Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus
The growth of populations and economy in Northern Cyprus has led to continuing utilization of fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity, which will raise environmental pollution. Thus, utilizing renewable energy, particularly solar energy, might be a solution to minimize this issue. This pap...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/22/7627 |
| _version_ | 1827676714100064256 |
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| author | Youssef Kassem Hüseyin Gökçekuş Ali Güvensoy |
| author_facet | Youssef Kassem Hüseyin Gökçekuş Ali Güvensoy |
| author_sort | Youssef Kassem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The growth of populations and economy in Northern Cyprus has led to continuing utilization of fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity, which will raise environmental pollution. Thus, utilizing renewable energy, particularly solar energy, might be a solution to minimize this issue. This paper presents the potential of grid-connected solar PV power generation at Near East University Hospital (NEU Hospital), one of the largest and leading medical facilities in Northern Cyprus, to meet the energy demand during the daytime to reduce energy bills. For this purpose, the first objective of the study is to evaluate the solar energy potential as a power source for the NEU Hospital based on four datasets (actual measurement, Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CMSAF), Surface Radiation Data Set-Heliosat (SARAH), and ERA-5, produced by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast). The results showed that the solar resource of the selected location is categorized as excellent (class 5), that is, the global solar radiation is within the range of 1843.8–2035.9 kWH/m<sup>2</sup>. The second objective is to investigate the impact of orientation angles on PV output, capacity factor, economic feasibility indicators, and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by using different PV modules. The results are compared with optimum orientation angles found by Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) simulation software. This objective was achieved by using RETScreen Expert software. The results demonstrated that the highest performance of the proposed system was achieved for orientation angles of 180° (azimuth angle) and −35° (tilt angle). Consequently, it is recommended that orientation angles, PV modules, and market prices are considered to maximize energy production and reduce electricity production costs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:32:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ff023cc96d842aaa5aa23eb6a304dd9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:32:14Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-1ff023cc96d842aaa5aa23eb6a304dd92023-11-22T23:11:01ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732021-11-011422762710.3390/en14227627Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern CyprusYoussef Kassem0Hüseyin Gökçekuş1Ali Güvensoy2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkey) 99138, CyprusDepartment of Civil Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkey) 99138, CyprusDepartment of Civil Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkey) 99138, CyprusThe growth of populations and economy in Northern Cyprus has led to continuing utilization of fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity, which will raise environmental pollution. Thus, utilizing renewable energy, particularly solar energy, might be a solution to minimize this issue. This paper presents the potential of grid-connected solar PV power generation at Near East University Hospital (NEU Hospital), one of the largest and leading medical facilities in Northern Cyprus, to meet the energy demand during the daytime to reduce energy bills. For this purpose, the first objective of the study is to evaluate the solar energy potential as a power source for the NEU Hospital based on four datasets (actual measurement, Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CMSAF), Surface Radiation Data Set-Heliosat (SARAH), and ERA-5, produced by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast). The results showed that the solar resource of the selected location is categorized as excellent (class 5), that is, the global solar radiation is within the range of 1843.8–2035.9 kWH/m<sup>2</sup>. The second objective is to investigate the impact of orientation angles on PV output, capacity factor, economic feasibility indicators, and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by using different PV modules. The results are compared with optimum orientation angles found by Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) simulation software. This objective was achieved by using RETScreen Expert software. The results demonstrated that the highest performance of the proposed system was achieved for orientation angles of 180° (azimuth angle) and −35° (tilt angle). Consequently, it is recommended that orientation angles, PV modules, and market prices are considered to maximize energy production and reduce electricity production costs.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/22/7627Near East University HospitalNorthern CyprusPV systemgrid-connectedorientation angleseconomic feasibility indicators |
| spellingShingle | Youssef Kassem Hüseyin Gökçekuş Ali Güvensoy Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus Energies Near East University Hospital Northern Cyprus PV system grid-connected orientation angles economic feasibility indicators |
| title | Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus |
| title_full | Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus |
| title_fullStr | Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus |
| title_short | Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus |
| title_sort | techno economic feasibility of grid connected solar pv system at near east university hospital northern cyprus |
| topic | Near East University Hospital Northern Cyprus PV system grid-connected orientation angles economic feasibility indicators |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/22/7627 |
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