Electrical performance Investigations of stand-alone CPV system in Egypt connected to a pump load

The European Commission has subsidized a project for concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) from January 2009 to December 2012. The principal goal was to bring together the owners of the most advanced European CPV technology in order to research new applications for CPV systems. Its main objective was the installation of a stand- alone CPV system in Egypt. The scientific and technical implementation with the social and economic output of a 30 kW plant for irrigation in Wady EI-Natroon area was leaded by National Water Research Center (NWRC). In this manuscript the annual daily performance of the system's CPV modules is introduced. Also the response of the modules to rapid solar radiation variation is investigated. The definition of strategies for operation and energy management and its inclusion into the Energy Management System (EMS) while a submersible pump of an 18kw rated, connected directly to the system, at different speeds and variable loads is carried out. The CPV system was found to generate constant energy during sun rise hours without delay. The mechanical system is hindering and needs periodic maintenance. Cleaning of the module surface and back up batteries, in case of fogs and clouds, are required to give the maximum designed energy and to preserve system movement to follow the sun.