• Energy Research

The advancement of photovoltaic (PV) technology is critical for sustainable energy production, with silicon‐based solar cells being the most prevalent due to their efficiency and cost‐effectiveness. In recent years, the use of materials to change the color of conventional silicon‐based PV cells, materials that can be laminated or not during the construction of the PV module, has become widespread. Colored PV cells offer aesthetic versatility, making them suitable for integrated architectural applications. However, these materials affect the performance of the final product. This study focuses on developing a predictive model for the performance of colored silicon PV cells. A comprehensive approach combining experimental data and computational simulations is employed to understand the impact of various colors on the electrical performance of colored PV modules, based on the optical properties of the colored layers. The model demonstrates high accuracy across a range of coloring technologies, including selective absorbers, diffusive layers, and fluorescent materials. The developed model accurately predicts the performance metrics of colored PV cells, providing valuable insights for optimizing design and material selection.

The advancement of photovoltaic (PV) technology is critical for sustainable energy production, with silicon‐based solar cells being the most prevalent due to their efficiency and cost‐effectiveness. In recent years, the use of materials to change the color of conventional silicon‐based PV cells, materials that can be laminated or not during the construction of the PV module, has become widespread. Colored PV cells offer aesthetic versatility, making them suitable for integrated architectural applications. However, these materials affect the performance of the final product. This study focuses on developing a predictive model for the performance of colored silicon PV cells. A comprehensive approach combining experimental data and computational simulations is employed to understand the impact of various colors on the electrical performance of colored PV modules, based on the optical properties of the colored layers. The model demonstrates high accuracy across a range of coloring technologies, including selective absorbers, diffusive layers, and fluorescent materials. The developed model accurately predicts the performance metrics of colored PV cells, providing valuable insights for optimizing design and material selection.

AbstractIn photovoltaic (PV) projects, it is important to establish a common practice for professional risk assessment, which serves to reduce the risks associated with related investments. The objective of this paper is to present a methodology on how to improve the current understanding of several key aspects of technical risk management during the PV project lifecycle, with the identification of technical risks and their economic impact. To achieve this, available statistical data of failures during a PV project have been collected with the aim to (i) suggest a guideline for the categorisation of failure and (ii) develop a methodology for the assessment of the economic impact of failures occurring during operation but which might have originated in previous phases. The risk analysis has the aim to assess the economic impact of technical risks and how this can influence various business models and the levelised cost of electricity. This paper presents the first attempt to implement cost‐based failure modes and effects analysis to the PV sector and to define a methodology for the estimation of economic losses because of planning failures, system downtime and substitution/repair of components. The methodology is based on statistical analysis and can be applied to a single PV plant or to a large portfolio of PV plants in the same market segment. The quality of the analysis depends on the amount of failure data available and on the assumptions taken for the calculation of a cost priority number. The overall results can be linked to the cost of periodic and corrective maintenance and form the basis to estimate the impact of various risk and mitigation scenarios in PV business models. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

AbstractIn photovoltaic (PV) projects, it is important to establish a common practice for professional risk assessment, which serves to reduce the risks associated with related investments. The objective of this paper is to present a methodology on how to improve the current understanding of several key aspects of technical risk management during the PV project lifecycle, with the identification of technical risks and their economic impact. To achieve this, available statistical data of failures during a PV project have been collected with the aim to (i) suggest a guideline for the categorisation of failure and (ii) develop a methodology for the assessment of the economic impact of failures occurring during operation but which might have originated in previous phases. The risk analysis has the aim to assess the economic impact of technical risks and how this can influence various business models and the levelised cost of electricity. This paper presents the first attempt to implement cost‐based failure modes and effects analysis to the PV sector and to define a methodology for the estimation of economic losses because of planning failures, system downtime and substitution/repair of components. The methodology is based on statistical analysis and can be applied to a single PV plant or to a large portfolio of PV plants in the same market segment. The quality of the analysis depends on the amount of failure data available and on the assumptions taken for the calculation of a cost priority number. The overall results can be linked to the cost of periodic and corrective maintenance and form the basis to estimate the impact of various risk and mitigation scenarios in PV business models. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract This article proposes two strategies for the mitigation of power imbalances and related costs resulting from increasing PV penetration onto the Italian grid. New “state of the art” solar and netload day ahead forecast models were developed and applied to real data. These strategies consist of: (1) Improving the accuracy of PV and net load power forecast and enlarging the footprint of the controlled grid area; (2) Transforming unconstrained PV plants into “flexible PV plants”: remotely controlled PV plants that can be proactively curtailed and work with cost-optimized Battery Energy Storage Systems. We demonstrate that the first strategy can effectively limit the imbalance impact when integrating a large share of PV generation, reducing imbalance volumes and costs, both at current and future solar penetration levels. We further demonstrate that the second strategy can entirely eliminate the imbalance impact of PV penetration, hence providing operational certainty to the TSO. Indeed, we show how flexible PV plants can be cost-optimally sized to set the imbalance volume at a desired target value regardless of PV installed capacity, hence allowing massive solar penetration. Finally, we show that the cost of implementing these strategies is less than the current cost of handling such imbalance impacts.

