Solar Power System Modeling and Performance Analysis Jiaqi Wang Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science University of Denver

Solar Power System Modeling and Performance Analysis Jiaqi Wang Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science University of Denver Author: Jiaqi Wang Title: Solar Power System Modeling and Performance Analysis Advisors: WenZhong Gao Degree Date: August 2011 Abstract At present the main source of our power and energy needs are from fossil fuel; almost all transportation tools and nearly 70% of electrical power are produced by fossil fuel. But unfortunately these materials are limited in our planet, with obvious drawback such as pollution. So looking for new kinds of energy supply is an urgent matter. Solar-powered photovoltaic system provides a clean energy solution to this problem. It is developing fast all over the world in terms of both research work and actual applications. It is estimated that the power supplied by solar energy can provide 10 percent of United States power needs. This thesis mainly discusses photovoltaic system modeling from the beginning of site selection to system sizing. Some tools are used during the project. A GIS application is used to help developers in the preliminary studies. Photovoltaic system simulation software PVsyst involves the system components setting and sizing process. Two types of systems are built in this study: stand-alone system and grid connected system; the location is set at Denver, Colorado. For each system the array mounting, analysis of loads and modules selection are studied. The simulation is performed after the system model is completed, the results includes loss diagrams, system energy yields and system efficiencies. At last the economic analysis and comparison between the two types of PV systems is analyzed.

 LINK
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1688&context=etd