Performance Analysis of a 29.5 MWp Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant: Case Study of the Ten Merina Solar Power Plant, Senegal
摘要
The Ten Merina photovoltaic power plant, with an installed capacity of 29.5 MWp, represents a significant contribution to Senegal’s energy transition. Connected to the Senelec grid, it generates approximately 50 GWh of electricity annually, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and avoiding nearly 40,000 tons of CO₂ emissions. This paper analyzes the actual performance of the plant, focusing on energy production, environmental impact, and its contribution to sustainable development. The study also highlights the challenges associated with optimizing production, with an average Performance Ratio (PR) of around 78%, and integrating renewable energy into the national electricity grid. Cluster analysis identifies four distinct observation groups based on the plant’s operational variables: Cluster 0 (Optimal Regime): High production, minimal losses, and maximized OEE and PR, representing the reference performance state of the plant. Cluster 1 (Intermediate Regime, Sunlight-Limited): Moderate production and PR, moderate losses, and lower irradiance, reflecting acceptable operation constrained by solar resource availability. Cluster 2 (Intermediate, Unstable Regime): Satisfactory production with dispersed PR and losses, indicating operational variability requiring closer performance monitoring. Cluster 3 (Critical Regime): Low production, very high losses, and degraded OEE and PR, signaling major inefficiencies related to technical or organizational issues.