Practical evaluation of polycrystalline photovoltaic module efficiency under Karaganda conditions

Abstract

Nowadays, seven major projects aiming at solar power plants development with total capacity of 300 MW have been introducedin Kazakhstan, which advances the use of non-conventional renewable energy sources and develops the technologies to promotethe solar energy. The paper reports on the research focused on the design and construction of 60 MW solar power plant in the cityof Saran. An experimental solar power plant has been built at Karaganda State Technical University to study technical parametersof photovoltaic modules under operational conditions and their adjustment to climatic conditions of Karaganda located in CentralKazakhstan. The statistical analysis of data was performed, and the distribution parameters with the criteria for processing experi-mental results were evaluated. It was found out that the monitoring system and the change in the values of Azimuth and Zenithangles of solar modules will be effective for Karaganda. The results of observations have shown that the amount of electrical ener-gy produced in 2014 exceeded the amount generated in 2015 in the range of 10 %, depending on the month of the year. A temper-ature increase by 1 °C from 25 °C reduces the solar panel capacity by approximately 0.51 %.