Modelling of the efficiency of the photovoltaic modules: Grid-connected plants to the Cuban national electrical system. (15th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soler-Castillo, Yhosvany; Rimada, Julio César; Hernández, Luis; Martínez-Criado, Gema
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 223(2021)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2021-07-15
• Subjects: Photovoltaic -- Solar cell -- Photovoltaic performance models -- Energy losses -- Grid-connected PV plants; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2021.05.052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Further improvements to an empirical model for photovoltaic performance is proposed. Attenuation of the incoming light due to reflections on the module surfaces plays a key role. Data recorded in a plant connected to the Cuban Electric System support the calculations. A severe cost depletion of PV system by a factor two is also forecast in the next twenty years. Abstract: Photovoltaic power generation capacity is increasing tremendously as a result of strong renewable energy policies and environmental concerns. In particular, the use of solar modules to generate electricity has grown significantly in Cuba recently. Based on the statistics published by the European Commission, the installed capacity of the photovoltaic modules increased from 15 to 100 MW in the timeframe of 2015–2019. In this context, efficiency is one of the most critical figures of merit of a photovoltaic module. It describes the ratio of the produced electrical power to the received solar irradiance. In this work, a widely-used model of efficiency is considered, and the incorporation of the pre-module losses due to light reflections is our original contribution. Experimental data recorded during eight months in a plant connected to the Cuban National Electric System are employed to examined and check the proposed approach. Our findings provide a key achievement in the estimation of the module efficiency within a system. In addition, based on the previous results, we perform a rough evaluation of the prevision of the photovoltaic system energy production using levelized cost of energy within the framework of the discounting method, showing a drastic drop by a factor two in the coming two decades.