Photovoltaic Panel Efficiency Estimation with Artificial Neural Networks: Samples of Adiyaman, Malatya, and Sanliurfa

Abstract

The amount of electric energy produced by photovoltaic panels depends on air temperature, humidity rate, wind velocity, photovoltaic module temperature, and particularly solar radiation. Being aware of the behaviour patterns of the panels to be used in project and planning works regarding photovoltaic applications will set forth a realistic expense form; therefore, erroneous investments will be avoided, and the country budget will benefit from added value. The power ratings obtained from the photovoltaic panels and the environmental factors were measured and recorded for a year by the measurement stations established in three diverse regions (Adiyaman-Malatya-Sanliurfa). In the developed artificial neural network models, the estimation accuracy was 99.94%. Furthermore, by taking the data of the General Directorate of Meteorology as a reference, models of artificial neural networks were developed using the data from Adiyaman province for training; by using Malatya and Sanliurfa as test data, 99.57% estimation accuracy was achieved. With the artificial neural network models developed as a result of the study, the energy efficiency for the photovoltaic energy systems desired to be established by using meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation of various regions anywhere in the world can be estimated with high accuracy.