Impact of Three-Dimensional Photovoltaic Structure on Solar Power Generation
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Impact of Three-dimensional Photovoltaic Structure on Solar Power Generation Mafimidiwo Olufunmilayo Alice 212562244 A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering In the School of Engineering University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban, South Africa IMPACT OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PHOTOVOLTAIC STRUCTURE ON SOLAR POWER GENERATION SUBMITTED BY Olufunmilayo Alice Mafimidiwo IN FULFILMENT OF THE DEGREE OF Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu- Natal Durban, South Africa DATE OF SUBMISSION November, 2016 SUPERVISED BY Dr. Akshay Kumar Saha As the candidate’s Supervisor, I agree to the submission of this thesis. Signed: ……………………………………………………………………….. Name: ……………………………………………..……. Date: ……………….............. UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE DECLARATION 1 - PLAGIARISM I, OLUFUNMILAYO ALICE MAFIMIDIWO, declare that: 1. The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original research. 2. This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. 3. This thesis does not contain other persons’ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. 4. This thesis does not contain other persons' writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: a. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced. b. Where their exact words have been used, then their writings have been placed in italics and inside quotation marks, and referenced. 5. This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the References sections. Signed: i UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE DECLARATION 2 - PUBLICATIONS DETAILS OF CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS that form part and/or include research presented in this thesis (include publications in preparation, submitted, in press and published and give details of the contributions of each author to the experimental work and writing of each publication) Published Journal for May 2016 Publication: O.A. Mafimidiwo and A.K. Saha “Incorporating three dimensional Photovoltaic structure for optimum solar power generation - the effect of height” in DOHET, Journal of Energy in Southern Africa (JESA). ISSN: 1021 447X, Volume 27 Number 2 • May 2016 Publication 2: O.A. Mafimidiwo and A.K. Saha “The Challenges of Sustainable Energy Development In Developing Nation – A Case Study of Nigeria”, Proceedings of the 21st Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), 31 January and 1 February 2013, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa, pp. 294-300; print ISBN: 978-1-86822-631-3 Publisher: Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference. Publication 3: O.A. Mafimidiwo and A.K. Saha “Improving Solar Energy Generation Through the use of Three- dimensional Photovoltaics Technology, Proceedings of the 22nd Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC) – Digital Edition, 30 – 31 January 2014, University of KwaZulu- Natal, Durban, South Africa, pp. 294-300; print ISBN: 978-1-86840-619-7 Publisher: Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference. Publication 4: O.A. Mafimidiwo and A.K. Saha “Impact of Solar Power Generation on Economic Growth – The Role of Three-dimensional Photovoltaic Structure” Proceedings of the 24th Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), 26 - 28 January 2016, Vaal University of Technology and South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, Vereeniging, South Africa, pp. 570-575 (6B-3); print ISBN: 978-1-77012-386 , Publisher: Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference. ii Conference Presentation: 2014 Postgraduate Research Day O.A. Mafimidiwo and A.K. Saha “Three-Dimensional Photovoltaic Structure – Its Impact on Solar Power Generation” being a conference paper presented at the Postgraduate Research Day, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa Howard College Campus in October, 2014. ADDITIONAL JOURNAL PAPERS ALREADY SUBMITTED: Submitted Journal 1 – Undergoing corrections O.A. Mafimidiwo and A.K. Saha “Generating optimum solar output energy with Three-dimensional Photovoltaic system - the effect of solar radiation” being a submitted Manuscript for DOHET Journal publication, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID). Date of submission: 2nd September, 2015. Submitted Journal 2: O.A. Mafimidiwo and A.K. Saha “Optimising thermal photovoltaic energy system for green and sustainable energy generation” being a submitted Manuscript for DOHET Journal publication, Journal of Energy in Southern Africa (JESA). Date of submission: May, 2016. Signed: iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated as follows: First and foremost, to the Glory of God Almighty through His only begotten son Jesus Christ, who grants the Grace and enablement and makes everything possible for me, according to the faithfulness of His promise and Glory of His name. To my loving husband, my confidant, trusted, proven and best friend, Mr Bamidele Adeniyi Mafimidiwo, for his unflinching love and support at all times and for his encouragement all along. I thank you for believing in me, for standing by me at all times, for continuously being a loving husband and a caring father to our children – Olugbenga, Oluwaseyi, Ololade and Omotunde who also have shown great understanding and have given their support all through these years. To the cherished memories of my late parents, Pa Michael Ariyibi Soyebi and Mrs Janet Amoke Modupeola Soyebi for the legacy they left behind. The teachings and discipline they instilled in me have propelled me thus far. My late sister, Esther Oluranti Folami, I will ever appreciate the motherly role you took over and did perfectly well. Your memories remain evergreen. To Dr. Samuel Ayodele Iwarere – for your immense supports in every way possible and your encouragement all through to the completion of this work. You are part of my testimonies. iv PREFACE This research was carried out by Olufunmilayo Alice Mafimidiwo under the supervision of Dr. Akshay Kumar Saha in the school of Engineering, the Discipline of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa. This thesis was designed to determine the impact of three-dimensional photovoltaic structure on solar power generation. The research into this area of power generation is very appropriate particularly at this time when the fossil energy source faces the risk of being exhausted, coupled with its negative impact on the environment and the worldwide call for alternative energy sources. Solar energy is not only a renewable and alternative energy source but it is also sustainable, freely- given, on-the-spot available and accessible, thereby reducing generation cost particularly for a stand- alone system. While solar power is generated, the heat which could have otherwise been lost is available for harnessing for use in other areas of needs such as in geysers, steam washing and the like. While expectation is high on the use of solar power, it is yet to be widely used due to its low efficiency and relatively high cost. Various researches have been carried out on solar energy optimisation and utilization and research is still on-going. The recent research work on solar energy incorporates the use of three-dimensional analysis. Three-dimensional study into solar power generation is an innovation to enable multiple source collection of solar energy for optimum power generation. More awareness has been called for in order to promote effective use of solar energy and continuous research and development has translated into reduced-cost of photovoltaic solar energy, wider acceptability and integration into major power projects. Over the years, photovoltaic energy cost has reduced but the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) still requires more attention. At present, PV energy costs stands at less than 1% of what it used to be in the past. Solar energy cost is indicated in this work in South African Rand for better evaluation since the research work is carried out in South Africa and examined by South African readers. Different technologies to harness solar energy for human utilisation are available but the technology involving the concentrated thermal photovoltaic (CTPV) system or the direct photovoltaic (PV) use for power generation, rank high in importance due to the fact that they are the two most developed and most commonly used solar energy technologies. This has been the motivation to research into this area of study. Improving on their present status will represent a significant contribution to solar energy utilization. The essence of this thesis was to model the PV power systems (the concentrated and non- concentrated) in three-dimensions and to be able to establish the conditions under which the thermal system of the photovoltaic study would maximise the input energy source, the optical radiation and heat transfer that would be required to improve the efficiency and output power of the solar power generation. Six publications have been generated