Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants: Necessity and Techno-Economical Development

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Renewable Energy and the Environment

Part of the book series: Renewable Energy Sources & Energy Storage ((RESES))

Abstract

Conventional power plants affect the environment by emitting greenhouse gases and other toxic pollutants. On the other hand, the reserve of fossil fuel is depleting day by day. It has been becoming obvious that renewable energy can overcome these challenges enormously. Solar photovoltaic (PV) has been gaining a significant popularity among renewable energy sources since last decade. Solar PV power plants are replacing the traditional power plants. The annual investment of solar PV system rises with a high growth rate in recent years. In 2015, the investment in solar sector was USD 161 billion which was the highest among all renewable sources, e.g., wind, biomass, biofuel and geothermal. Now, the cost of electricity generation from solar PV system is comparable with the cost of electricity from traditional generation systems. By the end of 2016, the cumulative installed capacity reached at around 300 GW whereas it was only 17.06 GW in 2010. About 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission can be reduced every year by a 10 MW solar PV plants. However, this chapter presents a detail analysis of a large scale solar PV power plant. The comparative technical specifications of different components of large scale solar PV plant, e.g., solar module, inverter, tracker and transformer are presented in the chapter. In addition, necessary factors that influence the selection of a site for a solar PV plant are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Islam MR, Islam MR, Beg MRA (2008) Renewable energy resources and technologies practice in Bangladesh. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 12:299–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Islam MR, Rahman F, Xu W (2016) Introduction, advances in solar photovoltaic power plant. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, pp 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  3. Earth Policy Institute, “Climate, energy and transportation,” Available online: http://www.earth-policy.org. Accessed 13 Oct 2016

  4. Islam MR, Guo YG, Zhu JG (2014) A review of offshore wind turbine nacelle: technical challenges, and research and development trends. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 33:161–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Islam MR, Guo YG, Zhu JG (2014) Power converters for medium voltage networks. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, pp 1–49

    Google Scholar 

  6. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable energy target setting. Available at: http://www.irena.org. Accessed 10 Oct 2016

  7. Gujrat Power Corporation LTD, Gujrat Solar Park. Available at: https://gpcl.gujarat.gov.in. Accessed: 05 Aug 2017

  8. Physicians for social responsibility, Coal-fired power plants: understanding the health cost of a dirty energy sources. Available at: www.psr.org. Accessed 13 Mar 2017

  9. International energy agency, coal. Available at: www.iea.org. Accessed 14 July 2017

  10. World coal association, coal world, why is coal important? Available at: www.info.com. Accessed 14 July 2017

  11. Independent statistic and analysis, International Energy Outlook 2016, US energy information administration. Available at: www.eia.gov. Accessed 04 July 2017

  12. British Petroleum, BP statistical review of world energy June 2016. Available at: www.bp.com. Accesed 03 July 2017

  13. Nuclear Energy Institute, world statistics, nuclear energy around the world. Available at: www.nei.org. Accessed 02 July 2017

  14. Xu Y, Hu J, Hao H, Wang D, Zhang H (2017) Current and future emissions of primary pollutants from coal fired power plants in Shaanxi China. Sci Total Environ 595:505–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Arora JV, Cai Y, Jones A (2016) The national and international impacts of coal-to-gas switching in China power sector. Energy Econ 60:416–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Rachel’s Democracy and Health News (2008) Green coal. Available at: www.precaution.org. Accessed 04 May 2017

  17. Cohen BL (1990) T nuclear energy option, environmental problems with coal, oil, and gas: Penum press, Available at: www.phyast.pitt.edu. Accessed 30 Mar 2017

  18. Xu X, Meng B, Zhang C, Feng X, Gu C, Guo J, Bishop K, Xu Z, Zhang S, Qiu G (2016) The impact of coal fired power plants on inorganic mercury and methyl-mercury distribution in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Environ Pollut 223:11–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, Environmental impacts of power plants. Available online: Accessed 02 June 2017

    Google Scholar 

  20. Paschoa AS (2004) Interactions energy/environment-Environmental effects of nuclear power generation: Encyclopedia of life support systems

    Google Scholar 

  21. El-Hinnawi HE Review of the environmental impact of nuclear energy. IAEA BULLETIN 20(2):32–42. Available at: https://www.iaea.org. Accessed 15 May 2017

  22. Kivi R (2017) How does nuclear energy affect the environment? Sciencing. Available at: www.sciencing.com. Accessed 20 May 2017

  23. Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century. The first decade: 2004–2014. Available at: http://www.ren21.net. Accessed 15 Oct 2016

  24. FS-UNEP collaborating centre for climate and sustainable energy finance, Frankfurt School. Global trends in renewable energy investment 2016. Available at: http://www.fs-unep-centre.org. Accessed 21 Sept 2016

  25. International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group. Utility- scale solar photovoltaic power plants. A project developer’s guide. Available at: http://www.ifc.org. Accessed 15 Sept 2016

  26. International Energy Agency (IEA). Technological roadmap: solar photovoltaic energy. Available at: http://www.iea.org. Accessed 16 Sept 2016

  27. ASEA Brown Boveri. State of the art and experiences on efficient technologies for solar applications. Available at: http://www.new.abb.com. Accessed 11 Oct 2016

