Photovoltaic Energy System Performance Investigation: Case Study of 5.1-kW Rooftop Grid Tie in Egypt

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive status investigation of a designed 5.1-kW residential-scale grid-tie photovoltaic energy system (PVES) equipped with an inverter-based status monitoring scheme. Status variations for 19 parameters are monitored every 10 min during the daylight. The data of typical sunny, average, and heavily cloudy days are analyzed to characterize the system status and behavior under various atmospheric conditions. The performance indexes, including different energy yield factors and system losses, are computed following international standards. Unlike other similar studies in literature, the impact of the installed PVES on the low-voltage electrical network is initially investigated at the inverter level, and the compatibility with the emerging requirements and codes to integrate such systems within the electric grid is examined. The average monthly capacity factor is found to be 15.55%. A comparison with other photovoltaic systems worldwide reflects initial good matching.