Performance of the first grid-connected, BIPVS installation in Colombia over three years of continuous operation

This paper summarizes the operational performance results of a grid-connected Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) system installed in Colombia (in Bogotá, at 4° 35′ latitude and 2.580 m altitude) after three years of monitoring. The supervision was carried out with a sophisticated monitoring system, designed and implemented by us using the virtual instrumentation concept. The data obtained allowed evaluating the general performance of the BIPVS system as well as the quality of the electric power generated by the PV plant. The results indicated that the power generated by the BIPV system fulfills the specifications demanded by National and International standards.