Sustainable Energy Technologies and Supply Systems

(ENGY7000)

TASK: Individual assessment-Solar

COURSE: ENGY7000

DATE OF ISSUE: Wednesday 10th March 2025

DUE DATE: Friday 28th March 2025

TASK VALUE: 30% of the course

CONTEXT:

In this individual assignment (with the option to consult and discuss in small groups), you will integrate and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to carry out a design exercise or feasibility study focusing on photovoltaic technology. You will determine the optimum tilt angle for solar modules at any location in the world and evaluate different module technologies based on performance under site-specific conditions, such as temperature variations, irradiance, and local climate factors. By engaging in this task, you will enhance your skills in research, modeling, and critical thinking. You will learn to interpret technical data and performance parameters, assess the impact of environmental conditions on power output. Ultimately, this exercise aims to prepare you to make informed, evidence-based decisions about PV system design and module selection in real-world contexts

ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES:

The course learning outcomes that will be assessed in this task include:

• Ability to explain the basic components and main performance parameters of photovoltaic systems, particularly in relation to optimum tilt angles and site-specific conditions.

• Ability to apply this knowledge of module performance (including nominal operating cell temperature and irradiance effects) to predict behavior. under various real-world conditions.

• Ability to appraise and select photovoltaic systems in detail, considering temperature-corrected power outputs and supplier/product comparisons.

• Ability to critically interpret modeling results, with emphasis on understanding uncertainties, assumptions, and limitations in performance estimations.

ASSESMENT GUIDELINES:

In this exercise you will be assessed on your ability to:

• Apply, integrate and synthesize your knowledge of photovoltaic systems gained from the course material

• Carry out simplified modelling of photovoltaic systems using appropriate software and web-based resources

• Critically evaluate the modelled systems, state the uncertainties and assumptions in the modelling. Discuss in brief their implication on the validity of the results.

MARKING CRITERIA:

In this task you will be marked on your ability to:

• Correctly use the equations and data supplied and accurately interpret instructions to produce valid results.

• Draw valid conclusions by applying knowledge gained in the course, relating it to your findings, and demonstrating awareness of the limitations and potential errors in simulations.

• Present results clearly and concisely, using appropriate mathematical formulas

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION:

Submit your work in one excel file

Text should be 12-point size

TASK DESCRIPTION:

QUESTION 1: (20 marks)

(a) Consider two locations: (1) UQ St Lucia Campus (27.4937° S, 153.0067° E) and (2) Another location of your choice (e.g., your home, workplace, or any other site of interest). Using the resources or equations provided below, estimate the optimum tilt angle (β) for solar panels in each location. (5 marks)

[Resources/equations:

At solar noon in southern hemisphere: α = 90 + ɸ − δ

At solar noon in Northern hemisphere: α = 90 − ɸ + δ

Where: δ is the declination angle (degrees); α is the Altitude (degrees); ɸ is the Latitude (degrees); and β is the solar panel/module tilt angle to the horizontal (degrees)

Annual solar tables to obtain the altitude angle at noon:

https://andrewmarsh.com/apps/staging/sunpath3d.html]

(b) Compare your estimated optimum tilt angles (β) with the latitudes of the two locations. What relationship do you observe between latitude and the optimum tilt angle? (2 marks)

(c) Use the ModuleSIM Excel file to examine how the energy output of the modules varies throughout the year for different tilt angles near the estimated optimum tilt angle (β) for UQ St Lucia Campus in Question (1a) above. For example, if your calculated optimum tilt angle is 10°, simulate module performance at: 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, and 15° (In other words, ±1 to ±5° from the optimum tilt.). From the above carryout out the tasks below.

1. Record the daily, monthly and annual output (kWh) for each of these simulated tilt angles

2. Determine the minimum and maximum daily output (kWh/day) for each of the eleven tilt angles

3. Determine the difference (maximum - minimum daily and monthly power output) (7 marks)

(d) From the results obtained above in (c), identify the tilt angle with the highest total annual power output, smallest month-to-month power variation. (1 mark)

(e) Repeat (c) but with daily, monthly and annual output in kWh of solar modules with only three tilt angles namely; (1) The optimum tilt angle (β) determined for UQ St Lucia obtained in Question 1a, (2) β + 10 and (3) β -10. Considering the new obtained data, put yourself in the position of a PV installer or homeowner, which tilt angle would you choose or consider optimum? Support your answer discussing any trade-offs that might influence your decision (e.g., seasonal output variations, practical constraints, battery storage etc.) (5 marks)

[For Questions 1c-e. Use a solar module efficiency of 20%, a module area of 100 m², and Day 15 for all calculations in ModuleSIM. Assume that there is no tracking system to be used on the site. Assume the year is a Common year with 365 days] 3

QUESTION 2: (10 marks)

You are a project manager who is meant to select the supplier for the solar panels to be installed in the new solar farm at UQ St Lucia Campus. You wish to consider between using Si-based panels from Centro Solar and CdTe solar panels from First Solar. Using the solar panel data sheets provided for the two options, estimate the following:

(a) The temperature of the two types of solar panels across the year if they were to be installed at UQ St Lucia (Jan- December). What is the average expected working temperature of the two modules across the year? (3 marks)

(b) What is the expected new possible solar panels’ maximum power on the site across the year (Jan - Feb) once installed at site (UQ ST Lucia). Compute the maximum power for each month and average across the year. (3 marks)

(c) Which panels would you recommend? Give reasons (4 marks)

[Assume the following:

• Project will make estimates using UQ ST Lucia site irradiance and temperatures from Excel file: St LuciaIrraTemp)

• For Centro Solar, S185P50 is the only one available to consider and for First Solar only FS-270 is available.

• S185P50 price is 2.64 times that of FS-270

• Use the attached Data Sheets

[Important formulas]