Preliminary Evaluation of HCPV System In – Field Energy Production in the Mediterranean Area

Gawronska M;Sanna C;MUSIO, MAURA;DAMIANO, ALFONSO

2014-01-01

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Abstract

This paper describes the preliminary tests developed in order to evaluate the outdoor performance of a High Concentrator Photovoltaic (HCPV) system located in the south Sardinia (Italy). Because of the plant location, the presented evaluation is useful in assessing the HCPV systems electrical productivity in the Mediterranean area, in different seasons of the year. The obtained results were referred to the weather conditions and the correlation between the energy production (EP) and the environmental parameters is presented. The results, in terms of electrical productivity obtained for the HCPV system, were compared with those of a traditional flat plate silicon photovoltaic plant, installed in the same location. The performances of both systems were analyzed for the same seasons and weather conditions. The obtained preliminary results provide a data base which is useful to compare the energy production of different photovoltaic technologies. Finally, the test results highlight the potentiality of HCPV technology in the Mediterranean area of Italy, confirming that CPV systems can be an important energy source in this region of Europe.