Open Access

ARTICLE

Accurate Study and Evaluation of Small PV Power Generation System Based on Specific Geographical Location

Lian Zhang^1,2,3,5,*, Zijian Chen², Heng Zhang³, Zenghong Ma⁴, Baowen Cao¹, Lihong Song⁵

1 Basic Experimental and Training Center, Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences, Tianjin, 300350, China
2 School of Energy Engineering, Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences, Tianjin, 300350, China
3 College of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300222, China
4 Basic Courses Department, Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences, Tianjin, 300350, China
5 Tianjin Qicheng Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, 300193, China

* Corresponding Author: Lian Zhang. Email:

Energy Engineering 2020, 117(6), 453-470. https://doi.org/10.32604/EE.2020.013276

Received 31 July 2020; Accepted 26 August 2020; Issue published 16 October 2020

Abstract

As an important new energy, solar energy has been extensively used in the world and different types of solar energy systems have been used in different fields. The photovoltaic power generation system has obvious advantage and high stability compared with other energy systems. Furthermore, the small-scale photovoltaic power generation system has a wider application in the field of power generation due to the performance of high efficiency. In this paper, the optimization research and system evaluation of small-scale photovoltaic power system have been studied in different areas by simulation and experimental methods. Based on the determination of photovoltaic model system, four typical geographical locations are selected and PVsyst is applied to the simulation study. The annual power output is 4829 kWh, 3489 kWh, 4455 kWh, 2766 kWh and the solar energy utilization efficiency is 14.91%, 14.79%, 17.66%, 15.77% for Mexico City, Xinyang, Changchun and London respectively from the simulation results. The results show that the radiation conditions, the optimum tilt angle, the minimum spacing and different geographical locations are the main reasons for the difference of power generation and solar energy utilization efficiency. Subsequently, Changchun is selected as the experimental area to carry out experimental research and verify the conclusion of the simulation study. The volt ampere characteristic curve and power output curve show that the photovoltaic system has no defects, hot spots, partial shading and damage. The annual total power generation of Changchun is 4119 kWh. Hence, the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. Consequently, the application of small photovoltaic power generation system requires to fully consider the regional conditions and key parameters (optimum tilt angle, minimum spacing, etc.) to obtain better power generation efficiency.

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