Commercial Scale Solar Power Generation (5MW to 50 MW) and its Connection to Distribution Power Network in the United Kingdom

Over the years, the contribution of solar photovoltaic systems to the power generation is expected to grow through household small scale, and commercial scale solar installation. Researcher pronouncing that delivering such a determination require greater motivation and innovation and much more dynamic power grid network to manage solar generation connection. This research work identifies and recommends the possibilities of applying proven technical know how to get the maximum from the existing power network economically. The simulated case study examples of various capacity connection requests was carried out to provide key insights on the problems faced by the PV farm connections in their line of business. This research is also an effort to give many answers to solar PV developers and enthusiasts who are not very technical and confused about different money saving connection options and the electrical constraints of the power grid. This study data can be used to provide recommendations to further enhance the growth of commercial scale solar power generation in the UK

The Effects of Nonuniform Illumination on the Electrical Performance of a Single Conventional Photovoltaic Cell

Photovoltaic (PV) concentrators are a promising approach for lowering PV electricity costs in the near future. However, most of the concentrators that are currently used for PV applications yield nonuniform flux profiles on the surface of a PV module which in turn reduces its electrical performance if the cells are serially connected. One way of overcoming this effect is the use of PV modules with isolated cells so that each cell generates current that is proportional to the energy flux absorbed. However, there are some cases where nonuniform illumination also exists in a single cell in an isolated cells PV module. This paper systematically studied the effect of nonuniform illumination on various cell performance parameters of a single monocrystalline standard PV cell at low and medium energy concentration ratios. Furthermore, the effect of orientation, size, and geometrical shapes of nonuniform illumination was also investigated. It was found that the effect of nonuniform illumination on various PV cell performance parameters of a single standard PV cell becomes noticeable at medium energy flux concentration whilst the location, size, and geometrical shape of nonuniform illumination have no effect on the performance parameters of the cell

A comparison of the use of traditional glazing and a novel concentrated photovoltaic glazing (CoPVG) for building solar gain analysis using IESVE

The aim of this study is to compare the difference in solar gain for an internal space when a novel Concentrated Photovoltaic Glazing (CoPVG) unit is compared against traditional glazing modules. The CoPVG is an innovative glazing system developed by Ulster University, that takes advantage of Total Internal Reflection (TIR) to direct solar radiation into the internal space during periods of low solar altitude (around winter) harnessing the thermal contribution of solar gain and daylight. During periods of higher solar altitude (around summer), the solar radiation is mostly directed onto embedded photovoltaic cells. Previous work assessed the concept’s optical functionality, through experimental measurement and computational ray-tracing. Dynamic simulation in Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) using a series of codes to represent the optical function of the CoPVG’s and Integrated Environmental Solutions Virtual Environment (IESVE) was validated by the experimental data. This work investigates methodologies in determining the transmissivty of the system in a dynamic simulation approach using ray tracing and Radiance in IESVE for visualisation, thereby building on the versability of this software to allow building designers and consultants to investigate energy and economic benefits of this system and systems like it in real building applications. The impact of integrating CoPVG as a replacement to traditonal glazing on a sun-facing building facade is assessed and the solar gain in the adjaciant space is compared throughout the year. During the summer months the integrated system reduces solar gain in the space by 34% but only 11% in the winter months, representing a reduction in the overall annual building energy needs. The study presents the potential economic and environmental savings provided by reduced cooling.<br/