This paper analyzed the degradation and performance of 100 kW grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant installed in warm semi-arid climate of north-western Nigeria. The PV system was monitored from January 2017 to December 2017. The modules underwent visual inspection to identify various degradations of PV modules. Module discoloration, glass shattering, and deposited dust have seen in few modules. The annual average performance ratio (PR) and the yearly degradation rate (DR) were found to be 77.42% and 1.13%/year respectively. The annual capacity utilization factor was found to be 16.22% with energy generation of 187.579 MWh/annum. The performance results of the PV plant were also compared with the simulation results obtained from PVsyst and RETScreen software. The analysis shows that temperature plays a vital role in PV system performance. High temperature increases the module temperature leading to a decrease in performance ratio and the PV array efficiency.
Volume 11 | 02-Special Issue
Pages: 37-43