Protective measures for high-altitude installation of photovoltaic panels

Are photovoltaic power plants feasible at high altitude?

The rising demand for sustainable energy requires to identify the sites for photovoltaic systems with the best performance. This paper tackles the question of feasibility of photovoltaic power plants at high altitude. A direct comparison between an alpine and an urban area site is conducted in the south of Austria.

How does a photovoltaic power measurement system work?

Two low-cost automatic photovoltaic power measurement devices with dual-axis sun tracking and maximum power point tracking are deployed at two test sites. The system periodically performs a scan over the southern semihemisphere and executes maximum power point adjustment in order to assess the performance for a given direction.

Can PV systems be used in alpine areas?

Albeit there can be benefits of PV systems in alpine areas, there are also potential downsides such as difficult construction process or shading by heavy snow fall and ice accumulation. Estimated losses by snow and ice accumulation are 1.4% to 3.5% of the annual energy production ( Ross and Royer 1999 ).

Why should a PV system be installed on a rooftop?

PV systems are always installed on the rooftop or outdoor locations, which give high possibility of getting struck by the lightning. Consequently, this would affect the level of power generated as well as economic issues, which should be borne in mind by the developers and the systems’ owners.

How to assess the vulnerability of PV system under EMP?

To assess the vulnerability of the PV system under EMP, the research methods can be categorized into modeling, testing, and mitigation. The modeling estimates the levels of current and voltage surges, including the use of coupling models to understand how energy enters the PV system.

Are solar photovoltaic systems vulnerable to EMP?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities are particularly susceptible to EMP since PV systems are outdoors and exposed to EMP radiation. To assess and mitigate this threat, this paper summarizes various models and tests used to study the effects of EMP on PV systems, assesses the nature of the threat, and identifies measures to mitigate it.