Analysis the relationship between the energy output and the orientations and Greenhouse Gas Payback Time of Photovoltaic System

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Analysis of the Relationship between the Energy output and the Orientations and
Greenhouse Gas Payback Time of Photovoltaic System
Student Name:
Student Registration No.:
A final year project report submitted in partial fulfilment of the regulations for the award
of BEng (Hons.) in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Sunderland –
2017
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ABSTRACT
The prevailing dependence over of non-renewable energy sources for most of the power
equirements has led to increased emissions of greenhouse gases and ca
on deposits leading to
grave threat to the environmental sustainability. This concern and issue plagues Hong Kong as
well as and the significance of shifting the power sources to renewable form of cleaner energy
sources are imperative. In this context, this was undertaken to determine the overall suitability /
feasibility concerning Photo Voltaic (“PV”) system in the context of Hong Kong. The study shall
aim to identify if it shall be effective for being utilized in the context of Hong Kong post the
alanced and critical consideration of all relevant merits as well as drawbacks concerning this
system for the purposes of replacing the conventionally used ones. Further, the most relevant
concern in cu
ent times, that is, the effect of greenhouse has garnered wide focus across the
globe. It shall be significant and highly relevant for investigating in case this assessed system
shall be environmental friendly. The research methodology and overall research design for this
study was undertaken in three phases to address all the objectives identified for this study. The
esults, analysis and outcomes of the study are presented in this report.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................ iii
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ v
LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... vi
NOMENCLATURE .................................................................................................................... vii
1. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 8
1.1. RESEARCH BACKGROUND ..................................................................................... 8
1.2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................. 8
2. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 9
3. CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................. 16
4. CHAPTER 4: RESULTS & DISCUSSION ...................................................................... 25
5. CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE STUDIES
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5.1. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 33
5.2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE STUDIES ................................................ 34
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 34
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LIST OF TABLES
 Table 1 - Greenhouse Gases Emissions 16
 Table 2 – Results Summary 29
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LIST OF FIGURES
 Figure 1 - A
angement of PV systems 19
 Figure 2 – Monthly Global Solar Radiation - 1996 to 2000 20
 Figure 3 – Hong Kong 26
 Figure 4 – Peking 27
 Figure 5 – Sapporo 27
 Figure 6 – Bangkok 28
 Figure 7 – Singapore 28
 Figure 8 – Hong Kong 30
 Figure 9 – Peking 30
 Figure 10 – Sapporo 31
 Figure 11 – Bangkok 31
 Figure 12 – Singapore 32
 Figure 13. Effect of tilted angle on daily performance of PV system
(Forγ= 0 (South) to 90 (West) 32
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NOMENCLATURE
EPBT – Energy Payback Time (“EPBT”)
GBPT – Greenhouse Gas Payback Time (GBPT)
GHG - Greenhouse Gases
GPBT - Greenhouse Gas Payback Time
LCA – Life Cyle Assessment
PV – Photo Voltaic
TMY - Typical Meteorological Yea
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1. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. RESEARCH BACKGROUND
The prevailing dependence over of non-renewable energy sources for most of the power
equirements has led to increased emissions of greenhouse gases and ca
on deposits leading
to grave threat to the environmental sustainability. This concern and issue plagues Hong
Kong as well as and the significance of shifting the power sources to renewable form of
cleaner energy sources are imperative. In this context photovoltaic systems, which aid in
converting solar energy to reliable power source, represents one of the ideal forms of
enewable power source.
1.2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES
In the context of the research background discussed, the
oader set of objectives with
espect to undertaking the research is in determining the overall suitability / feasibility
concerning Photo Voltaic (“PV”) system in the context of Hong Kong. The study shall aim to
identify if it shall be effective for being utilized in the context of Hong Kong post the
alanced and critical consideration of all relevant merits as well as drawbacks concerning
this system for the purposes of replacing the conventionally used ones. Further, the most
elevant concern in cu
ent times, that is, the effect of greenhouse has garnered wide focus
across the globe. It shall be significant and highly relevant for investigating in case this
assessed system shall be environmental friendly.
In specific, the objectives of this research shall be the following,
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 Identify and then study / evaluate few specific PV systems which are deployed
cu
ently across globe and discuss the advantages / disadvantages and cost
effectiveness concerning these systems.
 Study / evaluate to determine the PV system that shall be most suitable and
optimal in the context of Hong Kong given the differences in terms of high rise
uildings, lesser shading available PV system, etc.
 Cost benefit analysis on whether investments that shall be made for PV system in
Hong Kong shall have satisfactory payback in terms of savings from energy
costs.
 Determine the greenhouse effect, that is, overall environment friendliness, of the
proposed PV system for Hong Kong and the payback time shall also be
computed.
o Simulated modelling shall be undertaken to determine energy output of
PV system
o Greenhouse Gas Payback Time (“GPBT”) of the PV system shall be
computed
o Identification of the most optimal / effective model for the conditions of
Hong Kong shall be determined.
2. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
On the basis of the review of literature undertaken as part of this study, it is determined that are
several studies undertaken in the past in relation to the utilization of the PV systems for replacing
the consumption of non-renewable / fossil fuels. These various studies focused to a large extent
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on factors like Energy Payback Time (“EPBT”) as well as life cycle concerning PV modules. IN
addition studies like that of Kato et al (1998), Fthenakis & Kim (2007) and Krauter & Ruther
(2004) pursed investigation with respect to ca
on dioxide at the time of life cycle concerning
PV modules. However considering / evaluating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
through PV based solar energy illustrate inadequate and scarce studies having conducted in the
context and concerns specific to Hong Kong.
Typical Meteorological Year
The various studies undertaken in the past – Pretakis et al (1998), Argiriou et al (1999), Lam et al
(1996) and Chow & Fong (1996), undertaken for the purposes of evaluating the overall
performance pertaining to solar energy based system, predicting the consumption of energy or
else energy that is generated from specific system, necessitate the gathering of relevant weather
data. In cases of comparative studies as well as energy estimations of longer term nature, the
annual basis weather database that are representative of climate that is prevailing is widely used.
In cases of detailed simulation, the pertinent typical years to large extent are used widely as
analysis making use of multi-year datasets are usually infeasible as well as not economical in
aiding common designing as well as analysis of the problems. The designing of the
methodologies in order to generate the specific Typical Meteorological Year (“TMY”) that
provides standard in terms of hourly dataset for solar radiation as well as various meteorological
parameters over period of one year essentially provide the longer term climatic datasets with
adequate quality levels.
Solar Radiations over the Inclined Surfaces & Tiled Angle Evaluations
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In reference to the earlier studies undertaken, the performances pertaining to PV systems are
influenced to a greater extent by that of overall solar radiation across the inclined surfaces,
specific tiled angle of the modules as well as orientation of the modules.
The overall output of energy pertaining to PV systems rely to a greater extent over the aggregate
solar radiations that has been received as well as operating performances pertaining to PV
panels. Both of the two components do not offer easy mechanism for gaining accurate
estimations. Various set of researches, models and studies have discussed in detail the
calculations as well as predications pertaining to solar radiations concerning the inclined planes
as well as output pertaining to PV modules. An observatory at Hong Kong had recorded datasets
pertaining to solar radiations over a long period of time but these solar radiation related datasets
are measured on the basis of horizontal surfaces. The same represents vaster differences amongst
solar radiations across the horizontal surface as well as that of tilted surface which are installed
across same location. Hence, engineers, researchers, etc. have at all times undertaken
investigations over optimum tilted angles which had received maximum levels of solar
adiations. Further, the overall orientations are in addition one of the critical factors. As per
esearch studies undertaken by Yang et al (1997) and Yang & Lu (2007), overall solar
i
adiances, Gtt (W / sq. m

