A stochastic method for stand-alone photovoltaic system sizing

Photovoltaic systems utilize solar energy to generate electrical energy to meet load demands. Optimal sizing of these systems includes the characterization of solar radiation. Solar radiation at the Earth’s surface has random characteristics and has been the focus of various academic studies. The objective of this study was to stochastically analyze parameters involved in the sizing of photovoltaic generators and develop a methodology for sizing of stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Energy storage for isolated systems and solar radiation were analyzed stochastically due to their random behavior. For the development of the methodology proposed stochastic analysis were studied including the Markov chain and beta probability density function. The obtained results were compared with those for sizing of stand-alone using from the Sandia method (deterministic), in which the stochastic model presented more reliable values. Both models present advantages and disadvantages, however, the stochastic one is more complex and provides more reliable and realistic results.     

A general multivariate qualitative model for sizing stand-alone photovoltaic systems

We considered a general model for sizing a stand-alone photovoltatic system, using as energy input data the information available in any irradiation atlas. The parameters of the model are estimated by multivariate linear regression. The results obtained from the numerical loss of load probability size method (LOLP) were used as initial input data to fit the mode. For this fit we have used daily global irradiation data taken from 222 US meteorological stations for the period 1961–1990. The expression proposed allows us to determine the photovoltatic array size, with a coefficient of determination to 0.96. This coefficient is independent of the used LOLP value. System parameters and mean monthly values for daily global irradiation on the modules surface are taken as independent variables in the model. It also shows that the proposed model can be used with the same accuracy for other locations not considered in the estimation of the model. We also propose a model which would allow us to calculate optimum tilts for the array surface taking the latitude into account as well as the variability of the incident irradiation.     

Effect of different load profiles on the loss-of-load probability of stand-alone photovoltaic systems

As well as the technical design criteria, the performance of a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system depends on other variables, such as the solar radiation distribution and load profile. Different load profiles are encountered in stand-alone PV applications. Load profiles may vary from 24-h constant to only nighttime or oppositely only daytime load profiles. This article presents results of system performance simulations for analysing the effect of different load profiles on the system performance. The load demand used in this article is appropriate for an average residential application with an average 9.4 kWh of daily energy demand. The loss-of-load probability (LLP) of the PV system is simulated for five different weekly load profiles and the results are examined based on techno-economic parameters, including the total system cost or alternatively the cost of electricity per kWh for a 20-year system lifetime. The results are drawn based on 1-year long hourly time-series solar radiation and ambient temperature data.     

Procedure for optimal design of hydrogen production plants with reserve storage and a stand-alone photovoltaic power system

A procedure for sizing an electrolytic hydrogen production plant powered by a stand-alone photovoltaic system is described in this study. Our fundamental proposal is to compensate the loss of load probability of the photovoltaic system, by means of a hydrogen complementary storage. We compute the necessary hydrogen volume of that reserve storage. Using the isoreliability map of curves that characterizes a given location, we determine the size of the photovoltaic system that would be needed to generate a predetermined flow of hydrogen. Finally, we share information on our own experience relating to the design of the experimental installation at Villafría, located in the city of Burgos, Spain.     

Improved procedure for stand-alone photovoltaic systems sizing using METEOSAT satellite images

In this paper, solar data derived from METEOSAT images are used to design stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Using a combination of both daily WEFAX satellite images and a TAG model, hourly global solar irradiation data on a horizontal plane are synthesized with a good accuracy (RMSE<80 Wh m⁻²). Then, adding the Hay and Hollands' correlations, generic hourly irradiances on tilted planes are computed and used to size stand-alone PV systems.     

Comparative study of artificial intelligence techniques for sizing of a hydrogen-based stand-alone photovoltaic/wind hybrid system

As non-polluting reliable energy sources, stand-alone photovoltaic/wind/fuel cell (PV/wind/FC) hybrid systems are being studied from various aspects in recent years. In such systems, optimum sizing is the main issue for having a cost-effective system. This paper evaluates the performance of different artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for optimum sizing of a PV/wind/FC hybrid system to continuously satisfy the load demand with the minimal total annual cost. For this aim, the sizing problem is formulated and four well-known heuristic algorithms, namely, particle swarm optimization (PSO), tabu search (TS), simulated annealing (SA), and harmony search (HS), are applied to the system and the results are compared in terms of the total annual cost. It can be seen that not only average results produced by PSO are more promising than those of the other algorithms but also PSO has the most robustness. As another investigation, the sizing is also performed for a PV/wind/battery hybrid system and the results are compared with those of the PV/wind/FC system.     

