IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i11p3084-d562356.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Utility Scale Ground Mounted Photovoltaic Plants with Gable Structure and Inverter Oversizing for Land-Use Optimization

Author

Listed:
  • Silvestro Cossu

    (Essei Servizi Engineering and Consulting, SS 131 Km 100.2 10, 09070 Siamaggiore (OR), Italy)

  • Roberto Baccoli

    (Department of Environmental Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Emilio Ghiani

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

The paper proposes an effective layout for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems with a gable structure and inverter oversizing, which allows an optimized use of the land and, at the same time, guarantees a valuable return on investment. A case study is presented to show the technical, economic, and environmental advantages compared with conventional “fixed-tilt” and “sun-tracking” ground-mounted photovoltaic installations. The main advantage of this solution is that it maximizes the energy produced per unit of land area used; but, also considering the economic metrics, the net present value of the proposed PV arrangement solution results in a greater annual volume of energy produced and therefore of net revenues and cash flows, and greater than the compared conventional solution with modules exposed in an optimal fixed position or which make use of sun-tracking systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvestro Cossu & Roberto Baccoli & Emilio Ghiani, 2021. "Utility Scale Ground Mounted Photovoltaic Plants with Gable Structure and Inverter Oversizing for Land-Use Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:11:p:3084-:d:562356
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/11/3084/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/11/3084/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sorin Liviu Jurj & Raul Rotar & Flavius Opritoiu & Mircea Vladutiu, 2021. "Improving the Solar Reliability Factor of a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Energy-Efficient Testing Solutions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Elsayed, Abdelrahman A. & Khalil, Essam E. & Kassem, Mahmoud A. & Huzzayin, Omar A., 2021. "A novel mechanical solar tracking mechanism with single axis of tracking for developing countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 1129-1142.
    3. Jesús A. Prieto-Amparán & Alfredo Pinedo-Alvarez & Carlos R. Morales-Nieto & María C. Valles-Aragón & Alan Álvarez-Holguín & Federico Villarreal-Guerrero, 2021. "A Regional GIS-Assisted Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Site-Suitability for the Development of Solar Farms," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-19, February.
    4. Kavlak, Goksin & McNerney, James & Trancik, Jessika E., 2018. "Evaluating the causes of cost reduction in photovoltaic modules," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 700-710.
    5. Denholm, Paul & Margolis, Robert M., 2008. "Land-use requirements and the per-capita solar footprint for photovoltaic generation in the United States," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(9), pages 3531-3543, September.
    6. Inmaculada Guaita-Pradas & Ana Blasco-Ruiz, 2020. "Analyzing Profitability and Discount Rates for Solar PV Plants. A Spanish Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, April.
    7. Hernandez, R.R. & Easter, S.B. & Murphy-Mariscal, M.L. & Maestre, F.T. & Tavassoli, M. & Allen, E.B. & Barrows, C.W. & Belnap, J. & Ochoa-Hueso, R. & Ravi, S. & Allen, M.F., 2014. "Environmental impacts of utility-scale solar energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 766-779.
    8. Turney, Damon & Fthenakis, Vasilis, 2011. "Environmental impacts from the installation and operation of large-scale solar power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 3261-3270, August.
    9. Roberto S. Faranda & Hossein Hafezi & Sonia Leva & Marco Mussetta & Emanuele Ogliari, 2015. "The Optimum PV Plant for a Given Solar DC/AC Converter," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-18, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Krzysztof Łowczowski & Jacek Roman, 2023. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Alternative PV Orientations in Poland by Rescaling Real PV Profiles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, August.

