Analysis of PV Systems Installed in Paraná

HIGHLIGHTS Comparative study of the operation of eight real cases of systems installed in Paraná. There is a convergence between the values estimated by the Atlas and the ones calculated. It was possible to identify the cities that presented the greatest figures of merit.

Abstract With the development of renewable energies in the world, there is also an increase in solar photovoltaic systems globally. In Brazil, and in the state of Paraná, there is an exponential growth of this form of energy generation, which causes the necessity to study the performance of the installed systems. Therefore, this article analyzed eight photovoltaic systems installed in the state of Paraná, under the aspect of figures of merit parameters, through calculations of final yield, performance ratio and capacity factor. In addition, the calculated values were compared to the values estimated by the Solar Energy Atlas of the State of Paraná. As a result, the largest average differences in final yield, between the calculations and the Atlas, were found in the cities of Cascavel, while the smallest were observed in Goioerê.

Integration of a Pilot PV Parking Lot and an Electric Vehicle in a University Campus Located in Curitiba: a Study Case

Abstract Considering the increasing adoption of Hybrid Plug-in and Electric Cars, there are concerns about recharging process of these vehicles considering the capacity of grid to provide sufficient energy to that purpose. In the past years, the growth of distributed energy generation from renewable and clean energy sources, especially photovoltaics, represents a possible and feasible solution to supply the energy used on recharging electric vehicles and reduction of greenhouse emission gases as CO2. This article is a study case that analyzes the energy production of a solar carport, located at Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) at Neoville Campus, comparing with energy consumption of a commercial electric car for a city use purpose. Based on solar energy generation, data from the web monitoring platform, real positioning characteristics of the solar carport installation, irradiation data collected from the National Institute of Meteorology basis and with a solarimetric station located at the same place as the solar carport is installed, the solar energy production is rated using three different metrics: yield, performance ratio and capacity factor. These metrics are calculated with RADIASOL2 software, a free and precise tool, developed by Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) to execute computational simulation of photovoltaic systems using mathematical models. The results showed a slightly low energy production performance than expected, but more than enough energy to recharge an electric vehicle for a day use, demonstrating that a solar carport system could be a good solution to meet the energy demand for this application.

Performance Estimation of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems in Different Regions in Paraná

Abstract The obtaining of electric energy from solar energy through photovoltaic systems shows great growth due to the solar potential present in the Brazilian territory. In the State of Paraná, studies are recurrent in public and private sectors on the development and performance of this technology. The installation and commissioning processes of photovoltaic plants are linked to the expectation of energy generation and the performance of the system through the figures of merit. The feasibility of the project can be confirmed when the results of these parameters are satisfactory and correspond to averages obtained from already consolidated surveys. The six photovoltaic systems implemented at the Federal Technological University of Paraná have expectations of generation and performance consistent with those of previous studies and will contribute to scientific advancement on the behavior of systems with different technologies located in different regions in the state.

Benefit Analysis of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Solar System with Energy Storage

Abstract The use of batteries combined with photovoltaic (PV) systems connected to the grid allows the storage of surplus energy from photovoltaic generation for later use. This combination can reduce dependence on the grid, since, for most consumers, peak consumption does not occur simultaneously with peak generation from the PV system. This article describes the initial operation of a PV system with 10.72kWp connected to grid and associated to a storage system with 57.6kWh lead-acid batteries installed at the Federal University of Technology - Paraná, in Curitiba city, Campus Neoville. We present an analysis of the benefits obtained from the combined use of the PV system connected to the grid with energy storage, reducing the total energy consumed from the grid. A brief analysis of the demand showed that, for this UTFPR campus, the peak power consumption occurred between 10:00 and 12:00 AM, which was also the interval of peak photovoltaic generation. We have observed that a scheduled battery discharge of 5.5% of the storage capacity from May to November and 9% discharge in December has resulted in R$ 1,154.44 of saving in the first seven months of operation.

Analysis of solar photovoltaic energy potential in Brazilian hydroelectric reservoirs through floating panels

Abstract Sustainability, a concept used to exploit natural resources without harming future generations, is being applied to power generation. In Brazil, the main source of electric energy comes from hydroelectric plants, due to abundant water resources. However, the implementation of these plants causes irreversible impacts on the environment and society. On the other hand, the impacts caused by photovoltaic panels are considerably smaller in the construction phase and zero in the operation phase. This article describes the impacts generated by hydroelectric power plants and gives an overview of the power generated by floating photovoltaic panels using 10% of the area of the reservoirs of the largest hydroelectric power plants in Brazil. The results demonstrate a better efficiency of the photovoltaic panels in the water, which cools them, increasing their efficiency. Furthermore, photovoltaic panel power generation amount is higher than compared the annual power generation of three out of four hydroelectric plants analyzed. In addition, adding solar energy to the reservoirs would save infrastructure costs, considering that energy can be made available through substation infrastructure and existing power transmission systems.

