Validation of a Simulation-Based Pre-Assessment Process for Solar Photovoltaic Technology Implemented on Rooftops of South African Shopping Centres

Dirk Johan van Vuuren, Annlizé L. Marnewick and Jan Harm C. Pretorius
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Dirk Johan van Vuuren: Postgraduate School of Engineering Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
Annlizé L. Marnewick: Postgraduate School of Engineering Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
Jan Harm C. Pretorius: Postgraduate School of Engineering Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-26

Abstract: The existing processes that determines the yield of a photovoltaic (PV) system before construction commences are fairly unstructured. Research that defines a structured process for simulation purposes is limited. This article builds on prior research where a proposed structured pre-assessment process, which may be applied before construction commences, was generated so that electricity yield from a PV system can be predicted with a higher degree of accuracy, and then subsequently optimized. By implementing the proposed pre-assessment process, calculating the future return on investment (ROI) by private investors is simplified, given that the existing process is restrictive. The research used the results from a South African case study over 24 months to ascertain the validity of the proposed pre-assessment process. The validation process includes analyzing the load demand of the shopping centre before and after the PV system was constructed, comparing the electricity yield from the PV system to the simulation results obtained in the preceding research, and amending the proposed pre-assessment process accordingly for improved electricity estimation. The case study shopping centre operates in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and consumes approximately 5000 kVA under maximum load.

Keywords: photovoltaic; angle of tilt; module degradation; array-to-inverter ratio; yield simulation; tender process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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