IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i17p6177-d1225147.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Performance Evaluation of Burkina Faso’s 33 MW Largest Grid-Connected PV Power Plant

Author

Listed:
  • Sami Florent Palm

    (Condensed Matter Research Group, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
    Green Tech Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Lamkharbach Youssef

    (Green Tech Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Sebastian Waita

    (Condensed Matter Research Group, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya)

  • Thomas Nyachoti Nyangonda

    (Condensed Matter Research Group, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya)

  • Khalid Radouane

    (Green Tech Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Ahmed Chebak

    (Green Tech Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

Abstract

This study conducted an in-depth analysis of the performance of the largest Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic System in Burkina Faso from 2019 to 2021. The research utilized measured data and simulated the plant’s performance using the PVGIS database. The results revealed that the months with high solar radiation were the most energy-productive, indicating a direct correlation between solar irradiance and energy generation. During the rainy season (July and August), the PV plant exhibited the highest conversion efficiency. Conversely, the hot season (March and April) was associated with the lowest conversion efficiencies, with module temperatures reaching approximately 47 °C. Efficiency decreased from 12.29% in 2019 to 12.10% in 2021. The system’s performance ratio ranged from 80.73% in 2019 to 79.36% in 2021, while the capacity factor varied from 19.89% in 2019 to 19.33% in 2021. The final yield, measured in hours per day, was 4.89 h/d in 2019, 4.61 h/d in 2020, and 4.92 h/d in 2021. These findings highlight the deterioration in the performance of the Zagtouli PV plant over time. The study emphasizes the utility of using PVGIS-SARAH2 to forecast solar radiation and estimate energy output in PV systems. A semi-automatic cleaning system is used to clean the modules. This cleaning mechanism is inefficient because it is inconsistent. To increase the PV plant’s effectiveness, improved cleaning systems with more advanced mechanisms are required. This research, the first of its kind on the largest PV power plant connected to Burkina Faso’s national grid, serves as a valuable model for other power plants currently under construction or in the planning stages.