Converting a Conventional Vehicle into an Electric Vehicle (EV)

Abstract The electric vehicle (EV) is not a recent invention. Between the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century, most motor vehicles were electric, due to their superior reliability and cleanliness, compared to that of vehicles driven by internal combustion engines (ICE). However, with the development of ICEs and the reduction of their price, electric cars were forgotten. Only almost a century later, they returned in the market due to a significant increase in fossil fuels prices, as well as to a growing environmental concern. EVs present a number of advantages over ICE vehicles: they are simpler and require less use and replacement of parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs; moreover, they do not release pollutants into the environment. However, their production cost is still much higher than that of ICE vehicles. In order to verify the possibility of converting a conventional vehicle into an electric one at a reasonable cost, achieving a good performance and a good kWh/km ratio, an ICE-powered Mercedes-Benz Class A 190 was converted into an EV. The results of several tests indicate that the conversion is feasible, as the car reached an average travelling cost of 0.16 R$/km, assuming a price for the energy of 0.63 R$/kWh. Moreover, this cost could be as low as zero if solar radiation is utilized to generate electricity through photovoltaic panels, which is an even more environmentally sustainable solution..

Determination of Diffused Irradiation from Horizontal Global Irradiation - Study for the City of Curitiba

Abstract Understanding the solar radiation values ​​in the surface is important for the development of solar energy projects, obtaining through radiometers installed in certain places or publications as in solar energy atlases. Typically, solar or weather stations do not have sensors to measure diffuse irradiation due to high investment and the need for constant maintenance. This paper presents methods for the determination of diffuse irradiation from surface measured data of global horizontal irradiation in the city of Curitiba, obtained through pyranometers installed at the Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR) headquarters and from Curitiba-A807 National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) station. Two models are presented for the estimation of the monthly mean daily diffuse irradiation, based on the studies of Liu and Jordan (1960) and Page (1961). Finally, these data were compared with those presented by the Solar Energy Atlas - Paraná, verifying the percentage differences presented. It was observed that the model elaborated by Page presented better results in the diffuse radiation estimates when compared to the values ​​presented by the Paraná Atlas, with an average variation of -1.39% and -1.55%, for data from INMET and UTFPR respectively.

Current Panorama and 2025 Scenario of Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Brazil

Abstract The photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil was boosted by Normative Resolution No. 482/2012 of ANEEL, which regulated the micro and mini generation in the compensation system, and by the specific auctions for photovoltaic plants carried out by the federal government. However, the country still has little representation of the solar energy in its electrical matrix, about 0.13%, with approximately 1% of the installed capacity of electric power generators considering all the sources, both values ​​refer to the year 2017. In the initial moments of a technology, its growth occurs irregularly and because there is little installed capacity, any added value can cause abrupt variations in the percentage from one year to another, that is, its growth still does not follow a sustainable standard, which should be regularized around the year 2025, following the worldwide trend of growth of approximately 30% each year. As a scenario for 2025, the total power of the PVSGC in Brazil will be approximately 75.6 GWp which will represent 98.3 TWh of electric energy produced by this source, considering the estimated electric energy demand for 2025 of 800 TWh, will result in the contribution of 12.3% of the energy by solar photovoltaic source.

State of the Art of the Application of Energy Storage Systems in Photovoltaic Buildings

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV) buildings are increasingly present in urban centers and can generate their own energy becoming independent of the grid, depending on their consumption profile. However, most residential and commercial consumers show their peak demand at night, when there is no photovoltaic generation, needing the electricity grid to meet the demand of these facilities. Peak demand lead to increased costs for these consumers and end up disrupting the power quality of the grid. One possible solution for these listed problems is by applying storage systems to these buildings, which is already being done in some countries and can increase the PV generation. Aiming to seek the state of the art of these systems, this article brings a review of the literature, highlighting the possible modes of operation and a real case of application in PV buildings in the world. Also are described the storage technologies most appropriate for applications in these buildings, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. It is expected to gain greater knowledge of these systems, in order to overcome the challenges of intermittence generated by renewable sources, enabling the reduction of energy demand costs in these customers so that it can also be applied in the Brazilian scenario.