  28. Energy technology systems analysis programme (2013) Solar photovoltaics: technology brief. International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi

    Google Scholar 

  29. Li CT, Hsieh F, Yan S et al (2014) Crystalline silicon solar cells with thin silicon passivation film deposited prior to phosphorous diffusion. Int J Photoenergy 2014(491475): 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  30. Opwis K, Gutmann JS, Alonso ARL (2016) Preparation of a textile-based dye-sensitized solar cell. Int J Photoenergy 3796074:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Renewable energy technologies: cost analysis series. International Renewable Energy Agency (2012):1(4/5). Available online: Accessed 02 June 2017

    Google Scholar 

  32. Lyden S, Haque ME (2015) Maximum power point tracking techniques for photovoltaic systems: a comprehensive review and comparative analysis. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 52:1504–1518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Liu L, Meng X, Liu C (2016) A review of maximum power point tracking methods of PV power system at uniform and partial shading. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 53:1500–1507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Rizzo SA, Scelba G (2015) ANN based MPPT method for rapidly variable shading conditions. Appl Energy 145:124–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Verma D, Nema S, Shandilya AM, Dash SK (2014) Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques: recapitulation in solar photovoltaic systems. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 54:1018–1034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Hlaili M, Mechergui H (2016) Comparison of different MPPT algorithms with a proposed one using a power estimator for grid connected PV systems. Int J Photoenergy 1728398:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Carrasco JM, Franquelo LG, Bialasiewicz JT et al (2006) Power electronic systems for the grid integration of renewable energy sources: a survey. IEEE Trans Industr Electron 53(4):1002–1016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Casaro MM, Martins DC (2010) Electronic processing of the photovoltaic solar energy in grid connected systems. Controley Automacao 21(2):159–172

    Google Scholar 

  39. Martins DC (2013) Analysis of a three-phase grid-connected PV power system using a modified dual-stage inverter. ISRN Renew Energy 2013(406312):1–18

    Google Scholar 

  40. ASEA Brown Boveri. ABB solar inverters for photovoltaic systems helping you get more energy out of every day. Available at: http://www.libray.e.abb.com. Accessed 11 Sept 2016

  41. Siemens. SINVERT PVS 600 series central inverters and components for photovoltaic power plants. Available at: http://www.siemens.com. Accessed 11 Sept 2016

  42. Fuji Electric. Large-scale photovoltaic power generation systems. Available at: http://www.fujielectric.com. Accessed 11 Sept 2016

  43. Garcia IMM, Garcia EJP, Lopez VP et al (2016) Real-time monitoring system for a utility-scale photovoltaic power plant. Sensors 16(770):01–25

    Google Scholar 

  44. Eke R, Senturk A (2012) Performance comparison of a double-axis sun tracking versus fixed PV system. Sol Energy 86:2665–2672

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Yao Y, Hu Y, Gao S et al (2014) A multipurpose dual axis solar tracker with two tracking strategies. Renew Energy 72:88–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Rahimi M, Banybayat M, Tagheie Y et al (2015) An insight on advantage of hybrid sun-wind-tracking over sun-tracking PV system. Energy Convers Manag 105:294–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Khader MMA, Badran OO, Abdallah S (2008) Evaluating multi-axes sun-tracking system at different modes of operation in Jordan. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 12:864–873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. KIPP & ZONEN. Sun trackers for solar-tracking and PC-based positioning operations. Available at: http://www.kippzonen.com. Accessed 11 Sept 2016

  49. Khan G, Rathi S (2014) Optimal site selection for solar PV power plant in an Indian state using geographical information system (GIS). Int J Emerg Eng Res Technol 2(7):260–266

    Google Scholar 

  50. Mondino EB, Fabrizio E, Chiabrando R (2015) Site selection of large ground-mounted photovoltaic plants: a GIS decision support system and an application to Italy. Int J Green Energy 12:515–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Krpan L, Šteko V, Koren Z (2012) Model for selecting locations for construction of solar power plants. Gradevinar 64(9):741–748

    Google Scholar 

  52. Aguilar LA (2015) Feasibility study of developing large scale solar PV project in Ghana: an economical analysis. Master’s Thesis, Chalmers University of Technology

    Google Scholar 

  53. Sarkodie SA, Owusu PA (2016) The potential and economic viability of solar photovoltaic power in Ghana. Energy Sour Part A Recovery, Utilizat Environ Eff 38(5):709–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh

    Pejush Chandra Sarker, Md. Rabiul Islam, Alok Kumar Paul & Subarto Kumar Ghosh

Authors
  1. Pejush Chandra Sarker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Md. Rabiul Islam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alok Kumar Paul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Subarto Kumar Ghosh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pejush Chandra Sarker .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

    Md. Rabiul Islam

  2. Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh

    Naruttam Kumar Roy

  3. Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute, Arlington, Virginia, USA

    Saifur Rahman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Sarker, P.C., Islam, M.R., Paul, A.K., Ghosh, S.K. (2018). Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants: Necessity and Techno-Economical Development. In: Islam, M., Roy, N., Rahman, S. (eds) Renewable Energy and the Environment. Renewable Energy Sources & Energy Storage. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7287-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7287-1_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7286-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7287-1

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation