Renewable and alternative energy technologies have become increasingly popular in Ontario over the last few years. Part of this increase has been from the Feed-In-Tariff incentive that pays Ontarians an amount per kWh generated by some of these technologies onto the central electricity grid. Between residential, commercial and agricultural settings, agriculture operations and locations offer an abundance of resources that make renewable energy systems attractive. The big question being asked by Ontario farmers is what renewable or alternative energy technology is best or most economical for their particular location and operation? The solution to that question is the Complimentary Energy Decision Support Tool (CEDST). This application combines Solar Photovoltaic, Wind Turbine, Geothermal, Anaerobic Digester, Solar Thermal and Energy Conservation calculators into one tool that compares the feasibility of each technology. This thesis specifically presents the development of the CEDST platform which is used as the delivery method for each of the individual calculators, the creation of the Solar Photovoltaic calculator and methodology behind determining if a solar photovoltaic system is a feasible solution, as well as, the integration of all the other individual calculators developed by the rest of the CESDT team into the CEDST platform. / Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Poultry Industry Council, Egg Farmers of Canada, and the University of Guelph

abstract: The deposition of airborne dust, especially in desert conditions, is very problematic as it leads to significant loss of power of photovoltaic (PV) modules on a daily basis during the dry period. As such, PV testing laboratories around the world have been trying to set up soil deposition stations to artificially deposit soil layers and to simulate outdoor soiling conditions in an accelerated manner. This thesis is a part of a twin thesis. The first thesis, authored by Shanmukha Mantha, is associated with the designing of an artificial soiling station. The second thesis (this thesis), authored by Darshan Choudhary, is associated with the characterization of the deposited soil layers. The soil layers deposited on glass coupons and one-cell laminates are characterized and presented in this thesis. This thesis focuses on the characterizations of the soil layers obtained in several soiling cycles using various techniques including current-voltage (I-V), quantum efficiency (QE), compositional analysis and optical profilometry. The I-V characterization was carried out to determine the impact of soil layer on current and other performance parameters of PV devices. The QE characterization was carried out to determine the impact of wavelength dependent influence of soil type and thickness on the QE curves. The soil type was determined using the compositional analysis. The compositional data of the soil is critical to determine the adhesion properties of the soil layers on the surface of PV modules. The optical profilometry was obtained to determine the particle size and distribution. The soil layers deposited using two different deposition techniques were characterized. The two deposition techniques are designated as “dew” technique and “humidity” technique. For the same deposition time, the humidity method was determined to deposit the soil layer at lower rates as compared to the dew method. Two types of deposited soil layers were characterized. The first type layer was deposited using a reference soil called Arizona (AZ) dust. The second type layer was deposited using the soil which was collected from the surface of the modules installed outdoor in Arizona. The density of the layers deposited using the surface collected soil was determined to be lower than AZ dust based layers for the same number of deposition cycles. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Engineering 2016

Submitted by Jesiel Ferreira Gomes (jesielgomes@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-04-20T19:47:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBSON ROGACIANO FERNANDES DA SILVA – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEQ) 2015.pdf: 2972393 bytes, checksum: 0382c6be9c4c653ce0885143a6cf932d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-20T19:47:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBSON ROGACIANO FERNANDES DA SILVA – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEQ) 2015.pdf: 2972393 bytes, checksum: 0382c6be9c4c653ce0885143a6cf932d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03 / Capes / Este trabalho trata do estudo da potencialidade energética de geradores fotovoltaicos em acionar um sistema de bombeamento de água via processo de microfiltração. A avaliação do sistema permitiu caracterizar o efeito da disponibilidade de potencia elétrica e da pressão de operação do sistema, para determinação da quantidade de água produzida. Na avaliação do sistema, foi utilizada uma alimentação de água da Cisterna do LABDES (água da chuva captada pelas telhas), fazendo uso de um Motor Bomba Centrifuga de potê ncia de 0,5 Hp, e atuando com variações de pressões entre 0 a 2 kgf/cm². Inicialmente, foi realizada a caracterização do sistema, através de sua operação com disponibilidade de potência elétrica variável (Energia convencional), sendo verificado seu perfil de funcionamento a partir da avaliação dos