Calculation and optimization of topology of a large photovoltaic power plant

Abstract

In the first part of this master thesis basic parts of photovoltaic power plant are described (photovoltaic modules, substations, inverters, prefabricated structures and AC and DC cable distribution) and characteristics of large PV power plants. Through the second part of this work, concept of real large PV plant is defined in few variants and calculation of production and losses are performed. Topology of PV power plant is defined in two basic variants. In the first variant central inverters/substations are positioned in the center of PV modules which are connected on that inverter. In the second variant, central inverters/substations are positioned on the edge of main internal roads as well as on the edge of related group of PV modules. For each variants PV plant topology is defined for the slope of PV modules 15o, 20o and 25o, using Virtuosolar software. Using the PVSyst software net production and losses are calculated for all variants. Analysis of investment costs for the infrastructure, DC and MV AC cables and discounted costs of energy losses in DC cables is performed. It is shown that variant with „central“ positioned inverters/substations is significantly better from economic perspective.

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