Optimization of the tilt angle of solar module of a solar PV plant with respect to energy generation, land use and mounting structure
Student name: Ms Mamta Bajetha
Guide: Prof R.L.Sawhney
Year of completion: 2011
Host Organisation: Mott MacDonald Private Limited
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Lokesh Jain
Abstract: This thesis work comprises three different tasks. Before staring the first task literature review of JNNSM policy, Gujarat solar policy 2009, Rajasthan solar energy policy 2010 and commercially available solar thermal and PV technologies was done. First task was to find the optimized tilt angle with respect to energy generation, land use and mounting structure. Second task was to do independent technical consultancy (ITC) (due –diligence Pre financial closure report-phase1 of lender’s engineering job) for a 1MW solar PV plant, Chranka, Gujarat. Finally third task was for a post financial closure report of phase 2, in which I was assigned to make a list of document and plan of action for lender’s engineering job from a given scope of work by bank.
My first task was to analyze the given NREL solar radiation data to find solar radiation, hourly shade length and mounting material at differently tilted surface. Whole analysis was done on MS-Excel and it is found that maximum energy generation is obtained at the tilt angle equal to latitude. For optimum value of land use hourly shade analysis is done and observed closely to find the optimum value of pitch (inter-row spacing).At tilt angle equal to latitude the optimum pitch is obtained at the intersection point of curves namely land cost Vs pitch and loss of revenue (due to shading ) Vs pitch.
Second task was a Lender’s engineering job to make a pre financial close report for a bank. This work was an independent technical
consultancy work in which developer’s claim of energy generation and estimation of losses in the system are reviewed along with other technical aspect according to the scope of work given by the bank.
Third task was related to post financial close report of Lender’s engineering job. According to the scope of work given by the bank, a list is prepared in which all document are mentioned along with specific review and plan of action which are required to do the job.
Key words: JNNSM, NREL, hourly shade length, Lender’s engineering, solar thermal, solar PV.