seguintes parâmetros: vazão do permeado, Pressão, Potência e remoção de cor e turbidez. A avaliação do sistema, permitiu caracterizar o efeito da disponibilidade de potência elétrica e da pressão de operação do sistema na quantificação e qualidade da água produzida. Utilizando os dados do potencial solarimétrico (LEIAM-UFCG) da cidade de Campina Grande – PB, para o período de Outubro/2013 à Setembro/2014, realizou-se um estudo da oferta de energia solar disponibilizada para o período especificado, onde verificou-se que 70,5% da irradiação média mensal encontra-se na faixa entre 200 e 1400 W/m². Posteriormente, avaliou-se o funcionamento do sistema operando efetivamente com energia solar fotovoltaica, o qual atingiu uma produção média de 0,36 L/min ou 174,4 L/dia (média dos Dias 1,Dias 2 e Dias 3), durante 8 horas de funcionamento do sistema por dia. Com uma pressão média de operação de 0,99 kgf/cm² durante os 3 dias. / This work deals with the study of the effectiveness of photovoltaic generators drive a via microfiltration water pumping system. The rating system allows to characterize the effect of the availability of electric power and operation of the system pressure to determine the amount of water produced. In the evaluation system used was a cistern of the water supply LABDES (rainwater captured by tile), using a 0.5 hp motor pump power centrifuged, and the variations in operating pressures from 0 to 2 kgf/cm2. Initially the system characterization was performed by means of operation with variable availability of electrical power (conventional Energy), confirmed its working profile from the evaluation parameters: permeate flow, pressure, power and removing color and turbidity. The rating system allowed us to characterize the effect of the availability and the electrical power system operating pressure in the quantity and quality of water produced. Using potential data solarimetric (read-UFCG) of Campina Grande - PB for the period October / 2013 to September / 2014, there was a study of solar energy supply available for the specified period, where it was found that 70.5% of the monthly average irradiation is between 200 and 1400 W / m2. Subsequently, we evaluated the system works effectively operating with photovoltaic solar energy, which reached an average production of 0.36 L / min or 174.4 L / day (mean of Days 1, 2 Days and Days 3) for 8 hours of operation of the system per day, with an average operating pressure of 0.99 kgf / cm² for 3 days.

abstract: Microgrids are a subset of the modern power structure; using distributed generation (DG) to supply power to communities rather than vast regions. The reduced scale mitigates loss allowing the power produced to do more with better control, giving greater security, reliability, and design flexibility. This paper explores the performance and cost viability of a hybrid grid-tied microgrid that utilizes Photovoltaic (PV), batteries, and fuel cell (FC) technology. The concept proposes that each community home is equipped with more PV than is required for normal operation. As the homes are part of a microgrid, excess or unused energy from one home is collected for use elsewhere within the microgrid footprint. The surplus power that would have been discarded becomes a community asset, and is used to run intermittent services. In this paper, the modeled community does not have parking adjacent to each home allowing for the installment of a privately owned slower Level 2 charger, making EV ownership option untenable. A solution is to provide a Level 3 DC Quick Charger (DCQC) as the intermittent service. The addition of batteries and Fuel Cells are meant to increase load leveling, reliability, and instill limited island capability. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.Tech Engineering 2013

abstract: Today's energy market is facing large-scale changes that will affect all market players. Near the top of that list is the rapid deployment of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Yet that growing trend will be influenced multiple competing interests between various stakeholders, namely the utility, consumers and technology provides. This study provides a series of analyses--utility-side, consumer-side, and combined analyses--to understand and evaluate the effect of increases in residential solar PV market penetration. Three urban regions have been selected as study locations--Chicago, Phoenix, Seattle--with simulated load data and solar insolation data at each locality. Various time-of-use pricing schedules are investigated, and the effect of net metering is evaluated to determine the optimal capacity of solar PV and battery storage in a typical residential home. The net residential load profile is scaled to assess system-wide technical and economic figures of merit for the utility with an emphasis on intraday load profiles, ramp rates and electricity sales with increasing solar PV penetration. The combined analysis evaluates the least-cost solar PV system for the consumer and models the associated system-wide effects on the electric grid. Utility revenue was found to drop by 1.2% for every percent PV penetration increase, net metering on a monthly or annual basis improved the cost-effectiveness of solar PV but not battery storage, the removal of net metering policy and usage of an improved the cost-effectiveness of battery storage and increases in solar PV penetration reduced the system load factor. As expected, Phoenix had the most favorable economic scenario for residential solar PV, primarily due to high solar insolation. The study location--solar insolation and load profile--was also found to affect the time of year at which the largest net negative system load was realized. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Engineering 2014

