Study, Design and Performance Analysis of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System : Case study: 5 MW Grid-Connected PV System in Namibia
Makarova, Arina (2017)
Makarova, Arina
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017120119299
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017120119299
Tiivistelmä
The thesis was performed for the wind power consulting company Etha Wind Oy Ab that considers providing consulting services for solar power projects as an expansion of business activity in the nearest future. Hence, the aim of this study was to find the most reliable and robust simulation tool to be used in solar power projects. The focus of interest of this thesis is on the practical side of the matter, although theoretical aspects of a solar photovoltaic system and its operation are covered as well.
The study was conducted by studying, reviewing and testing several simulation tools to be applied in the case of 5 MW solar power plant operation in Namibian region. This system was used as a generic base in each simulation model meaning that its capacity, configuration and geographical location were of the most interest. Simulated performance and energy yield of the system were analysed based on the results from 3 different simulation tools (pvPlanner, PVsyst and PVSOL Premium) operating in a trial mode. In-built solar data, system parameters and losses were studied in each simulation model as well. Since there were no actual solar measured data available, either synthetically generated or average values of solar radiation received on the site were used in the simulation process. A review of the most commonly used meteo databases is also presented. The study proves the inability of a simulation tool to cope with the rather complex and demanding process of simulation a PV system by itself. Every software has its own advantages and disadvantages; thus in order to get the trustworthy model representing the real case scenario, a combination of several simulation tools is typically applied. Out of 3 tested tools, PVsyst, which is sometimes considered as a standard tool for PV installations, delivers the most comprehensive and detailed analysis of the performance of the system.
The choice of a software to be used is based on its availability, solar input data and configuration of the system to be simulated. Further study of available simulation tools is recommended to find tool that might complement PVsyst, hence to reduce uncertainty in the simulation process and provide the most robust results.
The study was conducted by studying, reviewing and testing several simulation tools to be applied in the case of 5 MW solar power plant operation in Namibian region. This system was used as a generic base in each simulation model meaning that its capacity, configuration and geographical location were of the most interest. Simulated performance and energy yield of the system were analysed based on the results from 3 different simulation tools (pvPlanner, PVsyst and PVSOL Premium) operating in a trial mode. In-built solar data, system parameters and losses were studied in each simulation model as well. Since there were no actual solar measured data available, either synthetically generated or average values of solar radiation received on the site were used in the simulation process. A review of the most commonly used meteo databases is also presented. The study proves the inability of a simulation tool to cope with the rather complex and demanding process of simulation a PV system by itself. Every software has its own advantages and disadvantages; thus in order to get the trustworthy model representing the real case scenario, a combination of several simulation tools is typically applied. Out of 3 tested tools, PVsyst, which is sometimes considered as a standard tool for PV installations, delivers the most comprehensive and detailed analysis of the performance of the system.
The choice of a software to be used is based on its availability, solar input data and configuration of the system to be simulated. Further study of available simulation tools is recommended to find tool that might complement PVsyst, hence to reduce uncertainty in the simulation process and provide the most robust results.