Assessing Small-Scale Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Potential with Various PV Technologies and Sun-Tracking Systems

Rooftop solar systems have become progressively more common as a source of electricity generation worldwide, particularly in countries experiencing power shortages. Small-scale solar power systems, particularly in urban areas, can play a vital role in meeting sustainability targets by resolving financial issues and producing clean energy. Thus, the primary goal of this article is to assess the performance of a 5 kW grid-connected photovoltaic system at Kirkuk, Iraq, using different photovoltaic technologies and sun-tracking systems. The Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS) simulation tool is utilized to achieve this goal. In addition, the performance ratio, yield factor, and capacity utilization factor are used to estimate the performance of the proposed systems. Comparing widely used PV technologies to CdTe, the results showed that the latter is the best option. The results showed that applying the proposed technologies will provide enough electricity to meet demand and ensure clean energy following sustainable development goals. Furthermore, this research could help policymakers install small-scale rooftop systems in the future.