Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data

As decentralized energy supply systems are becoming more and more important for the global energy supply, – apart from a heightened focus on energy rationalization and energy efficiency – increasing the role of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, in energy consumption i...

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Main Authors: Henrik Zsiborács, László Zentkó, Gábor Pintér, András Vincze, Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-11-01
Series:Energy Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352484721003176
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author Henrik Zsiborács
László Zentkó
Gábor Pintér
András Vincze
Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai
author_facet Henrik Zsiborács
László Zentkó
Gábor Pintér
András Vincze
Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai
author_sort Henrik Zsiborács
collection DOAJ
description As decentralized energy supply systems are becoming more and more important for the global energy supply, – apart from a heightened focus on energy rationalization and energy efficiency – increasing the role of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, in energy consumption is gaining more and more significance. Since energy projects tend to be meant for the long term and involve considerable financial investments, it is indispensable to be aware of the country-specific regulatory background when establishing photovoltaic (PV) systems. The last few years have witnessed a trend that new PV power plants are mostly built using traditional crystalline PV technologies, which are prone to irreversible PV module damage due to shading effects. During the operation of PV power plants, anomalies causing loss of income and even fire hazard in extreme cases may occur. Thus, the identification of the problematic parts of the system is of utmost importance. This paper presents the energy relationships of shading by the example of a Hungarian PV system. The goal of this study is to introduce a methodology that can be used internationally to categorize the operational characteristics of the strings of PV power plants on the basis of monitoring data, which allows the assessment of the annual energy loss. The innovative novelty of the model is that its use can provide practical help for the operators of PV systems around the world, since the solution is easy to adapt to real-time supervisory and management platforms and it makes the localization of problematic strings possible, thusly allowing a more focused inspection of PV power plants. The novel practical benefit of the model is that by its use it becomes possible to detect any energy loss resulting from the spacing distance of the strings of PV power plants or faulty operation (the negative shading effects of trees and other objects, faulty inverter operation) by using a simpler calculating mechanism. The early detection of problems is essential for the protection of the PV modules, the subsequent reconstruction of the strings or even solving issues under guarantee. In addition, by assessing the annual energy loss caused by shading, it becomes possible to detect any negative change in the economic indicators of the investment.
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spelling doaj.art-931994f5851745b291a51c38fe9733642022-12-21T18:44:25ZengElsevierEnergy Reports2352-48472021-11-01734003409Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string dataHenrik Zsiborács0László Zentkó1Gábor Pintér2András Vincze3Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai4University of Pannonia Nagykanizsa, University Center for Circular Economy, Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, HungaryPANNON Pro Innovations Ltd., 1021 Budapest, HungaryUniversity of Pannonia Nagykanizsa, University Center for Circular Economy, Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, Hungary; Corresponding author.University of Pannonia Nagykanizsa, University Center for Circular Economy, Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, HungaryUniversity of Pannonia Nagykanizsa, University Center for Circular Economy, Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, HungaryAs decentralized energy supply systems are becoming more and more important for the global energy supply, – apart from a heightened focus on energy rationalization and energy efficiency – increasing the role of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, in energy consumption is gaining more and more significance. Since energy projects tend to be meant for the long term and involve considerable financial investments, it is indispensable to be aware of the country-specific regulatory background when establishing photovoltaic (PV) systems. The last few years have witnessed a trend that new PV power plants are mostly built using traditional crystalline PV technologies, which are prone to irreversible PV module damage due to shading effects. During the operation of PV power plants, anomalies causing loss of income and even fire hazard in extreme cases may occur. Thus, the identification of the problematic parts of the system is of utmost importance. This paper presents the energy relationships of shading by the example of a Hungarian PV system. The goal of this study is to introduce a methodology that can be used internationally to categorize the operational characteristics of the strings of PV power plants on the basis of monitoring data, which allows the assessment of the annual energy loss. The innovative novelty of the model is that its use can provide practical help for the operators of PV systems around the world, since the solution is easy to adapt to real-time supervisory and management platforms and it makes the localization of problematic strings possible, thusly allowing a more focused inspection of PV power plants. The novel practical benefit of the model is that by its use it becomes possible to detect any energy loss resulting from the spacing distance of the strings of PV power plants or faulty operation (the negative shading effects of trees and other objects, faulty inverter operation) by using a simpler calculating mechanism. The early detection of problems is essential for the protection of the PV modules, the subsequent reconstruction of the strings or even solving issues under guarantee. In addition, by assessing the annual energy loss caused by shading, it becomes possible to detect any negative change in the economic indicators of the investment.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352484721003176Solar energyPhotovoltaicHot spot phenomenonShadingExperimental analysis
spellingShingle Henrik Zsiborács
László Zentkó
Gábor Pintér
András Vincze
Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai
Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data
Energy Reports
Solar energy
Photovoltaic
Hot spot phenomenon
Shading
Experimental analysis
title Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data
title_full Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data
title_fullStr Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data
title_full_unstemmed Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data
title_short Assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data
title_sort assessing shading losses of photovoltaic power plants based on string data
topic Solar energy
Photovoltaic
Hot spot phenomenon
Shading
Experimental analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352484721003176
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