Les problématiques énergétiques sont au sommet des préoccupations politiques dans de nombreux pays, du fait des enjeux environnementaux inhérents, du rôle moteur de l’énergie dans tous les secteurs économiques ainsi que des préoccupations relatives à l’indépendance énergétique. Cet intérêt est accru du fait de la part croissante des sources d’énergie renouvelables et intermittentes dans le mix énergétique mondial. En particulier, de par son fort potentiel et la volonté politique de soutien dont elle a bénéficié, l’énergie photovoltaïque est désormais un acteur clé dans la mutation énergétique mondiale, et son intégration dans le mix mondial doit être réalisée avec attention. Afin d’avoir une compréhension approfondie de la façon dont l’énergie solaire peut pénétrer et transformer le panorama énergétique, nous avons adopté une stratégie en trois niveaux avec une approche multidisciplinaire visant à apporter quelques réponses aux questions suivantes : i/ quel sera la position de l’énergie solaire dans le futur mix énergétique ?; ii/ du fait de son inconvénient majeur, l’intermittence, pouvons-nous fournir une architecture optimale d’une système basé sur l’énergie solaire associant des systèmes de stockage ?; iii/ quelle est l’efficacité des politiques incitatives mises en œuvre pour accélérer son déploiement ?Ainsi, dans un premier chapitre, nous analysons la position particulière de l’énergie photovoltaïque dans le mix énergétique. Après un rappel des enjeux des futurs mix énergétiques mondiaux, nous proposons une description sommaire des différentes technologies solaires et de leurs évolutions attendues en termes d’améliorations techniques et de réductions de coûts. Enfin, nous décrivons la croissance très rapide du marché photovoltaïque et de ces conséquences à la fois sur le mix électrique et sur le secteur industriel. Dans le deuxième chapitre, nous nous intéressons à la problématique de l’intégration de cette énergie intermittente dans le mix électrique, en développant une méthodologie d’évaluation multicritère ainsi qu’un outil d’optimisation multicritère sous contraintes qui permet de faire des simulations d’un système composé de panneaux photovoltaïques et de technologies de stockage. Des cas d’applications sur le cas réel du Cirque de Mafate (L’île de la Réunion, France) sont présentés pour illustrer l’intérêt de la méthode.Enfin, dans le troisième chapitre, nous questionnons l’efficacité de différentes politiques de soutien aux technologies photovoltaïques dans les pays les plus pertinents. Nous examinons plus particulièrement la corrélation entre la puissance installée, l’argent publique dépensé, ainsi que les prix de l’électricité. / The energetic issue is on the top of the political agenda in many countries, for environmental reasons, for its driving role in all the economic sectors, as well as for the energetic independency concerns. This problematic is stressed by the increasing weight of renewable intermittent power sources in the global energy mix. In particular, due to its high potential and the strong national policy support it beneficiated, solar photovoltaic energy is now a key player in the world energy mutation, and the way it is integrated into the global mix should be carefully performed. To deeply understand the way solar energy can penetrate and transform the forthcoming energy framework, we adopted a three-level strategy with an multidisciplinary approach to provide some answers to the following questions: i/ how can we situate the photovoltaic power role in future energy mixes?; ii/ due to its main drawback, intermittency, could we provide an optimal design of a system combining storage devices?; iii/ what is the efficiency of the incentive policies that are or have been implemented to accelerate its deployment?That is why, in a first chapter, the peculiar position of the solar photovoltaic energy in the energy mix is analyzed. After recalling the general issue of future global energetic mixes, we propose a brief description of the different photovoltaic technologies and their promising evolutions in terms of technical improvements and cost reductions. Then, we describe the fast growing photovoltaic market and its consequences both on the electricity mix and the industry sector.In the second chapter we investigate the issue of integrating such an intermittent energy in the electricity mix, by developing a multicriteria evaluation methodology and a multicriteria under constraint optimization tool which simulates a system composed of photovoltaic panels and storage devices. Applications on a real case in the Cirque de Mafate (L’île de la Réunion, France) are presented to illustrate the interest of our method.Finally, in chapter three, we question the efficiency of different public support policies to the photovoltaic technologies in the most relevant countries. We focus on correlating the installed power capacity with the spent public money and the electricity prices.

