Performance analysis of a 190 kWp grid interactive solar photovoltaic power plant in India

The performance analysis of a 190 kWp solar photovoltaic power plant installed at Khatkar-Kalan, India, is carried out. The final yield, reference yield and performance ratio, are found to vary from 1.45 to 2.84 kWh/kWp-day, 2.29 to 3.53 kWh/kWp-day and 55-83% respectively. The annual average performance ratio, capacity factor and system efficiency are found to be 74%, 9.27% and 8.3% respectively. The average annual measured energy yield of the plant is found to be 812.76 kWh/kWp. The average annual predicted energy yield is found to be 823 kWh/kWp using PVSYST. The estimated energy yield is in close agreement with measured results with an uncertainty of 1.4%. The total estimated system losses due to irradiance, temperature, module quality, array mismatch, ohmic wiring and inverter, are found to be 31.7%. The study shows that energy generated is maximum during March, September, and October and minimum in January The performance of the system is compared with PV systems installed worldwide and found comparable. The results presented provide insight to the long-term performance of the solar power plant under actual operating conditions in India. The need for optimizing solar panel inclination is emphasized for maximizing power generation. Further, follow-up research studies are also identified. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.