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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A2: Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 January 2022) | Viewed by 7094

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nigel Taylor

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Guest Editor

European Commission Joint Research Centre, 21027 Ispra, Italy
Interests: renewables, solar energy, photovoltaics, energy policy

Dr. Ana Gracia Amillo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

European Commission Joint Research Centre, 21027 Ispra, Italy
Interests: solar energy; solar resource available in complex terrains; PV performance modelling; solar energy systems; renewable energies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Guest Editors are inviting submissions to a Special Issue of Energies on the subject area of “Photovoltaic Solar Energy Generation Potentials in Europe”.

Solar photovoltaics are set to be a pillar of Europe’s energy transition, but large-scale deployment will present a range of technical and non-technical challenges to exploiting the continent’s undoubted solar energy potential in a sustainable way.

This Special Issue will deal with novel analyses of potential of photovoltaics in Europe, addressing a broad range of perspectives, ranging from resource and deployment options to the diverse cultural factors influencing public acceptance. Studies with a pan-European perspective are particularly welcome. Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

Solar resource measurement and modelling;

Impact of advanced PV technologies;

Impact of climate change on photovoltaics in Europe;

Deployment of photovoltaics, in particular Europe’s potential for innovative applications in the built environment, agri-PV, floating PV for inland water bodies and for the sea, infrastructure PV, vehicle-integrated PV or others;

Socio-economic and environmental factors, including public acceptance, in different European regions.

Dr. Nigel Taylor
Dr. Ana Gracia Amillo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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24 pages, 4064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Selected Working Conditions on Electricity Generation in Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules in Polish Climatic Conditions

by Arkadiusz Dobrzycki, Dariusz Kurz and Ewa Maćkowiak

Energies 2021, 14(16), 4964; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164964 - 13 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1873

Abstract

This paper discusses the conversion of solar irradiance energy into electricity. Double-sided (bifacial) panels are gaining increasing popularity in commercial applications due to the increased energy yield with a constant occupied mounting surface. However, the value of the additional energy yield produced by the back of the panel depends on several important factors. This paper presents the influence of working conditions on electricity generation in bifacial modules. This paper also investigates the influence of weather conditions, the module inclination angle, and the substrate beneath the panel surface on electricity generation. Fill factor and efficiency were calculated for each case included in the study scope. Based on the current voltage, power characteristics, and calculations, the module operation for different conditions was compared. It was observed that the optimal inclination angle to the surface is higher for the bifacial modules compared to the unilateral modules. The type of surface under the module has also been indicated to impact the amount of electricity generated. The additional energy yield associated with the panels’ rear side accounts for 2% to more than 35% of the total power generated by a photovoltaic (PV) module. The unit cost of electricity generation in the analyzed cases was also determined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Solar Energy Generation Potentials in Europe)

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22 pages, 29794 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of the Immunity Test of a Photovoltaic System Disturbed by Electromagnetic Voltage Surge

by Dorota Bugała, Artur Bugała and Wojciech Machczyński

Energies 2021, 14(12), 3646; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14123646 - 18 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2144

Abstract

This paper presents a computer simulation model (in the MATLAB/Simulink environment) of a photovoltaic system disturbed by a 1.2/50 µs voltage surge pulse, while operating as part of the fixed system of an intelligent building. The tested part of the system consisted of a single PV module and a single-phase DC/AC voltage source converter provided with a maximum power point tracking system. The simulation of the test performed in accordance with the IEC 61000-4-5 standard required the development of a model of a surge waveform generator and a model of a coupling/decoupling network. The 1.2/50 μs voltage surge pulse was introduced into the system from the power grid side. During the test significant changes in the value of the AC voltage and current were found in the DC/AC converter system. The results of the computer simulation tests were verified with measurements performed in an accredited electromagnetic compatibility laboratory using the instructions specified in IEC 61000-4-5. The MATLAB/Simulink environment was proved as a useful tool of the assessment of effects of conducted electromagnetic disturbances on electronic/electric devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Solar Energy Generation Potentials in Europe)

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26 pages, 11304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Solar Tracking System with New Hybrid Control in Energy Production Optimization from Photovoltaic Conversion for Polish Climatic Conditions

by Grażyna Frydrychowicz-Jastrzębska and Artur Bugała

Energies 2021, 14(10), 2938; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14102938 - 19 May 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2456

Abstract

This paper presents a comparison of the 24-month production of electricity and momentary power by two photovoltaic systems with a nominal power of 1000 W_p each. The analyzed systems are connected to the power grid and operate independently: a fixed system with optimal all-year-round angular positioning and an astronomical-sensor-controlled dual-axis tracking system. The systems under consideration consist of PV modules with a unit electrical power of 200 W_p, and the production technology of those modules is the same. The tested systems were located on the building rooftop of the Faculty of Control, Robotics and Electrical Engineering of the Poznan University of Technology in Poland (Central Poland, 52°24.4152′ N, 16°55.7958′ E) at a height of 30 m above ground level. The measurements take into account the consumption of electricity by the actuators of the dual-axis positioning system. Increases in the produced electricity by 35.6% and 44.7% were observed for local climatic conditions during the first and second measuring years, respectively, when comparing the use of the dual-axis tracking system with the use of fixed units. Results show that the analyzed region of central Poland, represented by the city of Poznań, creates favorable climatic conditions for the use of astronomical-sensor spatial positioning systems for photovoltaic modules, also in the case of a significant share of diffuse solar radiation in the global value. These results may make the planning of solar tracking investments easier and help with the estimate calculations of the total investment return period and operational costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Solar Energy Generation Potentials in Europe)

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