Analysis of the Performance of Various PV Module Technologies in Peru

Abstract

A knowledge gap exists about the actual behavior of PV grid-connected systems (PVGCS) using various PV technologies in Peru. This paper presents the results of an over three-year-long performance evaluation of a 3.3-kWp monocrystalline silicon (sc-Si) PVGCS located in Arequipa, a 3.3-kWp sc-Si PVGCS located in Tacna, and a 3-kWp policrystalline (mc-Si) PVGCS located in Lima. An assessment of the performance of a 3.5-kWp amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon hetero-junction (a-Si/µc-Si) PVGCS during over one and a half years of being in Lima is also presented. The annual final yields obtained lie within 1770–1992 kWh/kW, 1505–1540 kWh/kW, and 736–833 kWh/kW for Arequipa, Tacna, and Lima, respectively, while the annual PV array energy yield achieved by a-Si/µc-Si is 1338 kWh/kW. The annual performance ratio stays in the vicinity of 0.83 for sc-Si in Arequipa and Tacna while this parameter ranges from 0.70 to 0.77 for mc-Si in Lima. An outstanding DC annual performance ratio of 0.97 is found for a-Si/µc-Si in the latter site. The use of sc-Si and presumably, mc-Si PV modules in desert climates, such as that of Arequipa and Tacna, is encouraged. However, sc-Si and presumably, mc-Si-technologies experience remarkable temperature and low irradiance losses in Lima. By contrast, a-Si/µc-Si PV modules perform much better in the latter site thanks to being less influenced by both temperature and low light levels.

Assessing the Impact of Spectral Irradiance on the Performance of Different Photovoltaic Technologies

“…As it has been mentioned earlier that the response to spectral variation by different types of PV modules vastly depends on its material properties and structure, c-Si solar cells also showed different characteristics depending on the irradiation properties. Several studies have been reported on the in-field energy output analysis of c-Si PV systems by Panchula et al [73] based in Ontario, Canada; Dolara et al [74] based in Tuscania, Italy; Fiances et al [75] Based on a different place in Peru, Kazem et al [76] based on the desert area of Sohar, Oman, Fuentes et al [77] and Muñoz et al [78] under warm climate of Spain, Bahaidarah et al [79] based on Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and Edalati et al [80] based on Kerman, Iran. In the above reports, they typically estimate the performance of the system based only on average monthly or yearly insolation and performance ratio varied by the location ranging from around 0.7 to 0.85.…”

“…In the above reports, they typically estimate the performance of the system based only on average monthly or yearly insolation and performance ratio varied by the location ranging from around 0.7 to 0.85. Fiances et al [75] studied different Si technology includes sc-Si, mc-Si, a-Si, and μc-Si PV modules in the climate of Peru, and finalize that a-Si/μc-Si PV modules perform much better than others with an annual performance ratio of 0.97. Ahmed Ghitas [81] reported the effects of the spectral variations on the mc-Si module performance based on outdoor measurements in daily irradiation changes.…”

Comparative performance evaluation of four photovoltaic technologies in saharan climates of Algeria: ghardaïa pilot station

“…1048 * 0,72 = 11.25% (14) To get an idea about the influence of temperature on the performance of each technology, we use data collected during the hottest day of August with sufficient illumination ( = 82.69° and = 928.24 / ²). Table 3 below shows the behavior of different technologies to: a) Standard conditions (T = 25°C and I = 1000W/m²); b) Experimental conditions "1" during the most productive day in September ( = 77.52° and = 1048 / ²) c) Experimental conditions "2" during the hottest day with sufficient illumination in August ( = 82.69° and = 928.24 / ²).…”

Promotion and Effective Integration of School Rooftop PV System Based Load Management Activities: A Case Study

“…The hourly, daily and monthly production of the system is given by Eqns. ( 7), ( 8) and (9) [30,31], as follows:…”