Performance investigation of 140 kW grid connected solar PV system installed in southern region of India – A detailed case study and analysis

This article focuses on the performance assessment of a grid-connected 140-kW photovoltaic (PV) plant which is installed on the roof of an aerospace hanger block located at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India. The installed unit comprises of seven parallel strings, each comprised of 60 modules. Each of the seven strings is separately connected to an individual inverter (Delta RPI-M20A), i.e., a string inverter of 20 kW. An investigation deals with parameters recorded based on the average of daily, monthly, and yearly data such as AC and DC energy generated, reference yield, array yield and final yields, performance ratio and capacity factor. In the year 2020, the total power generated by the proposed project site is 139,125 kW. Further, the average reference yield varied from a minimum of 118.9 (hr/mth) to a maximum of 197.6 (hr/mth). Similarly, the average final yield varies from 86.14 (hr) to 135.61 (hr). The capacity factor and performance ratio are found to have a maximum of 18.83% and 80.29% and a minimum of 11.96% and 64.14%, respectively. Thus, this article helps readers identify the practicability and sustainability of solar-powered PV systems in rural and remote locations.