Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-20T14:28:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriano Marcio Freire da Silva.pdf: 233973 bytes, checksum: 8365664074820b5955fb940c37b47616 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-20T14:28:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriano Marcio Freire da Silva.pdf: 233973 bytes, checksum: 8365664074820b5955fb940c37b47616 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-26 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Bacterial canker (Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola) (Xcv) caused great damage to the grapevine cultivation in the Vale do Submédio São Francisco. In the first paper techniques of in vitro tissue culture in modified Galzy medium (MGM) were studied in order to eliminate Xcv from ‘Red Globe’ grapevine plants. The first experiment aimed to select the ideal length of apex and axillary’s buds for cultivation in MGM; the second to verify the effect of the thermotherapy (38ºC/four weeks) associated to the MGM cultivation; and the third intended to test antibiotics to eliminate Xcv from explants taken from infected grapevines. All plants obtained without contamination in vitro and culture media contaminated were indexed by using the semi-selective culture media nutrient agar-dextrose-yeast extract-ampicilin (NYDAM) followed by a pathogenicity test. The cultivation of 3 mm explants permitted to obtain plants free of bacteria with regeneration 14.3 times higher than 1 mm explants. The thermotherapy of infected plants associated to the in vitro culture did not eliminate the pathogen. The cultivationof 10 mm explants for 40 days in MGM+cefotaxime (300 mg L-1) eliminated Xcv from grapevine plants. The indexation in NYDAM permitted the visualization of specific Xcv growing. The indexation of in vitro regenerated grapevine plants for Xcv infection by using NYDAM medium is an economic and efficient alternative for production of selected plants. It is known that pruning residues of infected plants abandoned in the grapevine plantations are important source of disease primary inoculum and that burning is recommended as control measure. Thus the second paper investigated the survival of Xcv in infected tissues and the use of composting to eradicate Xcv associated with crop residues. Plants of grapevine “Festival’ were inoculated with a mutant resistant to rifampicin Xcv2Rif and at the time they presented high disease severity, fragmented shoots and entire leaves were placed in mesh bags. These bagswere placed on the surface of microplots in experimental area (experiment 1) and inside compost piles of grapevine pruning residues (experiment 2). The survival of Xcv2Rif in grapevine infected tissue was monitored in the culture medium NYDAM + rifampicin (0,1g L-1) + azoxystrobim (0,16 g L-1), at 8 and 10 days intervals from 1 and 2 experiment setting, respectively. In the experiment 1 tissue decomposition was also evaluated and in the experiment 2, pile temperature curves, phenolyc content, and fungi and bacteria antagonistic to Xcv2Rif were analyzed. The pathogen survived in high densities (104 a 106 CFU g-1) for at least 80 days in grapevine-infected tissues on soil surface. Then grapevine-pruning residues are important inoculum source for other plants in the vineyard. The composting process eliminated Xcv2Rif from crop residues in 10 days due to high temperatures in piles, liberation of phenolyc compounds during the process and microbial antagonism. Therefore the composting is a viable and safemethod to manage pruning residues in grapevine plantations without problems of Xcv survival and without losing of an important source of organic matter for the culture. / O cancro-bacteriano causado por Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola (Xcv) é responsável por grandes prejuízos ao cultivo de videira no Vale do Submédio São Francisco. No primeiro trabalho, técnicas de cultura de tecidos em meio de Galzy modificado (MGM) foram estudadas visando eliminar Xcv de mudas de videira ‘Red Globe’. O primeiro experimento visou selecionar o tamanho ideal de ápices e gemas axilares para o cultivo em MGM; o segundo, verificar o efeito da termoterapia de mudas (38ºC/quatro semanas) associada ao