NPTEL Online Certification Course
SUSTAINABLE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS
Assignment 3: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Common Data Question (1-3):
An array of 20 PV modules (multi-crystalline), each with an STC rating of 300-watt peak, is
operating at an ambient temperature of 35°C. The module manufacturing output tolerance is 5%,
while derating due to dirt and temperature are 5% and - 0.5% per degree Celsius, respectively. The
DC cable loss, inverter efficiency and AC cable loss are 3%, 98% and 1%, respectively. Consider
daily peak sunshine hour (PSH) to be 5 hours.
1. The actual DC energy from the PV array is
a. 18.45 kWh
b. 29.37 kWh
c. 22.33 kWh
d. 35.89 kWh
Ans. c) 22.33 kWh
2. The Specific energy yield (kilo Watt-hour per kWp) of the PV system is
a. 1.27
b. 3.16
c. 2.29
d. 4.05
Ans. a) 1.27
3. The Performance ratio of the PV system is
a. 0.91
b. 0.61
c. 0.86
d. 0.70
Ans. a) 0.70
NPTEL Online Certification Course
SUSTAINABLE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS
Assignment 3: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Detailed solution. 𝑇𝑜𝑝 = 𝑇𝑎𝑚𝑏 + (𝑁𝑂𝐶𝑇 − 20) = 35 + (47 − 20) = 62℃
𝑇𝑜𝑝 − 𝑇𝑆𝑇𝐶 = 62 − 25 = 37℃
So, output power losses due to the operating temperature of 37℃ would be
37℃ × 0.5% 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℃ = 18.5% 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠
The derated output power = 300 × 0.95 × 0.95 × 81.5 = 220.66 𝑊
DC energy output of the array 220.66 × 20 × 5=22066 Wh= 22.066 kW
The AC energy delivered to the grid is
22066 × 0.97 × 0.98 × 0.99 = 20766 𝑊ℎ
𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑦_𝑆𝑇𝐶 = 300 × 20 = 6000 𝑊𝑝
yearly yield of the solar array is 365 × 20.766 = 7579.59 𝑘𝑊ℎ/𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟
7579.59
Specific energy yield = = 1.26𝑘𝑊ℎ 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑝
6000
Ideal energy from the array per year = 6𝑘𝑊 × 1825ℎ = 10950 𝑘𝑊ℎ
7579.59
Performance ratio, 𝑃𝑅 = = 0.69
10950
NPTEL Online Certification Course
SUSTAINABLE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS
Assignment 3: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Common data question (4-5)
A photovoltaic system is installed for supplying water for minor irrigation purpose at a remote
place in a developing country. The water is pumped through a bore well from a depth of 40 m.
The PV array consists of 24 modules. Each module has 36 multi-crystalline silicon solar cells
arranged in 9 x 4 matrix. The cell size is 125 mm x 125 mm, and the cell efficiency is 12%.
Consider the efficiency of the inverter and the combined motor and pump efficiency are 85% and
50 %, respectively. Calculate the water discharge rate at noon when global radiation incident
normally to the panel is 800 W/m2. Assume the density of freshwater as 1000 kg/m3.
4. The power available for lifting water is
a) 550.80 W
b) 476.80 W
c) 750.46 W
d) 600.20 W
Ans. a) 550.80 W
5. The water discharge rate at noon when global radiation incident normally to the panel is
800 𝑊/𝑚2 is
a) 5053.17 L / h
b) 3759.45 L/h
c) 5890.65 L/h
d) 7683.60 L/h
Ans. 𝟓𝟎𝟓𝟑. 𝟏𝟕 L / h
NPTEL Online Certification Course
SUSTAINABLE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS
Assignment 3: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Detailed
𝐼𝑔 = 800 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2 , 𝐴𝑚 = 0.125 × 0.125 × 36 = 0.5625 𝑚2 , 𝐻 = 40 𝑚
Solution:
𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑒 = 24, 𝜂𝑐 = 0.12, 𝜂𝑖𝑛𝑣 = 0.85, 𝜂𝑚 = 0.5
The conversion efficiency of the PV array is:
Power output from array
Conversion efficiency =
Incident solar flux × cell area
𝑃𝑃𝑉−𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑃𝑃𝑉−𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
Or, 𝜂𝑐 = =
𝐼𝑔 × 𝐴𝑝𝑣 𝐼𝑔 × 𝐴𝑚 × 𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑒
𝑃𝑃𝑉−𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
0.12 = ⇒ 𝑃𝑃𝑉−𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 1296 𝑊
800 × 0.5625 × 24
Power available for lifting water,
𝑃 = 𝑃𝑃𝑉−𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 × 𝜂𝑖𝑛𝑣 × 𝜂𝑚 = 1296 × 0.85 × 0.5 = 550.80 W
We have,
𝑃 = 𝜌×𝑔×𝑄×𝐻
Water discharge rate,
𝑃 550.80
𝑄= = = 1.40366 × 10−3 𝑚3 ⁄𝑠 = 5053.176 L / h
𝜌 × 𝑔 × 𝐻 1000 × 9.81 × 40
6. What does the term "days of autonomy" refer to in the context of standalone solar PV
systems?
