Performance Assessment of a Solar Module Under Different Weather Conditions Through Simulation and Experimental Validation; A Case Study of a 2.5 Mw Solar Power Plant at Navrongo, Ghana

Abstract

The global agenda of increasing the amount of renewable energy used in many nations and organizations is to harness solar energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) cells or systems. However, the generation of power through PV systems is highly affected by the weather conditions. This study is to assess the performance of a JKM 295P-72 solar module in terms of its maximum power output and power output performance efficiency under different weather conditions. Two JKM295P-72 polycrystalline solar modules were used for the outdoor experimental setup for each weather condition - one as the control and the other as the experimental module. The electrical characteristic curves were generated through MATLAB, R2018a simulation of equivalent circuit model equation of the PV module. The results indicate that the solar module is best performed during its clean (control) state with a performance efficiency of 17.4 % and a maximum power output of 282. 8 W; followed by the harmattan module with a performance efficiency of 16.12 % and power output of 259.1 W. This was followed by the dry-windy and then by the rainy weather conditions. The reductions in power output and the reduction in module efficiency under each of the weather conditions were determined. Reasons accounting for the differences in performance under the different weather conditions have been presented. Finally, the relationship between power output, efficiency and solar irradiance has also been highlighted. The performance results for the two consecutive years during which the study was conducted were highly correlated. This study will enable managers of the solar power plant to make informed decisions on the expected output power generated under different weather conditions.