Technical Evaluation and Optimization of the Arrangement of the Small off Grid Photovoltaic System in a Case Study in Iraq

Abstract

Due to the growing global demand for electricity, the need for electricity production has increased. However, rising natural gas prices and regulatory emphasis on limiting greenhouse gas emissions have raised the cost of electricity generation using fossil fuels. For this reason, the shift toward using alternative energy sources for electricity generation, including solar electricity via photovoltaic systems, has gained traction. Photovoltaic systems are widely used due to their many advantages: a long lifespan of about 20 years, the ability to install and operate in mountainous geographical conditions, suitability for mobile systems, easy maintenance, independence from the grid in remote locations, and connectivity to the grid, all of which provide a promising future for these systems. In this research, two case studies in specific locations in Iraq (Karbala Province and Erbil Province) have been selected for photovoltaic panel modeling based on latitude and longitude. The simulation of the photovoltaic panel was conducted using PV-Syst software for these areas. The results show that the optimal angle for the photovoltaic panel to improve the system’s efficiency in Karbala Province is approximately 31 degrees, which enhances the system's efficiency and performance, resulting in a production capacity of 1815 kWh/year. The optimal angle for Erbil Province was determined to be 33 degrees, generating 1743 kWh/year.