Abstract This article proposes two strategies for the mitigation of power imbalances and related costs resulting from increasing PV penetration onto the Italian grid. New “state of the art” solar and netload day ahead forecast models were developed and applied to real data. These strategies consist of: (1) Improving the accuracy of PV and net load power forecast and enlarging the footprint of the controlled grid area; (2) Transforming unconstrained PV plants into “flexible PV plants”: remotely controlled PV plants that can be proactively curtailed and work with cost-optimized Battery Energy Storage Systems. We demonstrate that the first strategy can effectively limit the imbalance impact when integrating a large share of PV generation, reducing imbalance volumes and costs, both at current and future solar penetration levels. We further demonstrate that the second strategy can entirely eliminate the imbalance impact of PV penetration, hence providing operational certainty to the TSO. Indeed, we show how flexible PV plants can be cost-optimally sized to set the imbalance volume at a desired target value regardless of PV installed capacity, hence allowing massive solar penetration. Finally, we show that the cost of implementing these strategies is less than the current cost of handling such imbalance impacts.

AbstractRecently, the local government of South Tyrol, a province in the alpine area in the north of Italy, has defined the guidelines for an energy and climate package with targets for 2050 where it is stated that-The yearly CO2 emission per capita will be reduced to less than 1.5 tons (less than 4 tons per capita by 2020 as intermediate target)-90% of the energy need will be covered by renewables (at least 75% by 2020 as intermediate target).Specifically, energy production from photovoltaics will contribute towards those targets with a total installed power of 300 MW by 2020 (around 0.6kW per capita considering population as of 2012) and 600 MW by 2050 (around 1.2kW per capita considering population as of 2012). These figures start from a baseline of PV installed power in the province at the end of 2012 of 220 MW (around 0.45kW per capita, around 0.28kW per capita in Italy for comparison). Although both targets seem easily within reach, it is nonetheless important to lay the right foundation through favourable legislation and long term planning.It is within these context that a detailed analysis of the real PV potential (as comprehensive and effectively exploitable) of the area is proposed so to understand how ambitious those targets really are and to provide data and information for future energy and strategy planning. In this work, in an innovative approach, the impact of novel solutions on non-conventional surfaces were also included such as PV installations on transport infrastructure, avalanche barriers, artificial lakes, etc. High altitude installations were also taken into account due to the high irradiance values in the alpine area which are comparable to those in South of Italy (up to 2200 kWh/m2 per year). Limitations due to costs, phasing out of generous incentives programs, restrictive laws (for instance, architectural and environmental constraints) were considered, too.The different technical aspects will be presented from the use of existing solar cadastres and databases to statistical analysis based on the morphology of different urban contexts. The roof (and façade) potential will then be added to the potential from the above mentioned non-conventional surfaces with the final aim of providing a figure for PV potential that takes into account planning permissions, restrictions, structural limitations, current legislation, visual impact and costs.

AbstractRecently, the local government of South Tyrol, a province in the alpine area in the north of Italy, has defined the guidelines for an energy and climate package with targets for 2050 where it is stated that-The yearly CO2 emission per capita will be reduced to less than 1.5 tons (less than 4 tons per capita by 2020 as intermediate target)-90% of the energy need will be covered by renewables (at least 75% by 2020 as intermediate target).Specifically, energy production from photovoltaics will contribute towards those targets with a total installed power of 300 MW by 2020 (around 0.6kW per capita considering population as of 2012) and 600 MW by 2050 (around 1.2kW per capita considering population as of 2012). These figures start from a baseline of PV installed power in the province at the end of 2012 of 220 MW (around 0.45kW per capita, around 0.28kW per capita in Italy for comparison). Although both targets seem easily within reach, it is nonetheless important to lay the right foundation through favourable legislation and long term planning.It is within these context that a detailed analysis of the real PV potential (as comprehensive and effectively exploitable) of the area is proposed so to understand how ambitious those targets really are and to provide data and information for future energy and strategy planning. In this work, in an innovative approach, the impact of novel solutions on non-conventional surfaces were also included such as PV installations on transport infrastructure, avalanche barriers, artificial lakes, etc. High altitude installations were also taken into account due to the high irradiance values in the alpine area which are comparable to those in South of Italy (up to 2200 kWh/m2 per year). Limitations due to costs, phasing out of generous incentives programs, restrictive laws (for instance, architectural and environmental constraints) were considered, too.The different technical aspects will be presented from the use of existing solar cadastres and databases to statistical analysis based on the morphology of different urban contexts. The roof (and façade) potential will then be added to the potential from the above mentioned non-conventional surfaces with the final aim of providing a figure for PV potential that takes into account planning permissions, restrictions, structural limitations, current legislation, visual impact and costs.