Title :
Maximizing the benefits derived from PV plants: Selecting the best plant design and plant location
Author :
Hoff, Tom ; Iannucci, J.J.
Author_Institution :
Pacific Gas & Electr. Co., San Ramon, CA, USA
Abstract :
The value of fixed, one-axis, and two-axis tracking PV (photovoltaic) plants is computed on the basis of four years of historical weather data (1985-1988) from 14 locations in Pacific Gas and Electric Company´s service territory. Five basic flat-plate PV plant designs are considered: fixed flat-plate, one-axis north/south tracking, one-axis east/west tracking, one-axis vertical tracking, and two-axis tracking. The value results can be used to maximize benefits by combining them with cost results. Based on the cost and value results, it is possible to select the plant design and plant location with the greatest benefits. It is concluded that the Carrisa Plains plant is the PG&E site studied with the highest system-wide value
Keywords :
solar power stations; Carrisa Plains; PV plants; fixed flat-plate; flat-plate; one-axis east/west tracking; one-axis north/south tracking; one-axis vertical tracking; tracking PV arrays; two-axis tracking; Azimuth; Companies; Cost benefit analysis; Equations; Monitoring; Research and development;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1990., Conference Record of the Twenty First IEEE
Conference_Location :
Kissimmee, FL
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1990.111749
