A comparative study of three types of grid connected photovoltaic systems based on actual performance

Abstract

In this study, three photovoltaic (PV) systems are evaluated based on actual performance. The energy generation of three types of PV systems namely concentrating PV system (6 units × 1 kWp), PV system with sun tracking flat (2 units × 1 kWp) and fixed flat PV system (2 units × 1 kWp) is analyzed in this research. Data analysis for ten consecutive months consisting of 12,190 samples of 15 min interval is done. The performance evaluation is done using energy yield, yield factor, capacity factor, power efficiency and PV array efficiency. Based on the experiment data, it is concluded that tracking flat PV system is the most suitable system for Malaysia in normal operation mode with average daily generation of 4.7 kW h (141 kW h as a monthly average), system efficiency of 11%, power efficiency of 85%, average daily yield factor of 2.3 kW h/kWp and capacity factor of 32%. This study also highlights the PV energy (EPV) models for each PV generators with respect to the environmental factors. The advantage of employing a tracking flat system as compared to the fixed flat system is considered based on the effectiveness of the dual-axis tracking mechanism tracking the sun for maximum power output.

Performance evaluation and characterization of a 3-kWp grid-connected photovoltaic system based on tropical field experimental results: new results and comparative study

“…Consequently, this information is extremely important for systems design, control, and planning in any region. In [2,17] The performance of PV systems was reported in a tropical region such as Malaysia. According to these researches the productivity of these systems is in the range of (2.1-2.5) kWh/kWp per day with a performance factor in the range of (73%-77%).…”

“…In addition to this study, the performances of three types of PV systems, namely, concentrating PV system, PV system with sun tracking flat, and fixed flat PV system, installed at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia have been evaluated in ref. [6]. In this research, the authors concluded that the PV system with sun tracking flat is the most productive system In this article, the performance of an in-campus 3-kWp GC PV system is evaluated.…”

“…Meanwhile, system simulation-based technical, environmental, and economic evaluations of building-integrated PV systems have been conducted using modeling of a local distribution network at in Petaling Jaya at Selangor, Malaysia [5]. Later, in 2009, an evaluation of a hybrid PV system is conducted [6]. In this research, the performance of a PV/wind/fuel cell system is analyzed.…”

Simplified I-V Characteristic Tester for Photovoltaic Modules Using a DC-DC Boost Converter

“…It is extremely important to consider this factor in designing any PV system as it may cause a serious undersizing problem. According to [20][21][22][23][24][25], the average performance factor of PV systems in the selected testing field is about 67.2%. This result is further supported by this research, whereas the average performance factor of the tested module is found to be about 63.4%.…”

An insight on advantage of hybrid sun–wind-tracking over sun-tracking PV system

“…Angle of incidence appears to be 90°permanently in the systems where the sun is kept the track of on two axes [8]. In the related literature, based on the previously conducted studies, it was observed that PV sun-tracking systems provided a significant increase in level of energy produced [6,[9][10][11][12]. By this means, the efficiency obtained from the panel surface reaches to its highest level.…”