Performance evaluation of Serhatkoy (1.2 MW) PV power plant

Solar energy continues to play vital role in the delivery of clean and affordable source of generating electricity. Photovoltaic is the most promising technology amongst the types/methods of producing electricity from solar energy. The aim of this research is to evaluate the performance of Serhatkoy PV power plant (1.2 MW). Being the first grid-connected PV plant in north Cyprus, the results of this research will be useful in expanding the existing solar park or replicate same facility in locations with favorable weather conditions, evaluate the investments made, plan maintenance and estimate the efficiency of production. PVsyst software is used to model Serhatkoy PV power plant and simulation done to determine the performance ratio using meteorological data from NASA. Also the capacity factor (CF) and performance ratio (PR) are calculated. SAM formula proposed NREL is used to calculate the PR. The paypack period of the plant is also determined using exchange rate between Turkish lira and euro.