Photovoltaic module-site matching based on the capacity factors

Author

Salameh, Ziyad M. ; Borowy, Bogdan S. ; Amin, Atia R A

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Massachusetts Univ., Lowell, MA, USA

Volume

10

Issue

2

fYear

1995

fDate

6/1/1995 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

326

Lastpage

332

Abstract

In this paper, a methodology for the selection of the optimum photovoltaic module for a specific power plant site is developed. The selection is based on the capacity factors (CF) of the available PV modules. Long term irradiance data recorded for every hour of the day for 30 years are used. These data are used to calculate the probability density function of the irradiance for different hours of a typical day in a month. The irradiance probability density function and the manufacturer´s specifications on PV modules are used to calculate the capacity factors for the PV modules. The PV module with the highest average capacity factor for the specific site is the optimal and recommended PV module. In this paper, the price per installed maximum peak watt is approximately the same for different modules and hence the cost is not an issue

Keywords

photovoltaic power systems; probability; solar cell arrays; solar cells; solar power stations; PV arrays; capacity factors; long term irradiance data; photovoltaic module; power plant site; probability density function; specifications; Costs; Manufacturing; Photovoltaic systems; Power generation; Power generation economics; Probability density function; Solar power generation; Solar radiation; Statistical analysis; Water storage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Energy Conversion, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8969

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/60.391899

Filename

391899