We carried out a simulation in order to get data to use in System Optimisation and construction of PV Output Profiles for the Power Quality Case Study. The simulation software used was ESP-r, an integrated dynamic thermal simulation environment which supports PV materials. This tool was developed in the ESRU, University of Strathclyde. We got a model containing some PV panels from Dr. Nick Kelly in the ESRU. We modified this model in order to adapt it to the purpose of our study.

The Model

The photovoltaic modules used in the simulation are monocrystalline 'BP Solar 585' with 0.63 m2 area (including aluminium frame) and an estimated module efficiency of 13.5% at Standard Test Conditions (STC Tref=298 K, Gref=1000 W/m2). These modules contain 'BP Saturn' laser grooved cells. The manufacturer claims these to be the highest efficiency solar cells (around 17% at STC) available in volume commercial production today. Module characteristics are summarised in Table. 1.

Table. 1. BP585 Photovoltaic Module characteristics.

We included two different zones with extreme tilt values:

• A panel with a 30 degree tilt.
• A panel with a 90 degree tilt.

Both panels are south facing and naturally ventilated. The climate database used is for Glasgow (56 degrees north),1967, and contains:

• Diffuse horizontal solar intensity (W/m2)
• Dry bulb temperature (tenths of degree C ie. 102 = 10.2C)
• Direct normal or global horizontal solar intensity (W/m2)
• Wind speed (tenths m/s ie. 15 = 1.5 m/s)
• Wind direction (degrees from north, clockwise)
• Relative humidity (percent)

We ran the simulation for a year on hourly time steps.

Results

The results contain hourly irradiation, module temperature, and power output. The next table shows a summary of the results after we manipulated them in a spreadsheet to get daily, monthly and total values for the year.

Fig. 1. BP585 Daily Energy Output [kWh/m2/yr].

Fig. 1. BP585 Monthly Energy Output.