• Energy Research
• 6. Clean water close

Optimisation results for the lowest lifetime cost system consisting of solar photovoltaic (PV), hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) and solar-thermal collectors alongside battery and hot-water storage systems for meeting the electrical and thermal (hot-water) needs of three multi-effect distillation (MED) plants. The updated results are from optimisations runs carried out in response to peer-review comments.

{"references": ["U.S. Emission Data, Environment Energy-Related Emission Data & Environmental Analysis, Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov/environment.html [access date 10 April 2011].", "Plesser .R and Hefferman J,\"Light and shadows\"www.learnnc.org. (Access in June 9, 2013).", "Chiemeka I. U and Chineke T. C, \"Evaluating the global solar energy potential at Uturu, Nigeria\", International Journal of Physical Sciences Vol. 4, Issue 3, pp. 115-119, 2009.", "I. M. Saleh Ibrahim, The forth Arab International Solar Energy Conference, Amman, Jordan, 1993.", "F. Almonacid, C. Rus, P. Perez, and L. Hontoria, \"Estimation of the energy of a PV generator using artificial neural network,\" Renewable Energy 2009, vol. 34, pp. 2743-2750.", "G. Makrides, B. Zinsser, M. Norton, G. Georghiou, M. Schubert, and J. Werner, \"Potential of photovoltaic systems in countries with high solar irradiation,\" Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2010, vol. 14, pp. 754-762.", "Guillermo Velasco, Francesc Guinjoan, Robert Pique and Juan Jose Negroni. Sizing Factor Considerations for Grid-Connected PV Systems Based on a Central Inverter Configuration. IEEE Industrial Electronics, IECON 2006 - 32nd Annual Conference, pp 2718 - 2722 Dept. of Electron. Eng., Polytechnic Univ. of Catalonia, November. 2006.", "Johann Hernandez, Nelson L. Diaz, and Gerardo Gordillo. Design-Dimensioning Model For Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems. Electrical Power & Energy Conference (EPEC), 2009 IEEE, pp 1-5, Lab. de Investig. en Fuentes Alternativas de Energia (LIFAE), Univ. Distrital F.J.C., Bogota, Colombia, Oct. 2009.", "http://www.tripoli-libya.climatemps.com/sunlight.php.\n[10]\thttp://www.bandasolar.com/insolationLevel.html.\n[11]\thttp:/www.wholesalesolar.com/solar-panel.html. \n[12]\tMustafa.A. Al-refai \"Matlab/Simulink Model for Simulation of Photovoltaic Module\" First Conference and Exhibition on Renewable Energies and Water Desalination Technologies Tripoli Libya, March 11-13, 2008.\n[13]\tMustafa.A. Al-refai \" Matlab/Simulink Simulation of Solar Energy Storage System\" World Academy of Science, Engineering and TechnologyVol:86 2014-01-04."]} This paper presents the optimal design and simulation of a grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) system to supply electric power to meet the energy demand by Electrical Department in University of Tripoli Libya. Solar radiation is the key factor determining electricity produced by photovoltaic (PV) systems. This paper is designed to develop a novel method to calculate the solar photovoltaic generation capacity on the basis of Mean Global Solar Radiation data available for Tripoli Libya and finally develop a system design of possible plant capacity for the available roof area. MatLab/Simulink Programming tools and monthly average solar radiation data are used for this design and simulation. The specifications of equipments are provided based on the availability of the components in the market. Simulation results and analyses are presented to validate the proposed system configuration.

Published information on solar powered irrigation systems is presented. Thermal solar systems, thermoelectric solar systems, and photovoltaic solar systems are included. A bibliography and survey of on-going work is presented. (WHK)

A potential solution to the coupled water–energy–food challenges in land use is the concept of floating photovoltaics or floatovoltaics (FPV). In this study, a new approach to FPV is investigated using a flexible crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) module backed with foam, which is less expensive than conventional pontoon-based FPV. This novel form of FPV is tested experimentally for operating temperature and performance and is analyzed for water-savings using an evaporation calculation adapted from the Penman–Monteith model. The results show that the foam-backed FPV had a lower operating temperature than conventional pontoon-based FPV, and thus a 3.5% higher energy output per unit power. Therefore, foam-based FPV provides a potentially profitable means of reducing water evaporation in the world’s at-risk bodies of fresh water. The case study of Lake Mead found that if 10% of the lake was covered with foam-backed FPV, there would be enough water conserved and electricity generated to service Las Vegas and Reno combined. At 50% coverage, the foam-backed FPV would provide over 127 TWh of clean solar electricity and 633.22 million m3 of water savings, which would provide enough electricity to retire 11% of the polluting coal-fired plants in the U.S. and provide water for over five million Americans, annually.

With radical socio-economic development and strengthening of regulation of agricultural industrial structure in Hainan Province, fresh water resource becomes increasingly insufficient. Existing water-saving facilities and measures are unable to promote sustainable and stable development of local economy. This needs modern irrigation method. Solar photovoltaic water pumping system is necessary and feasible in Hainan agriculture, and will have directive significance for Hainan Province developing photovoltaic agriculture.