SIZING PROTOCOL OF SOLAR POWER PLANT BASED ON KNOWLEDGE OF THE SOLAR IRRADIATION DATABASE AND THE PANELS PARAMETERS

Faced with growing environmental challenges, renewable energies represent the most promising sectors for a healthier world and constitute a major step towards a low-carbon economy. Electricity production from solar photovoltaic energy is thus emerging as a sustainable, clean, and renewable solution. Converting solar energy into electricity is a large-scale undertaking that requires the use of photovoltaic panels. Governments and individuals are now embarking on the production of this form of energy, with the possibility of grid injection. However, photovoltaic electricity production is subject to several constraints, such as the availability of sunlight over long periods, the equipment for converting and storing this energy, and the assessment of energy needs. When implementing solar power plants, researchers have identified four fundamental elements upon which the system's performance depends. Incorrect sizing compromises expected results and the profitability of investments. This article proposes a procedure for sizing a photovoltaic solar power plant using numerical simulation. This procedure relies on a thorough understanding of the site's solar radiation, the type of photovoltaic panels, based on manufacturer specifications. The proposed protocol for evaluating and optimizing the various components is based on a precise understanding of the solar potential and experimental validation of the panel characteristics, guaranteeing deviations of less than 5%. The use of SAM Simulation software allows for the evaluation of the different components of the photovoltaic power plant through economic and profitability analysis, thus enabling the determination of the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and the coefficient of performance of the installation. This protocol not only allows for the sizing of solar power plant components but also for expertise on existing installations.