Design, Simulation and Analysis of a 3 MW Grid-connected Solar PV System in Nigeria Using Matlab/Simulink

Abstract

One of the most important ways to meet rising energy demands while lessening the impact on the environment is to integrate renewable energy sources into the electrical grid. The design, modelling, and analysis of a 3 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Nigeria are presented in this paper. To ascertain the system's voltage, current, and power outputs, its performance was assessed under various levels of solar irradiance. The system produced 9555 A, 319 V, and 3 MW in total at an irradiance of 1 kW/m². The voltage marginally increased to 321.1 V when the irradiance was decreased to 0.8 kW/m2, but the current and power dropped to 7651 A and 2.5 MW, respectively. The voltage rose to 322.7 V at 0.6 kW/m², while the current and power decreased to 5739 A and 1.9 MW, respectively. The voltage dropped marginally to 321.8 V at the lowest tested irradiance of 0.4 kW/m2, while the current and power dropped to 3833 A and 1.2 MW, respectively. These results show that PV array output is influenced by solar irradiance, with higher irradiance levels resulting in higher power output. The study underscores the importance of optimizing PV system designs to account for fluctuating irradiance in order to ensure efficient energy generation in a variety of climatic conditions.