Conventional means of electrical energy generation are costly, create environmental pollution, and demand a high level of maintenance and also going to end one day. This has made it crucial to exploit the untapped prospective of the environmentally friendly renewable energy resources. To address this problem, present research proposed an efficient, everlasting, and environment-friendly grid-connected PV system at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan (latitude: 29° 22
The circumstances of the energy zone in Pakistan are very miserable. The primary cause for this situation of the electricity shortage is that we had completely depended on conventional energy means in the previous 2 decades. The only way to sort out energy issues at this moment is to move towards renewable energy sources. In this regard, solar energy is one of the best renewable energy sources abundantly available for countries like Pakistan.
The installation of solar PV (SPV) is an environmentally friendly project. Solar energy is free and present in sufficient amounts in almost every part of the world. Moreover, the maintenance cost of solar PV is very low as compared with other conventional sources [
Different types of the PV modules and system schemes were discussed that would help in planning the different renewable energy systems schemes in [
Pakistan, a developing country, is facing a load shedding problem due to the lack of generation of electricity through the country. The government has initiated the project to convert all the educational institutes of the country to renewable sources. This research provides the benchmark for these types of initiatives in the country.
This paper presents the simulation-based results of the specific area of Pakistan with real-time data of location. The main aim is to replace the conventional energy coming from WAPDA and producing renewable solar PV energy for The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, for meeting its load requirements. The technical sketch of the solar PV system for IUB is simulated by using the PVSyst software and analyzed each element for designing the plant. Furthermore, the evolution of the current economic condition and environmental conditions in the real solar plant is ought to be compared and conducted. The comparison of the results of the proposed PV system with the conventional system of WAPDA is also conducted.
The rest of the paper is arranged as follows: Section
Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) is located in the city of Bahawalpur in the south side of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The longitude and the latitude of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur are 29° 22
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) is present in the hot desert of the Bahawalpur which makes it the best spot for the installation and the generation of solar energy to meet its requirement plus it will sell it to the market for earning some revenue. Figure
Arial view—Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
Figure
Proposed site for the installation.
The other important factors and parameters of this location are also calculated and presented in Table
Parameters of selected site for PV park.
Total area under consideration for PV park | 11 acres |
Longitude and latitude | 71.44 east, 29.22 north |
Global horizontal irradiation (GHI) | 5.266 kWh/m2/D |
Diffuse horizontal irradiation (DUF) | 2.532 kWh/m2/D |
Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface (GTI) | 5.992 kWh/m2/D |
Direct normal irradiation (DNI) | 4.099 kWh/m2/D |
Temperature | 27.6 degrees Celsius |
The selection of Bahawalpur’s location no doubt marks it as an ultimate city to bang into the solar energy resource. The city has average yearly irradiation of about 5.9 kWh/m2 per day which will not only fulfill the power needs of the country but also enhances an increasing amount to its economy.
Figure
2-dimensional view of 11 acres area for solar park.
The comprehensive approximation and power evacuation plan all along with the projected solar PV power park structure are enclosed hereby in detail.
The previous literature review shows that solar energy is being widely used throughout the world and has much more potential in Pakistan as well. This chapter primarily contains the research methodology of the thesis. Firstly, the process of the site serving load demand estimation and forecasting data is described. Secondly, the operational parameters and mechanism of solar PV have been elucidated with their mathematical interpretation. Thirdly, the resource assessment of solar PV is explained widely, which includes the method of estimation which is given as input to PVSyst. Fourthly, the AUTOCAD modeling of the system has been done. Fifthly, the designing of the PV system and configuration has been done. Furthermore, component assessment is stated which gives brief information for the system sizing.
It is one of the important factors in designing the solar PV module park. It is defined as the amount of energy emitted by the sun and strikes on the 1 meter square in each second outside the atmosphere of the earth. So, it is the amount of energy that falls on the unit area in unit time. In the successive sections, we are going to find out the different factors for the area of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, for designing the PV park and selection of the best spot for installing the plant.
The irradiance of the area is found out by the formula given as:
where Avg. Ins is the average insolation of the area and Avg. Sun is the average bright sunshine hours daily. Its unit area is kWh/meter square.
