Photovoltaic technology in Malaysia: past,present, and future plan

This article presents solar energy or specifically the solar photovoltaic (PV) development outlook in Malaysia. The paper first introduces the massive potential of solar energy in the country, the key players in the solar energy development and the early solar energy policies, and programmes in the country. The most important to the PV development is the Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaic initiative, which is presented in this paper followed by an explanation on the Feed-in Tariff recently introduced in the country to encourage new solar PV projects. The outlook for solar PV in Malaysia is optimistic and as the uptake of solar PV increases, the unit cost is coming down rapidly. Solar PV is expected to be the most competitive Renewable Energy (RE) source, with the potential to achieve grid parity for electrical power in the country in the near future, and surpassing all other REs combined by 2050.     

电化学储能系统在整县制屋顶光伏中应用前景分析

屋顶分布式光伏作为可"自发自用"、"余电上网"的电源已得到广泛应用,随着国家政策的大力扶持,光伏发电技术和储能技术相辅相成逐渐成为主要产业.首先,从屋顶分布式光伏的扶持政策以及试点应用出发,然后根据当前屋顶分布式光伏发展亟待解决的问题分析,提出储能在适用于整县制屋顶光伏发展的核心技术:屋顶光伏和储能的场景生成和评价、屋...     

The megawatt solar roof at the new Munich Trade Fair Centre – an advanced and successful new concept for PV plants in the megawatt range

Large PV plants built in recent years are based on existing components and a system technology which has remained basically unchanged or been modified only slightly. If this could be referred to as further development, it could only be in minor details. The megawatt plant at the new Munich Trade Fair Centre [E. Cunow, B. Giesler, P. Hopf, G. Maier, One megawatt photovoltaic plant at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre – the world's largest PV rooftop plant, Proceedings of the Second World Conference and Exhibition on Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion,Vienna, Austria, 1998, pp. 2472–2475] represents a significant advance in large PV plant technology – both in terms of system technology and the components employed, operational control and costs. A particular highlight is the very high-performance ratio in the first-half of 1999 of 84%. The plant has been operating successfully since Spring 1998.     

The Hokuto mega-solar project

Solar generation systems are one of the measures for reducing global warming. An installed capacity target of solar generation systems in our country will be set 4.82 GW in 2010, while the total installed capacity is still 1.92 GW in 2007. About 80% of the systems are mainly residential use and each is very small. Constructions of some large-scale solar generation systems will be expected and intensive development of related technologies are urgent. The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) advertised for consignment research business “Verification of Grid Stabilization with Large-scale Photovoltaic (PV) Power Generation Systems” in 2006. The verification tests are carried out in two sites of Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture and Wakkanai City, Hokkaido. The outlines and the developing targets and some of studying results of the Hokuto mega-solar project (HMSP) are introduced in this paper.     

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.     

Solar radiation research for photovoltaic applications

This paper gives an overview of the fiscal year 1990 research activities and results under the Solar Radiation Research Task of the Photovoltaic Advanced Research and Development Project at the Solar Energy Research Institute. The activities under this task include developing and applying measurement techniques, instrumentation, and data analysis and modeling to understand and quantify the response of photovoltaic devices to variations in broad-band and spectral solar radiation.     

A model and heat transfer correlation for rooftop integrated photovoltaics with a passive air cooling channel

Photovoltaic (PV) panels can experience undesirably high temperatures due to the heat input by that part of the absorbed solar radiation which is not converted into electricity. Regulation of the temperature rise is necessary to maintain maximum solar to electric conversion. One approach for temperature regulation, suitable for rooftop integrated PV, involves fitting an open channel beneath the PV module. The panels are cooled by radiation and free convection as ambient air rises through the channel. A scale analysis and numerical study of PV modules with a back mounted air channel provides heat transfer rates over a practical range of operating conditions and channel geometries. A generalized correlation for the average channel Nusselt number for the combined convective-radiative cooling is developed for modified channel Rayleigh numbers from 10² to 10⁸, channel aspect ratios between 15 and 50 and inclination angles between 30° and 90°. The usefulness of a passive cooling channel to improve PV efficiency is illustrated by system analyses of typical PV modules.     

