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A comparative study between racking systems for photovoltaic power systems

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  • Barbón, A.
  • Ayuso, P. Fortuny
  • Bayón, L.
  • Silva, C.A.

Abstract

We present a comparative study of the different racking systems used in photovoltaic power systems, with a new methodology for determining the total energy produced by each one under usual weather conditions (not clear-skies). In systems without solar tracker, the tilt angle is a major factor contributing to the energy production, and its optimization is essential. We study the effect of tilt update frequency (daily, monthly, or constant) on the total irradiation received by a plane surface, and present a method for computing the optimal tilt angle, which we validate using previous studies. This method is easily implemented, accurate, and valid for any location. We compare all the systems with the most energy-productive one, the dual-axis tracker, in two ways: with respect to energy production, and to levelized cost of energy, both in 39 cities around the World. The results provide a new insight on the relative and objective value of trackerless systems, and some remarkable properties arise, which may be relevant in budgetary consideration.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbón, A. & Ayuso, P. Fortuny & Bayón, L. & Silva, C.A., 2021. "A comparative study between racking systems for photovoltaic power systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 424-437.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:180:y:2021:i:c:p:424-437
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.08.065
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    Cited by:

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    2. Arsenio Barbón & Luis Bayón & Guzmán Díaz & Carlos A. Silva, 2022. "Investigation of the Effect of Albedo in Photovoltaic Systems for Urban Applications: Case Study for Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Barbón, A. & Carreira-Fontao, V. & Bayón, L. & Silva, C.A., 2023. "Optimal design and cost analysis of single-axis tracking photovoltaic power plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 626-646.
    4. Barbón, A. & Fortuny Ayuso, P. & Bayón, L. & Silva, C.A., 2023. "Experimental and numerical investigation of the influence of terrain slope on the performance of single-axis trackers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    5. Barbón, A. & Bayón-Cueli, C. & Bayón, L. & Carreira-Fontao, V., 2022. "A methodology for an optimal design of ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    6. Zhang, Shunqi & Liu, Ming & Zhao, Yongliang & Zhang, Kezhen & Liu, Jiping & Yan, Junjie, 2022. "Thermodynamic analysis on a novel bypass steam recovery system for parabolic trough concentrated solar power plants during start-up processes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 973-983.

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