Abstract

The requisite hourly solar radiation data for solar energy system design evaluation and performance studies is
generally not available for a number of sites especially in remote locations. As such accurate determination of
hourly solar radiation data, is important both at horizontal; surfaces and inclined Surfaces. A model to estimate
global solar radiation using temperature and sunshine hour data has been developed. We use here the tilted
radiation calculation algorithm which is common to all application models (i.e. on-grid, off-grid and water
pumping applications) Out of which we are used it for on-grid application. It is used to calculate solar radiation in
the plane of the PV array, as a function of its orientation, given monthly mean daily solar radiation on a horizontal
surface. These predicted hourly solar radiation data values are compared with measured hourly values to test the
accuracy of the models. The total solar radiation on the inclined surfaces and vertical surfaces for different
orientations, have also been estimated. The estimated values are found to be in close agreement with measured
values. The method presented can be used to estimate hourly, global, diffuse solar radiation for horizontal surfaces
and total solar radiation on inclined and vertical surfaces at different orientations with greater accuracy for any
location. This tells us the power generation capacity rated of power plant with the actual power generation
capacity of the plant.
Taking in to account the temperature and suns irradiance, the PV array is modeled and its voltage current
characteristics and the power and voltage characteristics are simulated. This enables the dynamics of PV system
to be easily simulated and optimized. It is noticed that the output characteristics of a PV array are influenced by
the environmental factors and the conversion efficiency are low. Therefore a maximum power tracking (MPPT)
technique is needed to track the peak power to maximize the produced energy. The maximum power point in the
powervoltage graph is identified by an algorithm called perturbation & observation P&O) method or Hill
climbing. This algorithm will identify the suitable duty ratio in which the DC/DC converter should be operated to
maximize the power output. The results confirm that the photo voltaic array with proposed MPPT controller can
operate in the maximum power point for the whole range of assumed solar data (irradiance and temperature)

TABLE OF CONTENT

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE

CERTIFICATE

ii

APPROVAL CERTIFICATE

iii

DECLARATION

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

vii

LIST OF FIGURES

viii

LIST OF TABLES

ix

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CHAPTER 1: PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT INTRODUCTION

[1]

1. Introduction

[2]

1.1 Facts about solar Energy

[3]

1.2 Photovoltaic Solar cell

[4]

1.2.1 Photovoltaic Operations Principle

[5]

1.2.2 Photovoltaic cell governing mathematical equitation

[7]

1.2.3 Cell Performance Characteristics

[9]

1.3 Photovoltaic Solar cell construction

1.3.1 Diode in PV Array
1.4 Factor Affecting Cell Performance

[10]
[11]
[12]

1.4.1 Open circuit voltage, short circuit voltage, Fill Factor, MPP

[12]

1.4.2 Factor Affecting conversion Efficiency

[16]

1.4.3 Determining conversion Efficiency

[17]

CHAPTER 2: TESTS AND MEASUREMENT OF PV MODULE

[19]

2.1 Temperature measurement consideration

[20]

2.1.1 I-V Curve for Solar PV module

[21]

2.1.2 Solar Energy Calculation

[22]

2.1.3 Solar radiation on Tilted surface

[22]

2.2 Temperature and Irradiance effect

[24]

2.2.1 Performance Enhancement

[28]

2.2.2 Costs

[28]

2.3 Solar Modules Currently Available on the Market

2.3.1 Types of Solar Cell
2.4 Other cell Material

[30]
[30]
[31]

CHAPTER 3: PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

[40]

3.0 PV System Configuration

[41]

3.1 Central Inverter

[41]

3.2 String Inverter

[42]

3.3 Multi String Inverter

[42]

3.4 Module Integrated Inverter

[43]

3.5 Solar Energy Conversion Technology

[43]

3.5.1 Parabolic Trough

[43]

3.5.2 Linear Fresnel Reflector

[44]

3.5.3 Solar Power tower

[44]

3.5.4 Sterling Solar Dish

[45]

3.6 Photovoltaic System Description

[45]

3.6.1 Electrical Data

[45]

3.6.2 Temperature Coefficients

[46]

3.6.3 Mechanical Data

[46]

3.7 Testing Photovoltaic Cells

[47]

3.7.1 Forward Bias Test

[47]

3.7.2 Reverse Bias Test

[47]

3.7.3 Ambient Condition Consideration

[48]

3.7.4 Typical I-V test System

[48]

3.8 Basic Term Used in solar Power system

[48]

3.9 Energy storage Option and specification

[49]

3.9.1 Battery Storage

[49]

