Performance assessment of a 1 MW grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GCRPV) plant on an institutional building in composite climate of Northern India
Aradhana Shukla, Satish Kumar Yadav, Adeeba Yaqub, Jyotsna Singh, Rajendra Bahadur Singh
Abstract
In recent years, rooftop solar photovoltaic systems have gained significant attention for the curtailment of electricity bills and the reduction of carbon footprints. In the study, the operating performance of a 1 MW grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GCRPV) plant was assessed using actual recorded data installed on the university buildings in Lucknow, India, using IEC 61724. The real performance of GCRPV was compared with three simulation softwares: PVsyst, SAM, and PVLIB. The objective of the research is to evaluate the simulation software’s accuracy to predict the operating performance of large-scale solar PV plants. The results reveal significant variations in final yield: PVLIB estimated 5.09 h/day, PVsyst 3.73 h/day, and SAM 4.64 h/day, against the actual value of 3.45 h/day. Annual energy generation projections by PVLIB, SAM, and PVsyst were 1858.80, 1699.92, and 1365.79 MWh, respectively, compared to the actual value of 1255.77 MWh. Plant efficiencies and performance metrics are comparable with Indian installations. These findings offer valuable insights into the performance and potential of solar photovoltaic systems in similar climates, providing a foundation for site selection and system optimisation in India and similar regions worldwide.