Experimental analysis of a solar PV/diesel hybrid system without storage: Focus on its dynamic behavior
Integration of solar photovoltaic systems with diesel generators for the electrification of remote and rural areas would assist in expanding the electricity access in the sub-Saharan Africa region. In fact, countries of this region are well endowed in solar resource: their mean daily solar radiation exceeds 5.5kWh/m2/day. They are, therefore, good locations for PV systems. This paper deals with an experimental study of the dynamic behavior of a hybrid system prototype (based on flexy-energy concept) set up at Kamboins, located at 15km far from Ouagadougou (12, 22 N and 1, 31 W) in Burkina Faso. The prototype is composed of a 2.85kWp PV array, a 3.3kW single phase inverter and a diesel generator rated at 9.2kW. Two resistive load banks of about 4kW each are used to simulate the load profiles. Experimental results show that the PV generation leads the distribution feeder to shift toward higher voltages. The voltage rise is exacerbated when the PV generation is at its highest and the demand at its lowest. Care should then be taken to ensure that for a hybrid PV/diesel system, the PV rated power connected to each phase of the diesel generator is as equal as possible. The present study also points out that well designed inverters generate very small voltage harmonics and current distortions, even when high PV penetration systems are considered.
hybrid system dynamic behavior flexy-energy inverter technology voltage regulation harmonic distortion