Dependence of solar energy generation on field factors
Student name: Mr Rajat Sethi
Guide: Mr Amit Kumar
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: Tata Power Solar Systems Limited, Bengaluru
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Seshadri Devanadhan
Abstract: In current project, the effects of external factors on the generation of a solar power plant is
covered. Everyone is aware of the way, how weather affects the energy generation in a solar
photovoltaic plant. In a similar way the current methods of performance evaluation of PV plant
are also effected by a lot of external factors and are not robust. The current project is an effort to
sensitize the Solar Energy sector including the government officials about the need of robust
methods for performance measurement. This will enhance the reliability as well as serve as a
stepping stone while going forward with forecasting of energy generated by renewable energy
sources.
For my study, a Tata power solar site with 7MW capacity were considered. There were two
different verticals, which required detailed study. One vertical was the environmental factors and
its data analysis, the other was calculation of performance. For my study, I had accessed the solar
plant generation and weather data of 7MW site. On the other side, there are many methods of
Performance measurement of a PV plant, which are used across the world. For my study, I had
done the literature survey for the available techniques for plant performance measurement and
suggested the most appropriate method. I developed temperature corrected empirical relations for
more accurate PR calculations for the 7MW solar plant.
The results show a significant improvement in the accuracy of measurement as well as
improvement in quality of work.
If we use the suggested, Corrected PR method over Yield, Specific yield etc., we will be able to
evaluate the degradation of our plant. So, this project is a step in choosing what are the
recommended methods in measuring SPV plant performance/efficiency.
