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    Rights statement: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Solar Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Solar Energy, 202, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.085

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Southerly winds increase the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems

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Southerly winds increase the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems. / Waterworth, Damon; Armstrong, A.
In: Solar Energy, Vol. 202, 15.05.2020, p. 123-135.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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Waterworth D, Armstrong A. Southerly winds increase the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems. Solar Energy. 2020 May 15;202:123-135. Epub 2020 Apr 2. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.085

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Waterworth, Damon ; Armstrong, A. / Southerly winds increase the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems. In: Solar Energy. 2020 ; Vol. 202. pp. 123-135.

Bibtex

@article{49484d36c0fa43ddbc6b012688c91132,
title = "Southerly winds increase the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems",
abstract = "The urgent need to decarbonise energy supplies has prompted exponential growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across the world. As the penetration of renewable energy sources increases, the need to accurately forecast electricity output heightens to ensure efficient energy system operation. While exposure to high temperatures and moisture are known to significantly reduce PV panel efficiency, the effects of wind on both PV panel temperature and electricity output are poorly resolved. Here, meteorological and PV panel production data from Westmill Solar Park, Oxfordshire, were examined to determine the influence of wind, cloud, ambient temperature and relative humidity. We found that, after solar radiation, relative humidity and cloud cover were the dominant controls of PV electricity output; increases in relative humidity and cloud cover were associated with decreased electricity outputs. However, when all other variables were held constant, the mean electricity generated under southerly winds was 20.4 – 42.9% greater than under northerly winds, with the difference greater at higher electricity outputs and attributable to differences in surface cooling capabilities caused by the PV array asymmetry. This finding suggests that PV electricity output predictions could be improved by incorporating wind direction into computer models. Moreover, there is potential to modify solar park design and deployment location to capitalise on wind benefits, especially in areas where panel temperatures are a leading cause of efficiency loss. Ensuring deployments are optimised for site environmental conditions could boost electricity outputs, and therefore profitability, with implications for system viability in post-subsidy markets.",
keywords = "Panel orientation, Solar energy, Solar park design, Temperature, Wind direction, Humidity control, Photovoltaic cells, Solar concentrators, Solar power generation, Wind, Electricity output, Environmental conditions, Exponential growth, Renewable energy source, Solar parks, Solar photovoltaic system, Temperature and relative humidity, Wind directions, Electric power generation",
author = "Damon Waterworth and A. Armstrong",
note = "This is the author{\textquoteright}s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Solar Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Solar Energy, 202, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.085",
year = "2020",
month = may,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.085",
language = "English",
volume = "202",
pages = "123--135",
journal = "Solar Energy",
issn = "0038-092X",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Southerly winds increase the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems

AU - Waterworth, Damon

AU - Armstrong, A.

N1 - This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Solar Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Solar Energy, 202, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.085

PY - 2020/5/15

Y1 - 2020/5/15

N2 - The urgent need to decarbonise energy supplies has prompted exponential growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across the world. As the penetration of renewable energy sources increases, the need to accurately forecast electricity output heightens to ensure efficient energy system operation. While exposure to high temperatures and moisture are known to significantly reduce PV panel efficiency, the effects of wind on both PV panel temperature and electricity output are poorly resolved. Here, meteorological and PV panel production data from Westmill Solar Park, Oxfordshire, were examined to determine the influence of wind, cloud, ambient temperature and relative humidity. We found that, after solar radiation, relative humidity and cloud cover were the dominant controls of PV electricity output; increases in relative humidity and cloud cover were associated with decreased electricity outputs. However, when all other variables were held constant, the mean electricity generated under southerly winds was 20.4 – 42.9% greater than under northerly winds, with the difference greater at higher electricity outputs and attributable to differences in surface cooling capabilities caused by the PV array asymmetry. This finding suggests that PV electricity output predictions could be improved by incorporating wind direction into computer models. Moreover, there is potential to modify solar park design and deployment location to capitalise on wind benefits, especially in areas where panel temperatures are a leading cause of efficiency loss. Ensuring deployments are optimised for site environmental conditions could boost electricity outputs, and therefore profitability, with implications for system viability in post-subsidy markets.

AB - The urgent need to decarbonise energy supplies has prompted exponential growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across the world. As the penetration of renewable energy sources increases, the need to accurately forecast electricity output heightens to ensure efficient energy system operation. While exposure to high temperatures and moisture are known to significantly reduce PV panel efficiency, the effects of wind on both PV panel temperature and electricity output are poorly resolved. Here, meteorological and PV panel production data from Westmill Solar Park, Oxfordshire, were examined to determine the influence of wind, cloud, ambient temperature and relative humidity. We found that, after solar radiation, relative humidity and cloud cover were the dominant controls of PV electricity output; increases in relative humidity and cloud cover were associated with decreased electricity outputs. However, when all other variables were held constant, the mean electricity generated under southerly winds was 20.4 – 42.9% greater than under northerly winds, with the difference greater at higher electricity outputs and attributable to differences in surface cooling capabilities caused by the PV array asymmetry. This finding suggests that PV electricity output predictions could be improved by incorporating wind direction into computer models. Moreover, there is potential to modify solar park design and deployment location to capitalise on wind benefits, especially in areas where panel temperatures are a leading cause of efficiency loss. Ensuring deployments are optimised for site environmental conditions could boost electricity outputs, and therefore profitability, with implications for system viability in post-subsidy markets.

KW - Panel orientation

KW - Solar energy

KW - Solar park design

KW - Temperature

KW - Wind direction

KW - Humidity control

KW - Photovoltaic cells

KW - Solar concentrators

KW - Solar power generation

KW - Wind

KW - Electricity output

KW - Environmental conditions

KW - Exponential growth

KW - Renewable energy source

KW - Solar parks

KW - Solar photovoltaic system

KW - Temperature and relative humidity

KW - Wind directions

KW - Electric power generation

U2 - 10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.085

DO - 10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.085

M3 - Journal article

VL - 202

SP - 123

EP - 135

JO - Solar Energy

JF - Solar Energy

SN - 0038-092X

ER -