Validation of a simulation-based pre-assessment process for solar photovoltaic technology implemented on rooftops of South African shopping centres

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The existing processes that determines the yield of a photovoltaic (PV) system before construction commences are fairly unstructured. Research that defines a structured process for simulation purposes is limited. This article builds on prior research where a proposed structured pre-assessment process, which may be applied before construction commences, was generated so that electricity yield from a PV system can be predicted with a higher degree of accuracy, and then subsequently optimized. By implementing the proposed pre-assessment process, calculating the future return on investment (ROI) by private investors is simplified, given that the existing process is restrictive. The research used the results from a South African case study over 24 months to ascertain the validity of the proposed pre-assessment process. The validation process includes analyzing the load demand of the shopping centre before and after the PV system was constructed, comparing the electricity yield from the PV system to the simulation results obtained in the preceding research, and amending the proposed pre-assessment process accordingly for improved electricity estimation. The case study shopping centre operates in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and consumes approximately 5000 kVA under maximum load.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2589
Pages (from-to)1-27
Number of pages27
JournalSustainability
Volume13
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2021

Keywords

  • Angle of tilt
  • Array-to-inverter ratio
  • Module degradation
  • Photovoltaic
  • Tender process
  • Yield simulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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