BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – January 29th, 2015 – The Performance Plus consortium presented the progress and results of its first two years of existence during a first official workshop. The project is aimed at developing and demonstrating models and tools for monitoring, control and testing of photovoltaic solar energy systems.
A part of the results focuses on the accuracy of power generation forecasts from PV installations in varying weather conditions. New modelling concepts and the use of a ground based sky-camera have substantially increased the monitoring and predicting capabilities with regard to solar irradiance and casted shadows. A model-predictive control framework that takes into account weather forecasts, variable tariffs, energy efficiency, peak loads, etc. is used to optimize the power injection to the grid over time.
The scope of the project also includes hardware optimization through the development of a flexible inverter model, predicting the performance of a wide range of PV inverters, and new test procedures for PV inverters. A sensor prototype called ESA, able to measure both the direct and indirect solar radiation at a time was also designed and built.
Next to the more technical aspects of PV modelling, the team developed a series of best practice guidelines aimed at reducing uncertainty and determining the financial risks linked to PV projects. A special web-based tool for financial evaluation of PV systems was specially developed with this in mind.
