance and the operating temperature; therefore, it is necessary to implement maximum power point tracking controllers (MPPT) to obtain the maximum power of a PV system regardless of variations in climatic conditions. The traditional solution for MPPT controllers is the perturbation and observation (P&O) algorithm, which presents oscillation problems around the operating point; the reason why improving the results obtained with this algorithm has become an important goal to reach for researchers. This paper presents the design and modeling of a fuzzy controller for tracking the maximum power point of a PV System. Matlab/Simulink (MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA) was used for the modeling of the components of a 65 W PV system: PV module, buck converter and fuzzy controller; highlighting as main novelty the use of a mathematical model for the PV module, which, unlike diode based models, only needs to calculate the curve fitting parameter. A P&O controller to compare the results obtained with the fuzzy control was designed. The simulation results demonstrated the superiority of the fuzzy controller in terms of settling time, power loss and oscillations at the operating point. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

5786 KiB  
Article
Graphical Diagnosis of Performances in Photovoltaic Systems: A Case Study in Southern Spain
by Isabel Santiago, David Trillo Montero, Juan J. Luna Rodríguez, Isabel M. Moreno Garcia and Emilio J. Palacios Garcia
Energies 2017, 10(12), 1964; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10121964 - 25 Nov 2017
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5082
Abstract
The starting point of the operation and maintenance tasks in photovoltaic plants is the continuous monitoring and supervision of its components. The great amount of registered data requires a major improvement in the ways this information is processed and analyzed to rapidly detect [...] Read more.
The starting point of the operation and maintenance tasks in photovoltaic plants is the continuous monitoring and supervision of its components. The great amount of registered data requires a major improvement in the ways this information is processed and analyzed to rapidly detect any potential fault, without incurring additional costs. In this paper, a procedure to perform a detailed graphical supported analysis of the operation of photovoltaic installations, based on inverter data, and using a self-developed application, is presented. The program carries out the automated processing of the registered data, providing their access and visualization by means of color maps. These graphs allow a large volume of data set to be simultaneously represented in a readable way, enabling operation and maintenance operators to quickly detect patterns that would require any type of intervention. As a case study, the operation of a grid-connected photovoltaic plant located in southern Spain was studied during a period of three years. The average daily efficiency values of the PV modules and inverters were in the range of 7.6–14.6%, and 73.5–94% respectively. Moreover, the presence of shadings, as well as the hours and days mainly affected by this issue, was easily detected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

7084 KiB  
Article
Design and Construction of 1 MW Class Floating PV Generation Structural System Using FRP Members
by Sun-Hee Kim, Soon-Jong Yoon and Wonchang Choi
Energies 2017, 10(8), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10081142 - 03 Aug 2017
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 11311
Abstract
The paper investigates overview of construction process of a 1 MW class floating photovoltaic (PV) generation structural system fabricated with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) members. The floating PV generation system consists of unit structures linked by a hinge type connection of which the [...] Read more.
The paper investigates overview of construction process of a 1 MW class floating photovoltaic (PV) generation structural system fabricated with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) members. The floating PV generation system consists of unit structures linked by a hinge type connection of which the effect of bending moment between the unit structures, induced by the unstable movement of the water surface, was minimized. Moreover, the unit structures were classified into three types of structures by combining the floating PV generation system and pontoon bridges, which are constructed to install the electrical equipment and a route of movement for workers. The structural safety of the connection system among the unit structures and/or the mooring system is confirmed by referring to the relevant design codes. In addition, structural analysis using the finite element method was performed to ensure the safety of the floating PV generation structure, and commercial viability evaluation was performed based on the construction cost. The FRP member shows superior performance in construction and cost effectiveness in a floating PV generation system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PV System Design and Performance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-21
Back to TopTop