Este trabalho buscou entender a situação da atividade de fabricação de módulos fotovoltaicos no Brasil com o objetivo de avaliar a possibilidade de estimular a indústria nacional e o uso dessa fonte alternativa mais acentuadamente. Para tanto, foi necessário analisar os benefícios energéticos e econômicos da cadeia de produção, além de entender o estado da arte atual de todo o processo. É um ramo industrial que está sendo implantado no Brasil e este estudo teve como objetivo obter informações relevantes dos problemas e facilidades que os empreendedores enfrentam, e quais são os custos e benefícios à sociedade em geral, inclusive para obtenção dos sistemas fotovoltaicos pelo consumidor final. O trabalho contém uma avaliação do estado da produção e utilização dos sistemas de energia solar fotovoltaica no mundo e o que ocorre no Brasil. Buscou-se conhecer as possíveis, e/ou mais relevantes, ações regulatórias e iniciativas da área privada para viabilizar este ramo industrial. São considerados os impactos da atividade em pauta, procurando mostrar as relações de custo-benefício em projetos de geração centralizada (Leilões de Energia de Reserva) e de geração distribuída. / This study aims to understand the status of the manufacturing activity of photovoltaic modules in Brazil to evaluate the possibility of stimulating the local production and its widespread use. It was necessary to evaluate the energetic and economic benefits of the production chain. In addition, the study focused the understanding of the current state of the art of the whole process. Photovoltaic solar energy is an industrial branch recently receiving impulse in Brazil. This study aims to obtain relevant information about the difficulties faced by the entrepreneurs and the benefits and costs to the society. The study assess the state of the production and use of solar PV systems in the world and what happens in Brazil. At this study, we sought to understand what are the possible, and/or more relevant, regulatory actions and private area initiatives to enable this industrial branch and its diffusion to the final consumers. The impacts of the related activity are considered, trying to show the cost-benefit relationship in centralized generation projects (Reserve Energy Auctions) and distributed generation.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work presents a new energy conditioning system for application in stand-alone photovoltaic systems with battery bank. Firstly, the characteristics of solar photovoltaic energy, the modeling of a photovoltaic cell and the equivalent electrical circuit are presented. In a second moment, the photovoltaic generation systems and a review of the static converters applied to stand-alone photovoltaic systems with battery bank are presented. From this study it is proposed a new photovoltaic generation system, with distributed energy processing based on series-connected DC-DC converters. The proposed system presents better utilization of the energy generated by the panels through the employment of more than one array of photovoltaic panels and a static power converter for each subsystem. Thereby, the losses through shading are reduced, and also the reliability of the system is increased, once even if one of the subsystems fails, the system will keep on generating electricity to the loads of higher priority. Posteriorly, the analyses of the operation of the system and simulation results are presented. Finally, it is presented experimental results, comparing the efficiency of the utilization of the energy generated by the input stage of the proposed system and by a system traditionally employed in stand-alone photovoltaic systems, showing an energy gain of 16% with the utilization of the proposed system for situations in which at least one panel is shaded. / Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta um novo sistema de condicionamento de energia para aplicação em sistemas fotovoltaicos autônomos com banco de baterias. Inicialmente são apresentadas as características da energia solar fotovoltaica, a modelagem de uma célula fotovoltaica e um circuito elétrico equivalente. Em um segundo momento são apresentados os sistemas de geração fotovoltaica e uma revisão dos conversores estáticos aplicados a sistemas fotovoltaicos autônomos com banco de baterias. A partir deste estudo é proposto um novo sistema de geração fotovoltaica, com processamento distribuído de energia baseada em conversores CC-CC conectados em série. O sistema proposto apresenta um melhor aproveitamento da energia gerada pelos painéis através da utilização de mais de um arranjo de painéis fotovoltaicos e o emprego de um conversor estático de potência para cada subsistema. Assim, as perdas por sombreamento são reduzidas bem como é aumentada a confiabilidade do sistema, pois mesmo com a falha de um dos subsistemas o sistema continuará garantindo energia elétrica para as cargas de maior interesse. Posteriormente, são apresentadas as análises do funcionamento do sistema e resultados de simulação. Por fim, resultados experimentais são apresentados, comparando a eficiência no aproveitamento da energia gerada pelo estágio de entrada do sistema proposto e de um sistema tradicionalmente empregado em sistemas fotovoltaicos autônomos, demonstrando um ganho de energia de 16% com a utilização do sistema proposto para situações em que pelo menos um painel está sombreado.