Suggested Citation

  • Sami Florent Palm & Lamkharbach Youssef & Sebastian Waita & Thomas Nyachoti Nyangonda & Khalid Radouane & Ahmed Chebak, 2023. "Performance Evaluation of Burkina Faso’s 33 MW Largest Grid-Connected PV Power Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6177-:d:1225147
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/17/6177/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/17/6177/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mpholo, Moeketsi & Nchaba, Teboho & Monese, Molebatsi, 2015. "Yield and performance analysis of the first grid-connected solar farm at Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Lesotho," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 845-852.
    2. Saeed Abdul-Ganiyu & David A Quansah & Emmanuel W Ramde & Razak Seidu & Muyiwa S. Adaramola, 2020. "Investigation of Solar Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Performance: A Case Study in Ghana," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Edalati, Saeed & Ameri, Mehran & Iranmanesh, Masoud, 2015. "Comparative performance investigation of mono- and poly-crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules for use in grid-connected photovoltaic systems in dry climates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 255-265.
    4. Kumar, Manish & Chandel, S.S. & Kumar, Arun, 2020. "Performance analysis of a 10 MWp utility scale grid-connected canal-top photovoltaic power plant under Indian climatic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kumar, Manish & Chandel, S.S. & Kumar, Arun, 2020. "Performance analysis of a 10 MWp utility scale grid-connected canal-top photovoltaic power plant under Indian climatic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    2. Bouaichi, Abdellatif & El Amrani, Aumeur & Ouhadou, Malika & Lfakir, Aberrazak & Messaoudi, Choukri, 2020. "In-situ performance and degradation of three different photovoltaic module technologies installed in arid climate of Morocco," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    3. Kowsar, Abu & Hassan, Mahedi & Rana, Md Tasnim & Haque, Nawshad & Faruque, Md Hasan & Ahsan, Saifuddin & Alam, Firoz, 2023. "Optimization and techno-economic assessment of 50 MW floating solar power plant on Hakaluki marsh land in Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    4. Purohit, Ishan & Purohit, Pallav, 2018. "Performance assessment of grid-interactive solar photovoltaic projects under India’s national solar mission," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 25-41.
    5. Chikh, Madjid & Berkane, Smain & Mahrane, Achour & Sellami, Rabah & Yassaa, Noureddine, 2021. "Performance assessment of a 400 kWp multi- technology photovoltaic grid-connected pilot plant in arid region of Algeria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 488-501.
    6. Ciprian Cristea & Maria Cristea & Dan Doru Micu & Andrei Ceclan & Radu-Adrian Tîrnovan & Florica Mioara Șerban, 2022. "Tridimensional Sustainability and Feasibility Assessment of Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems Applied for the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-23, August.
    7. Abraham Alem Kebede & Maitane Berecibar & Thierry Coosemans & Maarten Messagie & Towfik Jemal & Henok Ayele Behabtu & Joeri Van Mierlo, 2020. "A Techno-Economic Optimization and Performance Assessment of a 10 kW P Photovoltaic Grid-Connected System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-29, September.
    8. Mehdi, Maryam & Ammari, Nabil & Alami Merrouni, Ahmed & El Gallassi, Hicham & Dahmani, Mohamed & Ghennioui, Abdellatif, 2023. "An experimental comparative analysis of different PV technologies performance including the influence of hot-arid climatic parameters: Toward a realistic yield assessment for desert locations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 695-716.
    9. Emmanuel, Michael & Akinyele, Daniel & Rayudu, Ramesh, 2017. "Techno-economic analysis of a 10 kWp utility interactive photovoltaic system at Maungaraki school, Wellington, New Zealand," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 573-583.
    10. Edalati, Saeed & Ameri, Mehran & Iranmanesh, Masoud, 2015. "Comparative performance investigation of mono- and poly-crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules for use in grid-connected photovoltaic systems in dry climates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 255-265.
    11. Atsu, Divine & Seres, Istvan & Farkas, Istvan, 2021. "The state of solar PV and performance analysis of different PV technologies grid-connected installations in Hungary," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    12. Daher, Daha Hassan & Gaillard, Léon & Amara, Mohamed & Ménézo, Christophe, 2018. "Impact of tropical desert maritime climate on the performance of a PV grid-connected power plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 729-737.
    13. Isabel Santiago & David Trillo Montero & Juan J. Luna Rodríguez & Isabel M. Moreno Garcia & Emilio J. Palacios Garcia, 2017. "Graphical Diagnosis of Performances in Photovoltaic Systems: A Case Study in Southern Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-26, November.
    14. Thamae, Leboli Z. & Thamae, Retselisitsoe I. & Thamae, Thimothy M., 2015. "Assessing a decade of regulatory performance for the Lesotho electricity industry," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 91-101.
    15. Kumar, Pankaj & Pal, Nitai & Sharma, Himanshu, 2022. "Optimization and techno-economic analysis of a solar photo-voltaic/biomass/diesel/battery hybrid off-grid power generation system for rural remote electrification in eastern India," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    16. Francesco Pasanisi & Gaia Righini & Massimo D’Isidoro & Lina Vitali & Gino Briganti & Sergio Grauso & Lorenzo Moretti & Carlo Tebano & Gabriele Zanini & Mabafokeng Mahahabisa & Mosuoe Letuma & Muso Ra, 2021. "A Cooperation Project in Lesotho: Renewable Energy Potential Maps Embedded in a WebGIS Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-26, September.
    17. D’Isidoro, Massimo & Briganti, Gino & Vitali, Lina & Righini, Gaia & Adani, Mario & Guarnieri, Guido & Moretti, Lorenzo & Raliselo, Muso & Mahahabisa, Mabafokeng & Ciancarella, Luisella & Zanini, Gabr, 2020. "Estimation of solar and wind energy resources over Lesotho and their complementarity by means of WRF yearly simulation at high resolution," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 114-129.
    18. Hamid Iftikhar & Eduardo Sarquis & P. J. Costa Branco, 2021. "Why Can Simple Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Practices in Large-Scale Grid-Connected PV Power Plants Play a Key Role in Improving Its Energy Output?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-29, June.
    19. Yujing Sun & Fei Wang & Bo Wang & Qifang Chen & N.A. Engerer & Zengqiang Mi, 2016. "Correlation Feature Selection and Mutual Information Theory Based Quantitative Research on Meteorological Impact Factors of Module Temperature for Solar Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, December.
    20. Ayman Alhejji & Alban Kuriqi & Jakub Jurasz & Farag K. Abo-Elyousr, 2021. "Energy Harvesting and Water Saving in Arid Regions via Solar PV Accommodation in Irrigation Canals," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6177-:d:1225147. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.