A comparison of hydrogen storage technologies for solar-powered stand-alone power supplies: A photovoltaic system sizing approach

This paper compares the performance of three different solar based technologies for a stand-alone power supply (SAPS) using different methods to address the seasonal variability of solar insolation—(i) photovoltaic (PV) panels with battery storage; (ii) PV panels with electrolyser and hydrogen (_H2)$({\mathrm{H}}_2)$ storage; and (iii) photoelectrolytic (PE) dissociation of water for _H2${\mathrm{H}}_2$ generation and storage. The system size is determined at three different Australian locations with greatly varying latitudes—Darwin (12^°S${12}^{°}\mathrm{S}$), Melbourne (38^°S${38}^{°}\mathrm{S}$) and Macquarie Island (55^°S${55}^{°}\mathrm{S}$). While the PV/electrolyser system requires fewer PV panels compared to the PV/battery scenario due to the seasonal storage ability of _H2${\mathrm{H}}_2$, the final number of PV modules is only marginally less at the highest latitude due to the lower energy recovery efficiency of _H2${\mathrm{H}}_2$ compared to batteries. For the PE technology, an upper limit on the cost of such a system is obtained if it is to be competitive with the existing PV/battery technology.     

Sizing of stand-alone photovoltaic power supply system based on genetic algorithm and neuro-fuzzy: application for isolated areas

This paper deals with the application of genetic algorithm (GA) and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference scheme (ANFIS), for the prediction of the optimal sizing coefficient of stand-alone photovoltaic supply (SAPVS) systems in remote areas. A database of total solar radiation data for 60 sites in Algeria has been used to determine the iso-reliability curves of a PVS system (C _A, C _S) for each site. Initially, the GA is used for determining the optimal coefficient (C _Aop, C _Sop) for each site by minimising the optimal cost (objective function). These coefficients allow the determination of the number of PV modules and the capacity of the battery. Subsequently, an ANFIS is used for the prediction of the optimal coefficient in remote areas based only on geographical coordinates. Therefore, 56 couples of C _Aop and C _Sop have been used for the training of the network and four couples have been used for testing and validation of the proposed technique. The simulation results have been analysed and compared with the alternative techniques. The technique has been applied and tested for Algeria locations, but it can be generalised for any location in the world.     

A model for optimal sizing of photovoltaic irrigation water pumping systems

The previous methods for optimal sizing of photovoltaic (PV) irrigation water pumping systems separately considered the demand for hydraulic energy and possibilities of its production from available solar energy with the PV pumping system. Unlike such methods, this work approaches the subject problem systematically, meaning that all relevant system elements and their characteristics have been analyzed: PV water pumping system, local climate, boreholes, soil, crops and method of irrigation; therefore, the objective function has been defined in an entirely new manner. The result of such approach is the new mathematical hybrid simulation optimization model for optimal sizing of PV irrigation water pumping systems, that uses dynamic programming for optimizing, while the constraints were defined by the simulation model. The model was tested on two areas in Croatia, and it has been established that this model successfully takes into consideration all characteristic values and their relations in the integrated system. The optimal nominal electric power of PV generator, obtained in the manner presented, are relatively smaller than when the usual method of sizing is used. The presented method for solving the problem has paved the way towards the general model for optimal sizing of all stand-alone PV systems that have some type of energy storage, as well as optimal sizing of PV power plant that functions together with the storage hydroelectric power plant.     

Design and sizing of stand-alone photovoltaic hydrogen system for HCNG production

Hydrogen from renewable energy sources is a clean and sustainable option as a fuel and is seen as a potential alternative to gasoline in the future. However, in the near future the use of hydrogen in internal combustion engines is possible at low fraction in mixture with compressed natural gas (HCNG fuel).     

