Document Type : Research Article
Authors
- Stephen Ndubuisi Nnamchi 1
- Onyinyechi Adanma Nnamchi 2
- Kevin Nnanye Nwaigwe 3
- Zaid Oluwadurotimi Jagun 4
- Johnson Ugochukwu Ezenwankwo 1
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kampala International University, P. O. Box: 20000 Ggaba, Kansanga, Kampala, Uganda.
2 Department of Agricultural Engineering and Bio Resources, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Nigeria.
3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
4 Department of Computer Engineering, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ibogun, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study conducts a comparative evaluation of the performance of modules and the arrays under standard test conditions. An equivalent circuit model was developed alongside a computational scheme. The model input data were obtained from the manufacturer’s specification datasheets. They were used to analyse the maximum Fill Factor (FF) and Relative Power Losses (RPL) for Parallel (P), Series (S) and Series-Parallel (SP) configurations. For matching modules, the RPL was insignificant, but for mismatched modules, the parallel configuration (P) and series-parallel (SP) yielded RPL of 1.3 %, while the series configuration (S) produced RPL of 2.6 %. Thus, short circuit defects associated with the P and SP configuration were well below the open circuit defects associated with the series configuration (S). These results clearly show that the large photovoltaic plant needs to be configured with multiple blocks or strings of SP configuration in order to suppress RPL. In addition, the designer and installers of large solar power plants should adopt modules with uniform electrical and thermal properties in the construction of large solar power plants. The trivial RPL associated with the matched modules should be taken into consideration, as well.
Keywords
Main Subjects
- Balram, G., Anitha, S. and Deshmukh, A., "Utilization of renewable energy sources in generation and distribution optimization", Proceedings of the International IOP Conference Series: Material Science Engineering, Vol. 981, International Confetrence on Recent Advancements in Engineering and Management (ICRAEM-2020), Warangal, India, (October 9-10, 2020), 042054. (https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/981/4/042054).
- Williams, B.K. and Nichols, J.D., "Optimization in natural resources conservation", In: Guntenspergen, G., Eds, Application of threshold concepts in natural resource decision making, Springer, New York, NY, (2014), 45-65. (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8041-0_4).
- Marodkar, M.M., "Study of pv array configuration and its effects on performance under nonuniform irradiance", Proceedings of International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, Signals, Communication and Optimization (EESCO), Visakhapatnam, India, (Jan. 24-25, 2015), 1-5. (https://doi.org/10.1109/EESCO.2015.7253902).
- Burhanudin, K., Kamarzaman, N.A., Samat, A.A.A., Tajudin, A.I., Ramli, S.S. and Hidayat, N., "An improved photovoltaic array configuration for photovoltaic system in the presence of maximum power point tracking during partial shading condition", Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Vol. 6, No. 2, (2017), 301-309. (http://doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v6.i2.pp301-309).
- Fan, Q., An, Q., Lin, Y., Xia, Y., Li, Q., Zang, M., Su, W., Peng, W., Zang, C., Liu, F., Hou, L., Zhu, W., Yu, D., Xiano, M., Moon, E., Zang, F., Anthopoulos, T.D., Linganas, O. and Wang, E., "Over 14 % efficiency all-polymer solar cells enabled by a low bandgap polymer acceptor with low energy loss and efficient charge separation", Energy & Environment Science, Vol. 13, No. 12, (2020), 1-27. (https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EE01828G).
- Chikate, B.V. and Sadawarte, Y.A., "The factors affecting the performance of solar cell", International Journal of Computer Applications, Proceedings on International Conference on Advancements in Engineering and Technology (ICAET 2015), (ICQUEST 2015), No. 1, (2015), 4-8. (https://www. https://www.ijcaonline.org/proceedings/icquest2015/number1/22976-2776).
- Srinivasan, A., Devakirubakaran, S. and Sundaram, B.M., "Mitigation of mismatch losses in solar pv system–two-step reconfiguration approach", Solar Energy, Vol. 206, (2020), 640-654. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.06.004).
- Mahmoud, Y. and El-Saadany, E.F., "Enhanced reconfiguration method for reducing mismatch method for reducing mismatch", IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 99, (2017), 1-9. (https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2017.2752708).
- Bonthagorla P.K and Mikkili S., "Performance analysis of PV array configurations (SP, BL, HC and TT) to enhance maximum power under non‐uniform shading conditions", Engineering Reports, Vol. 2, (2020), e12214. (https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.12214).
- Mohammadnejad, S., Khalafi, A. and Ahmadi S.M., "Mathematical analysis of total-cross-tied photovoltaic array under partial shading condition and its comparison with other configurations", Solar Energy, Vol. 133, (2016), 501-511. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.03.058).
- Christabel, S.C., Srinivasan, A., Winston, D.P. and Kumar, B.P., "Reconfiguration solution for extracting maximum power in the aged solar pv systems", Journal of Electrical Engineering, Vol. 16, No. 3, (2016), 440-446. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319502192_Reconfiguration_solution_for_extracting_maximum_power_in_the_aged_solar_PV_systems).
