Performance Evaluation of Grid-connected Pv System in Katsina State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study analyzes and compares the simulated performance of a 3.2 kWp grid-connected photovoltaic system. The system is located within coordinate of 12°15’N 7°30’E, at Government Day Secondary School Kofan Yandaka Katsina State Nigeia. The system consists of 14 Mono crystalline silicon modules connected in two strings of 7 seriesconnected modules, each facing north at a fixed tilt of 20° .The simulation is performed using Meteonorm generated weather data. The performance of the system was simulated using PVsol software using Meteonorm derived climate data sets (solar radiation, ambient temperature and wind speed). The reference yield value obtained in this study was 1907.7 kWh and the average energy yield value is 1437 kWh. The average monthly performance ratio is 75% which is slightly lower than the one reported at Port Elizabeth, South Africa but comparable the value of 74% reported at Khatkar- Kalan, India.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION (A)

DECLARATION (B)

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vi

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

TNTRODUCTTON

1.1. BACKGROUND 1

1.2. Energy Demand in Katsina State 2

1.3. Statement of the Problem 4

1.4. The Main Objective 4

1.4.1 The specific objectives~ 5

1.5. Significance of the Study 5

1.6. Scope of the Study 5

CHAPTER TWO 6

LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.1. Renewable Energy Sources 6

2.1.1.Windpower 6

2.1.2. Ilydroclcciricity 6

2.1.3. Geothermal energy 7

2.2. Solar energy 7

2.3. Photovoltaic System Desigw 8

2.4. Grid-connected PV system 10

2.5. Description of PV System installation 12

2.5.1. Inverter 14

2.5.2. Operation of an Inverter 15

2.6. Solar Power Technologies 16

vii

2.7. Solar Photovoltajc .16

2.7.1. Concentrated Solar Power Systems 17

CHAPTER THREE 20

METHODS AND MATERIALS 20

3.1. Study Area 20

3.2. Description ofthe PV system 20

3.3. Simulation of performance parameters using Pvsol 21

3.4 Meteonorm 21

3.5. Solar Module’s Performance Parameters 22

3.5.1. Simulation of Annual Capacity Factor 22

3.5.2.EnergyYield 22

3.5.3. Reference Yield 23

3.5.4. Performance Ratio 24

3.5.5. Energy Losses 24

3.6. PV MODULE SPECIFICATION 25

CHAPTER FOUR 26

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 26

4.1. INTRODUCTION 26

4.2. Weather parameter 26

4.2.1. Wind speed 26

4.2.2. Temperature 27

4.2,3. Solar Radiation 28

4.3. Simulated performance parameters 29

4.3.1. Energy Yield 29

4.3.2. Reference Yield 30

4.3.3. Performance Ratio 30

4.3.4. Energy Losses 32

4.3.5. Capacity factor 32

4.4. Summary of the simulation Results 33

CHAPTER FIVE ~

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 34

5.1. Conclusions 34

5.2. Recommendations 34

REFERENCES 35