Power, Voltage, and Current Characteristics of Photovoltaic Modules in Saudi Arabian Cities

Abstract

Solar energy projects have been mushrooming in the Middle East where sun light is abundant and PV economics are attractive. Using the mathematical PV model introduced in [3], this paper presents the I-V and P-V plots for the cities of Dhahran, Guriat, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khamis Mushait, for various temperatures, and for a single PV string and for 2 PV strings connected in parallel, using the measured mean irradiances for these cities. The maximum powers, along with corresponding operational voltage and current values, are also presented for the maximum and mean air temperature values and mean irradiances for these cities. Such results help in proper economic solar power project valuation and in accurate forecasting of solar power.