solar energy has been used in its simplest form despite being the most accessible and free source of energy. Direct use of solar energy has many practical applications, including but not limited to the following: house and building heating and lighting; power generation, food preparation, hot-water heating, sun cooling, material drying; and many commercial and industrial purposes. The energy from the sun is converted into electricity using an SPV system. The SPV system includes the solar panel (s), Charge Controller (CCR) or inverter, battery bank (s) (if present), and any other electrical or mechanical devices [1–3]. In an off-grid system, the energy is stored in batteries, whereas in an on-grid or grid-tie system, the energy is supplied into the grid. Any SPV system would be useless without its inverter. The grid-tie inverter converts DC electricity into the necessary AC for injection into an existing power system [4]. In addition to these uses, inverters can also be found in wind and microturbines, variable frequency drives, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power transmissions, and uninterruptible power supplies [5]. Designing an SPV power plant layout for a long and narrow space requires careful planning to maximize the available area for solar panel installation.
This study is important because it addresses the pressing issue of meeting the rising demand for renewable energy in urban settings where land is at a premium. It solves the problem of limited space by suggesting a novel layout for Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) power plants, which can be installed in long, narrow areas. This layout has the potential to increase the effectiveness of the energy system and to contribute to long-term, environmentally friendly solutions in the renewable energy industry. The findings of this study may facilitate more environmental consciousness and a speedier adoption of renewable energy sources.
SPV power plants have varying minimum technical standards based on variables including plant size, intended capacity, and geographic location. However, there are some overarching recommendations for the basic technical requirements of an SPV power plant:
Solar Panel
The photovoltaic (PV) modules are the engine that drives a solar power plant. Solar panels convert the sun's rays into electricity through the PV effect. The power is either stored in batteries or utilized immediately. Batteries are not required for this task. Table 1 provides detailed technical information about a few different PV modules [6]. PV modules' efficiency (Ƞ) and fill factor were determined as follows
Table 1
Specifications for Solar PV Modules and Cells
Material- | Specification | Electrical characteristics | Specification-4 |
Solar Cell | 156 mm156 mm200 micron | Power | 280 |
Glass | 3.2 mm low iron tempered and textured glass | Open Circuit Voltage () | 43 V |
EVA | STR FC 280 P, Etimex | Short Circuit Current () | 8.68 amps |
Black sheet | Coveme, Krempel | The voltage at maximum power () | 35 V |
Ribbon | Cu-Tin coated (2 mm0.15 mm) | Current at maximum power () | 8.00 amps |
Busbar | (5 mm0.2 mm) | Max system voltage | 100 V |
Junction Box | PV RH 0701/ZIRH | Solar cell per module | 72 (12) units |
JB Connector type | ZIRH 05.6 | Dimension (L) mm | (196099042) mm |
JB Sealant | PV 804 | Weight | 29 kg |
Double Sided Tape | Duplocoll 9182 | Mounting holes pitch (Y) mm | 1060 mm |
Flux | X33-08i | Mounting holes pitch (X) mm | 942 mm |
Aluminium Frame | Aluminium alloy Anodizing thickness > 16 | Area | 1.94 sq. M. |
Temperature Coefficients | Current + 4.4 mA/K Voltage − 0.23 V/K Power 0.47%/K | Junction Box | IP65/4T with three diodes |
Mounting Structures
Wind, snow, and earthquakes are just some of the natural factors that must be considered when deciding on a mounting framework for solar panels. The mounting structures should be made in a way that maximizes the angle and orientation of the solar panels.
Inverter
A solar inverter, also known as a PV inverter, is a type of power inverter that transforms the solar panel's Direct Current (DC) output into a utility frequency Alternating Current (AC) for use by the grid or by an autonomous, off-grid electrical system. It's an essential part of a solar system's BOS since it lets users utilize regular household appliances that run on alternating currents. Photovoltaic arrays need solar power inverters with features like maximum power point tracking and anti-islanding prevention [7]. Table 2 indicates the technical details of the inverter.
Table 2
Technical details of Inverter.
Type | String |
MPPT Range | 460–850 V |
Max. Input DC Current | 41.8 A |
Grid tracking voltage/frequency | 400 V, 3 phase, 50 Hz |
Rated Power | 17 kW |
Peak efficiency | 98.2% |
Max. Output Current AC | 29A |
Connected output AC loads | At ACDB |
Cooling | Natural convection |
Operating temperature | -25C to 55C |
IP | 65 |
Transformers and Switchgear
Transformers are used to increase the AC power's voltage to a level appropriate for transmission or distribution. Switchgear, such as circuit breakers and protection devices, is crucial to ensuring the safe and dependable functioning of any facility.
Monitoring and Control System
An efficient monitoring and control system is essential for the safe and successful running of the power plant as well as for keeping tabs on its condition and performance. It should be able to remotely operate systems and monitor their output in real time for faults and other issues.