3.9.2 Determining Batteries

[50]

3.9.3 Determining Battery Size

[51]

3.10 Determining the No. of PV Module

[52]

3.11 Safety and Environment concerns

[53]

CHAPTER 4: REVIEW OF EARLIER WORK

[54]

4.0 Introduction of earlier work done

[55]

4.1 Review of Earlier Work

[55]

4.2 Objective of Work

[60]

CHPATER 5: PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT

[63]

5.0 Temperature Related Modification

[64]

5.1 Natural Convection

[64]

5.2 Fins

[65]

5.3 Forced Convection

[65]

5.4 Conduction

[65]

5.5 Irradiance Related Modification

[65]

5.6 Module Surface Modification

[65]

5.7 Solar Concentrators

[67]

5.8 Tracking Devices

[67]

CHAPTER6: PROJECT DESIGN INCORPORATING METHODOLOGY

6.0 Application selection

[69]
[70]

6.1 Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithms

[70]

6.2 Application Evaluation

[75]

6.3 Implementation Procedure

[76]

6.4 Performance

[77]

6.5 Modification Effect

[78]

6.6 Final Comments and Recommendation

[78]

CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION AND WORK IN FUTURE

[103]

CHAPTER 8: REFRENCE AND BIBILOGRAPHY

[104]

CHAPTER 9: PUBLICATION DUE IN COURSE OF WORK

[108]

Appendix A: Additional Information

[110]

Appendix B: Average Daily Isolation Maps

[111]

TABLE OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO.

FIGURE NAME

PAGE NO

Figure 1: Equivalent Circuit of PV cell with I-V Characteristics

[3]

Figure 2: Cross-Section of a PV Cell

[4]

Figure 3: Solar Panel Configurations

[5]

Figure 4: Schematic Diagram of Solar PV Cell

[6]

Figure 5: Electrical Equivalent circuit of the PV cell

[8]

Figure 6: I-V Curve of PV Cell and Associated Electrical Diagram

[9]

Figure 7: Simplified Equivalent Circuit Model for a PV Cell

[10]

Figure 8: Illuminated I-V Sweep Curve

[10]

Figure 9: Parallel connection of Solar Module

[11]

Figure 10 - Maximum Power for an I-V Sweep

[13]

Figure 11: Getting the Fill Factor from the I-V Sweep

[14]

Figure 12: Effect of Diverging Rs & RSH from Ideality

[15]

Figure 13: Obtaining Resistances from the I-V Curve

[15]

Figure 14: I-V Curve of Solar Cell without Light Excitation

[16]

Figure 15: Temperature Effect on I-V Curve

[20]

Figure 16: I-V Curve for Modules and Arrays

[22]

Figure 17: Module tilt parameter with respect to solar radiation

[22]

Figure 18: Solar isolation as a function of latitude and module angle (Tilt)

[24]

Figure 19: V-I and V-P curves at constant temperature (25C) and different insolation values

[24]

Figure 20: V-I Curve of solar PV cell with respect to solar Irradiance

[25]

Figure 21: P-V Curve of solar PV cell with respect to solar Irradiance

[25]

Figure 22: I-V Curve With respect to module temperature

[26]

Figure 23: P-V curves with respect to module temperature

[27]

Figure 24: Efficiency vs. irradiance graph curve parameter temperature

[27]

Figure 25: Shows the projected evolution of the levelized electricity cost from CSP

[29]

Figure 26: Future Levelized Cost for PV Technology (IEA, 2010b)

[29]

Figure 27: Future Investment Cost for Solar Technologies (DOE, 20012-2014)

[29]

Figure 28: Solar PV production and cost 2010- 2014

[30]

Figure 29: solar PV cell Dissections diagram showing each part

[33]

Figure 30: Multijunction solar PV Device

[36]

Figure 31: Multijunction Solar PV Device Fabrication plan

[37]

Figure 32: Central inverter Configuration

[41]

Figure 33: String Configuration

[42]

Figure 34: Multi String Configuration

[42]

Figure 35: Individual Inverter

[43]

Figure 36: Parabolic Trough Energy Conversion Process (US DOE, 2012)

[44]

Figure 37: Lineal Fresnel Energy Conversion Process (US DOE, 2012)

[44]

Figure 38: Solar Power Tower Energy Conversion Process (US DOE, 2012)

[45]

Figure 39: Sterling Solar Dish Energy Conversion Process (US DOE, 2012)

[45]

Figure 40: Example of a Test System for I-V Characterization

[48]

Figure 41: Optimum tilt for fixed and tracking system

[48]

