Query: Solar PV mounting technologies

Candidate papers:

abstract: Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) is a photovoltaic technology to realize the highest conversion effisiency from direct sunlight to electricity. A high concentration CPV module can achieve 36% efficiency for direct solar radiation. CPV needs a solar tracking system to keep facing to the sun. The problem seems to lie in the fact that the conventional solar tracking system is large and heavy; tracker cost and constraction cost tend to be high; and it is difficult to make a dense array. In order to solve these problems, compact microtracking systems, in which tracking mechanism is integrated into the CPV module have been recently studied. To realise such a microtracking system, light weight and low cost mechanism design to synchronously drive numerous micro CPV lens cell units. In this paper, we introduce a practical microtracking system with a unique tracking mechanism. Low height and light weight feature of the present system enebles easy transportation, mounting, and low cost construction. The present system can be mounted on a horizontal or a tilted fixed plane in the same way as the conventional flat plate photovoltaic modules. Figure 1 shows a prototype microtracking system on which multiple CPV lens cell units are integrated. Experimental results show that the prototype system can synchronously drive the CPV lens cell units with tracking angle error less than 1 degree.
author_names: Masakazu Nakatani

Noboru Yamada
title: Area 3: III V Compound Semiconductor and Concentrator and Space PV Technologies DEVELOPMENT OF DUAL AXIS MICROTRACKING SYSTEM FOR CONCENTRATOR PHOTOVOLTAIC
year: 2017

abstract: A performance evaluation and a cost benefit analysis was performed for a photovoltaic array designed for dwelling units of a mine site in Western Australia. In the first proposal, modules were mounted flat, with no solar tracking, on roof tops of dwelling units. In the second proposal, the same number of modules was mounted on 1 axis trackers with polar mounting on ground. The insolation received, dc and ac power generated and the ac energy supplied to the grid were calculated by considering the weather data available for the site. The array configuration, the number of trackers and power converters were determined to assess the system costs. The desired carbon price to deliver a given payback period was calculated for both methods of mounting in a cost benefit analysis. The study clearly shows the significant economic benefits of employing solar trackers in large scale development of solar farms in Western Australia and an approximate price for avoided carbon emissions.
author_names: Diana Liyanage

Sumedha Rajakaruna
title: Performance evaluation and cost benefit analysis of a large solar PV installation at a mine site in Western Australia
venue: 2011 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies
year: 2011

abstract: Six representative plants were selected and inspected by PI Berlin between the 3 and 14 July 2017 thanks to the support of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW) in cooperation with the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the National Institute for Solar Energy of India (NISE) The shortlisted plants were selected considering Indian specific environmental stress factors present in different climates, representative module and mounting structure technologies typically used in India and statewise accumulated solar capacity.
title: Pilot Study on Quality Aspects of PV Power Plants in India
year: 2018

abstract: This paper describes the details of the new multi technology ground mounted photovoltaic (PV) field installed at the Airport of Bolzano Dolomiti (ABD) in the Italian Alps. The plant, owned by ABD and developed with a co financing of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is divided into two main parts: a 662 kW commercial installation, mounting 8538 CdTe modules First Solar 277, and a 62 kW experimental installation, mounting 24 different types of modules, divided into 39 groups ranging between 1 and 2 kW each. In this experimental installation the modules are mounted on fixed racks, as well as on mono axial and bi axial active trackers. EURAC Research is the scientific responsible of this test facility and follows the monitoring and test activities to evaluate the performance and the lifetime degradation of the modules. The aim of the monitoring activity is to allow a better understanding of module loss mechanisms for each technology and evaluating the performance in the alpine climatic conditions. The PV modules are evaluated in relationship to meteo data from an on site station, counting a sensor for ambient temperature, an anemometer, a pyrheliometer, three pyranometers, an albedometer and also a sun photometer which allows evaluating the influence given by aerosols, ozone and vapors in the atmosphere to the irradiance. PV reference cells are also used, mounted horizontally, on the module plane, and on the two trackers. The PV plant has been connected to the MV network on August 10, 2010, and it is presently in course of approval by GSE (Gestore Servizi Energetici) for the incentive scheme in force. Monitoring results can be presently shown only for a couple of days for a limited number of groups.
author_names: Laura Maturi

