Economic assessment of photovoltaic-based microgrid incorporated with solar tracking system
Solar energy is a major renewable energy source as it is clean and abundant. The solar radiation yield of a PV system can be enhanced by fixing the solar panel at optimal orientation or coupling with a solar tracking system. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of incorporating solar t...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
Italian Association of Chemical Engineering - AIDIC
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/95624/ http://dx.doi.org/10.3303/CET2183076 |
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| Institution: | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia |
| Summary: | Solar energy is a major renewable energy source as it is clean and abundant. The solar radiation yield of a PV system can be enhanced by fixing the solar panel at optimal orientation or coupling with a solar tracking system. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of incorporating solar trackers into microgrid to improve the energy gain. A mathematical model is formulated for the optimal sizing of microgrid and the model is implemented on a case study with 500 households. The study outcome suggests the feasibility of solar tracking system is greatly dependent on its cost. When the cost of solar tracker is low, east-west single-axis tracking system is the most feasible option, but the fixed-tilt system becomes more feasible when the cost of solar tracker is high. The threshold for east-west single-axis tracking system investment is found to be <240 USD/kWp. |
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