Figure 42: Important points in the characteristic curve of a solar power plant

[61]

Figure 43: The output power and Temperature by PV

[61]

Figure 44: The Output Voltage and Current by PV

[62]

Figure 45: Suns height in a particular month for project site

[62]

Figure 46: Natural convection to cool solar PV panel

[64]

Figure 47: Different Solar Concentrators

[67]

Figure 48: Solar Tracking Devices to improve performance of PV Plant

[68]

Figure 49: PV panel characteristic curves for MPPT

[71]

Figure 50: The Flowchart of the P&O Algorithm

[71]

Figure 51: Incremental conductance methods

[72]

Figure 52: P-V curves depending on the irradiation

[73]

Figure 53: Current vs voltage curve at various irradiance levels & its maximum power point

[88]

Figure 54: Power versus voltage characteristics at four different irradiance levels

[89]

Figure 55: Table for calculation at various temperatures

[89]

Figure 56: variation of Fill factor with changing Irradiance

[90]

Figure 56: Matlab Model for MPPT Algorithm

[91]

Figure 57: MPPT Controller block Diagram

[91]

Figure 58: MPPT Controllers

[92]

Figure 59: Geographical site parameter

[110]

Figure 60: Solar Irradiation plan of India

[111]

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO.

TABLE NAME

PAGE NO.

Table 1: Comparison Table of Crystalline (Wafer-Based) and Thin-Film Photovoltaic Cells

[4]

Table 2: PV Module Characteristics for Standard Technologies

[11]

Table 3: Transposition Factors values of site

[22]

Table 4: Values of module tilt with angle of elevation of sun

[23]

Table 5: Table for electrical data of PV module

[45]

Table 6: Table for Temperature Coefficients

[46]

Table 7: Table for Mechanical Data

[46]

Table 8: PV module specification data table

[46]

Table 9: PV module specific table

[47]

Table 10: Installed plant site detail specification

[57]

Table 11: Installed plant site detail specification for current and voltage

[58]

Table 12: Installed plant site detail specification for mounting structure

[59]

Table 13: Installed plant site detail specification for junction Box

[59]

Table 14: Installed plant site detail specification for array junction box

[59]

Table 15: Installed plant site detail specification for sub main Box

[60]

Table 16: Installed plant site detail specification main junction Box

[60]

Table 17: Solar energy incident on a tilted surface to that on a horizontal surface values in winter and
spring for a day / every month from Sunrise to Sunset

[66]

Table 18: Solar energy incident on a tilted surface to that on a horizontal surface values in summer and
autumn for a day in every month from sunrise to sunset

[66]

Table 19: Measured and estimated Hourly global solar radiation (kwh/m2) using measured daily values
for MP

[79]

Table 20: Estimated Hourly global solar radiation (kwh/m 2) using daily values predicted for Bhopal (JanDec, 2013)

[80]

Table 21: Percentage variation in estimation of hourly values using measured daily values using
predicted daily solar radiation

[80]

Table 22: Measured and estimated Hourly diffuse solar radiation (kwh/m2) for Rajgarh MP

[81]

Table 23: Estimated Hourly global radiation (kwh/m2) for Rajgarh

[81]

Table 24: Estimated hourly diffuse solar radiation (kwh/m2) for Rajgarh

[82]

Table 25: Computed & estimated hourly global radiation tilt (tilt = lat) factors for south facing surfaces
(Azimuth zero) for Rajgarh

[82]

Table 26: Total Estimated and measured hourly total solar radiation (kwh/m2) on different orientation for
the month for May in Madhya Pradesh

[83]

Table 27: Total Estimated and measured hourly total solar radiation (kwh/m2) on different orientation for
the Month of December for Madhya Pradesh

[84]

Table: 28 Estimated total hourly solar radiation (kwh/m2) on south orientation for Rajgarh MP

[84]

Table 29: Estimated total hourly solar radiation (kwh/m2) on east orientation for Rajgarh M.P

[85]

Table 30: Estimated total hourly solar radiation (kwh/m2) on west orientation for Rajgarh MP

[85]

Table 31: Estimated total hourly solar radiation (kwh/m2) on north orientation for Rajgarh M.P

[86]

Table 32: Estimated total hourly solar radiation (kwh/m2) on south orientation for Rajgarh MP

[86]

Table 33: Estimated total hourly solar radiation (kwh/m2) on south orientation (tilt = lat + 15) for Rajgarh
MP

[87]

Table 34: Comparative study of soar cell w.r.t. t fill factor

Table 35: Different values of solar PV module for MATLAB Setup

[90]
[93]