However, the design and layout of SPV power plants can be challenging, especially when dealing with long and narrow spaces, such as rooftop installations or constrained land areas. The existing SPV power plant layout designs cannot be suitable for such spaces, leading to suboptimal power generation and inefficient land utilization.
To address this problem, it is necessary to develop a novel SPV power plant layout design specifically tailored for long and narrow spaces (Rooftop solar system). Accordingly, this study provides the guidelines and technical methods from site evaluation to component size necessary in the design process for building and installing a solar PV system for stand-alone installations. The main objective of the study is:
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The development of a solar photovoltaic power plant suitable for installation on the highway.
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Most SPV plants use a setup where many SPV modules charge simultaneously and then feed into a single inverter. The energy can be sent into the grid directly or stored in a battery via the inverter. In addition to feeding back into the grid, it also feeds the load according to a priority that has been set before. In spite of the fact that it would have a comparable layout, an SPV plant located on a highway would need an entirely different deployment strategy. It would be necessary to arrange the panels in a row, which would result in longer cable lengths and a greater number of voltage dips prior to the energy reaching the inverter. It is not required to have loads consistently dispersed across the length of the route; therefore, this could lead to problems during the evacuation process. Therefore, the standard SPV system architecture cannot be implemented in its current form; instead, a new topology is recommended.
Evaluation of the energy generated:
A unique topology isn't the only thing that has to be built; energy must be evacuated. The SPV facility is many kilometers in length; thus, plans for safe exits must be developed. In this work, we offer a judicial mix that could prove helpful for dealing with concentrated loads of 19 over the length of the main grid of the transportation network.
Applications:
An SPV system with centralized stationary loads is presented for simulation and verification. The weight could originate from:
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Clouds showing already-established service stations, eateries, etc.
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Electric vehicle DC charging stations
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Highway Illumination
It is also suggested that the feasibility of a cost lane on a roadway be investigated. A unique electric vehicle charging system could be supported by the solar photovoltaic plant, which can deliver electricity throughout the full length of the roadway. It is recommended that under this system, a dedicated charging line be established, along which electric vehicles equipped with a pantograph configuration can charge while in motion. The vehicle can move on to other lines once the required charge level has been reached. This allows for a situation in which the electric load is both mobile throughout the length of the line and has a variable point of entry. In this paper, an approach to studying the system is provided.
• Solar PV power plant
A solar PV project consists of a large number of solar panels that directly transform sunlight into energy, as shown in Fig. 1. The environment, including wildlife, is directly impacted by these solar PV panels [8]. Consequently, injuries and deaths to wildlife and cattle have happened as a result of incidents with mirror panels, making them another potential issue that needs to be assessed [9]. The environmental benefits of actions taken in the vicinity of a solar PV power project installation are evaluated by considering the resulting reduction in carbon emissions [10]. Therefore, priority is given to geographic areas with low carbon emission levels [11–13]. Solar radiation is the source of renewable solar energy. Consequently, governments are proposing to build solar photovoltaic systems in rural regions to achieve zero emissions by replacing the need for crude oil and reducing the use of thermal-based energy sources [14]. As a result, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have the potential to drastically cut down on carbon dioxide emissions [15–16].
where Is the amount of fuel required to generate 1 kWh of energy. The formula for the number of harmful gases avoided and the time of midnight maintained is .
where Is the amount of carbon dioxide released in kilos [20].
• Literature of Review
This section provides an overview of the literature on the topic of a novel Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) power plant layout design for deployment in long and narrow spaces.
Chirwa et al., (2023) [21] evaluated the feasibility of installing solar PV floating systems over Zambia's current hydroelectric facilities. This study employs the System Advisor Model (SAM) and modifies the inputs of the conventional photovoltaic performance model so that it can be used for Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FSPV). The results of this study would raise public awareness of solar photovoltaic systems on water, opening the door for potential government and private sector investments in the field.
Islam et al., (2023) [22] examined the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of installing a 10 MW floating solar PV system on UMP Lake. Estimates of energy output and losses were developed and calculated with the help of the PVsyst 7.3 program. It is estimated that the plant would generate 17,960 MWh of electricity per year at a levelized cost of USD 0.052/kWh. The initial investment of USD 8.94 million is expected to be recouped in 9.5 years of operation of the plant. It is estimated that the plant would prevent the release of 11,135.2 tons of CO2 yearly.
Alarai et al., (2023) [23] analyzed the performance of optimization based SPV power forecasting models based on weather circumstances using the cutting-edge Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) for its superior exploration and exploitation capabilities. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Training Time (TT) are used to provide estimates about the effectiveness of the proposed optimization model. The RMSE and MSE values achieved with the suggested SSA technique are 1.45% and 2.12%, respectively, which are lower than the values obtained with previous algorithms.