Solar irradiance
Maximum power
PV module efficiency
The main design and the equipment of the project are divided into the following categories: DC power, AC power, and the automatic controlling of this equipment employing SCARDA or other systems. The block diagram of the project is present in Figure
3 MW complete system scheme.
All the equipment used in this process has its special worth in the whole procedure [
The system which processes the generation of direct current and deals with it comes under the category of the DC power systems. PV module is one of the significant parts of the generation system in a solar power plant. It is the device used to change solar energy into electrical energy. Many types of solar photovoltaic modules are available in the open market for the solar energy system. Table Polycrystalline Mono-crystalline Thin-film Amorphous silicon
Efficiencies of different solar modules [
Solar plate type | Percentage efficiency of solar PV modules |
---|---|
Slim film | 7-10% |
Monocrystalline | 12-16% |
Amorphous silicon | 6-8% |
Polycrystalline | 12-18% |
Polycrystalline-Si has been preferred for the project because of its efficiency and compatibility with environmental conditions [
Another major piece of equipment is the DC combiner box whose job is to combine the direct current from the whole photovoltaic cells. After that, the inverter is used to convert the main solar DC power into AC power.
It processes all the components which deal with the alternating current. The major parts of the AC power systems are discussed here. Ac combiner box combines the alternating current from the inverter. If the inverter that has been chosen earlier contains the functionality of the inbuilt AC combiner, then this separate combiner is avoided. The performance of the solar power system highly depends on the environment. For example, as the irradiance increases, it will definitely increase the output power, but here, one thing is more important than if the panel temperature will start to increase, it will reduce the efficiency of the system [
The things which are used for controlling and monitoring the whole systems consist of the SCARDA and PLC systems additionally with the weather station and the PV power plant constituents. The controlling system will enable us to get the required information anytime with the help of an LCD plus it will display the fault in the panels by hot-spots and enable us to repair it within time [
TC 630KH TBEA Xi’an Electric inverters are used in this project for suppressing the harmonics which was formed in the system after the DC to AC conversion. A total of 5 inverters of 630 KW are used for the modules. Inverter specifications are shown in Table
Specifications of the inverter used.
Rating of the inverter in KVA | 630 KVA |
Efficiency | Almost 98.7% |
DC voltage input | 1000 volts DC |
There are many options for the PV plates which we can use, but we are going to select the PV plate with a 260 W rating. By using the mathematical formula, we can calculate the no. of PV modules required to design the 3 MW solar PV grid-connected system.
Total no. of plates should be installed for
Specifications of used PV plate for system design.
No. | Parameter name | Reading |
---|---|---|
1. | Maximum power ( | 260 watt |
2. | Maximum power voltage Vmp | 30.6 V |
3. | Voc—open circuit voltage | 38 V |
4. | Short circuit current Isc | 9.04 A |
5. | Max power point | 8.49 A |
6. | Total efficiency | 16.6% |
7. | Life time | 25 years |
The combiner box possesses the main part which is a protection breaker or the fuse for every sequence and may have the surge protector, so these boxes are also the backbone of the system.
In our case, we have chosen a total of 5 inverters, so combiner boxes will be 5.
Solar resource maps are obtained from the SOLARGIS shown in Figure
Global horizontal irradiation—SOLARGIS [
Table
Energy consumed in kWh for 2018 and 2019.
Sr # | Month | kWh in the year 2018 | kWh in the year 2019 |
---|---|---|---|
1 | January | 297,040 | 404,620 |
2 | February | 357,840 | 265,360 |
3 | March | 250,240 | 333,260 |
4 | April | 342,000 | 449,300 |
5 | May | 448,660 | 610,400 |
6 | June | 672,660 | 482,900 |
7 | July | 768,880 | 502,960 |
8 | August | 534,500 | 420,280 |
9 | September | 43,360 | 395,520 |
10 | October | 395,580 | 399,580 |
11 | November | 287,160 | 277,040 |
12 | December | 311,860 | 287,680 |
13 | Total (kWh) | 4,709,780 | 4,828,900 |
14 | Average per year | 392,482 | 402,408 |
Figure
IUB peak load and monthly consumption.
The PVSyst software is one of the most commonly used software for the designing and estimation of the performance parameters of the solar PV power plant. With the wide options and built-in features, this software provides almost nearer results as compared with the theoretical results. This software enables you to import the data of the different Mateo as well as personnel data which is the best thing about it. This software enables you to assess the main performance of the PV Planet in the following circumstances: stand-alone, grid-connected, and pumping system.
The performance and the effectiveness of the total system of the PV plant are assessed by providing the stipulation of the desired design. The values obtained will be nearer to the comparison if we get from SCADA or SOLARGIS, etc. Hence, the system is designed according to the desired specifications [
3 MW complete system modeling on PVSyst.
Furthermore, this software calculates the system output and different important parameters by using the hourly simulation data. In this work, the PVSyst software is adopted to estimate the annual power yields of the 3 MW PV solar plant designed for The Islamia University of Bahawalpur with grid-connected scheme.
The simulation parameters of the grid-connected system are displayed in Figure
Simulation parameters—grid-connected system.
