Analysis of exergy efficiency for a grid connected PV power plant via different solar exergy models in Samsun, Turkey

In this study, power conversion efficiency and the analysis of exergy of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plant was done by comparing solar exergy models for 12 months. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the PV exergy efficiency related to solar exergy models. First, solar exergy models proposed by Petela, Spanner and Parrott and the mean of solar exergy-to-solar radiation energy ratio were calculated, and the PV exergy efficiency was analyzed. The results indicate that the average solar exergy-to-solar radiation energy ratio for the Samsun region was 0.93 which are related to Petela and Spanner’s model. The ratio for Parrott’s model was calculated as 0.99. The results confirm that the power conversion efficiency is in the range of 6.15-8.87%. While PV exergy efficiency related to Parrott’s model is seen to vary between 4.85% and 7.09% during 12 months, but in Petela’s and Spanner’s model it changes from 5.19% to 7.60%.