The European Union has adopted a range of policies aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from road transport, including setting binding targets for tailpipe CO2 emissions for new light-duty fleets. The legislative framework for implementing such targets allows taking into account the CO2 savings from innovative technologies that cannot be adequately quantified by the standard test cycle CO2 measurement. This paper presents a methodology to define the average productivity of vehicle-mounted photovoltaic roofs and to quantify the resulting CO2 benefits for conventional combustion engine-powered passenger cars in the European Union. The method relies on the analysis of a large dataset of vehicles activity data, i.e. urban driving patterns acquired with GPS systems, combined with an assessment of the shading effect from physical obstacles and indoor parking. The results show that on average the vehicle photovoltaic roof receives 58% of the available solar radiation in real-world conditions, making it possible to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars in a range from 1% to 3%, assuming a storage capacity of 20% of the 12 V battery dedicated to solar energy. This methodology can be applied to other vehicles types, such as light and heavy-duty, as well as to different powertrain configurations, such as hybrid and full electric.

The global use of energy increases every day and to meet the growing demand, energy sources are constantly being developed to become more efficient and reliable. During the last decade, the global solar photovoltaics (PV) capacity has increased every year and in 2017, solar PV was the global leading power source of renewable energy. However, hazards and risks regarding fire have been connected to the installation and use of solar PV systems. An Italian study showed an increase of fires in solar PV systems following the increase of installed PV systems. A German report estimated that integrated solar PV systems have 20 times higher fire risk than non-integrated systems. The fire risks of solar PV systems are related to their electrical components, the fact that they produce power as long as a light source is shining and the changed fire dynamic of e.g. roofs when systems are installed. To reduce risks and create standards, several countries have legislated and published recommendations of installation and maintenance of solar PV systems. However, the regulations and recommendations vary greatly between countries and a comparison has therefore been performed in this thesis with the purpose of identifying differences. Legislation and other recommendations from four countries as well as European guidelines have been investigated and compared to see how solar PV systems are regulated. The difference between non-integrated and integrated solar PV systems has been examined as well as the fire risks connected to each system. Furthermore, the impact of solar PV systems during a fire rescue operation have been investigated. Finally, computer simulations have been performed to see what temperatures can be expected at the presence of a solar PV system at a façade.  The result shows a great difference in the level of details in the regulations and recommendations. Some countries have more general requirements while others are very specific in distances between PV systems and fire walls etc. The only requirement found in every countries’ regulations or guidelines is of informative signage. The requirements regarding placement of solar PV systems is also similar between the countries. Such requirements can refer to clear pathways between panels for fire fighter access and distances between modules and smoke/heat exhaust ventilation. The regulations and recommendations found are mostly for non-integrated solar PV system wherefore a suggested further work is to investigate the need for specific regulations regarding integrated systems. Another conclusion is that reports regarding integrated systems are rather common but very few experiments have been performed. A commonly mentioned aspect of fire investigations regarding PV systems is the need for professional planning and installation of the systems. Since the development of solar PV systems is highly increasing, investigations have found that low-quality components and installation faults have led to fires.  The computer simulations were performed using the computer code TASEF with a model representing a wall structure of an integrated PV-system. Two different fire scenarios were investigated where the first scenario represented fire exposure on the solar panel and the other scenario fire exposure within the void (created between the PV and insulation of the wall). The design fires used were the ISO 834-curve and a constant temperature of 800 °C.  