Comparative assessment of the performance of a 20kWp Solar Photo-voltaic array across five diversified regions of Eastern India

Abstract

Abstract Ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply poses a significant and contemporary challenge for many countries. To address this foremost issue, the utilization of solar photovoltaic power generation emerges as an efficient and viable solution. This approach not only caters the escalating energy demand but also provides a source of environmentally friendly and sustainable power. In light of this context, the paper presents a technical methodology for assessing the performance of solar PV systems within varying climatic conditions across five distinct locations in the West Bengal province of eastern India, namely, Siliguri, Malda, Berhampore, Krishnanagar and Durgapur. Various performance indices such as yield outcomes, losses, performance ratio (PR) and capacity factor (CF) of solar PV panels, have been evaluated for the specified regions using resource management and HOMER pro software. The acquired findings indicate that the annual average final yield, reference yield, array yield, system loss and array capture loss of solar PV panel across five different locations lie within the range of (2.69–3.56) h/d, (4.78–4.99) h/d, (2.83–3.75) h/d, (0.14–0.18) h/d, and (1.05–2.01) h/d, respectively. Aligning with these outcomes, it can be inferred that Krishnanagar emerges as the optimal site for solar PV deployment, with a performance ratio (PR) of 75.32% and a capacity factor (CF) of 14.85%.