Bioclimatic pilot plant integrated: Energy performance analysis over a 2-year horizon

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic energy is considered one of the main investment options for the coming years, thanks to its rapid technological development, reliability, and economic competitiveness. In Brazil, as of July 2023, the installed capacity of solar photovoltaic energy in the national electricity grid surpassed 32 GW, trailing only hydropower. To ensure this growth continues, constant investment in research is necessary to analyze the performance of solar systems and improve their utilization in society. In this context, this study presents an analysis of the energy performance of a photovoltaic system with an installed capacity of 0.99 kWp over a 2-year period. The photovoltaic system is grid-connected and integrated into a bioclimatic pilot plant located at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in the city of Araranguá/SC. The data used for the study cover the period from January 2021 to December 2022. During the analysis of the photovoltaic system's performance, indicators such as system productivity (YF), reference productivity (YR), and system performance ratio (PR) were calculated, along with the global solar irradiation on the inclined plane for the years 2021 and 2022, using data from the INMET platform. The results showed that the system's productivity in 2021 was 5.1% higher than in 2022. Concerning the reference productivity, the highest value was achieved in January 2022, at 190.19 kWh/kWp, while in February 2021, the maximum value was 184.85 kWh/kWp. Finally, the performance ratio in 2021 reached 89%, while in 2022, it was 85%. To ensure the continuous growth and improvement of solar energy utilization, it is essential to invest in research and studies to optimize its performance and contribute to a more sustainable future.