scholarly journals Quantifying the global solar radiation received in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal to motivate the consumption of solar technologies

Open Physics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 786-794
Author(s):  
Tamara Rosemary Govindasamy ◽  
Naven Chetty
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Global Solar Radiation ◽  
Optimal Placement ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Forecasting Models ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Abstract In South Africa, power outages and scheduled load shedding are common practices in a bid to safeguard power resources. With the increase in cost of conventional energy sources, and the depletion of fossil fuels, attempts to use renewable resources to their full potential are underway. South Africa and in particular Pietermaritzburg receives sunshine throughout the year, making it suitable for harnessing solar power. In this work we estimate the amount of Global Solar Radiation (GSR) received in Pietermaritzburg which is the capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province. An air temperature model (Hargreaves-Samani) is used to approximate the GSR received in Bisley in comparison to measured data obtained from the ARC, for a period of one calendar year (July 2014 – June 2015). We proceed to apply the Angstrom-Prescott model to evaluate the competence of the initial prediction method. The primary aim of this study is to validate the efficiency and accuracy of the above-mentioned forecasting models, for areas within close proximity. Our results compare fairly well with the observed data provided by the ARC. Both models prove to sufficiently estimate the amount of GSR incident in Bisley. The deviations from the actual measured values suggest that a model which incorporates both variables may improve the accuracy of GSR estimations. The use of comprehensive prediction and forecasting models will allow for optimal placement of solar technologies for the harnessing of GSR within Pietermaritzburg. Though Pietermaritzburg may not be suitable for large scale solar power plants, the employment of solar panels in both industrial and residential areas will contribute greatly to a decrease in demand of grid electricity.

scholarly journals SOLAR RADIATION ATLAS IN BANJA LUKA IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomislav M. Pavlović ◽  
Dragoljub Lj. Mirjanić ◽  
Ivana S. Radonjić ◽  
Lana S. Pantić ◽  
Galina I. Sazhko
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Global Solar Radiation ◽  
Horizontal Surface ◽  
Solar Power Plant ◽  
Diffuse Solar Radiation ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Banja Luka

The paper presents an atlas of solar radiation for the city of Banja Luka in the Republic of Srpska formed by PVGIS estimation utility. The atlas contains the results of calculating global and direct solar radiation falling on the horizontal surface and global solar radiation falling on the optimally placed surface in Banja Luka in the period from 2007 to 2016. In addition, the intensity of global, direct and diffuse solar radiation falling on the optimally placed surface in Banja Luka is given by months. It was found that 13.89% less solar radiation falls on the horizontal surface and 47.31% less on the vertical surface as compared to the solar radiation that falls on the optimally placed surface. The basic characteristics of fixed, one-axis and dual-axis tracking PV solar power plants power of 1 MWp and the amount of electricity that can be generated by them in Banja Luka, are also given. It was found that with the one-axis tracking solar power plant 30.18% more electricity can be generated, and with the dual-axis tracking solar power plant 33.37% more electricity can be generated as compared to the fixed solar power plant.

scholarly journals Monthly, Seasonal and Yearly Assessments of Global Solar Radiation, Clearness Index and Diffuse Fractions in Alice, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2135
Author(s):  
Oliver O. Apeh ◽  
Ochuko K. Overen ◽  
Edson L. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Solar Radiation ◽  
Clearness Index ◽  
Diffuse Fraction ◽  
Average Percentage ◽  
Coal Power Plants

The constant scheduled load shedding in South Africa has commonly been executed in an attempt to maintain the long aging coal power plants in the country. With the rise in the reduction of fossil fuels, efforts to eradicate environmental hazards of carbon through solar photovoltaic (PV) resources to their complete prospect are in progress. South Africa, and in particular the town Alice, acquires sunshine annually, making it appropriate to harvest solar energy. This work aims to characterize solar radiation, clearness index (Kt), and diffuse fraction (Kd) in Alice, South Africa. Hourly global and diffuse solar irradiance were estimated into monthly, seasonal, and yearly variations of Kt and Kd for the years 2017–2020. The range of values for describing the daily classification of sky condition was centered on earlier studies. The cumulative frequency and frequency distribution of daily Kt was analyzed statistically in an individual month. The analyses show that the average percentage frequency of Kt within the period is 11.72% of the cloudy days, 57% of partially cloudy days, and 31.28% of clear sky days. The findings of this research show that Alice remains a key contender for solar energy conversion location, owing to its reasonably high frequency (Kt > 0.40) of clear and partially cloudy skies. Hence, it is essential to establish energy-efficiency for energy consumption and also for daily performances.

