Optimal Sizing of Output Energy of PV Power Plants under Extreme Climate Conditions: Case of Sudanian Sahel

Abstract

The present work analyzes the energy production of three 50kWp photovoltaic (PV) power plants which are placed in three climate zones. The Sudano-Sahelian and Sudanian climates have lower average temperatures than the Sahelian environment. The Sudanian climate, next the Sudano-Sahelian zone, and finally the Sahelian region, have the best performance for PV power plants. The performance of silicon PV cells may suffer due to temperature. The Sahelian climatic zone experiences its highest levels of PV output between April and October due to longer sunshine hours and a reduction in sand dust. In the Sudano-Sahelian region, PV output is at its peak between May and October. The best PV generation in the Sudanian environment occurs between June and November. The theoretical forecasting for the various climate zones is consistent with the PV mini-grid real energy output in various situations. The humidity, cloud cover, and rainfall in all climatic zones will make August the worst month for PV energy generation. Due to the type of load compared to the Sudanian climate where the PV power plant is situated in a university, the usage of batteries is crucial in the Sudano-Sahelian climate.