Performance analysis for grid connected photovoltaic system / Barry Igai

The usage of alternative energy is one of the important aspects of obtaining other resources of energy available. Due to the depleting resources of fossil fuels sources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, the need of alternative energy are being implemented more in providing power. As the global situation that demands alternative energy to reduce the effect of global warming and greenhouse effects, photovoltaic energy is a resource that can be utilized, implemented and developed as the energy from photovoltaic is free, clean, safe and does not produce waste. Malaysia as one of developing nations are taking steps in studying and promoting the use of photovoltaics energy to cater for the increasing demand of power due to its fast growth. Photovoltaic energy is generation of energy due to photoelectric effect when light from the sun strikes the surface of solar cells. Solar cells are semiconductor materials that generate electricity through process of doping when photons from the irradiance of the sun enter the material. This work focuses on the study of the characteristics of a solar panel, and the various parameters that are related to the generation of power from a solar panel. The behavior of a solar panel, in real and controlled environment is also examined in this work as a preliminary work before evaluating the performance of grid connected systems. The performance of a grid-connected photovoltaic system was also analyzed and conducted on a photovoltaic facility located in SIRIM Berhad, Shah Alam. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the possible performance rating of the plant