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Advances in Energy Research Volume 4, Number 1, March 2016 , pages 1-28 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/eri.2016.4.1.001 |
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An experimental performance analysis of a cold region stationary photovoltaic system |
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Wongyu Choi, Ryan D. Warren and Michael B. Pate
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| Abstract | ||
| A grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system comprised of multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) modules was installed in a cold climate region in the U.S. This roof-mounted stationary PV system is a realworld application of PV for building energy generation in International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Climate Zone 5 (and possibly similar climate zones such as 6, 7 and 8), and it served the purposes of research, demonstration, and education. The importance of this work is highlighted by the fact that there has been less emphasis on solar PV system in this region of the U.S. because of climate and latitude challenges. The system is equipped with an extensive data acquisition system capable of collecting performance and meteorological data while visually displaying real-time and historical data through an interactive online interface. Experimental data was collected and analyzed for the system over a one-year period with the focus of the study being on measurements of power production, energy generation, and efficiency. The annual average daily solar insolation incident upon the array was found to be 4.37 kWh/m2. During the first year of operation, the PV system provided 5,801 kWh (1,264 kWh/kWp) of usable AC electrical energy, and it was found to operate at an annual average conversion efficiency and PR of 10.6 percent and 0.79, respectively. The annual average DC to AC conversion efficiency of the inverter was found to be 94 percent. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| energy and power production; renewable energy; alternative energy; solar energy; energy efficiency | ||
| Address | ||
| Wongyu Choi and Michael B. Pate: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA Ryan D. Warren: Senior Project Manager, Nexant, Chicago, Illinois, USA | ||
