Methodology for Optimizing Inter-Row Spacing Of Solar Power Plant

Performance of solar power plant can be improved by implementing optimization techniques which are economical, simple and effective. In this research a methodology has been developed to optimize inter-row spacing of solar power plant with light shadow fall on module. Plant has been designed on PV-SYST software and mathematical calculations has been compared with experimental results at Gurugram, India. Maximum shadow length for different inter-row spacing has been estimated. Effect of shadow length on PV module (320W polycrystalline technology) has been performed on experimental setup. An expected value of annual energy generation for spacing 1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5,1.6 times of the height of module for 1MW plant has been obtained. Energy output has been compared with PV-SYST software, and entities have been cross verified. Hence, economic analysis and payback period estimation has been done for different inter-row spacing, to opt out the optimized inter-row spacing of plant.