Mohamed Almaktar

Climate-based empirical model for PV module temperature estimation in tropical environment

The paper proposes new mathematical models to estimating PV module temperature for poly and mono crystalline technologies in tropical climate such as in Malaysia. The developed models are based on measured hourly global solar radiation, ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and module temperature. All data were collected over the year 2009 at GreenTech 92 kWp installed PV system in Selangor, Malaysia. The models were compared using r, MBE, RMSE, and MPE. The results showed that the proposed models give the highest value of correlation coefficient r, and good result when considering statistical indicators i.e. low RMSE, low MBE, and low MPE values. The results show that the proposed regression models have advantages over the conventional approaches for calculating the hourly and day-average PV module temperature, and give the closest results comparing to the actual measurements. The proposed approaches can be used as effective tools for predicting the PV module temperature, whether a simple PV module, open rack system, BIPV installations, or even PV/Thermal collector, in remote and rural locations with no direct measurement equipment. The proposed models can be very useful in studying PV system performance and estimating its energy output.

Photovoltaic technology in Malaysia: past, present, and future plan

This article presents solar energy or specifically the solar photovoltaic (PV) development outlook in Malaysia. The paper first introduces the massive potential of solar energy in the country, the key players in the solar energy development and the early solar energy policies, and programmes in the country. The most important to the PV development is the Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaic initiative, which is presented in this paper followed by an explanation on the Feed-in Tariff recently introduced in the country to encourage new solar PV projects. The outlook for solar PV in Malaysia is optimistic and as the uptake of solar PV increases, the unit cost is coming down rapidly. Solar PV is expected to be the most competitive Renewable Energy (RE) source, with the potential to achieve grid parity for electrical power in the country in the near future, and surpassing all other REs combined by 2050.

Charge of transmission usage and losses in pool electricity market

This paper reviews different approaches on allocation of transmission usage and losses among the pool markets participants. Different pricing methods are also investigated to cover the total transmission system cost as well as charge for transmission losses among network utilities. Results of 5-bus system are reported to show the recovery of the total transmission cost as well as allocation of losses among users in pool electricity market.

Economic Analysis Using Net Present Value and Payback Period: Case Study of a 9kWp Grid-Connected PV System at UTM, Johor Bahru Campus

An economic study for the photovoltaic (PV) projects by the PV installer is essential to avoid the risk that may incur from the investment. This paper discusses the economic analysis of PV installations specifically for the grid connected (GC) systems. The case study is the 9 kW Solar-Home UTM system which is planned to be a showcase GC zero energy house. The house will be able to sell the excess energy back to the grid according to the Malaysian Feed-in Tariff (FiT) implemented in 2012. The economic study conducted is based on the Net Present Value (NPV) and the Pay-Back Period to determine the profitability and viability of the project. The study is believed to encourage and initiate the public to build a successful investment and contribute in the development and deployment of new clean energy sources.