- Renogy, R., "Learn series and parallel", (2017). (https://www.renogy.com/learn-series-and-parallel/), (Accessed: 07 October 2017).
- Fei, L., Guo, S., Walsh, T.M. and Aberle, G.A., "Improved pv module performance under partial shading condition", Energy Procedia, Vol. 33, (2013), 248-255. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2013.05.065).
- Pendem S.R. and Mikkili S., "Modeling, simulation and performance analysis of solar pv array configurations (series, series–parallel and honey-comb) to extract maximum power under partial shading conditions", Energy Reports, Vol. 4, (2018), 274-287. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2018.03.003).
- Ferahtia, S., Djerioui, A., Zeghlache, S. and Houari, A., "A hybrid power system based on fuel cell, photovoltaic source and supercapacitor", SN Applied Science Vol. 2, No. 940, (2020). (https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-2709-0).
- Nguyen, X.H. and Nguyen, M.P., "Mathematical modeling of photovoltaic cell/module/arrays with tags in MATLAB/SIMULINK", Environmental Systems Research, Vol. 4, (2015), 24. (https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-015-0047-9).
- Salem, F.A., Matrawy, K.K. and Mahrous, A.F., "Mathematical modeling of PV array with different performance parameters", International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems, Vol. 4, No. 2, (2015). (http://www.researchpub.org/journal/jac/jac.html).
- Vicente, P.D., Pimenta, T.C. and Ribeiro, E.R., "Photovoltaic array reconfiguration strategy for maximization of energy production", International Journal of Photoenergy, Vol. 11, (2015), 592383. (http://doi.org/10.1155/2015/592383).
- Fornie´s, E., Naranjo, F., Mazo, M. and Ruiz, F. "The influence of mismatch of solar cells on relative power loss of photovoltaic modules", Solar Energy, Vol. 97, No. 2, (2013), 39-47. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2013.08.004).
- Nnamchi, S.N., Mundu, M.M., Busingye, J.D. and Ezenwankwo, J.U., "Extrinsic modeling and simulation of helio-photovoltaic system: A case of single diode model", International Journal of Green Energy, Vol. 16, No. 6, (2019), 450-467. (https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2019.1578659).
- Nnamchi, S.N. and Nnamchi, O.A., "Perturbation of diminutive solar irradiance and extreme semiconductor temperature on the output current and voltage: The translation of electrical characteristics into thermal characteristics", Journal of Solar Energy Research, Vol. 4, No. 2, (2019b). 92-106. (https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2019.1578659).
- Yahyaoui, I., Specifications of photovoltaic pumping systems in agriculture: Sizing, fuzzy energy management and economic sensitivity analysis, Elsevier, (2016), 121-133. (https://www.elsevier.com/books/specifications-of-photovoltaic-pumping-systems-in-agriculture/yahyaoui/978-0-12-812039-2).
- Ahmad, T., Sobhan, S. and Nayan, M.F., "Comparative analysis between single diode and double diode model of PV cell, concentrate different parameters effect on its efficiency", Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, Vol. 4, (2016), 31-46. (https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2016.43004).
- Baba, A.O., Liu, G. and Chen, X., "Classification and evaluation review of maximum power point tracking methods", Sustainable Futures, Vol. 2, (2020), 100020. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2020.100020).
- Hayt, W.H., Kemmerly, J.E. and Durbin, S.M., Engineering circuit analysis, 9th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, (2020). (https://www.aldeatdo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/William_Hart_Hayt_Jack_E_Kemmerly_Steven_M_Durbz-lib.org_.pdf).
- Belkassmi,Y., Rafiki, A., Gueraoui, K., Bonkoungou, D., Koalaga, Z. and Njomo, D., "Modeling and simulation of photovoltaic module based on one diode model using MATLAB/SIMULINK ", Proceedings of International Conference on Engineering & MIS (ICEMIS), Monastir, Tunisia, (2017). (https://doi.org/10.1109/icemis.2017.8272965).
- Nnamchi, S.N., Nnamchi, A.O., Sanya, O.D., Mundu, M.M. and Gabriel, V., "Dynamic analysis of performance of photovoltaic generators under moving cloud conditions", Journal of Solar Energy. Research, Vol. 5, No. 2, (2020), 453-468. (https://doi.org/10.22059/jser.2020.304561.1158).
- Solarex D., "Msx-60 and msx-64 photovoltaic module", (2020). (https://www.solarelectricsupply.com), (Accessed: 12 August 2017).
- Shangpin S.D., "Poly-crystalline solar module spsm-22", (2020). (http://www.wxsunpower.com/images/new/new05.jpg), (Accessed: 15 August 2017).
- Tongwei S.D., "Specifications of tw305p-72 polycrystalline solar module", (http://www.tw-solar.com/en/Uploads/2014/0124/256bf277.pdf.), (Accessed: 16 August 2020).
- Manufacturer, D.S., "Advanced solar photonics asp-400m solar", (http://www.solardesigntool.com/components/module-panel-solar/Advanced-Solar-Photonics/1737/ASP-400M/specification-data-sheet.html), (Accessed 17 August 2020).
)