The temperatures received in the computer simulation did not vary much between different design fires or the simulated fire scenarios. The highest temperatures were measured in the cavity of the model (between the timber studs and the insulation) and reached between 792 and 937 °C after 60 minutes.  The conclusions of this thesis indicate that the legislation of safety regarding solar PV system is not developing as rapidly as the development of the systems themselves. The difference and specific risks regarding non integrated and integrated PV systems also need to be further investigated, as the current state of the literature is largely unexplored. / Den globala energianvändningen ökar varje dag och för att möta den växande efterfrågan utvecklas ständigt energikällor för att bli mer effektiva och pålitliga. Under det senaste decenniet har den globala solenergikapaciteten ökat varje år och 2017 var solenergi den globalt ledande kraftkällan för förnybar energi. Brandrisker har dock visats sig ha en koppling till installation och användning av solceller. En italiensk studie visade en ökning av bränder i solcellsanläggningar samtidigt som det ökade antalet installerade solcellsanläggningar. En tysk rapport uppskattade att integrerade solpaneler har 20 gånger högre brandrisk än icke-integrerade system. Brandriskerna för solcellsanläggningar är relaterade till deras elektriska komponenter, det faktum att de producerar ström så länge som en ljuskälla lyser och den förändrade branddynamiken hos t.ex. tak när solpaneler installeras. För att minska riskerna och skapa standarder har flera länder lagstiftat och publicerat rekommendationer om installation och underhåll av solceller. Reglerna och rekommendationerna varierar dock mycket mellan länder och en jämförelse har därför gjorts i denna avhandling med syftet att identifiera skillnader. Lagstiftning och andra rekommendationer från fyra länder samt europeiska riktlinjer har undersökts och jämförts för att se hur solcellsanläggningar regleras. Skillnaden mellan icke-integrerade och integrerade solpaneler har granskats såväl som brandriskerna för varje system. Dessutom har effekterna av solcellsanläggningar under en räddningstjänstsinsats undersökts. Slutligen har datorsimuleringar genomförts för att se vilka temperaturer som kan förväntas. Resultatet visar en stor skillnad i nivån på detaljer i regler och rekommendationer. Vissa länder har mer allmänna krav medan andra är mycket specifika i t.ex. avstånd mellan solpaneler och brandväggar/brandcellsgränser. Det enda krav som finns i varje lands regelverk eller riktlinjer är krav på informativ skyltning. Kraven på placering av solcellsanläggningar är också relativt lika mellan länderna. Sådana krav kan vara fri passage mellan paneler och avstånd mellan moduler och rök-/värmeutloppsventilation. De föreskrifter och rekommendationer som hittats är mestadels för icke-integrerat PV-system, varför ett föreslaget ytterligare arbete är att undersöka behovet av specifika regler för integrerade system. En annan slutsats är att rapporter om integrerade system är ganska vanliga men att få experiment har utförts. En vanligtvis nämnd aspekt i brandundersökningar avseende PV-system är behovet av professionell planering och installation av systemen. Undersökningar har funnit att komponenter av låg kvalitet och installationsfel har lett till bränder. Datorsimuleringarna utfördes med hjälp av TASEF med en modell motsvarande en väggkonstruktion med en integrerad solpanel.  Två olika brandscenarion undersöktes, ett scenario där modellen utsätts för utvändig brand och ett scenario där branden placerades inuti hålrummet mellan solpanelen och isoleringen. Brandkurvorna som användes var ISO 834-kurvan och en konstant temperatur på 800 °C. Temperaturerna från simuleringarna varierade inte så mycket mellan de olika brandkurvorna eller scenarierna. De högsta temperaturerna mättes i hålrummet i modellen (mellan träreglarna och isoleringen) och nådde mellan 792 och 937 °C efter 60 minuter.   Slutsatserna från denna avhandling indikerar att lagstiftningen om säkerhet beträffande solcellssystem inte utvecklas lika snabbt som utvecklingen av själva systemen. Skillnaden och specifika risker med avseende på icke integrerade och integrerade solcellssystem behöver också undersökas, eftersom det nuvarande läget i litteraturen till stor del är outforskat.