Performance Evaluation of Proposed Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic System for Engineering Faculty, University of Port Harcourt

Abstract

Electrification of Faculty of Engineering (FOE) located in Choba Campus in University of Port Harcourt is often realized through distribution network from Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC). FOE buildings, each consists of two floors with basement, academic staff offices, administrative rooms and public facilities. Huge sum of money is spent daily to run generators and noise pollution has come to live with us. Nigeria however has immense exposure to solar radiation all through the year. It has highest daily solar radiation of 7.0KWh/m 2 /day and lowest of 3.5KWh/m 2 /day. Choba has average radiation of 4.55kWh/m 2 /day and temperature of 27.23 0 C. Choba is at 4 0 49'27'' North latitude and 7 0 2'1'' East longitude and altitude (elevation) of 20m (64ft). Load profile for FOE was carried out to determine the number of solar panels and inverter rating. Monthly average radiation was obtained from Nigeria meteorological agency between January 2014 to December 2018.The proposed PV system plant capacity is estimated at 100kW based on estimated load profile. Various tools such as system yield factor, capacity utilization factor, performance ratio were used in carrying out performance of 100kW PV system. Plots of I-V characteristics at constant irradiance, P-V characteristics at constant temperature and irradiance and efficiency curve of P-V panels were obtained. The PV is expected to meet 123,228.38kWh annual load demand for FOE, using PVsyst software. This supply period of electricity is between official hours of 8am to 4pm daily and estimated that annual DC energy generated from the system is 126619kWh/year, whereas available energy exported is 121914kWh/year. Contribution/ Originality: The proposed PV system plant capacity is estimated at 100kW based on estimated load profile. Various tools such as system yield factor, capacity utilization factor, performance ratio were used in carrying out performance of 100kW PV system. Plots of I-V characteristics at constant irradiance, P-V characteristics at constant temperature and irradiance and efficiency curve of P-V panels were obtained. The PV is expected to meet 123,228.38kWh annual load demand for FOE, using PVsyst software. This supply period of electricity is between official hours of 8am to 4pm daily and estimated that annual DC energy generated from the system is 126619kWh/year, whereas available energy exported is 121914kWh/year.

Economic Evaluation Method of Incremental Distribution Network Project Based on Value Theory

“…With China's economic development and the increasing expansion of power grid scale, whether the reliability of distribution network meets the requirements and whether the economy is reasonable has become a research hotspot [1]. Incremental distribution network liberalization is one of the key tasks of the power reform.…”

Development of an Optimal Poly-1-Order (OP-1) Model for Approximating Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Generation

“…Evidence suggests that there is an urgent need to switch to an alternative, reliable, and affordable energy source to run hostel facilities at public higher institutions [25]. This shift would ensure a stable energy supply, affordable energy cost, and most importantly, improve the quality of the learning environment [20]. A solution that has been proposed is the adoption of the OP-1 model as an approximation of solar PV power generation to help p111rovide a sustainable energy supply to the facility [7].…”