Lightning Protection, Cost Analysis and Improved Efficiency of Solar Power Plant for Irrigation System

Waqas Rahim, Irshad Ullah, Nasim Ullah and Ahmad Aziz Alahmadi
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Waqas Rahim: Department of Electrical Engineering, CECOS University of IT & Emerging Sciences, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Irshad Ullah: Department of Electrical Engineering, CECOS University of IT & Emerging Sciences, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Nasim Ullah: Department of Electrical Engineering, Taif University of KSA, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Aziz Alahmadi: Department of Electrical Engineering, Taif University of KSA, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: The constraints in the path of sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient photovoltaic power supply to the irrigation system in remote areas are addressed in this work. The intrinsic thermal losses in the PV system due to high working temperature and shading losses that are caused by dirt are mitigated through water cleaning mechanisms. Moreover, the protection against lightning strikes and surges is assimilated in the system to ensure the durability of the PV system. Lastly, cost analysis of 0.4 MW PV plant for the Area of 7444.69 m 2 has been performed by the Homer Pro, and comparison is made with the same size of a Hydro power plant to estimate the economic feasibility of power generation for the purpose of irrigation through the pump house. The water-cooling mechanism resulted in the gain of one volt per panel of 260 W, which is a significant improvement with regard to collective PV plant generation. As the water cleaning mechanism for dust removal is accompanied with the cooling process, it results in the two volts rise per panel. Additionally, a cost analysis of 0.4 MW PV system provided a significant budget saving estimating USD ~2 million as compared to that of a Hydel power plant of the same size.

Keywords: active water cooling; lightning strikes; photovoltaic panel; centrifugal pumps; homer pro; lighting protection zone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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