In this paper we present, demonstrate and validate a method for predicting city-wide electricity gains from photovoltaic panels based on detailed 3D urban massing models combined with Daysim-based hourly irradiation simulations, typical meteorological year climactic data and hourly calculated rooftop temperatures. The resulting data can be combined with online mapping technologies and search en...

The demand for on-site production of energy is showing a rapid increase as the trend decentralisation and self-reliance gains momentum. This paper studies compares three main solar technologies: photovoltaic, thermal panels hybrid photovoltaic panels. A prototype experimental installation consisting aforementioned technologies was set up on campus University Politehnica Bucharest. Data were col...

In the most described maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods in the literatures, the optimal operation point of the photovoltaic (PV) systems is estimated by linear approximations. However, these approximations can lead to less optimal operating conditions and significantly reduce the performances of the PV systems. This paper proposes a new approach to determine the maximum power point (M...

Mediterranean countries offer very favorable climatic conditions for growing plants in a protected environment: as a matter of fact, the high solar radiation allows the use of greenhouses with simple structures, covered with plastic film and without fixed installations for winter heating. They are called “Mediterranean greenhouses” and are totally different from those in Central and Northern Eu...

Man's harvesting of photovoltaic energy requires the deployment of extensive arrays of solar panels. To improve both the gathering of thermal and photovoltaic energy from the sun we have examined the concept of biomimicry in white butterflies of the family Pieridae. We tested the hypothesis that the V-shaped posture of basking white butterflies mimics the V-trough concentrator which is designed...

Solar energy is a fast growing energy source and has allowed the development of efficient, affordable, and easy-to-install photovoltaic systems over the years. Solar energy stakeholders are, however, concerned with sudden deterioration of photovoltaic systems’ performance. Thus, effective change-point detection in solar panel performance analysis is essential for better harnessing solar energy ...

Three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures have demonstrated enticing potency to boost performance of photovoltaic devices primarily owning to the improved photon capturing capability. Nevertheless, cost-effective and scalable fabrication of regular 3-D nanostructures with decent robustness and flexibility still remains as a challenging task. Meanwhile, establishing rational design guidelines for 3...

This paper analyses the operation of an adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for solar photovoltaic (SPV) energy generation system. The MPPT works on the principle of adjusting the voltage of the SPV modules by changing the duty ratio of the Quasi-zsource inverter. The duty ratio of the inverter is calculated for a given solar irradiance and tem...