20 MW Solar Power Plant Performance Analysis Under Saharan Condition

This study evaluates the performance of a 20 MW solar power plant in the harsh desert climate of Adrar, southern Algeria. The region is characterized by high sun insolation, with an average of 3,500 hours of sunlight per year and solar exposure exceeding 8 hours per day, reaching up to 12 hours during the summer. The analysis found that the mean yearly output energy and total daily loss of the plant were 2778.30 MWh and 2.38 hours, respectively. The plant demonstrated a final yield of 4.65 hours per day and a performance ratio of 67.49%. The results reveal seasonal variations in the plant's efficiency, with a decline during the summer months (around 58% in June and July) and an increase in the winter (over 70% in January and February). Overall, the study suggests that utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems have the potential to provide renewable energy solutions in Algeria's desert regions, contributing to the country's efforts to address its energy needs.