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Optimum capacity of the inverters in concentrator photovoltaic power plants with emphasis on shading impact

Author

Listed:
  • Rodrigo, P.M.
  • Talavera, D.L.
  • Fernández, E.F.
  • Almonacid, F.M.
  • Pérez-Higueras, P.J.

Abstract

Nowadays, there is wide experience on selecting an adequate ratio between the photovoltaic array peak power and the inverter capacity for conventional photovoltaic systems. However, when dealing with concentrator photovoltaic plants, the problem is more complex and the results obtained with conventional methods are not directly applicable. There are few studies regarding concentrator photovoltaic technology and all of them neglect the impact of shading. In this paper, based on the experimental characterisation of a typical concentrator photovoltaic module, a power plant model is developed, which takes into consideration shading, module misalignment, and different inverter configuration schemes for optimising the inverter capacity. The inverter size is analysed for different ground cover ratios (from 12% to 52%), inverter schemes (micro-, string-, and tracker-inverters), inverter efficiencies (low-, medium-, and high-efficiency), climatic conditions (Granada, Marrakech, and Frenchman Flat), and economic conditions (system cost excluding inverters from 850 to 1400 €/kWp). Results show values for the DC-to-AC sizing ratio ranging from 1.01 to 1.67 (maximum performance ratio), and from 1.53 to 1.79 (minimum levelised cost of energy). String-inverters exhibit the best behaviour in terms of levelised cost of energy, except in shadow-free systems, in which tracker-inverters behave better.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodrigo, P.M. & Talavera, D.L. & Fernández, E.F. & Almonacid, F.M. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2019. "Optimum capacity of the inverters in concentrator photovoltaic power plants with emphasis on shading impact," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:187:y:2019:i:c:s0360544219316548
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.115964
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Almonacid, Florencia & Rodrigo, Pedro & Fernández, Eduardo F., 2016. "Determination of the current–voltage characteristics of concentrator systems by using different adapted conventional techniques," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 146-160.
    2. Rodrigo, P. & Velázquez, Ramiro & Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, F. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2016. "Analysis of electrical mismatches in high-concentrator photovoltaic power plants with distributed inverter configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 374-387.
    3. Pérez-Higueras, Pedro & Ferrer-Rodríguez, Juan P. & Almonacid, Florencia & Fernández, Eduardo F., 2018. "Efficiency and acceptance angle of High Concentrator Photovoltaic modules: Current status and indoor measurements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 143-153.
    4. Rodrigo, P. & Gutiérrez, S. & Velázquez, Ramiro & Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, F. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2015. "A methodology for the electrical characterization of shaded high concentrator photovoltaic modules," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 768-777.
    5. Rodrigo, P. & Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, F. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2013. "Outdoor measurement of high concentration photovoltaic receivers operating with partial shading on the primary optics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 583-588.
    6. Rodrigo, P. & Fernández, E.F. & Almonacid, F. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2014. "Review of methods for the calculation of cell temperature in high concentration photovoltaic modules for electrical characterization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 478-488.
    7. Talavera, D.L. & Pérez-Higueras, P. & Ruíz-Arias, J.A. & Fernández, E.F., 2015. "Levelised cost of electricity in high concentrated photovoltaic grid connected systems: Spatial analysis of Spain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 49-59.
    8. Branker, K. & Pathak, M.J.M. & Pearce, J.M., 2011. "A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4470-4482.
    9. Rodrigo, P. & Fernández, E.F. & Almonacid, F. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2013. "Models for the electrical characterization of high concentration photovoltaic cells and modules: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 752-760.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Qais, Mohammed H. & Hasanien, Hany M. & Alghuwainem, Saad, 2020. "Parameters extraction of three-diode photovoltaic model using computation and Harris Hawks optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    3. Dácil Díaz-Bello & Carlos Vargas-Salgado & Jesus Águila-León & Fabián Lara-Vargas, 2023. "Methodology to Estimate the Impact of the DC to AC Power Ratio, Azimuth, and Slope on Clipping Losses of Solar Photovoltaic Inverters: Application to a PV System Located in Valencia Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-25, February.
    4. Philippe Camail & Bruno Allard & Maxime Darnon & Charles Joubert & Christian Martin & João Pedro F. Trovão, 2023. "Overview of DC/DC Converters for Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPVs)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Rodrigo, P.M., 2020. "Balancing the shading impact in utility-scale dual-axis tracking concentrator photovoltaic power plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).

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