Analysis of Production and Consumption of Electric Energy in the Green Office of UTFPR in Curitiba

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for electricity and the scarcity of resources, require renewable energy sources and efficient equipment that reduce the consumption of electricity. The Green Office (GO) of the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR) is a sustainable building that uses strategies to reduce impacts to the environment, one of them being the use of the grid connected photovoltaic system (on-grid). The on-grid was installed in 2011 and since then has been feeding the GO and another building (block V) belonging to UTFPR. This article presents a comparison between an estimate of energy consumption and the generation of energy through the on-grid. By means of the estimated consumption, a survey in loco of the scenario of expenditures of the electrical equipment used in the GO was made, estimating hours of use and power, so the consumption scenario was 145 kWh/month. The power generation of the EV is lower in the months May - July, period in which the solar irradiation is smaller, but according to the measurements the on-grid produces more energy than it consumes.

Implementation of a Photovoltaic Panel to Supply Electric Cars Energy Demands

ABSTRACT The gradual shifting of the energy matrix to renewable sources is one of the main global strategies for sustainable development. According to studies, the use of electric energy by automobiles would lead to a reduction in gasoline consumption of 40.7% in 2031, accompanied by an increase in electricity consumption of 42.1% in relation to official projections. However, the gradual and constant dissemination and use of electric vehicles, a new paradigm emerges, which is the need to supply the energy demand of this new charge in the electric system The use of solar radiation to generate electricity to meet this new demand presents a sustainable alternative. From these questions, a structure was designed with the installation of a photovoltaic solar panel linked to the use of electric vehicles, analyzing estimated values of energy production and avoided emissions of CO2, compared to the average consumption of several models to cover 21,900km per year. The results show that the Renault Twizy was the only model whose consumption was below the energy production of the projected photovoltaic system. In contrast, all models had a positive balance in the estimates of avoided CO2, forming an environmentally sustainable solution.

Protection of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems (GCPVS)

ABSTRACT Installations of photovoltaic systems connected or not to the electrical network have become increasingly popular, but it is often carried out by unqualified people using low quality components. The present study aims to describe the methodology adopted for the protection of grid connected photovoltaic systems (GCPVS) and the implications caused by their lack. Photovoltaic modules are typically installed in galvanized, painted, stainless aluminum or steel structures, which must be connected to a common ground, as these structures and any other components of the system could be energized by the photovoltaic array and may cause serious injuries or even death during routine maintenance, these fatalities can still result in ramifications for the entire industry, with millions of dollars in liability (for death or injury), negative publicity for GCPVS, and increased complications in obtaining licenses. Also, its components must be of good quality and the systems of protection must be well dimensioned and correctly installed, in order to avoid fire and electric damages, with reduction of possible damages in cases of short circuits.

Study of the Performance Reduction Due to the Dirt Effect in the Photovoltaic Systems of UTFPR - Curitiba

ABSTRACT Photovoltaic systems have been consolidated in the global energy scenario as an option of low environmental impact energy generation, high reliability and great applicability in urban centers, acting like energy generators near the point of consumption. The Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR), with the proposal of testing the performance of grid-connected photovoltaic systems (On Grid PV Systems) and help its entry into the Brazilian energy matrix, implemented this technology in two of its buildings: Green Office (GO) And Neoville. This paper analyzed the effects of dust on the Photovoltaic Systems performance based on daily energy. The analysis was carried out from the solar irradiance data from the places where the panels are installed and the electrical power data collected at the mass memory of the inverter of the two systems, in order to be analyzed and compared before and after the cleaning of the photovoltaic modules. The results at the end of the study indicate that dust directly impacts in the performance of the PV system.

Characterization of grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Curitiba, Brazil

ABSTRACT In the search for new options for the establishment of the energy matrix of Brazil, the Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems (GCPVS) are configured as an alternative to urban centers, because they allow the power generation at distributed mode, that is, generate energy at the place where it will be consumed and inject the surplus energy into the network. Faced with the prospect of installing Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System, the objective of this research is to characterize this type of photovoltaic system installed in Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil. This paper highlights that up to July 2017 the State of Paraná has 1031 GCPVS in operation, which corresponds to 6,6MW, while Curitiba has 204 GCPVS that represents 997.4 kW in operation, 82% of which are installed in residences. In addition, the study of a sample of 41 GCPVSs installed in Curitiba shows that 98% of these systems use multicrystalline modules, 75% use single phase inverters and 95% of these use inverters transformerless. This shows that the losses in the conversion process are reduced and the equipment is more compact using better technology than the inverters with transformer. Therefore, the main trend of photovoltaic energy market is to use transformerless inverters.

Feasibility Study through Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems in Curitiba

ABSTRACT The increase in energy demand in Brazil encourages the country to increasingly invest in generation of electric energy, where the demand for other renewable sources increases gradually because they have a lower impact on the environment. The use of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems (GCPVS) is a viable solution for the country, since it presents favorable natural conditions for the use of solar energy. This study approaches the current scenario of three photovoltaic systems installed in Curitiba in 2016 and part of 2017: Green Office (GO) located in Curitiba Campus Downtown, Curitiba Campus Neoville, both of the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), as well as a residence. By means of performance parameters, performance analysis of these systems were carried out and, in order to measure the length of time of the return of the initial investment in its installation, a study of the economic viability of these systems according to the current rate model in Brazil through economic engineering tools was carried out: Simple Payback and Discounted Payback, Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return. Finally, the application of the saved value of electric energy bills was simulated in a bank account during the system´s lifespan.

