Utilisation of Solar Energy for Electricity Generation at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS: A Performance Analysis of Stand-alone Photovoltaic System (SPVS)

Photovoltaic System is a vast topic that can be researched and studied on such as
the improvement of performance of single components in PV system or the system
designed itself. Yet in this research work, the scope has to be scaled down in
appreciation to the given time. This research project would mainly concern about
improving the PV system itself. Since, the field or simulated information on technical
performance of Stand-alone Photovoltaic System (SPVS) of Universiti Teknologi
PETRONAS (UTP) is still lacking in literature. In short, this study was made with an
aim of analyzing performance of PV system at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
(UTP). As such, the SPVS ofUTP was simulated using a TRNSYS simulation model
which was then validated by data measured from actual operating lab-scaled
prototype of SPVS which was mounted at UTP's meteorology station. This study
reports on performance results of the simulated system located at UTP based on the
data recorded. The results tell us that if the system is designed in accordance to
procedures stipulated at UTP's climatic data standards then it is capable of operating
with a good mean performance ratio, PV array production factor and system
efficiency. For the simulated location, loss of load probability of system was
calculated based on the recorded data. If the system is under-designed, it was found
that the system's performance ratio is reduced considerably, it is less reliable and its
battery remains in low state of charge for long periods.