IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i6p5381-d1100575.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparative Analysis of SAM and RETScreen Tools for the Case Study of 600 kW Solar PV System Installation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Salah Ud-Din Khan

    (Sustainable Energy Technologies Center, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
    K.A.CARE Energy Research and Innovation Center in Riyadh, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

  • Irfan Wazeer

    (Chemical Engineering Department, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia)

  • Zeyad Almutairi

    (Sustainable Energy Technologies Center, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
    K.A.CARE Energy Research and Innovation Center in Riyadh, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

In this study, we discussed the main recent studies on PV systems worldwide and specifically in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. We focused on different PV cells and their characteristics in terms of efficiency, importance, and negative impacts, and examined the classification of PV systems and their comparison. In addition, the adoption of PV technologies in GCC countries is considered, focusing on the future aspects. In addition, technical and economic evaluations were carried out for a 600-kW commercial PV solar project at one of the selected sites in the Riyadh region, and the PV energy generation performance was assessed. The monthly energy production, module orientation and tracking system, peak voltage, net power consumption, rated output power, cash flow and capacity factor were calculated. In addition, the direct, normal and diffuse solar radiation are calculated to determine the cost-effective and efficient PV system. Two simulation programs, namely system advisor model (SAM) and RETScreen, are used in this study. In addition, a comparison between annual energy production, cash flow, and electricity loads was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the simulation results. The study suggests that a low-cost PV system could be developed in the Riyadh region.

Suggested Citation

  • Salah Ud-Din Khan & Irfan Wazeer & Zeyad Almutairi, 2023. "Comparative Analysis of SAM and RETScreen Tools for the Case Study of 600 kW Solar PV System Installation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5381-:d:1100575
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/5381/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/5381/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ahmed Bilal Awan & Muhammad Zubair & Praveen R. P. & Ahmed G. Abokhalil, 2018. "Solar Energy Resource Analysis and Evaluation of Photovoltaic System Performance in Various Regions of Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-27, April.
    2. Richardson, David B. & Harvey, L.D.D., 2015. "Strategies for correlating solar PV array production with electricity demand," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 432-440.
    3. Dehwah, Ammar H.A. & Asif, Muhammad, 2019. "Assessment of net energy contribution to buildings by rooftop photovoltaic systems in hot-humid climates," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 1288-1299.
    4. Elani, U.A. & Bagazi, S.A., 1998. "The importance of silicon photovoltaic manufacturing in Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 89-94.
    5. Ghaleb, Belal & Asif, Muhammad, 2022. "Assessment of solar PV potential in commercial buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 618-630.
    6. Hosenuzzaman, M. & Rahim, N.A. & Selvaraj, J. & Hasanuzzaman, M. & Malek, A.B.M.A. & Nahar, A., 2015. "Global prospects, progress, policies, and environmental impact of solar photovoltaic power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 284-297.
    7. Liu, Feng & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2020. "Differences in CO2 emissions of solar PV production among technologies and regions: Application to China, EU and USA," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    8. Abiola-Ogedengbe, Ayodeji & Hangan, Horia & Siddiqui, Kamran, 2015. "Experimental investigation of wind effects on a standalone photovoltaic (PV) module," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 657-665.
    9. Asif, M., 2016. "Growth and sustainability trends in the buildings sector in the GCC region with particular reference to the KSA and UAE," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 1267-1273.
    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. Ahmed Bilal Awan & Mohammed Alghassab & Muhammad Zubair & Abdul Rauf Bhatti & Muhammad Uzair & Ghulam Abbas, 2020. "Comparative Analysis of Ground-Mounted vs. Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems Optimized for Interrow Distance between Parallel Arrays," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Jamal Al-Qawasmi & Muhammad Asif & Ahmed Abd El Fattah & Mohammad O. Babsail, 2019. "Water Efficiency and Management in Sustainable Building Rating Systems: Examining Variation in Criteria Usage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Ali S. Alghamdi, 2021. "Performance Enhancement of Roof-Mounted Photovoltaic System: Artificial Neural Network Optimization of Ground Coverage Ratio," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Zhenqiang Han & Weidong Zhou & Aimin Sha & Liqun Hu & Runjie Wei, 2023. "Assessing the Photovoltaic Power Generation Potential of Highway Slopes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Mohammed Albattah & Daniel Efurosibina Attoye, 2021. "A Quantitative Investigation on Awareness of Renewable Energy Building Technology in the United Arab Emirates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-20, June.
    6. Nasser Alqahtani & Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan, 2021. "Assessment of Rooftop Solar Power Generation to Meet Residential Loads in the City of Neom, Saudi Arabia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Ghaleb, Belal & Asif, Muhammad, 2022. "Assessment of solar PV potential in commercial buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 618-630.
    8. Abbas, Sajid & Yuan, Yanping & Zhou, Jinzhi & Hassan, Atazaz & Yu, Min & Yasheng, Ji, 2022. "Experimental and analytical analysis of the impact of different base plate materials and design parameters on the performance of the photovoltaic/thermal system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 522-536.
    9. Andreas von Döllen & YoungSeok Hwang & Stephan Schlüter, 2021. "The Future Is Colorful—An Analysis of the CO 2 Bow Wave and Why Green Hydrogen Cannot Do It Alone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-20, September.
    10. Mollik, Sazib & Rashid, M.M. & Hasanuzzaman, M. & Karim, M.E. & Hosenuzzaman, M., 2016. "Prospects, progress, policies, and effects of rural electrification in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 553-567.
    11. Mammar, Mohamed & Djouimaa, Sihem & Gärtner, Ulrich & Hamidat, Abderrahmane, 2018. "Wind loads on heliostats of various column heights: An experimental study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 867-880.
    12. Grafström, Jonas & Poudineh, Rahmat, 2023. "No evidence of counteracting policy effects on European solar power invention and diffusion," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    13. Mohammad S. M. Almulhim & Dexter V. L. Hunt & Chris D. F. Rogers, 2020. "A Resilience and Environmentally Sustainable Assessment Framework (RESAF) for Domestic Building Materials in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-24, April.
    14. Peng Zhang & Huibin Sui, 2020. "Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology of Photovoltaic Array under Partial Shading Based On Adaptive Improved Differential Evolution Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, March.
    15. Lisa B. Bosman & Walter D. Leon-Salas & William Hutzel & Esteban A. Soto, 2020. "PV System Predictive Maintenance: Challenges, Current Approaches, and Opportunities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, March.
    16. Griffiths, Steven, 2017. "A review and assessment of energy policy in the Middle East and North Africa region," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 249-269.
    17. Moh’d Al-Nimr & Abdallah Milhem & Basel Al-Bishawi & Khaleel Al Khasawneh, 2020. "Integrating Transparent and Conventional Solar Cells TSC/SC," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-22, September.
    18. Prasad, Abhnil A. & Taylor, Robert A. & Kay, Merlinde, 2017. "Assessment of solar and wind resource synergy in Australia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 354-367.
    19. Hai Lan & Jinfeng Dai & Shuli Wen & Ying-Yi Hong & David C. Yu & Yifei Bai, 2015. "Optimal Tilt Angle of Photovoltaic Arrays and Economic Allocation of Energy Storage System on Large Oil Tanker Ship," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-16, October.
    20. Awan, Ahmed Bilal & Zubair, Muhammad & Chandra Mouli, Kotturu V.V., 2020. "Design, optimization and performance comparison of solar tower and photovoltaic power plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).

    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:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5381-:d:1100575. 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.