cultivo em MGM; e o terceiro, testar antibióticos para eliminação de Xcv em explantes oriundos de videiras infectadas. Todas as plantas obtidas sem contaminação in vitro e meios de cultivo contaminados foram indexados utilizando o meio ágar nutritivo-dextrose-extrato de leveduraampicilina (NYDAM) seguindo-se teste de patogenicidade. O cultivo de explantes com 3 mm possibilitou a obtenção de plantas livres da bactéria, com regeneração 14,3 vezes maior que explantes de 1 mm de comprimento. A termoterapia de mudas infectadas associada ao cultivo in vitro não eliminou o patógeno. O cultivo de explantes com 10 mm durante 40 dias em MGM+cefotaxima (300 mg L-1) proporcionou limpeza clonal das mudas. A indexação em NYDAM permitiu a visualização do crescimento de Xcv. A indexação de plantas de videira regeneradas in vitro quanto à infecção por Xcv utilizando NYDAM é uma alternativa econômica e eficiente para produção de plantas selecionadas. Sabe-se que restos de poda de plantas infectadas deixados no parreiral são importante fonte de inóculo primário da doença, recomendando-se a queima como medida de controle. No segundo trabalho, investigou-se a sobrevivência de Xcv em tecidos de videira infectados e o uso da compostagem para erradicação de Xcv em associação com restos culturais. Mudas de videira ‘Festival’ foram inoculadas com omutante resistente a rifampicina Xcv2Rif e quando apresentavam alta severidade da doença, ramos fragmentados e folhas inteiras foram acondicionados em bolsas de malha plástica. Estas foram alocadas na superfície de microparcelas em área experimental (experimento 1) e no interior de pilhas de compostagem de restos de poda de videira (experimento 2). A sobrevivência de Xcv2Rif em tecidos infectados de videira foi monitorada em meio NYDAM + rifampicina (0,1g L-1) + azoxystrobim (0,16 g L-1), a intervalos de 8 e 10 dias a partir do início do experimento, respectivamente nos experimentos 1 e 2. No experimento 1, foi também avaliada a decomposição de tecidos e no experimento 2, as curvas de temperatura das pilhas, conteúdo de fenóis, e presença de microbiota fúngica e bacteriana antagonista a Xcv2Rif. O patógeno sobreviveu em altas densidades (104 a 106 UFC g-1) por pelo menos 80 dias em tecidos infectados de videira na superfície do solo. Portanto, restos de poda de videira constituem importante fonte de inóculo primário para infecção de outras plantas no parreiral. O processo de compostagem eliminou Xcv2Rif de restos culturais em 10 dias, devido às altas temperaturas alcançadas pelas pilhas, liberação de compostos fenólicos durante o processo e antagonismo microbiano. Desta forma, a compostagem constitui uma maneira viável e segura de manejar os restos de poda em parreirais, sem perigo de sobrevivência de Xcv e sem que haja a perda de uma importante fonte de matéria orgânica para a cultura.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / With global need to reduce energy consumption, the search for more efficient technologies has become the focus of many studies. Among these technologies, it can mention the photovoltaic solar energy and LEDs, which have shown an expansion in recent decades. Photovoltaic generation is shown as an attractive energy source because it is renewable and its raw material is practically inexhaustible. While LEDs have a promising advance in lighting and is used in several applications. To integrate these technologies, this paper proposes the study of a DC-DC step-up switched-capacitor (SC) converter for LEDs applied to photovoltaic stand-alone systems. The proposed circuit differs from other topologies SC to insert an inductor in series with the input source, which can operate in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), reducing losses switching, or continuous conduction mode (CCM), allowing the reduction of conduction losses in the circuit. The converter is driven by the frequency modulation, which is obtained as a function of input voltage. For this reason, the current in the LEDs can be stabilized without the need for sensor or feedback. The prototype developed in the laboratory was designed for a lamp of 54 W and operating at high frequency (up to 165 kHz), allowing the reduction of the circuit volume. Experimental results of the circuit in DCM and CCM