Solar-tracking PV plants in Navarra: A 10 MW assessment

• Published in: Progress in photovoltaics 2009-08, Vol.17 (5), p.337-346
• Main Authors: García, Miguel, Vera, Jose A., Marroyo, Luis, Lorenzo, Eduardo, Pérez, Miguel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; availability; Energy; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; field performance; large grid-connected PV plants; maintenance; Natural energy; Photovoltaic conversion; PV tracking systems; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy
• ISSN: 1062-7995; 1099-159X
• DOI: 10.1002/pip.893

Currently, the know‐how and experience concerning the behavior and reliability of large tracking photovoltaic (PV) plants is scarce. Information such as the availability rate is rarely known. Acciona Solar PV plants installed in Navarra (Spain) in the frame of the Spanish utility grid constitute a representative source of information. The scope of this study is to analyze in detail the behavior along 2006 of six of these plants, located in Arguedas (two plants of a rated nominal power of 940 kWp and 2·1 MWp, respectively), Sesma (1·12 MWp), Cintruénigo (1·44 MWp), Rada (1·78 MWp), and Castejón (2·64 MWp). In our analysis, the influence of each type of energy loss affecting the plants has been quantified; and the advantages of dedicating human resources to the surveillance and maintenance of a limited number of generators have been stated. Thanks to the work of the operators, the plants registered mean availability rates above 99·7%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Currently, the know‐how and experience concerning the behaviour and reliability of large tracking PV plants is scarce. This study presents an experimental analysis of the behaviour along 2006 (energy losses, availabilities, O&M…) of six tracking PV plants (adding up to a 10 MWp) located in Navarra, Spain.