Search results for "Rooftop photovoltaic power station"

Reconfiguration strategies to reduce mismatch effects on PV array: An Arduino-based prototype

2014

Today, solar energy represents a widespread source of electricity among all the renewable energies. One of the major problems concerning the photovoltaic (PV) arrays is the partial shading, that is the non-uniform irradiance on its parts. The partial shading leads to several undesired effects, such as mismatch between modules and a reduction of the production of electric energy. In order to alleviate the partial shading effects, different methods can be employed. Among them, the reconfiguration of the electrical connections between modules represents an alternative solution. In this paper, an algorithm of reconfiguration for a small-scale PV plant is proposed and experimental results showin…

Manufacturing tolerances effects on PV array energy production

2014

This paper investigates the tolerance effects of commercial photovoltaic modules in terms of electrical energy reduction of photovoltaic plants. Several commercial modules, having the same rated power, present different power tolerance values. A wide tolerance is an indicator of possible defects or differences in the production process and is responsible of remarkable reductions in the electricity production of photovoltaic plants. In this paper, thanks to the development of a suitable simulation tool, several simulations have been carried out, considering different tolerance and shading conditions for the PV array. Simulation results quantify the peak power value of the different plant con…

A simple and accurate model of photovoltaic modules for power system design

2014

Review on photovoltaic based active generator

2015

An active generator has the capacity to support frequency control and instantaneous power balance. The grid operator adjusts the power dispatch of generators according to power demand fluctuations. Photovoltaic (PV) based active generators can be used as load following generators in the same manner as other power dispatch generators. This new type of distribution system, based on active generator(s), needs new innovative management and operation strategies for increasing the penetration of intermittent renewable energy systems. The considered PV based active generator has three units, i.e., PV array, battery storage and super capacitor. In this review paper, the management and operation app…

An economic study about the installation of PV plants reconfiguration systems in Italy

2014

This paper shows the economic convenience of the application of a reconfiguration system for photovoltaic plants, considering the incentives system in Italy and its recent modifications. The reconfiguration is an alternative to the Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking, DMPPT, technique used to overcome the mismatch problem in Photovoltaic, PV, plants. The reconfiguration techniques employ a microprocessor-based system that modifies the layout of the PV plant by physically changing the connections among modules. After the explanation of the working principle of the PV reconfiguration system allowing the improvement of the efficiency of the same plant and the relevant installation, the ma…

A photovoltaic system suitable for the battery pack charging of an electrically power assisted velocipede

2012

The paper describes the designing, sizing, realization and setting up of a complete system suitable for the management of an electrically power assisted velocipede using a photovoltaic module for the charging of the batteries. In the work an overview on the sustainable mobility needs and on the commercial electrically power assisted velocipedes is presented and the "Ecolapa" prototype, set up in the SDELab laboratory of Palermo University, is precisely described underlining the designing, implementation and setting up phases of the photovoltaic charging system settled up on the velocipede. Moreover tests oriented on the setting up of the whole system and validation tests on the prototype ar…

Outdoor performance of north-facing multicrystalline modules in Southern Norway

2012

The present paper deals with reports on an outdoor performance evaluation of multicrystalline modules facing north in Southern Norway. The relevance of this study is mainly for building integrated systems where some of the facades are in a far from optimum position. The impact of shading on the photovoltaic modules' performance is also evaluated. A dedicated experimental set up has been created to study the PV modules performance under the above mentioned conditions. The results indicate significant power extraction from the PV modules even in the north facing direction. Effects of shadowing are also considered.

Hydrogen back-up power system with photovoltaic direct energy transfer regulation and interleaved boost for space applicattions

2012

This work details a power conditioning unit for photovoltaic/hydrogen based energy systems in space applications. The power conversion techniques applied are similar to the ones used on photovoltaic/battery space power systems. A direct energy transfer photovoltaic regulator is devised for feeding two outputs; the first output corresponds to the main unregulated battery bus and the second output sets a power path to feed an electrolyser. A modular fuel cell converter completes the system and operates when photovoltaic energy is not available or load demand exceeds the generated photovoltaic power, providing electrical power from a fuel cell. An ancillary battery, located in the main bus, di…

Performance assessment of a grid-connected mc-Si PV system made up of silicon material from different manufacturing routes

2013

Summarises the performance of an Elkem Solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed in the Sunbelt Region (between 35 North and 35 South) in Hyderabad, India, which has been fully operational since August 2012. The PV system consists of 28 multicrystalline silicon PV modules made from the standard Siemens process and from material produced by a metallurgical route - the Elkem Solar Silicon (ESS™) process. A comparative performance study of the ESS™ modules with respect to standard polysilicon has been carried out under the various climatic and solar radiation conditions at the location. The present study suggests that the ESS™ PV modules have a slightly better performance than standard polysili…

Review of photovoltaic status in a European (EU) perspective

2011

In the EU continent, a generation cost around 0.15€/kWh has been achieved [1]. Around the world, there is a mission to stimulate this green source of energy and it is believed that by 2030, PV will be able to deliver around 9 % of the world's electricity demands. According to an International Energy Agency (IEA) report [2], it is expected that PV will accomplish grid parity in at least 10% of the world by 2020. There was a significant 60 % annual growth in the grid connected PV systems in the span of 2004–2009 [3]. The present article will bring out the status & review of PV technology and the details of PV system standards as suggested by IEA. In the present paper, the main attention has b…