show that the converter has a high yield, validating the proposal. / Tendo em vista a tendÃncia da reduÃÃo do consumo de energia no mundo, a busca por tecnologias mais eficientes tem se tornado o foco de muitos estudos. Dentre estas tecnologias, pode-se citar a energia solar fotovoltaica e os LEDs, que vem apresentando uma expansÃo nas ultimas dÃcadas. A geraÃÃo fotovoltaica se mostra como uma atrativa fonte de energia, por ser renovÃvel e sua matÃria-prima ser praticamente inesgotÃvel. Enquanto os LEDs apresentam um avanÃo promissor na iluminaÃÃo, sendo utilizado nas mais diversas aplicaÃÃes. Visando a integraÃÃo destas tecnologias, este trabalho propÃe o estudo de um conversor CC-CC elevador com capacitor comutado (Switched Capacitor - SC) para LEDs, aplicado a sistemas fotovoltaicos autÃnomos. O circuito proposto se difere de outras topologias SC por inserir um indutor em sÃrie com a fonte de entrada, o qual pode operar no modo de conduÃÃo descontÃnua (MCD), reduzindo as perdas por comutaÃÃo, ou no modo de conduÃÃo contÃnua (MCC), possibilitando a reduÃÃo das perdas por conduÃÃo do circuito. O conversor à acionado atravÃs da modulaÃÃo por frequÃncia, a qual à obtida em funÃÃo da tensÃo de entrada. Por este motivo, a corrente nos LEDs pode ser estabilizada sem a necessidade de sensores ou de realimentaÃÃo. O protÃtipo desenvolvido em laboratÃrio foi projetado para uma luminÃria de 54 W e operando em alta frequÃncia (atà 165 kHz), possibilitando a reduÃÃo do volume do circuito. Os resultados experimentais obtidos do circuito MCD e MCC sÃo analisados e validam a proposta, mostrando que o conversor apresenta rendimento elevado

This work presents a dynamic model for utility-scale PV systems. The model is based on a centralized converter topology, which uses a voltage-sourced converter (VSC) to facilitate the exchange of energy between PV generators and the utility grid. The related control system regulates active and reactive power injected by the PV system, based on a current control strategy. Moreover, the model includes a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) scheme, implemented with the incremental conductance method. Dimensioning of the model is presented as well as simulation cases to validate its performance. Subsequently, the model was used to analyze the effect of variations in solar radiation on a test network with high penetration of photovoltaic generation. Results showed that without proper compensation of reactive power, variations in solar radiation can cause voltage fluctuations outside allowable limits. Thus, in order to mitigate these fluctuations, local control strategies were implemented to allow the exchange of reactive power between the solar farm and the utility grid. Simulations showed that the proposed strategies can mitigate voltage fluctuations at the point of common coupling, improving voltage regulation in the network. / Este trabalho apresenta um modelo dinâmico de sistemas fotovoltaicos de grande escala. O modelo é baseado em uma topologia de conversor centralizado, que usa um conversor de fonte de tensão (VSC) para facilitar a troca de energia entre os geradores fotovoltaicos e a rede elétrica. O sistema de controle relacionado regula a energia ativa e reativa injetada pelo sistema fotovoltaico, com base em uma estratégia de controle de corrente. Além disso, o modelo inclui um sistema de rastreamento de ponto de potência máxima (MPPT), implementado com o método da condutância incremental. O dimensionamento do modelo é apresentado, bem como vários casos de simulação para validar o seu desempenho. Posteriormente, o modelo foi utilizado para analisar o efeito das variações na radiação solar sobre uma rede de teste com uma elevada penetração de geração fotovoltaica. Os resultados mostraram que sem uma adequada compensação de energia reativa, as variações na radiação solar podem causar flutuações de tensão fora dos limites permitidos. Assim, a fim de mitigar estas flutuações, estratégias de controle local foram implementadas para permitir a troca de potência reativa entre os sistemas fotovoltaicos e a rede. As simulações mostraram que as estratégias propostas podem mitigar as flutuações de tensão no ponto de acoplamento comum, melhorando a regulação de tensão na rede.