The results based on the yearly global irradiance and Mateo are presented in Table
Monthly Mateo values of IUB Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
Months | Glob hor | T Amb | Glob Inc | Diff hor | DifSInc | Alb Inc |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 89.2 | 11.37 | 120.0 | 44.6 | 51.09 | 1.195 |
February | 110.9 | 15.72 | 141.6 | 44.7 | 51.13 | 1.486 |
March | 153.3 | 21.49 | 172.3 | 64.8 | 69.06 | 2.047 |
April | 167.0 | 26.71 | 169.0 | 87.2 | 86.18 | 2.230 |
May | 189.5 | 32.34 | 176.4 | 97.9 | 92.49 | 2.537 |
June | 190.2 | 32.14 | 172.9 | 99.4 | 92.48 | 2.540 |
July | 170.7 | 30.90 | 157.1 | 102.9 | 95.83 | 2.270 |
August | 171.7 | 30.32 | 166.9 | 98.2 | 94.85 | 2.286 |
September | 163.4 | 28.13 | 175.0 | 75.4 | 77.49 | 2.189 |
October | 130.1 | 24.67 | 155.7 | 64.6 | 70.71 | 1.743 |
November | 97.1 | 17.89 | 127.2 | 47.8 | 53.69 | 1.301 |
December | 86.1 | 13.28 | 120.3 | 40.9 | 48.13 | 1.154 |
Year | 1719.2 | 23.79 | 1854.3 | 868.4 | 883.14 | 22.978 |
For solar energy, as we know that solar irritation and the ambient temperature play an important role in the generation of PV energy.
Figure
Solar paths at IUB, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, Lat 29.2 N, Long 77.4 E, alt. 214 m.
The main results of the design system are shown in Figure
Grid-connected simulation results.
Daily system output energy.
The performance ratio PR is 83.5%.
The total produced energy is 4908 MWh/year.
The maximum energy which is generated is 458294 kWh which is obtained in March, and the minimum energy generated is 339333 kWh in December. The other important results are yearly global horizontal irradiation, energies, power output, and system efficiency.
The highest power production achieved was more than 19000 kilowatt hour per day in March at the module temperature of 21.49°C and plant efficiency of around 83.8%. The total energy output attained from the solar photovoltaic array is 4990 MWh. The total efficiency of the system is 13.27% which is quite good. The total global incident energy GHI which falls on the collector area plane yearly is 1854.3 kWh/m2. Figure
Normalized production per installed kWp.
Balance and main results of the system.
Months | Glob incident | Array energy | Grid energy | Eff ArrR | Eff SysR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 120.0 | 345926 | 339575 | 14.45 | 14.19 |
February | 141.6 | 395408 | 388716 | 14.00 | 13.77 |
March | 172.3 | 465913 | 458294 | 13.55 | 13.33 |
April | 169.0 | 445751 | 438839 | 13.22 | 13.02 |
May | 176.4 | 454150 | 447116 | 12.90 | 12.70 |
June | 172.9 | 450636 | 443615 | 13.07 | 12.86 |
July | 157.1 | 414872 | 407915 | 13.24 | 13.02 |
August | 166.9 | 440013 | 433113 | 13.21 | 13.01 |
September | 175.0 | 460285 | 453142 | 13.19 | 12.98 |
October | 155.7 | 418933 | 412185 | 13.49 | 13.27 |
November | 127.2 | 352877 | 346686 | 13.91 | 13.67 |
December | 120.3 | 345600 | 339333 | 14.40 | 14.14 |
Year | 1854.3 | 4990366 | 4908528 | 13.49 | 13.27 |
The average yearly PR is 83.5% for the PV plants at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur with a maximum PR of 89.2% in January, and the minimum PR is 79% in May. Table
Normalized performance coefficient.
Month | Yr | Lc | Ya | Ls | Yf | PR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 3.87 | 0.352 | 3.52 | 0.065 | 3.45 | 0.892 |
February | 5.06 | 0.604 | 4.45 | 0.075 | 4.38 | 0.866 |
March | 5.56 | 0.820 | 4.74 | 0.077 | 4.66 | 0.838 |
April | 5.63 | 0.948 | 4.68 | 0.073 | 4.61 | 0.819 |
May | 5.69 | 1.072 | 4.62 | 0.072 | 4.55 | 0.799 |
June | 5.76 | 1.027 | 4.74 | 0.074 | 4.66 | 0.809 |
July | 5.07 | 0.848 | 4.22 | 0.071 | 4.15 | 0.819 |
August | 5.39 | 0.910 | 4.47 | 0.070 | 4.40 | 0.818 |
September | 5.83 | 0.996 | 4.84 | 0.075 | 4.76 | 0.816 |
October | 5.02 | 0.762 | 4.26 | 0.069 | 4.19 | 0.835 |
November | 4.24 | 0.531 | 3.71 | 0.065 | 3.64 | 0.859 |
December | 3.88 | 0.367 | 3.51 | 0.064 | 3.45 | 0.889 |
Year | 5.08 | 0.770 | 4.31 | 0.071 | 4.24 | 0.835 |
Performance ratio PR—month-wise.
