Performance Analysis of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems in Western India: A Case Study

Abstract

This paper reports the performance 250kW photovoltaic
pilot plant for 340 days of 2012, which is in central
of Gujarat, Western India. The development of large scale
applications of photovoltaics demonstrates that the technology
has spread from demonstration stages to large-scale deployment.
The performance parameters and their performance evaluation
are demonstrated for a variety of technologies established at this
geographic location. The system consist of photovoltaic arrays
containing modules of polycrystalline, Amorphous thin film and
power conditioning units. During the year 2012, this systems
operation, the PV system generated about 408500 kWh. The
average of generating electricity production per day was 1116
kWh. It varied between 240 to 1515 kWh. The maximum solar
irradiance, ambient temperature and Photovoltaic module (PV)
was 1040 W/m2,42oC and 74 oC respectively. The efficiency of
the PV array system varied between 12 to 14 %. The efficiency
of the power conditioning units (PCU) is in the range from 96
to 99% with power factor close to unity. The average capacity
utilization factor (CUF) of the plant is 18.28%and the average
performance ratio (PR) was ranged between 77.20 to 84.04