Design, Performance and Economic evaluation of a 4kW Grid-interactive Solar PV Rooftop in Odisha using Pvsyst

Abstract

The global decline of fossil fuels has required the development of alternative energy sources to satisfy the electricity demand. This article assesses and inaugurated the viability of grid-interactive photovoltaic systems providing electricity to a residential load. Since the average solar irradiation in Odisha is 1156.39 W/m2, a 4-kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system can produce 17.8 kWh of electricity per day (5.5 sunshine hours).  Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions are reduced by 113 tonnes for every 4 kWp produced, which is equal to planting 181 trees. This 4kW device is analyzed with a PVsyst (V7) program for a residential load consumption of kWh/day. The device consists of 16 photovoltaic modules, each with a 320 Wp value, that are arranged in two strings of eight modules each. The efficacy of the photovoltaic arrays, surplus energy pumped into the grid, usable AC energy, efficiency ratio, and various losses occurring in the photovoltaic system are all evaluated in the simulation outcome. The paper promotes using photovoltaic systems as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy source.