Dynamic behavior of PEM FCPPs under various load conditions and voltage stability analysis for stand-alone residential applications

In this paper, dynamic behavior and performance of a fuel cell power plant (FCPP) which operates in parallel with a battery bank is tested under classified load conditions, such as mostly resistive, mostly inductive, resistive-inductive and non-linear loads. Thereafter, voltage stability analysis is performed using the dynamic response of the FCPP for stand-alone residential applications. Simulation results are obtained using the MATLAB^® and Simulink^® software packages, based on the mathematical and dynamic electrical models of the system. Using the experimental results, a validated model has been realized and voltage stability analysis is performed through this model.     

Searching for public benefits in solar subsidies: A case study on the Australian government’s residential photovoltaic rebate program

The Australian Government ran a renewable energy program in the 2000s that provided rebates to householders who acquired solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. Originally called the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP), it was rebranded the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) in November 2007. This paper evaluates both the PVRP and SHCP using measures of cost-effectiveness and fairness. It finds that the program was a major driver of a more than six-fold increase in PV generation capacity in the 2000s, albeit off a low base. In 2010, solar PV’s share of the Australian electricity market was still only 0.1%. The program was also environmentally ineffective and costly, reducing emissions by 0.09 MtCO₂-e/yr over the life of the rebated PV systems at an average cost of between AU$238 and AU$282/tCO₂-e. In addition, the data suggest there were equity issues associated with the program, with 66% of all successful applicants residing in postal areas that were rated as medium–high or high on a Socio-economic Status (SES) scale.     

The economics of a solar/diesel hybrid — A case study

The energy system, discussed, was a typical hybrid where a farmer decided that with the escalating cost of diesel as well as the logistics attached to the supply of diesel to his farm, adding a photovoltaic array to his diesel based system would make economic sense. A study of the energy consumption in comparison with the cost input for different scenarios was carried out.     

Photovoltaic building and infrastructure integration: The European experience of improvement in technology and economics

In this article the following items are discussed: (a) Why PV in buildings; (b) Why the cell costs do not tell the whole truth about PV; (c) What are “cost saving” PV building integration products; (d) What are rate-based incentives and “green pricing”; and (e) Lessons learnt and conclusions.     

Performance evaluation of low concentrating photovoltaic/thermal systems: A case study from Sweden

Some of the main bottlenecks for the development and commercialization of photovoltaic/thermal hybrids are the lack of an internationally recognized standard testing procedure as well as a method to compare different hybrids with each other and with conventional alternatives. A complete methodology to characterize, simulate and evaluate concentrating photovoltaic/thermal hybrids has been proposed and exemplified in a particular case study. By using the suggested testing method, the hybrid parameters were experimentally determined. These were used in a validated simulation model that estimates the hybrid outputs in different geographic locations. Furthermore, the method includes a comparison of the hybrid performance with conventional collectors and photovoltaic modules working side-by-side. The measurements show that the hybrid electrical efficiency is 6.4% while the optical efficiency is 0.45 and the U-value 1.9 W/m² °C. These values are poor when compared with the parameters of standard PV modules and flat plate collectors. Also, the beam irradiation incident on a north-south axis tracking surface is 20-40% lower than the global irradiation incident on a fixed surface at optimal tilt. There is margin of improvement for the studied hybrid but this combination makes it difficult for concentrating hybrids to compete with conventional PV modules and flat plate collectors.     

Modeling and simulation of a stand-alone photovoltaic system using an adaptive artificial neural network: Proposition for a new sizing procedure

