Comparative performance assessment of mono crystalline, multi crystalline, and amorphous silicon grid-connected photovoltaic systems under actual climatic conditions of Agadir, Morocco

ABSTRACT

This paper analyses actual performance of three grid-connected photovoltaic systems based on different silicon technologies, installed at the faculty of sciences of Agadir. The outdoor facilities consist of 2.04 kW_p of mono crystalline (m-Si), 1.86 kW_p of amorphous (μcSi/a-Si:H), and 2.04 kW_p of multi crystalline (mc-Si) silicon PV systems. Datasets were collected during one entire year under real measured irradiation and ambient temperature conditions. The performance of these roof mounted PV systems was conducted on daily and monthly bases. Parameters like annual specific yield, system efficiency, and performance ratio were evaluated and found to be 1827 kWh/kW_p.year, 20.9% and 80.2% for amorphous, 1863 kWh/kW_p.year, 21.3% and 80.7%, for mono crystalline and 1895 kWh/kW_p.year, 21.7% and 82.2% for multi crystalline.

KEYWORDS:

• Photovoltaics
• grid connected PV
• outdoor monitoring
• PV performance
• energy yield

Acknowledgment

This study was financed by IRESEN in the framework of InnoPV-PROPRE.MA project. The Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education and Research supported this study in the framework of the PPR project: Développement d’un four solaire avec stockage de la chaleur.