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PV Site Suitability Analysis in Prieska (–29.68, 22.71), South Africa Using Meteorological and Aerosol Data

  • SOLAR RADIATION AND ITS FORECASTING
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Abstract

The photovoltaic (PV) power production is affected by meteorological parameters and aerosols. The exceedance probabilities—P10, P50 and P90 analysis in the present study confirmed the likelihood of higher insolation over Prieska, South Africa. The solar cell performance is affected by conditions as parameters, average temperature, and relative humidity were always less than 27.13°C and 44.4%, respectively. The majority wind speed was also <1.5 m s–1. The total aerosol optical depth (<0.17) indicated low aerosols load over Prieska. The present study suggests Prieska, a suitable location for solar farms. Based on Grey relational grades, in December (0.099), the maximum PV power output can be achieved. The methods used in present work is not restricted to Prieska and can be applied to any location by providing latitude and longitude.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to acknowledge Prof. Bhishma Tyagi, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela for his support during the entire work. I also want to recognize Soda Service for the datasets used in the present work. I am thankful to Mr. Manish Kumar Singh ASIC Developer consultant at Ericsson, Sweden/CEO, at Semicon Service nordic Ab, Sweden, for his support in the present work. I want to acknowledge Ms. Jyoti Singh, Assistant Manager, Continental Automotive Brake Systems (I) India Pvt Ltd. for her help in the analysis.

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  1. Shanti Raj Bhawan Paramhans Nagar, 221004, Kandawa, Varanasi, India

    Jyotsna Singh

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Jyotsna Singh PV Site Suitability Analysis in Prieska (–29.68, 22.71), South Africa Using Meteorological and Aerosol Data. Appl. Sol. Energy 57, 565–574 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X21060104

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