    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. Teodoro Semeraro & Roberta Aretano & Amilcare Barca & Alessandro Pomes & Cecilia Del Giudice & Elisa Gatto & Marcello Lenucci & Riccardo Buccolieri & Rohinton Emmanuel & Zhi Gao & Alessandra Scognamig, 2020. "A Conceptual Framework to Design Green Infrastructure: Ecosystem Services as an Opportunity for Creating Shared Value in Ground Photovoltaic Systems," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Scognamiglio, Alessandra, 2016. "‘Photovoltaic landscapes’: Design and assessment. A critical review for a new transdisciplinary design vision," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 629-661.
    3. Bukhary, Saria & Ahmad, Sajjad & Batista, Jacimaria, 2018. "Analyzing land and water requirements for solar deployment in the Southwestern United States," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3288-3305.
    4. Semeraro, Teodoro & Pomes, Alessandro & Del Giudice, Cecilia & Negro, Danilo & Aretano, Roberta, 2018. "Planning ground based utility scale solar energy as green infrastructure to enhance ecosystem services," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 218-227.
    5. Aman, M.M. & Solangi, K.H. & Hossain, M.S. & Badarudin, A. & Jasmon, G.B. & Mokhlis, H. & Bakar, A.H.A. & Kazi, S.N, 2015. "A review of Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) issues of solar energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1190-1204.
    6. Moroni, Stefano & Antoniucci, Valentina & Bisello, Adriano, 2016. "Energy sprawl, land taking and distributed generation: towards a multi-layered density," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 266-273.
    7. Sanzana Tabassum & Tanvin Rahman & Ashraf Ul Islam & Sumayya Rahman & Debopriya Roy Dipta & Shidhartho Roy & Naeem Mohammad & Nafiu Nawar & Eklas Hossain, 2021. "Solar Energy in the United States: Development, Challenges and Future Prospects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-65, December.
    8. Golberg, Alexander, 2015. "Environmental exergonomics for sustainable design and analysis of energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 314-321.
    9. Emma Uebelhor & Olivia Hintz & Sarah B. Mills & Abigail Randall, 2021. "Utility-Scale Solar in the Great Lakes: Analyzing Community Reactions to Solar Developments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
    10. Alexandra Vrînceanu & Ines Grigorescu & Monica Dumitrașcu & Irena Mocanu & Cristina Dumitrică & Dana Micu & Gheorghe Kucsicsa & Bianca Mitrică, 2019. "Impacts of Photovoltaic Farms on the Environment in the Romanian Plain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-18, July.
    11. Horner, Robert M. & Clark, Corrie E., 2013. "Characterizing variability and reducing uncertainty in estimates of solar land use energy intensity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 129-137.
    12. Szabó, Sándor & Bódis, Katalin & Kougias, Ioannis & Moner-Girona, Magda & Jäger-Waldau, Arnulf & Barton, Gábor & Szabó, László, 2017. "A methodology for maximizing the benefits of solar landfills on closed sites," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1291-1300.
    13. Anna Codemo & Ambra Barbini & Ahi Mantouza & Anastasios Bitziadis & Rossano Albatici, 2023. "Integration of Public Perception in the Assessment of Licensed Solar Farms: A Case Study in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-25, June.
    14. Helen Briassoulis, 2019. "Combating Land Degradation and Desertification: The Land-Use Planning Quandary," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-26, February.
    15. Jia, Teng & Dai, Yanjun & Wang, Ruzhu, 2018. "Refining energy sources in winemaking industry by using solar energy as alternatives for fossil fuels: A review and perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 278-296.
    16. Sánchez-Pantoja, Núria & Vidal, Rosario & Pastor, M. Carmen, 2018. "Aesthetic impact of solar energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 227-238.
    17. Visser, Elke & Perold, Vonica & Ralston-Paton, Samantha & Cardenal, Alvaro C. & Ryan, Peter G., 2019. "Assessing the impacts of a utility-scale photovoltaic solar energy facility on birds in the Northern Cape, South Africa," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1285-1294.
    18. Gasparatos, Alexandros & Doll, Christopher N.H. & Esteban, Miguel & Ahmed, Abubakari & Olang, Tabitha A., 2017. "Renewable energy and biodiversity: Implications for transitioning to a Green Economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 161-184.
    19. Guerin, Turlough F., 2017. "Evaluating expected and comparing with observed risks on a large-scale solar photovoltaic construction project: A case for reducing the regulatory burden," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 333-348.
    20. Holland, Robert A. & Beaumont, Nicola & Hooper, Tara & Austen, Melanie & Gross, Robert J.K. & Heptonstall, Philip J. & Ketsopoulou, Ioanna & Winskel, Mark & Watson, Jim & Taylor, Gail, 2018. "Incorporating ecosystem services into the design of future energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 812-822.

    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:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:11:p:3084-:d:562356. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.