AUTHOR=Navothna Bhogula , Thotakura Sandhya 

TITLE=Analysis on Large-Scale Solar PV Plant Energy Performance–Loss–Degradation in Coastal Climates of India

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Energy Research

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/energy-research/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.857948

DOI=10.3389/fenrg.2022.857948

ISSN=2296-598X

ABSTRACT=The article presents a detailed analysis of performance, rate of degradation, power and energy loss of 1 MWp scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in an academic institution (GITAM Deemed to be University), located in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh India. The PV plant consists of 3078 polycrystalline  PV modules of 325 Wp rating, installed on the roof-top of the institute buildings. The annual energy generated is 1684.881 MWh. In this study, performance analysis involves the calculation of efficiency, capacity factor, and performance ratio with data simulated by the PVsyst tool. Degradation analysis involves energy light-induced degradation (LID) and degradation rate (DR). The predicted result provides an estimate for optimal functioning of PV plant with annual capacity factor, performance ratio and energy loss of 11.3%, 87.9%, and -26%, respectively. Energy loss by light-induced degradation is predicted as -2.7%/year, and the degradation rate of module per year is -0.6% to -5%.