Energy, exergy, sustainability, and economic analyses of a grid-connected solar power plant consisting of bifacial PV modules with solar tracking system on a single axis

This study presents the energy, exergy, sustainability and exergoeconomic analysis of a grid-connected solar power plant with a power capacity of 226.4 MWe with a single axis solar tracking system consisting of monocrystalline and bifacial solar panels manufactured with half-cut technology. This solar power plant is located in Karapinar district of Konya province in Turkiye, between 37 & DEG;45 and 37 & DEG;47 north latitudes and 33 & DEG;33 and 33 & DEG;35 east longitudes. Based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics, the 6-month average values of the energy efficiency, maximum electrical efficiency, power conversion efficiency, exergy efficiency, sustainability index, thermoeconomic, and exergoeconomic parameters of the power plant were evaluated in detail. As a result of the energy and exergy analyses, the energy efficiency, maximum electricity efficiency, power conversion efficiency, and exergy efficiency of the plant were found to be 75.50%, 36.42%, 22.34%, and 21.98%, respectively. The sustainability index of the power plant is 1.29. Thermoeconomic and exergoeconomic parameter values were calculated as 2.43 W/$ and 2.32 W/$, respectively, using EXCEM method.

Automated summary

This study conducts an analysis of the energy, exergy, sustainability, and exergoeconomic performance of a grid-connected solar power plant. The study evaluates the plant's efficiency, sustainability index, and thermoeconomic and exergoeconomic parameters. The results show that the plant has high energy efficiency and moderate levels of electricity and power conversion efficiency. The sustainability index indicates positive environmental and economic performance. The thermoeconomic and exergoeconomic parameter values suggest good economic viability.