a) The number of days a solar panel can operate continuously without maintenance
b) The duration of sunlight in a specific location
c) The number of days a solar system can function without sunlight
d) The lifespan of a solar panel
Ans. The number of days a solar system can function without sunlight
Detailed solution: In standalone (off-grid) solar PV systems, the term "days of autonomy" quantifies
the number of consecutive days the system can supply energy to the connected loads solely from the
battery storage, without any input from the photovoltaic (PV) array due to lack of sunlight (e.g.,
during overcast or rainy periods).
NPTEL Online Certification Course
SUSTAINABLE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS
Assignment 3: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
7. The ratio of actual energy generated by the PV system to the amount of energy generated by
the PV system under full rated power for 24 hours per day for a year is known as
a) Specific energy yield
b) Performance ratio
c) Capacity utilization factor
d) Ideal energy yield
Ans. Capacity utilization factor
Detailed solution: From NPTEL Lecture
8. Two solar panels are connected in parallel, having individual voltage and current ratings of
12 V and 3.5 A, respectively. What will be the resultant voltage and current?
a) 24 V, 3.5 A
b) 24 V, 7 A
c) 12 V, 3.5 A
d) 12 V, 7 A
Ans. 12 V, 7 A
Detailed solution: When solar panels are connected in parallel:
Voltage remains the same as that of a single panel.
Currents add up.
Given:
Each panel: 12 V, 3.5 A
Two panels in parallel
Resultant:
Voltage (V) = 12 V (same as individual panel)
Current (I) = 3.5 A + 3.5 A = 7 A
NPTEL Online Certification Course
SUSTAINABLE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS
Assignment 3: Detailed Solution
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
9. What is the effect of a decrease in ambient (outdoor) temperature on the voltage output of a
photovoltaic (PV) cell?
a) The voltage decreases due to reduced thermal energy
b) The voltage increases due to lower recombination losses
c) The voltage remains constant as temperature does not affect PV cells
d) The voltage fluctuates unpredictably with temperature changes
Ans. b) The voltage increases due to lower recombination losses
Detailed solution: In photovoltaic cells, temperature has a significant impact on voltage, particularly
the open-circuit voltage (𝑉𝑜𝑐 ).
As ambient temperature decreases, the semiconductor material in the PV cell becomes
less thermally agitated, leading to lower intrinsic carrier concentration.
This results in reduced recombination losses, especially in the diode junction.
Therefore, open-circuit voltage (𝑉𝑜𝑐 ) increases with a decrease in temperature.
𝑘𝑇 𝐼𝑝ℎ
𝑉𝑜𝑐 ∝ ln ( + 1)
𝑞 𝐼0
Where:
T is temperature (in K),
𝐼0 (reverse saturation current) increases with temperature.
So, lower temperature → lower 𝐼0 → higher 𝑉𝑜𝑐
10. Which type of solar cell is commonly used in calculators?
a) Monocrystalline silicon solar cells
b) Polycrystalline silicon solar cells
c) Amorphous silicon solar cells
d) Perovskite solar cells
Ans. c) Amorphous silicon solar cells
Detailed solution: From NPTEL Lecture
11. What does the term "cycle lifetime" refer to in battery technology?
a) The total time a battery can supply current before reaching thermal runaway
b) The number of charge-discharge cycles until the battery's capacity declines below 80% of its
nominal value
c) The duration for which a battery retains a constant voltage during operation
d) The time required to complete one full charge and discharge process under standard test
conditions
Ans. c) The number of charge-discharge cycles until the battery's capacity declines below
80% of its nominal value
Detailed solution: From NPTEL Lecture
12. The packing factor of a PV module is defined as
a) the ratio of total module area to the total solar cell area
b) the ratio of total solar cell area to the total module area
c) the ratio of area of an individual solar cell to the total module area
d) the ratio of total module area to the individual solar cell area
Ans. b) the ratio of total solar cell area to the total module area
Detailed solution: Detailed solution: From NPTEL Lecture
