Evaluation of Photovoltaic System Performance: A Case Study in East Azerbaijan, Iran

Abstract

Solar energy is a feasible and efficient way to reduce environmental pollution which, in turn, can decrease the production of greenhouse gases. Iran with over 300 sunny days has a high potential for producing energy, including electricity through photovoltaic (PV) systems. Regarding this fact that Iran has the enormous resources of fossil fuels such as oil and gas, the government tends to expand its energy production by renewable systems, including photovoltaics. This paper is to evaluate the efficiency of photovoltaic system in one of the major provinces of Iran. In this study, a 4.8 kW photovoltaic power station in East Azerbaijan province was investigated. First, a simulation-analysis is carried out. Then the verification of the study is done using extracted experimental data. According to the results, the photovoltaic power plant generates 8334 kWh annually. Finally, the station is economically investigated. This economic analysis is carried out in accordance with the existing tariffs and policies in Iran.

Design and Dynamic Modelling of a Hybrid PV-battery System for a House with an RO Water Desalination Unit in Iran

“…The output mathematical expression of the module is projected in Eqs. ( 7) to (10) [21]. In these equations, Iph is the light-generated current, Id is the diode current, I0 is the diode saturation current, Vd is the diode voltage, VT is thermal voltage equivalent, A is the diode ideality factor, K is the Boltzman constant equal to 1.3806×10 −23 J/K, T is the cell temperature, q is the electron charge equal to 1.602×10 -19 C, and Ncell is the number of cells connected in series in a module.…”

“…The net present cost of the system is $8173, and the cost of energy is 0.546 $/kWh. A rooftop PV system for a residential house in East Azerbaijan province, Iran, is another example analyzed by Mirzaei Darian et al [10]. Using RETScreen Expert software, they suggested the designed system comprises 15 320 watts PV panels and 5 kW inverter can produce 8373 kWh/year.…”