Analysis of shifting and reduction of the demand peak with the inserting of photovoltaic systems in the Neoville's Headquarters of Federal University of Technology - Paraná Curitiba Campus

ABSTRACT Photovoltaic solar energy is increasingly present in the urban environment through the distributed generation. This kind of generation is characterized by the installation along the distribution network feeders, in low or medium voltage, and contribute to provide energy near the point of consumption. In this sense, this study aims to analyze the demand and consumption curves of the buildings of the Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR) in the Neoville's headquarters. The methodology consists in the application of COPEL's CAS Hemera platform, in order to determine the potential for the implementation of the Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems in this place, because they allow the reduction of costs with electric energy from the application of distributed generation. In February 2016, a grid-connected photovoltaic system was installed in one of the university's blocks, which generated approximately 11 MWh of electric energy this year. This work proposes a scenario for the expansion of this photovotaic system and presents the contribution of photovoltaic generation, using the available coverage showing the shifting or reduction of energy demand peaks and the energy contribution to UTFPR's Neoville headquarters. The results of this study show that the proposed scenario will effectively change the profile of the university demand curve.

Generation of Photovoltaic Solar Energy. Evaluation of the Demand Curve with the Insert of Grid-connected Photovoltaic Power System at CINDACTA II, Curitiba-PR, Brazil

ABSTRACT Unlike some countries, Brazil has a predominantly hydraulic energy matrix, a clean and renewable source. But, in recent years, both the non-renewal of the normal volumes of water in the reservoirs and the lack of consciousness in the consumption of water and energy have placed the country in a critical state of energy supply leading to many intensive policies to reduce its consumption. In contrast, energy from Photovoltaic (PV) on-Grid Systems has grown dramatically in recent years. In this sense, this study presents an analysis of the contribution of the energy generated by a PV on-Grid Systems to be installed in CINDACTA II, in order to make re-contracting a lower demand possible and also reduce electric energy consumption and its cost.

Assessment of the Potential Implementation of Solar Energy Generation in State Schools in Curitiba/PR

ABSTRACT Solar energy as a form of electric power generation is gaining ground in Brazil, being the subject of worldwide discussions on sustainability. The electric energy, a right of all citizens, represents a consumption of natural resources on a large scale. State schools in Paraná invested more than R$ 46 million to guarantee electricity and thus provide essential running conditions to the system in 2016. Through open data, 15 schools from "Regional Administrativa do Cajuru", in Curitiba/PR, were evaluated in consumption and expenses of electric energy from January to May of 2017 and a solar photovoltaic system was dimensioned to supply the demand of each school. From that, it was estimated the total saving from the electricity that would no longer be spent on electricity which could be directed to other educational programs and projects of interest to the community towards sustainability within the school. The savings estimated totalized more than R$ 435 thousand annually.

Comparison of the Performance of the Grid- Connected Photovoltaic System Installed In the Brazilian Cities: Blumenau - SC and Curitiba- PR

ABSTRACT This is a study that contemplates the analysis of the main characteristics of 8 grid connected photovoltaic systems (GCPVS), 3 of which are located in the city of Curitiba-PR and 5 located in the city of Blumenau-SC. Data were collected on irradiation in the horizontal plane, generated energy and rainfall, being the first two to calculate the merit indexes, such as Yield, Performance Ratio and Capacity Factor - of those on grid connected Photovoltaic systems.

Mapping and Characterization of the Grid-connected Photovoltaic Systems in the City of Curitiba: Preliminary Results

ABSTRACT This work presents the mapping of grid-connected photovoltaic systems supported by the Normative Resolution (NR) of the National Agency of Electric Energy (ANEEL) Nº 482/2012 in the city of Curitiba. Firstly, a brief introduction was made justifying the reasons that led to the development of this study, followed by the explanation about the methodology, procedures and criteria adopted in the study. A general mapping of all on-grid photovoltaic systems supported by NR Nº 482/2012 installed in the city of Curitiba, identified by class, is presented, indicating how the urban distribution of these photovoltaic systems occurs, and it is possible to observe in which regions the highest prevalence of installations occurs. From this, the general characterization of these photovoltaic systems is performed, classifying them by class, number of installed systems, power, number of modules, total occupied area, average power of modules and average efficiency of photovoltaic systems. Considerations are also raised regarding the reliability of the Database of Distributed Generation Consumer Units made available by ANEEL.