Performance evaluation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic power plant in Northern India

The rapid growth of electricity demand due to the increase in population has put the burden on the power stations of India to enhance their generation. With the serious drop in prices of solar photovoltaic (SPV) generated electricity and rising tariffs on conventional electricity have drawn attention to generate electricity through the solar photovoltaic plant. Therefore, it is important to assess accurately and precisely the annual and monthly yield of SPV plant to help in designing and installation of new plants. Performance analysis of a 5 kWp roof-top photovoltaic plant has carried out, and the effect of temperature analyzed. The annual average daily reference yield, array yield, and final yield found 5.23 kWh/kWp/day, 4.51 kWh/kWp/day and 3.99 kWh/kWp/day respectively. The annual average daily array efficiency, inverter efficiency and system efficiency found to be 11.34%, 88.38%, and 10.02% respectively. The annual average daily performance ratio and capacity utilization factor measured 76.97% and 1639%. The annual energy yield of the plant recorded 7175.4 kWh. Results show that energy loss is maximum during May when the temperature is highest. The performance of the plant compared with PV plants installed all over in India and found comparable. (C) 2018 International Energy Initiative. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.