B Kofler

M Armani

Wolfram Sparber

Alessandra Colli
title: Performance Monitoring of Different PV Technologies at a PV Field in Northern Italy
year: 2010

abstract: Solar energy applications are becoming increasingly common in Egypt. The abundant sunshine in Egypt, as well as the increasing competitiveness of solar energy systems including but not limited to photovoltaic (PV) predicts that these technologies could be weighed to be raised in Egypt. PV systems are installed on roof tiles or other parts of building structures to supplement grid utility, reduce electric bills, and provide emergency back up energy. Moreover, they simultaneously reduce significant amounts of CO 2 emissions. It is foreseen, a number of residential and public buildings in Egypt are using solar power to cut electric utility bills significantly. The approximately payback period to recover the investment costs for PV systems is up to about 5 years. In addition, it is more economical to use PV system than grid utility systems. The two components that determine the total initial price of a grid connected PV system are the modules and the balance of systems (BOS) The BOS includes different components such as mounting frames, inverters and site specific installation hardware. The Government of Egypt (GOE) has endorsed the deployment of PV systems through three approaches. It started with a prime minister decree to install PV projects on one thousand of the governmental buildings. This was followed by as an initiative called "Shamsk ya Masr" and finally the Feed in Tariff (FiT) projects. Following the prime minster decree the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) and its affiliated companies took the lead to install PV systems at the top roof of their administrative buildings and interconnect these systems to the electricity network where the suitable locations have been selected for mounting them. About 90 PV systems have been already mounted with about a capacity of 9 MW. On the other hand, "Shamsk ya Masr" has considered energy efficiency (EE) so as to complement the PV systems, which will be installed on administrative buildings. Cost effective EE measures should be implemented prior to or at the same time as implemented PV program. The amount of electricity that a PV system produces depends on the system type, orientation and the available solar resource. In 2014, the GOE issued the Feed in Tariff program to further promote RE technologies in general and PV in particular. Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Authority (Egypt ERA) has set the regulations, promotion and awareness for PVs. This approach has been applied for administrative buildings as well. The paper highlights the impact of the previously mentioned mechanisms in deploying PV technologies through small scale projects. It also represents a cost benefit analysis for the installed systems taking into account the measured value for PV parameters (kWh/kWp, PSH) and daily load profiles of the selected administrative buildings.
author_names: Dina M Said

Marwa Mostafa

Kamelia Youssef

Hatem Waheed
title: Highlight of Grid connected PV systems in administrative buildings in Egypt
year: 2017

abstract: Water plays a vital role in various economic sectors, including energy production. It is required in various stages of the energy production chain including fuel acquisition, processing and transportation. However, there are growing concerns about the mounting demand for water arising from population and industrial growth, especially in water stressed regions. Climate change and environmental pollution are exacerbating the situation, and the exploitation of renewable energy resources is perceived as one pillar of mitigating the negative effects of climate change. In this regard, solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power plants are promising renewable energy technologies, and previous studies have demonstrated that these two energy technologies are less water intensive. However, the effect of available water on the optimization of a hybrid PV wind system has not been extensively explored. In this study, a model for investigating water efficient optimization of PV wind hybrid systems has been proposed. The demand for water, in the production of energy from PV and wind power plants was expressed as a linear function of the numbers of PV panels and wind turbines. The proposed model was applied to the design of a grid connected PV wind hybrid system, using meteorological data from Bonfoi Stellenbosch weather station (33.935degS, 18.782degE) in South Africa. The hybrid system was designed to generate about 100,000MWh/year under the prevailing meteorological conditions. In addition, the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was optimized with (60,000m3) and without a water constraint. It was found that the water constrained scenario reduced water demand by 24% The optimal LCOE of the system declined by 23% when available water was increased from 60,000m3 to 75,000m3. It is therefore concluded that water availability is an important factor in the economic optimization of a hybrid PV wind system.
author_names: Amos Madhlopa