Rangaraju et al., (2023) [24] developed a unique Strengthen Gaussian Distribution-centric Deep Long Short-Term Memory (SGD-DLSTM) approach for predicting Solar Power Generation (SPG) with deviation analysis. The next step involves calculating the Mean Absolute Error (MAE), MSE, and RMSE to evaluate the divergence between the actual and projected results. Therefore, it was determined via experimental evaluation that the suggested model outperforms the state-of-the-art works.
Manoj et al., (2021) [25] conducted an experimental analysis of GMPV, FPV, and SPV systems' functionality. Three separate PV system prototypes with data-gathering devices are created for GMPV, FPV, and SPV installation techniques. Simultaneous performance evaluation and experimental testing are conducted in natural settings. The study's findings include measures of meteorological and electrical phenomena. According to the numbers, FPV is more efficient than both GMPV and SPV.
Dahmoun et al., (2021) [26] examined data collected by the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to assess the efficiency of one of the world's biggest solar PV projects (23.92 MWp) in the El Bayadh region of Algeria. There are several metrics used for this purpose, including the performance ratio, the yield factor, and the capacity utilization factor. This initiative's findings show that the anticipated data received from the PV system and Solar GIS tools closely matches the actual data gathered from the PV plant output. Furthermore, the study shows that there is a high connection (0.91) between the module temperature and the performance ratio.
Mamatha et al., (2021) [27] assessed the FSPV module's performance in terms of its PV and I-V characteristics using data from actual weather conditions in the year 2020. In addition, the PV system was used to analyze and compare the technical performance of GSPV and FSPV with the same rating at the projected 5MWp plant at the Srisailam reservoir in A.P., India. Compared to Ground-mounted Solar Photovoltaics (GSPV), the cooling effect of the proposed floating SPV system could prevent a total of 111.09 million liters of water per year.
Kumar et al., (2021) [28] suggested a Grey Wolf Optimizer-Based Bridge-Linked Total Cross-Tied (GWO-BLTCT) configuration. Fill factor, performance ratio, power augmentation, and power loss are used to evaluate the proposed topology's performance to those of conventional and hybrid topologies such as series-parallel, total cross-tied, BLTCT, and SuDoKu-BLTCT. The suggested GWO-BLTCT has the lowest power loss and highest fill factor, making it the most efficient of the available topologies. It also has the best average power improvement (23.75%) and performance ratio (70.02%).
Sreenath et al., (2020) [29] created a standard approach for installing solar PV systems at airports and locating prime locations for solar farms at Senai International Airport in Malaysia. Compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) solar interim regulation is measured using glare prediction software. Sites 2, 3, 4, and 6 experienced glare for 1125, 4724, 3805, and 1125 minutes, respectively. The analysis found that the airport's chosen locations had a solar PV capacity of 12.50 MW and a theoretical energy output of 16,745 MWh. The comparison of relevant works is shown in Table 3.
Table 3
Comparison of Literature of Review
Authors | Techniques Used/Software Used | Sites | Outcomes |
Chirwa et al., (2023) [21] | SAM | ZAMBIA namely, Kariba, Itezhi-Tezhi, Mulungushi, and Mita Hills | The results demonstrate that FSPV technology has a physical relocation (PR) between 81% and 85%, whereas Ground Mounted Photovoltaics (GMPV) only has a PR between 77.8% and 79%. |
Islam et al., (2023) [22] | Floating SPV | Malaysia | The projected plant would significantly reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 11,135.2 metric tons per year, aiding the country's efforts to counteract the consequences of climate change. |
Alarai et al., (2023) [23] | SSA | Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | MSE, RMSE, and TT values of 2.18%, 1.40%, and 12.46%, respectively, demonstrate the superiority of the suggested algorithm-based model. |
Rangaraju et al., (2023) [24] | SGD-DLSTM | | According to the results of the experimental evaluation, the suggested model outperforms the state-of-the-art studies. When compared to the standard practices, the suggested methodology had an improved accuracy of 97.25%. |
Dahmoun et al., (2021) [25] | SCADA | El Bayadh, Algeria | SCADA data showed that the yearly energy production was 43,261.4 MWh. Array yields averaged 5.46 kWh/kWp/day, while final yields averaged 4.95 kWh/kWp/day over a year. |
Mamatha et al., (2021) [26] | Floating SPV | Srisailam Dam, across the Krishna River in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India, | The data demonstrate that compared to the GSPV Plant, FSPV annually reduces carbon emissions by 5.45% and produces 4.8% more power. |
Kumar et al., (2021) [27] | GWO-BLTCT | | In the suggested layout, we find that the average percentages of both PE and PR are 23.75% and 70.02%, respectively. Consequently, the GWO-BLTCT PV array arrangement is deemed better than other approaches. |
Sreenath et al., (2020) [28] | Glare prediction | Senai International Airport, Malaysia | The ATC's yellow glare is a major safety issue. Sites 2, 3, 4, and 6 (1125 min, 4724 min, 3805 min, and 1125 min, respectively) need revised design specifications to bring them into compliance with the FAA's interim solar policy. |