Statistical Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Compared with Designed Systems Using RETScreen, PVsyst and PVWatts /

Abstract

In this study solar system of DC Rating 100 MW located at Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan is designed with three different tools which are RETScreen, PVsyst and PVWatts. Most softwares use weather data provided by NASA. That is why it is important to compare vital parameters of weather data used by software should be similar with the actual data. For this purpose and to check validity and prediction capability of different softwares this study is carried out. In this study these designed systems are compared with system installed at Quaid-e-Azam solar power plant near Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan having DC Rating 100 MW. Temperature and humidity has inverse effect on efficiency of solar panels as temperature increases efficiency of solar panels decreases similarly output decrease with increase in humidity. Irradiance and wind speed have direct effect on output of solar panels with increase in irradiance. Output is increased with more wind speed heat losses of panels are less and yield is more. Comparing the output for whole year with RETScreen, PVsyst and PVWatts it might be concluded that PVWatts results are closer to recorded values of solar power plant. RETScreen output is 2

close to recorded generation. This study also help to evaluate different tilt angles of panels for maximum output for semi and quarterly annual tracking system as well as for the fixed system. This study also help to choose proper tool for sizing purpose and by avoiding over sizing and under sizing conditions energy future demands could be met more precisely. Comparison between designed and installed systems output for the whole year is made and all the sizing parameters are kept same for each system as that of installed system and results obtained from PVWatts stood closest to output of installed system.