Debbie Sparks

Samantha Keen

Mascha Moorlach

Pieter Krog

Thulile Rejoice Dlamini
title: Optimization of a PV wind hybrid system under limited water resources
year: 2015

abstract: Urban areas host more than 50% of the world's populations, are responsible for 75% of energy consumption in the world, and they emit almost 80% of global carbon dioxide. Smart grids are being developed to tackle these challenges through integration of renewable and green energy as well as energy efficiency. They are moving toward a concept of networked micro grids. Micro grids enable the integration of distributed renewable energy such as rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system within smart city communities. To operate reliably and efficiently of the rooftop, a comparative performance testing of solar panels is important because the energy yield delivered by different types of solar panel is a key consideration in the selection of appropriate technologies for the rooftop. Power output of solar panels is not only affected by its nominal power rating, but also affected by mounting system and weather parameters such as irradiation and temperature. The comparative performance testing is an energy yield measurements of different solar panel technologies performed at outdoor conditions. This paper presents the testing result and analysis of three different solar panels during a medium term outdoor exposure at the tropical climate of Indonesia. This work shows that the Mono Si solar panel was the best in energy yields performance ratio, as well as efficiency during the whole year compared with micromorph and poly Si. Meanwhile the micromorph showed the lowest panel efficiency, but the more power production compared with poly Si. Meanwhile, efficiency and performance ratio of the solar panels show a decreasing trend with the increase of solar panels temperature.
author_names: Oo Abdul Rosyid
title: Comparative performance testing of solar panels for smart city micro grids
venue: 2017 International Conference on Smart Cities, Automation Intelligent Computing Systems (ICON SONICS)
year: 2017

abstract: During the development of a solar photovoltaic (PV) energy project, predicting expected energy production from a system is a key part of understanding system value. System energy production is a function of the system design and location, the mounting configuration, the power conversion system, and the module technology, as well as the solar resource. Even if all other variables are held constant, annual energy yield (kWh/kWp) will vary among module technologies because of differences in response to low light levels and temperature. A number of PV system performance models have been developed and are in use, but little has been published on validation of these models or the accuracy and uncertainty of their output. With support from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Program, Sandia National Laboratories organized a PV Performance Modeling Workshop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 22 23, 2010. The workshop was intended to address the current state of PV system models, develop a path forward for establishing best practices on PV system performance modeling, and set the stage for standardization of testing and validation procedures for models and input parameters. This report summarizes discussions and presentations from the workshop, as well as examines opportunities for collaborative effortsmore to develop objective comparisons between models and across sites and applications. less
author_names: Joshua S Stein

Coryne Adelle Tasca

Christopher Cameron
title: PV Performance Modeling Workshop Summary Report
year: 2011

abstract: With PV modules at current prices, balance of system (BOS) components now control the total installed cost of PV. Lightweight PV systems with minimal roof penetrations allow access to load constrained rooftop markets, particularly in the C&I sector. The US Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC) in New York is working with various roofing manufacturers, PV module manufacturers, racking manufacturers, and PV installers to develop new and innovative mounting technologies to achieve these goals. One particularly promising technology involves the use of pre formed composite support molds that adhere directly to membrane roofs, avoiding the need for penetrations into the roof. These products are typically aimed at commercial rooftops with low slope membrane roofs. PVMC is working with a manufacturer of one of these products in particular to adapt the pre formed support mold to fit thin film PV modules. This will help increase its rate of adoption beyond the standard c Si PV form factor that it caters to today. A 200 kW thin film PV demonstration array using the support mold is planned following the development activity.
author_names: Graeme Housser

Ankush R Halbe

Kevin Sharpe

Pradeep Haldar

Francis J Babineau
title: Lightweight, zero penetration, pre formed support molds adapted for rigid thin film solar modules
venue: 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)
year: 2015

abstract: Photovoltaic systems are often priced in /W{sub p} where Wp refers to the DC power rating of the modules at Standard Test Conditions (1000 W/m{sup 2} 25 C cell temperature) and refers to the installed cost of the system. However, the true value of the system is in the energy it will produce in kWhs, not the power rating. System energy production is a function of the system design and location, the mounting configuration, the power conversion system, and the module technology, as well as the solar resource. Even if all other variables are held constant, the annual energy yield (kWh/kW{sup p} will vary among module technologies because of differences in response to low light levels and temperature. Understanding energy yield is a key part of understanding system value. System performance models are used during project development to estimate the expected output of PV systems for a given design and location. Performance modeling is normally done by the system designer/system integrator. Often, an independent engineer will also model system output during a due diligence review of a project. A variety of system performance models are available. The most commonly used modeling tool for project development and due diligence in the United States is probably PVsyst, while those seeking a quick answer to expected energy production may use PVWatts. In this paper, we examine the variation in predicted energy output among modeling tools and users and compare that to measured output.
author_names: Christopher Cameron

Joshua S Stein

Clifford W Hansen
title: Evaluation of PV performance models and their impact on project risk.
year: 2010