Performance Analysis of a Rooftop Solar Power Integration: A Case Study of an Educational Campus

Abstract

This research work examines performance of a rooftop solar plant at the Government Engineering College in Bharuch, Gujarat, India, comprising 417 solar panels and 8 inverters. Data from January 2016 to December 2020 was analyzed monthly and yearly, focusing on one year's data. Key parameters evaluated include array yield, reference yield, final yield, performance ratio, Photovoltaic module efficiency, system losses, inverter efficiency, and capacity factor. Peak solar radiation and average temperature reached 192.7 W/m² and 31.6⁰C in May. Annual reference yield totaled 214104.26 kWh, with actual yield at 172090.48 kWh, resulting in a performance ratio of about 80.28%. January saw the lowest performance ratio at 73.22%, while May peaked at 86.74%. Average daily efficiencies for the photovoltaic module, system, and inverter were 11.96%, 11.67%, and 97.63% respectively. The yearly average daily performance ratio and capacity factor were 80.28% and 19.92% respectively. System losses ranged from 0.04 to 0.12 hours per day (h/d), while capture losses varies from 0.19 to 1.23 h/d, averaging 0.17 h/d and 0.69 h/d respectively. This research emphasis solar energy's potential for India's sustainable development and emphasizes the need for ongoing research and innovation.