This paper presents an adaptive artificial neural network (ANN) for modeling and simulation of a Stand-Alone photovoltaic (SAPV) system operating under variable climatic conditions. The ANN combines the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LM) with an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter in order to accelerate the convergence of the network. SAPV systems are widely used in renewable energy source (RES) applications and it is important to be able to evaluate the performance of installed systems. The modeling of the complete SAPV system is achieved by combining the models of the different components of the system (PV-generator, battery and regulator). A global model can identify the SAPV characteristics by knowing only the climatological conditions. In addition, a new procedure proposed for SAPV system sizing is presented in this work. Different measured signals of solar radiation sequences and electrical parameters (photovoltaic voltage and current) from a SAPV system installed at the south of Algeria have been recorded during a period of 5-years. These signals have been used for the training and testing the developed models, one for each component of the system and a global model of the complete system. The ANN model predictions allow the users of SAPV systems to predict the different signals for each model and identify the output current of the system for different climatological conditions. The comparison between simulated and experimental signals of the SAPV gave good results. The correlation coefficient obtained varies from 90% to 96% for each estimated signals, which is considered satisfactory. A comparison between multilayer perceptron (MLP), radial basis function (RBF) network and the proposed LM–IIR model is presented in order to confirm the advantage of this model.     

Estimation of the potential array output charge in the performance analysis of stand-alone photovoltaic systems without MPPT (Case study: Mediterranean climate)

The potential array output energy, E_P, stated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in their European Guidelines for the Assessment of Photovoltaic Plants and the IEC Standard 61724 does not estimate properly the potential array output of stand-alone photovoltaic (SAPV) systems without maximum power point tracker (MPPT) as it is the case for SAPV systems with MPPT and grid connected systems. In this way, the main purpose of this paper is to validate an expression that compromises simplicity and accuracy when estimating the potential array output of SAPV systems without MPPT. This issue can be of high interest to photovoltaic (PV) practitioners and experts as it can improve the analysis performance of this type of systems, helping to discriminate better the different losses in this kind of systems. Furthermore, a study of the array potential estimation through different expressions will be developed in order to evaluate which matches better the array potential output in SAPV system without MPPT. Although the analysis will be focused especially in Mediterranean climates, it will be derived some general conclusions that can be considered in other climates.     

A stand-alone hybrid photovoltaic,fuel cell and battery system: A case study of Tocantins,Brazil

Abstract: This paper aimed to evaluate the use of a photovoltaic-fuel cell-battery system to supply electric power in an isolated community in the Amazon region. The study focused on technical and cost issues of a pilot-project set up in an environmental protection area, located in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. A comparative analysis of the costs of the hybrid system after optimization was made with the aid of the HOMER^© (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables) program. The analysis shows that the optimal system's initial cost, net present cost, and electricity cost with the hydrogen storage system is US$ 87,138; US$102,323; and US$ 1.351/kWh, respectively. Components are costly (fuel cell and electrolyzer), with the photovoltaic modules and the electrolyzer presenting the main cost of system. Based on the results, the study confirmed that the best option for storing energy from photovoltaic systems is still the use of batteries. In the short term, implementation of hybrid photovoltaic-fuel cell-battery system in the region remains prohibitive due to the high cost of its components.     

Allocation and sizing of battery energy storage system for primary frequency control based on bio-inspired methods: A case study

This paper presents a new procedure for optimal allocation and optimal sizing of a battery energy storage system (BESS) for primary frequency support in an isolated power system. For the BESS allocation, a transmission bus system with larger frequency decline is recognized and the BESS sizing is performed by a constrained optimization strategy based on a new modified metaheuristic, called Developed Harris Hawks Optimization (DHHO). The simulation results of the suggested DHHO are compared with Bat Optimization Algorithm (BOA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) from the literature to show the method efficiency. The final results showed higher precision with lower required iterations for the suggested DHHO method. Also, the proposed DHHO gives lower investment costs for BESS with lower power and energy requirement toward the other compared methods.     

Optimal sizing of a grid-connected PV system for various PV module technologies and inclinations, inverter efficiency characteristics and locations

An optimal sizing methodology based on an energy approach is described and applied to grid-connected photovoltaic systems taking into account the photovoltaic module technology and inclination, the inverter type and the location. A model describing the efficiency for m-Si, p-Si, a-Si and CIS is used. The method has been applied on various meteorological stations in Bulgaria and Corsica (France). The main parameter affecting the sizing is the inverter efficiency curve. The influence of the PV module technology seems less important except for amorphous photovoltaic modules for which special remarks have been made. The inclination on the PV system influences the performances particularly when the inverter is undersized compared to the PV peak power.