This work presents a dynamic model for utility-scale PV systems. The model is based on a centralized converter topology, which uses a voltage-sourced converter (VSC) to facilitate the exchange of energy between PV generators and the utility grid. The related control system regulates active and reactive power injected by the PV system, based on a current control strategy. Moreover, the model includes a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) scheme, implemented with the incremental conductance method. Dimensioning of the model is presented as well as simulation cases to validate its performance. Subsequently, the model was used to analyze the effect of variations in solar radiation on a test network with high penetration of photovoltaic generation. Results showed that without proper compensation of reactive power, variations in solar radiation can cause voltage fluctuations outside allowable limits. Thus, in order to mitigate these fluctuations, local control strategies were implemented to allow the exchange of reactive power between the solar farm and the utility grid. Simulations showed that the proposed strategies can mitigate voltage fluctuations at the point of common coupling, improving voltage regulation in the network. / Este trabalho apresenta um modelo dinâmico de sistemas fotovoltaicos de grande escala. O modelo é baseado em uma topologia de conversor centralizado, que usa um conversor de fonte de tensão (VSC) para facilitar a troca de energia entre os geradores fotovoltaicos e a rede elétrica. O sistema de controle relacionado regula a energia ativa e reativa injetada pelo sistema fotovoltaico, com base em uma estratégia de controle de corrente. Além disso, o modelo inclui um sistema de rastreamento de ponto de potência máxima (MPPT), implementado com o método da condutância incremental. O dimensionamento do modelo é apresentado, bem como vários casos de simulação para validar o seu desempenho. Posteriormente, o modelo foi utilizado para analisar o efeito das variações na radiação solar sobre uma rede de teste com uma elevada penetração de geração fotovoltaica. Os resultados mostraram que sem uma adequada compensação de energia reativa, as variações na radiação solar podem causar flutuações de tensão fora dos limites permitidos. Assim, a fim de mitigar estas flutuações, estratégias de controle local foram implementadas para permitir a troca de potência reativa entre os sistemas fotovoltaicos e a rede. As simulações mostraram que as estratégias propostas podem mitigar as flutuações de tensão no ponto de acoplamento comum, melhorando a regulação de tensão na rede.

O objetivo deste trabalho é modelar a arquitetura de uma usina solar fotovoltaica arrefecida intitulada UFVa, utilizando um protótipo de verificação. A metodologia se baseia na medição, verificação e análise dos dados de temperatura e produção de energia elétrica dos strings de teste (arrefecido) e comparação (não arrefecido), estudo do comportamento da alimentação de água do sistema de arrefecimento e o impacto das condições climáticas na operação do protótipo de UFVa. Por meio das análises dos dados constatou-se que, para o período entre as 09h00min e as 17h30min, os módulos PV do string de teste sempre operam com temperaturas inferiores aos módulos PV do string de comparação. Durante o período de testes, no qual a temperatura dos módulos PV do string de comparação operou acima de 55,0°C, as temperaturas médias e máximas registradas nos módulos PV do string de teste foram inferiores a 37,0 °C, operando sempre abaixo da temperatura nominal de operação da célula (NOCT). A produção de energia elétrica no string de teste superou a do string de comparação em 3,0kWh/dia. Portanto, o sistema de arrefecimento reduz a temperatura de operação dos módulos PV, principalmente no período de máxima geração elétrica, que corresponde ao período das 11h00min às 15h00min, proporcionando ganhos médios de rendimento de 5,9% na produção de energia, 10,3% na potência e 5,4% no FC. / In this work we use a verification prototype to model the architecture of a solar photovoltaic power plant equipped with a cooling system. The power plant we model is called UFVa. The methodology is based on the measurement, verification, and data analysis of temperature, electricity generation, test strings (cooled) and comparison strings (not cooled), along with a study of the water feeding behavior of the cooling system, and the impact of climatic conditions in the UFVa prototype operation. By analyzing the data we observed that, for the period between 09:00am and 5:30pm, the PV modules of the test string operate at temperatures below those of the PV modules of the comparison string. During the tests, in which the temperature of the PV modules of the comparison string operated above 55.0°C, the average and the maximum temperatures recorded in the PV modules of the testing string lied below 37.0°C, operating below the NOCT. Regarding the generation of electricity, the test string generated 3.0 kWh/day more than the comparison string. Hence, the cooling system decreases the operating temperature of the PV modules, particularly during the maximum power generation period which is from 11am to 3pm. This leads to efficiency average gains of up to 5.9% in the generation of electricity, 10.3% in the power, and 5.3% in the PR and PF.

