Mustapha Raoufi

Performance of different silicon PV technologies based on experimental measurements: A case study in Marrakech

The scope of this paper is to compare a one year performance of three grid-connected PV module technologies systems, installed at the Faculty of Sciences Semlalia Marrakech (latitude 31.6497°N and longitude 8.0169°W). The studied silicon-based PV modules technologies are monocrystalline (mono-c-Si), amorphous silicon (a-Si) and polycrystalline (poly-c-Si). Monthly and annual evaluated performance elements include: energy output, reference yield, final yield and performance ratio. The results show that poly-Si system presents the best performance followed by mono-c-Si and by a-Si. To our knowledge, these are the first published performance of grid-connected PV systems in Marrakech.

Photovoltaic Discoloration and Cracks: Experimental Impact on the I-V Curve Degradation

Optical and mechanical failures are often reported in a PV installation. This paper presents the impact of two of the most prevalent failures: The discoloration and the cell cracks on the electrical parameters of the PV characteristic. The studied installation was exposed to a semi-arid climate for two years. Hence, discoloration and cracks are inspected in some modules. The aim of this paper is to correlate between the types of failure occurred and the affected electrical parameter basically through the I-V curve pattern. For this purpose I-V curve measurements are performed for the degraded modules and compared with reference I-V curves of the same system. Throughout this study, identification methods such electroluminescence imaging and I-V curve characterization are utilized to diagnosis these failures.

Mathematical Models Calculating PV Module Temperature Using Weather Data: Experimental Study

A portion of solar irradiance that reaches the surface of the Photovoltaic modules is transformed into heat, and this increases the temperature of the modules which causes a decrease in their performance. As a result, the evaluation of the Photovoltaic modules temperature has a great importance. In this study, we give an overview of different approaches for Photovoltaic module temperature prediction by comparing different theoretical models with experimental measurements. These temperature models are calculated using meteorological parameters such as environment temperature, incident solar irradiance and wind speed if necessary. Data collected from three grid-connected Photovoltaic systems based on three technologies: Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Amorphous are used in this work. The different results obtained in this study are: n n nIt is not obvious to give one formula correlation to describe all the modules temperatures behaviours. n n nModels without wind effect gave the best simulations for the three technologies. n n nLasnier and PVsyst methods gave the best results, NOCT approach has overestimated the module temperature; among the models without wind. n n nAkhsassi2 and Sandia correlations gave satisfying results while Mattei has overestimated the module temperature; among the models considering wind effect.

“Propre.Ma” project: roadmap & preliminary results for grid-connected PV yields maps in Morocco

Sponsored by IRESEN for 3 years starting on February 2014, ”Propre.Ma” is a project carried by 20 higher education Moroccan institutions and one private company (RESING). “Propre.Ma” intends to draw a map of precise grid-connected PV DC yields for all Morocco with ground calibration in 20 different cities. “Propre.Ma” is developing its own metrology for this. In this paper we present the project roadmap and preliminary results.