Potential Assessment of a Residential Rooftop Grid-Connected PV System: Algiers and Tamanrasset Case Study

Abstract

Worldwide, the demand for electrical energy in the residential sector is increasing year after year due to demographic, economic and urban development. This is accompanied by an increase in fossils fuels resources consumption and consequently negative environment effect. Demand-side management approach (DSM), energy efficiency, and renewable energy is a set of concepts that can help to reduce electricity demand are the key and actual solutions. Recently, a rooftop photovoltaic system (RTPVS) is an attractive alternative electricity source for households, their potential at any given location can be evaluated through simulation software and tools. This paper deals with the potential assessment of the rooftop grid-connected PV system under the weather conditions of Algiers (36◦45,2 N, 3◦3,5 E) in the north and Tamanrasset (22◦47,4 N, 5◦31,2 E) in the south of Algeria. A system of 5 kWp is simulated under various tilts angle from 0 to 90 degrees to find the optimal tilt one. Assessment of system energy yield, performance ratio (PR), capacity utilization factor (CUF) and specific energy (SE) are carried out, calculated and analyzed. Simulation results show, that 30° and 15° are respectively the optimal tilt angle for Algiers and Tamanrasset, which gives the high values of analyzed parameters. As a comparative analysis, the potential of the rooftop PV system at the Tamanrasset area is higher than in the site of Algiers. The average annual energy, PR, CUF, and SE of the simulated system was found to be (9681 kWh-7251 kWh) (78%-80%), (22,1%-16,55%), and (1936,2 kWh/kWp-1450,2 kWh/kWp) for Tamanrasset and Algiers, respectively.