Grid connected inverter requires accurate and appropriate sizing which depends on the temperature, inverter operating efficiency, performance ratio, annual system yield and solar radiation characteristics. The aim of this study was to design and size for optimum sizing factor for grid connected inverter. The main component to be considered in any photovoltaic grid connected system is the inverter since the output depends on the inverter sizing ratio, therefore optimal sizing factor was designed by considering factors that affects inverter sizing such as temperature, irradiance and the location. Large and small systems of 50 kW and 5 kW respectively were considered to determine grid connected inverter sizing factors for different climates in Kenya, Sweden, and India using PVsyst simulation. Two different inverter brands of SMA and ABB with 20 kW and 25 kW rating for large system and 4.6 kW, 4 kW inverters for small system. PVsyst simulation result showed that different locations with different orientation angles, the optimum sizing varies hence affects the annual performance of the system. Photovoltaic system inverters are sized based on the rated power of the installed system and this can be achieved when the inverter size is either almost matching or not. In this case the study presents the optimal sizing factor for grid connected inverter for Mandera in Kenya, Norrköping in Sweden and Kerala in India. The determination was done through the use of designing, assessing and analyzing of the relationship between the sizing factor with performance ratio, operational efficiency and annual hourly energy yield. The unique weather profile in Kerala and in Mandera favors the adoption of solar energy technology in the location. Solar radiation for one year was used as a baseline input and the result reveals that Mandera receives yearly radiation of 2.1 MWh/m² while Kerala and Norrköping receives 2 MWh/m² and 1.1 MWh/m² respectively. Design simulation using PVsyst tool made it possible for the determination of the optimal sizing factor for the grid connected system. Considerations such as the losses and the variations within the specific location was done and a graph showing the relationship between the sizing factor in relation to the operational inverter efficiency as well as energy yield and performance ratio was later on compared to see the behavior of the sizing factor. The study concludes that operational efficiency, performance ratio and energy yield affects the array optimum sizing ratio. For the three locations, inverters (SMA and ABB) shows different variations because optimal sizing ratio depends on the location and irradiation. The results reveal that Mandera has an optimal grid connected inverter sizing of the range from 1.1 to 1.4 while in Kerala it has from 1.2 to 1.4 and Norrköping has the range from 1.1 to 1.3. Optimal sizing of grid connected inverters depends on the energy yield and the location therefore the inverter mismatch voltage and its rating values have to be considered while determining the optimal sizing factor. The 25 kW inverters in all the locations had better efficiency and sizing factor and this proves that sizing the photovoltaic inverter will give better performance and efficiency.

