Performance Analysis of Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic methodology for evaluating the technical performance of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems. The approach combines PV-array modeling, maximum power point tracking (MPPT), inverter and grid-interface representation, loss accounting, and standardized energy-yield indicators. A representative 100 kWp simulation case is used to demonstrate the method under variable irradiance and module temperature conditions. The performance indices include reference yield, array yield, final yield, performance ratio, capacity factor, DC-to-AC conversion efficiency, system efficiency, energy losses, and power-quality indicators. The modeled case produces 158.4 MWh of annual AC energy, a specific final yield of 1,584 kWh/kWp, a performance ratio of 82.5%, a capacity factor of 18.1%, and an average DC-to-AC energy conversion efficiency of 95.5%. These values are within the broad range reported for well-performing grid-connected PV installations in the pre-2018 literature. The methodology is intentionally transparent so that it can be reproduced in MATLAB/Simulink, PVsyst, or an equivalent numerical environment and later validated using measured plant data