hour) are comprise of three different parts in general, that is, direct
eam solar i
adiances, Gbt (W / sq. m

hour), diffuse solar i
adiances, Gdt (W / sq. m

hour) and
eflected solar i
adiances, Gr. Amongst these, beam level solar radiations (Gbt) are noted to
epresent horizontal level beam i
adiances times geometric factor. In case of reflected solar
i
adiances, Gr, the same could be computed just by multiplying total i
adiances across
horizontal planes with that if ground reflectance and view factors. Further ground reflectance (ρo)
shall be influenced on account of its environment.
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With respect to diffuse solar radiations (Gdt), various studies like Reindl et al(1990), Perez et al
1990, Hay & Davies, 1980 and Liu & Jordan 1958 offered different set of approaches, though
some of which may be not accurate, such that the model that is applicable for Hong Kong and
accordingly decided. In the research study undertaken by Myers (2003) and Yang et al (2007),
the Perez model was utilized and the same had yielded result that were accurate. This Perez
model can be utilized for estimating diffuse solar radiations incidents across any of the tilted PV
panel. Further the latest and enhanced version of this Perez model proposed by Perez et al (1990)
provides the range of coefficients that are recommended and have been derived by way of
weather datasets across various cities. It leads to better outcomes as compared to the earlier sets.
This model accounts for the circumsolar and horizon
ightening, as well as derives reduced
levels of
ightness affiliated coefficients that represents...