深圳首个户用太阳能示范系统分析

户用太阳能系统是非常有发展前景的可再生洁净能源利用方式之一。本文对深圳首个户用太阳能应用系统从结构原理、设备性能、建设成本、工作方式、经济效益和社会效益等方面进行了全面系统的分析。指出了在我国发达城市地区推广使用户用太阳能系统所产生的经济效益和社会效益，并由此阐明了该户用太阳能系统对我国户用太阳能并网发电与光伏产业发展的示范意义。     

A new solar radiation database for estimating PV performance in Europe and Africa

The Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) is a web application for the estimation of the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Europe and Africa, which has become widely used by the PV community in Europe. We here present the results of adapting the solar radiation data calculated from satellite data in the Climate Monitoring Satellite Application Facility (CM-SAF) to PVGIS. The CM-SAF solar radiation database is characterized by very low overall bias and shows good accuracy at validation sites. The application to PVGIS brings important improvements relative to the existing solar radiation databases within PVGIS.     

A novel optimization sizing model for hybrid solar-wind power generation system

This paper develops the Hybrid Solar-Wind System Optimization Sizing (HSWSO) model, to optimize the capacity sizes of different components of hybrid solar-wind power generation systems employing a battery bank. The HSWSO model consists of three parts: the model of the hybrid system, the model of Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP) and the model of the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCE). The flow chart of the HSWSO model is also illustrated. With the incorporated HSWSO model, the sizing optimization of hybrid solar-wind power generation systems can be achieved technically and economically according to the system reliability requirements. A case study is reported to show the importance of the HSWSO model for sizing the capacities of wind turbines, PV panel and battery banks of a hybrid solar-wind renewable energy system.     

Effects of solar photovoltaic panels on roof heat transfer

Indirect benefits of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems for building insulation are quantified through measurements and modeling. Measurements of the thermal conditions throughout a roof profile on a building partially covered by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels were conducted in San Diego, California. Thermal infrared imagery on a clear April day demonstrated that daytime ceiling temperatures under the PV arrays were up to 2.5 K cooler than under the exposed roof. Heat flux modeling showed a significant reduction in daytime roof heat flux under the PV array. At night the conditions reversed and the ceiling under the PV arrays was warmer than for the exposed roof indicating insulating properties of PV. Simulations showed no benefit (but also no disadvantage) of the PV covered roof for the annual heating load, but a 5.9 kWh m⁻² (or 38%) reduction in annual cooling load. The reduced daily variability in rooftop surface temperature under the PV array reduces thermal stresses on the roof and leads to energy savings and/or human comfort benefits especially for rooftop PV on older warehouse buildings.     

Performance Characteristics of 350 kW Photovoltaic Power System for Saudi Arabian Villages

The performance characteristics of the Saudi Solar Village Project, one of several projects sponsored by the Saudi Arabian-United States Program for Cooperation in the Field of Solar Energy (SOLERAS), a five-year jointly-funded $100M program, are presented in this paper. It is original and far reaching with respect to the scope and variety of solar technologies involved as well as the unique joint and cooperative manner in which the technology involved is developed and transferred.

One of the program's objectives is to enhance the quality of life in rural areas within traditional ways of life. The Saudi Solar Village Project thus seeks to determine the feasibility of utilizing solar power to generate electricity in remote areas not served by existing electric power grid facilities. Details of the design of the 350 kW photovoltaic power system and its various subsystems are presented and the performance of the system and subsystems during initial acceptance testing of the system are discussed in this paper. The system, which to date has performed very well and in accordance with design specification, has combined both standard hardware and state-of-the-art concentrator photovoltaic subsystems, to yield the largest stand-alone tracking concentrator photovoltaic system in the world.     

A multipurpose dual-axis solar tracker with two tracking strategies

This paper deals with a multipurpose dual-axis solar tracker that can be applied to solar power systems. This tracker employs a declination-clock mounting system that locates the primary axis in east-west direction. Based on this mounting system, normal tracking strategy and daily adjustment strategy are developed for flat Photovoltaic (PV) systems and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems respectively. While the former strategy keeps the tracking errors smaller than the pre-specified values, the latter one simplifies the tracking process by adjusting the primary axis once a day and driving the secondary axis to rotate at a constant speed of 15°/h. Results of the accuracy test indicate that the tracking error of the normal tracking strategy is within 0.15°. The other strategy may have greater tracking errors, but its annual average cosine loss for flat PV systems is estimated to be below 1.3%. Furthermore, in the test on the output of the PV modules, it is found that the average energy efficiency of the normal tracking PV, compared with the fixed PV, is more than 23.6%. And the average energy efficiency of the daily adjusted PV is more than 31.8%. Results of the experiment show that the two tracking strategies are both feasible for the developed tracker.     

