An improved model and performance analysis for grid-connected photovoltaic system in Oman

Area of Science:

• Renewable Energy Systems
• Photovoltaic Technology
• Solar Energy Resource Assessment

Background:

• Photovoltaic (PV) systems offer environmentally friendly energy but face operational variability.
• Evaluating solar energy resources requires understanding environmental impacts on PV system performance.
• Key operational parameters affecting PV output include solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and module temperature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an improved mathematical model for simulating photovoltaic systems.
• To identify and quantify the influence of environmental parameters on PV system efficiency.
• To optimize operational strategies for enhanced solar energy generation.

Main Methods:

• Mathematical analysis including correlation and regression coefficients to determine parameter influence.
• Development of a simplified, accurate mathematical model based on the loss ratio, eliminating unknown parameters.
• Validation of the improved model using hourly data from a grid-connected PV system in Oman (2017-2018) in MATLAB Simulink.

Main Results:

• Solar irradiance and module surface temperature were identified as the most influential parameters affecting PV system efficiency.
• Ambient temperature, wind speed, and air humidity demonstrated negligible impact compared to solar radiation and cell temperature.
• The improved model, incorporating a dissipation factor, accurately stimulated PV output power with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 5%.

Conclusions:

• The developed mathematical model provides a simple and accurate method for simulating PV systems.
• Understanding the impact of solar irradiance and module temperature is crucial for optimizing PV system performance.
• The validated model can support intelligent strategies for enhancing solar energy system efficiency and operational effectiveness.