A PVsyst Analysis of Shading and Arrangement Optimization for a Solar Power Plant in Babolsar

نویسندگان

1 Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

3 Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

doi
10.5829/ijee.2025.16.04.02
چکیده

This paper focuses on the design of a 200 kW photovoltaic (PV) system on the University of Mazandaran (UMZ) campus and the technical and practical challenges. In this regard, PVsyst software is used to optimize the panel layout to both reduce land use and maximize energy efficiency. The findings indicate that a tilt angle of 26 degrees and a row spacing of 4 meters, which decreases land area by 43% relative to a 7-meter spacing, results in just a 4.4% reduction in energy production. In a comparison of three layout designs including longitudinal rectangle, transverse rectangle and square, the transverse rectangular design with dimensions of 52 × 27.5 m offers the best performance with an annual efficiency of 256 MWh and a performance ratio of 0.817, which is ideal for rectangular plots. The Law on the Removal of Production Barriers and the Renewable Energy Agency (SATBA) authorize a 6.9 cents/kWh feed-in tariff, extending the payback time to four years. Technical, economic, and policy aspects of PV systems in limited urban areas are optimized.  It also suggests realistic solar solutions for corporations within spatial and climatic constraints. Key recommendations include promoting PV systems to save land and holding educational workshops to gain community support and address environmental concerns. This research provides a sustainable and replicable model for solar energy development that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and reduces carbon emissions. This is done by combining cost-benefit analysis, technical optimization and policy alignment.