Business models and financing options for a rapid scale-up of rooftop solar power systems in Thailand

Diverse solar PV business models and financing options exist in the international landscape, helping expand and accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar PV systems. The conditions for their emergence are context specific, depending on the policies, regulations, incentives, and market conditions of each country. After a review of the international landscape, this paper compiles and analyzes business models and financing options for rooftop solar PV investment in Thailand that have emerged during the period between 2013 and 2015. Despite policy discontinuity for the support of rooftop solar systems, diverse business models and financing options are driving market expansion and expanding solar access to more Thai consumers. Drawing on our policy and regulatory analyses and in-depth interviews with business representatives, we identify four types of business models and one financing option. The business models include Roof Rental, Solar PPA, Solar Leasing, and Community Solar, and the financing option is the solar loan. We analyze the drivers for their emergence, barriers to their success, and the risks from the business owners' and consumers' viewpoints. Our policy recommendation is focused on crafting a net-metering regulation with evidence-based studies on the potential costs and benefits to different stakeholders.     

ESTI-LOG PV plant monitoring system

The European Solar Test Installation developed the ESTI-sensor (Ossenbrink and Münzer, Proc. 11th EC Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conf., 1992, pp. 333–336, Ossenbrink and Helmke, German 1000 Roofs Programme Coordination Meeting, January 1994) a low-cost solar irradiance measuring device which in a short period of time has become a well-known device for monitoring and evaluation of PV installations and a new standard for PV power plant monitoring systems. To further lower the cost of a monitoring system, and to increase performance, ESTI proposed a lowest-cost system, where all necessary electronics are laminated within the sensor. For this purpose a single-chip controller was foreseen, which measures both solar cell signals (V_oc, and I_sc) and performs the algorithm to determine irradiance and temperature.     

Design of a new three-degree of freedom spherical motor for photovoltaic-tracking systems

Photovoltaic (PV) panels directly convert the solar energy to electrical energy. The amount of electrical energy converted by PV panels mainly depends on incident solar radiation. Sun tracking systems can be used to maximize energy production since they ensure keeping the photovoltaic panels perpendicular to the incoming solar radiation. Spherical motors, which have the linear and circular movement ability in three independent dimensions, can be used for precisely tracking the sun as a solution. In this study, a spherical motor controlled by a micro-controller is designed for a PV-tracking system with the ability to move on two axes. Performance of PV-tracking system over a fixed tilted one is evaluated for the climate condition of Denizli, Turkey. The designed sun tracking system is observed to be improving this performance apparently using the output voltages obtained for one day.     

飞轮电池对船舶燃机发电模块的动态平稳特性研究

在某船舶燃机模块发电模块仿真模型的基础上增加了飞轮电池储能系统,对整个系统的动态特性进行建模仿真研究。研究结果表明,飞轮电池储能系统能够有效地平稳大负荷波动对电网的影响,提高了船舶燃气轮机发电模块的稳定性。     

Solar Technological Progress and Use of Solar Energy in the World

Solar energy can potentially play a very important role in providing most of the heating, cooling and electricity needs of the world The sun has produced energy for billions of years. Solar energy is the solar radiation that reaches the earth. There are a variety of different technologies used in order to take advantage of solar energy. The primary solar energy technologies include photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, and solar heating and cooling systems. Today solar sources provide around 10% of the energy used worldwide, but in the developing countries their share is still of the order of 40%. In 1999, installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity was 594 MWp in the world. Japan has the highest PV capacity as a result of an important program to support the development of PV markets. Japan had a PV capacity of 205 MWp in 1999.     

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy; latest developments in the building integrated and hybrid PV systems

Environmental concerns are growing and interest in environmental issues is increasing and the idea of generating electricity with less pollution is becoming more and more attractive. Unlike conventional generation systems, fuel of the solar photovoltaic energy is available at no cost. And solar photovoltaic energy systems generate electricity pollution-free and can easily be installed on the roof of residential as well as on the wall of commercial buildings as grid-connected PV application. In addition to grid-connected rooftop PV systems, solar photovoltaic energy offers a solution for supplying electricity to remote located communities and facilities, those not accessible by electricity companies.The interest in solar photovoltaic energy is growing worldwide. Today, more than 3500 MW of photovoltaic systems have been installed all over the world. Since 1970, the PV price has continuously dropped [8]. This price drop has encouraged worldwide application of small-scale residential PV systems. These recent developments have led researchers concerned with the environment to undertake extensive research projects for harnessing renewable energy sources including solar energy. The usage of solar photovoltaic as a source of energy is considered more seriously making future of this technology looks promising.The objective of this contribution is to present the latest developments in the area of solar photovoltaic energy systems. A further objective of this contribution is to discuss the long-term prospect of the solar photovoltaic energy as a sustainable energy supply.