scholarly journals Comparative Modeling of a Parabolic Trough Collectors Solar Power Plant with MARS Models

Energies ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Rogada ◽  
Lourdes Barcia ◽  
Juan Martinez ◽  
Mario Menendez ◽  
Francisco de Cos Juez
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Water Vapor ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Solar Field

Power plants producing energy through solar fields use a heat transfer fluid that lends itself to be influenced and changed by different variables. In solar power plants, a heat transfer fluid (HTF) is used to transfer the thermal energy of solar radiation through parabolic collectors to a water vapor Rankine cycle. In this way, a turbine is driven that produces electricity when coupled to an electric generator. These plants have a heat transfer system that converts the solar radiation into heat through a HTF, and transfers that thermal energy to the water vapor heat exchangers. The best possible performance in the Rankine cycle, and therefore in the thermal plant, is obtained when the HTF reaches its maximum temperature when leaving the solar field (SF). In addition, it is necessary that the HTF does not exceed its own maximum operating temperature, above which it degrades. The optimum temperature of the HTF is difficult to obtain, since the working conditions of the plant can change abruptly from moment to moment. Guaranteeing that this HTF operates at its optimal temperature to produce electricity through a Rankine cycle is a priority. The oil flowing through the solar field has the disadvantage of having a thermal limit. Therefore, this research focuses on trying to make sure that this fluid comes out of the solar field with the highest possible temperature. Modeling using data mining is revealed as an important tool for forecasting the performance of this kind of power plant. The purpose of this document is to provide a model that can be used to optimize the temperature control of the fluid without interfering with the normal operation of the plant. The results obtained with this model should be necessarily contrasted with those obtained in a real plant. Initially, we compare the PID (proportional–integral–derivative) models used in previous studies for the optimization of this type of plant with modeling using the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model.

Innovative Volumetric Solar Receiver Micro-Design Based on Numerical Predictions

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Capuano ◽  
Thomas Fend ◽  
Bernhard Hoffschmidt ◽  
Robert Pitz-Paal
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
Proper Design ◽  
Global Increase ◽  
Solar Power Tower ◽  
Solar Receiver

Due to the continuous global increase in energy demand, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) represents an excellent alternative, or add-on to existing systems for the production of energy on a large scale. In some of these systems, the Solar Power Tower plants (SPT), the conversion of solar radiation into heat occurs in certain components defined as solar receivers, placed in correspondence of the focus of the reflected sunlight. In a particular type of solar receivers, defined as volumetric, the use of porous materials is foreseen. These receivers are characterized by a porous structure called absorber. The latter, hit by the reflected solar radiation, transfers the heat to the evolving fluid, generally air subject to natural convection. The proper design of these elements is essential in order to achieve high efficiencies, making such structures extremely beneficial for the overall performances of the energy production process. In the following study, a parametric analysis and an optimized characterization of the structure have been performed with the use of self-developed numerical models. The knowledge and results gained through this study have been used to define an optimization path in order to improve the absorber microstructure, starting from the current in-house state-of-the-art technology until obtaining a new advanced geometry.

scholarly journals Optimal Site Selection for Sittinga Solar Park using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Georgiou ◽  
Dimitrios Skarlatos
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Optimal Placement ◽  
Equal Weight ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Weighting Schemes

