IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v216y2025ics1364032125003168.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comprehensive performance assessment of two grid-tied photovoltaic systems in a hot arid climate: A three-year theoretical and experimental analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Zaghba, Layachi
  • Khennane Benbitour, Messaouda
  • Fezzani, Amor
  • Mekhilef, Saad
  • Borni, Abdelhalim

Abstract

This study presents the outcomes of a comparative performance evaluation of two PV systems connected to the grid with different technologies and mounting configurations following three years of operation in a hot and arid environment. The two systems were placed at the Applied Research Unit for Renewable Energy in Ghardaia, located in the central Sahara of Algeria. The first system consisted of a fixed a-Si/μc-Si PV system mounted on the rooftop car park. While the second system featured a pc-Si PV system mounted on a dual-axis sun tracker. The two PV station monitoring was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020. PV station performance variables such as final yield, reference yield, array yield, system losses, array capture losses, cell temperature losses, PV module efficiency, system efficiency, inverter efficiency, performance ratio, and capacity factor were all assessed. These factors were assessed on a monthly average daily. yearly. and seasonal basis. The simulation outcomes derived from Matlab Simulink. PVSyst, and PVGIS application are compared with the practical results of the two identical grid-tied PV systems employing different sun-tracking mechanisms and solar cell technologies. The findings of this study reveal a close alignment between the experimental data derived from the PV plant output and the predicted data generated by the PVSyst and PVGIS tools. In the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, the final annual yields for the fixed a-Si/μc-Si PV system and the dual-axis p-Si system were determined as follows: 3.86 kWh/kWp/6.68 kWh/kWp. 3.82 kWh/kWp/6.92 kWh/kWp. and 3.77 kWh/kWp/6.88 kWh/kWp. respectively. The annual performance ratios for the a-Si/μc-Si and 2-axis p-Si systems were observed to be 80.9 %–72.84 %. 79.96 %–75.35 %. and 79.22 %–74.9 % for the rooftop car park station and the twin-axis sun tracker PV plant during 2018. 2019, and 2020. respectively. Additionally, an economic analysis revealed that the payback period ranged from approximately 9 to 17 years.

