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Impact of Component Reliability on Large Scale Photovoltaic Systems’ Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Baschel

    (Vattenfall Innovation GmbH, Chausseestrasse 23, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

  • Elena Koubli

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Jyotirmoy Roy

    (juwi Renewable Energies Limited, Energie-Allee 1, 55286 Wörrstadt, Germany)

  • Ralph Gottschalg

    (Fraunhofer-Centre for Silicon-Photovoltaic CSP, Walter-Hülse-Strasse 1, 06120 Halle, Germany)

Abstract

In this work, the impact of component reliability on large scale photovoltaic (PV) systems’ performance is demonstrated. The analysis is largely based on an extensive field-derived dataset of failure rates of operation ranging from three to five years, derived from different large-scale PV systems. Major system components, such as transformers, are also included, which are shown to have a significant impact on the overall energy lost due to failures. A Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is used to estimate the impact on reliability and availability for two inverter configurations. A Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is employed to rank failures in different subsystems with regards to occurrence and severity. Estimation of energy losses (EL) is realised based on actual failure probabilities. It is found that the key contributions to reduced energy yield are the extended repair periods of the transformer and the inverter. The very small number of transformer issues (less than 1%) causes disproportionate EL due to the long lead times for a replacement device. Transformer and inverter issues account for about 2/3 of total EL in large scale PV systems (LSPVSs). An optimised monitoring strategy is proposed in order to reduce repair times for the transformer and its contribution to EL.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Baschel & Elena Koubli & Jyotirmoy Roy & Ralph Gottschalg, 2018. "Impact of Component Reliability on Large Scale Photovoltaic Systems’ Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:6:p:1579-:d:152816
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zini, Gabriele & Mangeant, Christophe & Merten, Jens, 2011. "Reliability of large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(9), pages 2334-2340.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wilfried van Sark, 2019. "Photovoltaic System Design and Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-6, May.
    2. Sayed, A. & EL-Shimy, M. & El-Metwally, M. & Elshahed, M., 2020. "Impact of subsystems on the overall system availability for the large scale grid-connected photovoltaic systems," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    3. Pramod R. Sonawane & Sheetal Bhandari & Rajkumar Bhimgonda Patil & Sameer Al-Dahidi, 2023. "Reliability and Criticality Analysis of a Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic System Using Fault Tree Analysis Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-24, March.
    4. A. Sayed & M. El-Shimy & M. El-Metwally & M. Elshahed, 2019. "Reliability, Availability and Maintainability Analysis for Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, March.
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    6. Aisha Sa’ad & Aimé C. Nyoungue & Zied Hajej, 2021. "Improved Preventive Maintenance Scheduling for a Photovoltaic Plant under Environmental Constraints," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
    7. Abdulla, Hind & Sleptchenko, Andrei & Nayfeh, Ammar, 2024. "Photovoltaic systems operation and maintenance: A review and future directions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).

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