The most important factor which should be taken into account while designing is power system losses. It plays an important role in the calculation of the power generation output. The GHI is 1719 kW h/m2, and the efficient irradiation which falls in the day time on the collector plane is almost 1800 kWh/m2. So, basically, total system loss in the energy is 0.70-1% [
Loss diagram over the whole year.
When the solar energy falls on the solar panel, it will convert into electrical energy, and after the transfer, the array ostensible or the main nominal energy is around 5510 MWh, and the efficiency of the solar photovoltaic system array at that moment is 15.90%, so we can say that the array virtual power then obtained is roundabout 4990 MWh, and after the losses in the inverter section, the amount of energy obtained from the output of the inverter is around 4709 MWh which will be injected into the grid station.
3 MW grid-connected system for The Islamia University of Bahawalpur was designed and analyzed. Gross total investment without taxes is 1441333 US $ or 22.7 Croc Pakistani Rupees. Taxes on the investment (VAT) and the rate of VAT are 5% which is around 72067 US $. The gross investment (including taxes) is 1513400 US $ OR 24 Croc Approx.
The cost of the energy produced is 0.11 US $/kWh whereas in Pakistan the conventional energy tariff is 0.18 $/kWh. The estimated COE is very less than the current energy tariff of Pakistan. PVSyst also considers the scaled annual average of load for calculations of future demand. All the results are calculated with the PYSYST software which is considered best for sensitivity analysis, simulation, and optimization. In the next chapter, the conclusion of the overall research and results has been elucidated concisely.
A comprehensive research of the analysis and design of the implementation of the 3 MW solar photovoltaic system based on the grid-connected power plant at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur was conducted, and few of the conclusions which are drawn from the comprehensive study of the location and the working of the system are as follows:
The total energy output taken out from the solar photovoltaic system array is 4990 MWh. The total efficiency of the system is 13.27% The average yearly PR is 83.5% for the PV plants at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur with a maximum PR of 89.2% in January, and the minimum PR is 79% in May
From the simulation results, the value of PR comes out 83.8%. It is also concluded that it is equal to 15369.3 kg of the coal saving per day by installing 3 MW solar plant which is equal to planting 147600 teak trees over the lifetime. The implication of this paper will help people to install their efficient solar park.
The proposed solar system and Quaid-E-Azam Solar Park (QASP) are compared. The performance ratio, cost of energy, and conversion losses in comparison with QASP are given in Table
Comparison of proposed system with QASP.
Plant names | Performance ratio | Cost of energy unit | Conversion losses in inverter |
---|---|---|---|
Proposed plant at IUB | 83.5% | 0.11 $/kWh | 0.8% |
Quaid-E-Azam Solar Park | 79% | 0.13 $/kWh | 2% |
It was found that the proposed system outperforms in comparison with Quaid-E-Azam Solar Park (QASP). The performance ratio of proposed system calculated was 83.5% while QASP has PR of 79%. Moreover, cost of energy was calculated as 0.11 $/kWh which is less than the already installed QASP.
This present research summarizes the 3 MW solar power plant at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur with in-depth reports about the annual production, power losses in the plant, and future impact regarding the shortage of energy crises. Few of the conclusions which are drawn from the comprehensive research of the location and the system are as follows:
The maximum energy generated from the system is 458294 kWh which is taken out in March, and the minimum energy generated is 339333 kWh in the last month of December The total energy output taken out from the photovoltaic system array is 4990 MWh. The total efficiency of the system is 13.27% The average yearly PR is 83.5% for the PV plants with maximum PR of 89.2% in January, and the minimum PR is 79% in May
From the simulation results, the value of PR comes out 83.8%. It is also concluded that it is equal to 15369.3 kg of the coal saving per day by installing 3 MW solar plant which is equal to planting 147600 teak trees over the lifetime. The implication of this research will help people to install their efficient solar park.
This research endows with the imminent to spot the location, compatibility of the project for installing or designing the solar plant anywhere in the world. It will also help in analyzing the performance of the solar plants. The information presented in this research is quite useful in finding out the operational and environmental benefits of the solar photovoltaic projects based on the net energy yield. The theoretical data and the operating experience of the solar photovoltaic plant can be applied for greater scale projects in the future. This type of project would help the country in meeting the shortage of energy and would play its part in reducing the cost of energy. Effect of environmental condition-sand storms on PV modules in Bahawalpur are needed to be addressed in future to cater the practical issues of the system.
Data is made available in supplementary files.
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.