Browsing by Author "Pandy, Tashriq"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An In-Situ system for PV module performance monitoring
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-03) Pandy, Tashriq; Strauss, Johann M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a global pursuit to improve the efficiency of energy generation due to the increasing global demand for energy, limited resources and the global trend towards alternative energy. While the photovoltaic (PV) industry is experiencing continuous growth, there are many challenges that come with effectively managing PV systems. Various studies have shown that increasing levels of PV plant monitoring can increase energy yield and lower downtime. However, at the same time this significantly increases the initial capital cost that in turn could detrimentally influence cost competitiveness and feasibility. In this thesis, an in-situ PV monitoring system using perturbation techniques to effectively monitor PV systems is proposed. The monitoring system consists of a PV module monitoring device, a perturbation device (incorporated in the monitoring device) and a data acquisition device. The PV monitoring device captures PV module temperature and I-V data simultaneously during perturbation at a pre-set interval. A wireless sensor network is then used to send the captured data to the data acquisition device. The perturbation device utilises two techniques. These perturbation techniques temporarily apply different intensity levels of oscillation by applying two different switching topologies of an inductor and a capacitor. The oscillations temporarily perturb the operating point of the PV module to shift back and forth along the characteristic I-V curve at a fast-enough rate to not influence the PV system operation. If the intensity of the oscillations is enough to pass the knee point on the I-V curve, then the maximum power point of the PV module can be determined. The effectiveness of the monitoring system was firstly simulated and then experimentally verified while operating the PV modules at different operating points on the I-V curve. It is concluded that the one perturbation approach that introduces greater oscillations can best identify the maximum power point of the PV module, including when the PV module is operated far away from the maximum power point.