Abstract. Among the renewable powers sources, solar is rapidly becoming popular being inexhaustible, clean, and dependable. It is also becoming more efficient since the photovoltaic solar cells' power conversion efficiency is rising. Following these trends, solar power will become more affordable in years to come and considerable investments are to be expected. Despite the size of solar plants, the sitting procedure is a crucial factor for their efficiency and financial viability. Many aspects rule such decision; legal, environmental, technical, and financial to name some. This paper describes a general integrated framework to evaluate land suitability for the optimal placement of photovoltaic solar power plants, which is based on a combination of a Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing techniques and multi-criteria decision making methods. An application of the proposed framework for Limassol District in Cyprus is further illustrated. The combination of GIS and multi-criteria methods, consist an excellent analysis tool that creates an extensive database of spatial and non spatial data that will be used to simplify problems, to solve and promote the use of multiple criteria. A set of environmental, economic, social and technical constrains based on recent Cypriot legislation, European's Union policies and experts' advices, identifies the potential sites for solar park installation. The pair-wise comparison method in the context of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is applied to estimate the criteria weights in order to establish their relative importance in site evaluation. In addition, four different methods to combine information layers and check their sensitivity were used. The first considered all the criteria as being equally important and assign them equal weight, while the others grouped the criteria and graded them according to their objective perceived importance. The overall suitability of the study region for sitting solar park is appraised through the summation rule. Strict application of the framework depicts 3.0 % of the study region scoring best suitability index for solar resource exploitation, hence minimizing risk of a potential investment. However, using different weighting schemes for criteria, suitable areas may reach up to 83 % of the study region. The suggested methodological framework applied can be easily utilized by potential investors and renewable energy developers, through a front end web based application with proper GUI for personalized weighting schemes.

scholarly journals Improving the Efficiency of Solar Power Plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-497
Author(s):  
Dmitriy S. Strebkov ◽  
Yuriy Kh. Shogenov ◽  
Nikolay Yu. Bobovnikov
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Horizontal Surface ◽  
Solar Power Plant ◽  
Utilization Factor ◽  
Working Surface ◽  
Solar Power Plants

Introduction. An urgent scientific problem is to increase the efficiency of using solar energy in solar power plants (SES). The purpose of the article is to study methods for increasing the efficiency of solar power plants. Materials and Methods. Solar power plants based on modules with a two-sided working surface are considered. Most modern solar power plants use solar modules. The reflection of solar radiation from the earth’s surface provides an increase in the production of electrical energy by 20% compared with modules with a working surface on one side. It is possible to increase the efficiency of using solar energy by increasing the annual production of electric energy through the creation of equal conditions for the use of solar energy by the front and back surfaces of bilateral solar modules. Results. The article presents a solar power plant on a horizontal surface with a vertical arrangement of bilateral solar modules, a solar power station with a deviation of bilateral solar modules from a vertical position, and a solar power plant on the southern slope of the hill with an angle β of the slope to the horizon. The formulas for calculating the sizes of the solar energy reflectors in the meridian direction, the width of the solar energy reflectors, and the angle of inclination of the solar modules to the horizontal surface are given. The results of computer simulation of the parameters of a solar power plant operating in the vicinity of Luxor (Egypt) are presented. Discussion and Conclusion. It is shown that the power generation within the power range of 1 kW takes a peak value for vertically oriented two-sided solar modules with horizontal reflectors of sunlight at the installed capacity utilization factor of 0.45. At the same time, when the solar radiation becomes parallel to the plane of vertical solar modules, there is a decrease in the output of electricity. The proposed design allows equalizing and increasing the output of electricity during the maximum period of solar radiation. Vertically oriented modules are reliable and easy to use while saving space between modules.

ANALYSIS PERFORMANCE OF LARGE SCALE GRID CONNECTED PV POWER PLANTS IN THE TROPICAL REGION.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-75
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
International Energy Agency ◽  
Performance Ratio ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Final Yield ◽  
Solar Power Plants

The main objective of this research is analysed and compared the performance of two solar power plants to identify the possible operational problems in the tropical region. The grid connected PV power plants considered in the present study, Ten Merina and Senergy, were installed in the region of Thies (Senegal). Solar power plants have the same installed capacity 29.491 MWp. A period of one operation year of the solar power plants is considered, starting from January 2018 to December 2018. The performance parameters developed by the International Energy Agency (IEA) are used to analyse the performances of solar power plants. The results show that the plane of array irradiance at the sites is identical with an annual average of 6.2 kWh/m2/d. The annual average performance ratio and final yield of solar power plants are respectively 74.3 %; 4.61 kWh/kWp to Ten Merina and 75.9 %; 4.66 kWh/kWp to Senergy. These results are compared to other solar power plants installed in different locations around the world.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document