Suggested Citation

  • Zaghba, Layachi & Khennane Benbitour, Messaouda & Fezzani, Amor & Mekhilef, Saad & Borni, Abdelhalim, 2025. "Comprehensive performance assessment of two grid-tied photovoltaic systems in a hot arid climate: A three-year theoretical and experimental analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:216:y:2025:i:c:s1364032125003168
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.115643
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032125003168
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2025.115643?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Atsu, Divine & Seres, Istvan & Farkas, Istvan, 2021. "The state of solar PV and performance analysis of different PV technologies grid-connected installations in Hungary," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    2. Chokmaviroj, Somchai & Wattanapong, Rakwichian & Suchart, Yammen, 2006. "Performance of a 500kWP grid connected photovoltaic system at Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 19-28.
    3. Sharma, Vikrant & Chandel, S.S., 2013. "Performance and degradation analysis for long term reliability of solar photovoltaic systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 753-767.
    4. Hammad, Bashar & Al–Abed, Mohammad & Al–Ghandoor, Ahmed & Al–Sardeah, Ali & Al–Bashir, Adnan, 2018. "Modeling and analysis of dust and temperature effects on photovoltaic systems’ performance and optimal cleaning frequency: Jordan case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2218-2234.
    5. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Prasetyono, Eka & Wicaksana, Ragil W. & Windarko, Novie A. & Sedraoui, Khaled & Al-Turki, Yusuf A., 2016. "On the investigation of photovoltaic output power reduction due to dust accumulation and weather conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 836-844.
    6. Ameur, Arechkik & Berrada, Asmae & Bouaichi, Abdellatif & Loudiyi, Khalid, 2022. "Long-term performance and degradation analysis of different PV modules under temperate climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 37-51.
    7. Chikh, Madjid & Berkane, Smain & Mahrane, Achour & Sellami, Rabah & Yassaa, Noureddine, 2021. "Performance assessment of a 400 kWp multi- technology photovoltaic grid-connected pilot plant in arid region of Algeria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 488-501.
    8. Makrides, George & Zinsser, Bastian & Phinikarides, Alexander & Schubert, Markus & Georghiou, George E., 2012. "Temperature and thermal annealing effects on different photovoltaic technologies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 407-417.
    9. Başoğlu, Mustafa E. & Kazdaloğlu, Abdulvehhap & Erfidan, Tarık & Bilgin, Mehmet Z. & Çakır, Bekir, 2015. "Performance analyzes of different photovoltaic module technologies under İzmit, Kocaeli climatic conditions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 357-365.
    10. Sahouane, Nordine & Dabou, Rachid & Ziane, Abderrezzaq & Neçaibia, Ammar & Bouraiou, Ahmed & Rouabhia, Abdelkrim & Mohammed, Blal, 2019. "Energy and economic efficiency performance assessment of a 28 kWp photovoltaic grid-connected system under desertic weather conditions in Algerian Sahara," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1318-1330.
    11. Mpholo, Moeketsi & Nchaba, Teboho & Monese, Molebatsi, 2015. "Yield and performance analysis of the first grid-connected solar farm at Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Lesotho," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 845-852.
    12. Silva, Aline M. & Melo, Fernando C. & Reis, Joaquim H. & Freitas, Luiz C.G., 2019. "The study and application of evaluation methods for photovoltaic modules under real operational conditions, in a region of the Brazilian Southeast," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 1189-1204.
    13. Daher, Daha Hassan & Gaillard, Léon & Amara, Mohamed & Ménézo, Christophe, 2018. "Impact of tropical desert maritime climate on the performance of a PV grid-connected power plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 729-737.
    14. Chandel, S.S. & Nagaraju Naik, M. & Sharma, Vikrant & Chandel, Rahul, 2015. "Degradation analysis of 28 year field exposed mono-c-Si photovoltaic modules of a direct coupled solar water pumping system in western Himalayan region of India," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 193-202.
    15. Ustun, Taha Selim & Nakamura, Yasuhiro & Hashimoto, Jun & Otani, Kenji, 2019. "Performance analysis of PV panels based on different technologies after two years of outdoor exposure in Fukushima, Japan," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 159-178.
    16. Amor Fezzani & Idriss Hadj-Mahammed & Abdellah Kouzou & Layachi Zaghba & Said Drid & Messaouda Khennane & Ralph Kennel & Mohamed Abdelrahem, 2022. "Energy Efficiency of Multi-Technology PV Modules under Real Outdoor Conditions—An Experimental Assessment in Ghardaïa, Algeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Adar, Mustapha & Najih, Youssef & Gouskir, Mohamed & Chebak, Ahmed & Mabrouki, Mustapha & Bennouna, Amin, 2020. "Three PV plants performance analysis using the principal component analysis method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    2. Conceição, Ricardo & González-Aguilar, José & Merrouni, Ahmed Alami & Romero, Manuel, 2022. "Soiling effect in solar energy conversion systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    3. Irshad, Ahmad Shah & Ludin, Gul Ahmad & Masrur, Hasan & Ahmadi, Mikaeel & Yona, Atsushi & Mikhaylov, Alexey & Krishnan, Narayanan & Senjyu, Tomonobu, 2023. "Optimization of grid-photovoltaic and battery hybrid system with most technically efficient PV technology after the performance analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 714-730.
    4. Bouaichi, Abdellatif & El Amrani, Aumeur & Ouhadou, Malika & Lfakir, Aberrazak & Messaoudi, Choukri, 2020. "In-situ performance and degradation of three different photovoltaic module technologies installed in arid climate of Morocco," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    5. Kumar, Manish & Kumar, Arun, 2017. "Performance assessment and degradation analysis of solar photovoltaic technologies: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 554-587.
    6. Adnan Aslam & Naseer Ahmed & Safian Ahmed Qureshi & Mohsen Assadi & Naveed Ahmed, 2022. "Advances in Solar PV Systems; A Comprehensive Review of PV Performance, Influencing Factors, and Mitigation Techniques," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-52, October.
    7. Mateo, C. & Hernández-Fenollosa, M.A. & Montero, Á. & Seguí-Chilet, S., 2022. "Ageing and seasonal effects on amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules in a Mediterranean climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 74-88.
    8. Saleheen, Mohammed Zeehan & Salema, Arshad Adam & Mominul Islam, Shah Mohammad & Sarimuthu, Charles R. & Hasan, Md Zobaer, 2021. "A target-oriented performance assessment and model development of a grid-connected solar PV (GCPV) system for a commercial building in Malaysia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 371-382.
    9. Santhakumari, Manju & Sagar, Netramani, 2019. "A review of the environmental factors degrading the performance of silicon wafer-based photovoltaic modules: Failure detection methods and essential mitigation techniques," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 83-100.
    10. Pandey, A.K. & Tyagi, V.V. & Selvaraj, Jeyraj A/L & Rahim, N.A. & Tyagi, S.K., 2016. "Recent advances in solar photovoltaic systems for emerging trends and advanced applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 859-884.
    11. Kichou, Sofiane & Silvestre, Santiago & Nofuentes, Gustavo & Torres-Ramírez, Miguel & Chouder, Aissa & Guasch, Daniel, 2016. "Characterization of degradation and evaluation of model parameters of amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules under outdoor long term exposure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 231-241.
    12. Qi, Jiacheng & Dong, Qichang & Song, Ye & Zhao, Xiaoqing & Shi, Long, 2025. "Combining dust scaling behaviors of PV panels and water cleaning methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    13. Tuhibur Rahman & Ahmed Al Mansur & Molla Shahadat Hossain Lipu & Md. Siddikur Rahman & Ratil H. Ashique & Mohamad Abou Houran & Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan & Eklas Hossain, 2023. "Investigation of Degradation of Solar Photovoltaics: A Review of Aging Factors, Impacts, and Future Directions toward Sustainable Energy Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-30, April.
    14. Le Phuong Truong & Hoang An Quoc & Huan-Liang Tsai & Do Van Dung, 2020. "A Method to Estimate and Analyze the Performance of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    15. Kumar, Manish & Chandel, S.S. & Kumar, Arun, 2020. "Performance analysis of a 10 MWp utility scale grid-connected canal-top photovoltaic power plant under Indian climatic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    16. Elibol, Erdem & Özmen, Özge Tüzün & Tutkun, Nedim & Köysal, Oğuz, 2017. "Outdoor performance analysis of different PV panel types," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 651-661.
    17. Jaeun Kim & Matheus Rabelo & Siva Parvathi Padi & Hasnain Yousuf & Eun-Chel Cho & Junsin Yi, 2021. "A Review of the Degradation of Photovoltaic Modules for Life Expectancy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-21, July.
    18. Waqar Akram, M. & Li, Guiqiang & Jin, Yi & Chen, Xiao, 2022. "Failures of Photovoltaic modules and their Detection: A Review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    19. Macedon Moldovan & Bogdan Gabriel Burduhos & Ion Visa, 2023. "Efficiency Assessment of Five Types of Photovoltaic Modules Installed on a Fixed and on a Dual-Axis Solar-Tracked Platform," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-21, January.
    20. Shen, Yaxin & Fouladirad, Mitra & Grall, Antoine, 2025. "Mathematical modeling of solar farm performance degradation in a dynamic environment for condition-based maintenance," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 257(PA).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:216:y:2025:i:c:s1364032125003168. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.