<div>Combining rooftop solar with energy storage for off-grid residential operation is restrictively expensive. Historically, operating off-grid requires an 'isolated self-consumption' operating strategy where any excess generation is wasted and to ensure reliability you must install costly, polluting generators or a large amount of energy storage. With the advent of Blockchain technology residents can come together and establish transactive microgrids which have two possible operating strategies: Centralized Energy Sharing (CES) and Interconnected Energy Sharing (IES). The CES strategy proposes that all systems combine their photovoltaic (PV) generation and energy storage systems (ESS) to meet their loads. IES strategy establishes an energy trading system between stand-alone systems which allows buying energy when battery capacity is empty and selling energy when battery capacity is full. Transactive microgrids have been investigated analytically by several sources, none of which consider year-round off-grid operation.</div><div> </div><div>A simulation tool was developed through MATLAB for comparing the three operating strategies: isolated self-consumption, CES, and IES. This simulation tool could easily be incorporated into existing software such as HOMER. </div><div><br></div><div>The effect of several variables on total cost was tested including interconnection type, initial charge, load variability, starting month, number of stand-alone systems, geographic location, and required reliability.</div><div> </div><div>It was found that the CES strategy improves initial cost by 7\% to 10\% compared to the baseline (isolated self-consumption) and IES cases in every simulation. The IES case consistently saved money compared to the baseline, just by a very small amount (less than 1\%). Initial charge was investigated for March, July, and November and was only found to have an effect in November. More research should be done to show the effect of initial charge for every month of the year. Load variability had inconsistent results between the two geographic locations studied, Indianapolis and San Antonio. This result would be improved with an improved load simulation which includes peak shifting. The number of systems did not have a demonstrable effect, giving the same cost whether there were 2 systems or 50 involved in the trading strategies. It may be that only one other system is necessary to receive the benefits from a transactive microgrid. Geographic locations studied (Indianapolis, Indiana; Phoenix, Arizona; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Erie, Pennsylvania) showed a large effect on the total cost with Phoenix being considerably cheaper than any other location and Erie having the highest cost. This result was expected due to each geographic location's load and solar radiation profiles. Required reliability showed a consistent and predictable effect with cost going down as the requirement relaxed and more hours of outage were allowed. </div><div><br></div><div>In order to accomplish off-grid operation with favorable economics it is likely that a system will need to reduce its reliability requirement, adopt energy saving consumption habits, choose a favorable geographic location, and either establish a transactive microgrid or include secondary energy generation and/or storage. </div>

<p>The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.</p>

Building Integrated Photo Voltaics (BIPVs) are devices which are manufactured to replace building components exposed to sufficient sunlight to generate energy. Photo Voltaic Roof tiles are Building Integrated components which can be used instead of traditional roofing materials. The following thesis is focused on comparing traditional, cheaper asphalt roof tiles with Photo Voltaic (PV) roofing tiles in terms of energy cost savings during their respective Net Present Values. The method used for achieving this is computer simulation made possible by software named "Solar Advisory Model" (SAM), developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL), to simulate energy output and resultant energy costs saved. The simulations have been run on a prototype example of a model of a dwelling unit's roof area. The simulations have been repeated for 35 cities all over the U.S.A. for 5 different climatic zones on the same prototype example of the dwelling unit. Similarly, the roof area being laid with an array of PV roof tiles has been estimated for coverage by traditional asphalt roof shingles by using data from the RS Means construction costs data. The estimated costs associated with the asphalt roof area have been adjusted to a different set of 35 locations from the 5 climatic zones by using the location factor from RS Means. A statistical analysis was done to analyze the data, net present value of roofing materials being the dependent variable versus climatic zones and roofing material as the independent variables. The statistical model also included CDD (Cooling Degree Days) and HDD (Heating Degree Days) as co-variates. The results indicate that NPV (Net Present Value) of BIPV roof is significantly different from that of asphalt roof. Another statistical analysis was done to determine the effect of climatic zones on energy savings due to the use of BIPV roofing. Energy savings (in US$) was used as a dependent variable, and climatic zone as the independent variable. HDD AND CDD were also included in this model as co-variates. The results of this test indicate that both climatic zone and HDD have an effect on total energy savings.

Photovoltaic installations in urban areas operate under uneven lighting conditions. For such a system to achieve its peak efficiency, each solar panel is connected in series through a micro-converter, a dc-dc converter that performs per-panel distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT). The objective of this thesis is to design a compensator for the DMPPT micro-converter. A novel, systematic approach to plant modeling is presented for this system, together with a framework for characterizing the plant’s uncertainty. A robust control design procedure based on linear matrix inequalities is then proposed, which ensures robust performance and stability of the time-varying system. The proposed modeling and control design methods are demonstrated for an example rooftop photovoltaic installation. The system and the designed compensator are tested in simulations. Simulation results show satisfactory performance over a range of operating conditions, and the simulated system is shown to track the maximum power point of every panel.