Evaluation of solar modelling techniques through experiment on a 627 kWp photo-voltaic solar power plant at Edinburgh College—Midlothian Campus, Scotland

Abstract

The accuracy and applicability of existing methods of solar resource modelling and solar photovoltaic (PV) module performance are investigated in the case of a ground array installation at Edinburgh College, Midlothian Campus, the principal derived quantities consisting of slope irradiation, cell temperature, and cell efficiency. Experimental data were obtained on site through both automated and manual measurements for comparison with the calculated quantities. Results indicate that the horizontal-to-slope conversion models used are extremely accurate, with a greater than 99% degree of confidence in the calculated results. Likewise, correlations between measured and calculated cell temperature were very high at up to 94%. Estimations of the cell efficiency and hence module output were less reliable however, with only one of the models used, for one of the days studied, giving reasonable results. Efficiency values were, however, in the approximately correct range of 15-20%.

Lecturer Identities and Perceptions of CPD for Supporting Learning and Teaching in FE and HE in the UK

“…Further education lecturers do not normally carry out or have as a part of their contract, research related activities (Husband and Jeffrey 2016). There has recently been a surge in interest in practitioner research within the FE sector with a broader engagement through the conducting of some large scale projects (see Jeffrey et al 2015 as an example), however, these kinds of studies are rare and generally partnered with HE organisations for resource and specialist research input. FE lecturers are teaching focused and can teach up to 26 hours a week in some parts of the UK (regional variance is due to devolved nature of education in the UK).…”

Modelling and Energy Analysis of Solar Charging Facility for Electric Vehicles in Chile

“…Eq .7: Calculation of cell efficiency [9] The last estimation is the electrical output power represented in Formula 8, whose factors are ɳ mod: III. RESULTS…”

“…After obtaining the temperature and irradiation per hour, the cell temperature was calculated considering the values G slope calculated previously; Gnoct: 800 W/m 2 [9]; Tc of 47 °C [11]; Ta, noct of 25 °C [11]; n stc of 15.2% [11]; Tα of 0.8 [11] and Ta, calculated earlier. Figure 8 describes the relationship between ambient temperature and cell temperature per hour.…”

Modelling and Energy Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Operated by the PV system in the residential sector, in Australia.

“…The cell temperature, efficiency and power generation of one photovoltaic module were calculated considering Equation 1, 2 and 3. Mainly, the factors are represented by the air temperature obtained from the PVGIS Explorer (Ta); global slope irradiation (Gslope); global radiation at the nominal operating cell temperature (Gnoct); nominal operating PV cell temperature (Tc, noct) [8]; cell efficiency at standard test conditions (nstc); absorptivity of the module (Tα); cell temperature at standard testing conditions (Tc, stc); temperature coefficient value (αp) [9]; electrical efficiency at standard test conditions (ɳ mod) and area of the PV module surface (A). It is essential to note that some values of the formulas belong to the database of the PV module [10].…”