Abstract:

The process of generating photovoltaic electricity is reliable and plays an important role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Photovoltaic systems are expected to become one of the most important future sources of electricity generation. The growing demand for energy in developing countries has led to energy security issues. Grid-connected photovoltaic systems have emerged as the most cost-effective large-scale renewable energy source. Analyzing the performance of grid-connected photovoltaic power generation systems will help in the design, operation and maintenance of a new grid-connected photovoltaic system. In the Department of Electric Power and Communications at Paisiy Hilendarski Polytechnic, Smolyan, Bulgaria, a team of teachers and students performed a simulation test of the designed 10 kW photovoltaic system using PVSyst and PVGIS software for the assessment of solar resources.

The methodology presented in the report has been tested in the educational process of students studying in bachelor's and master's majors, such as Renewable energy, Eco-technological systems in industry, etc.

The authors share their experience in the application of project-based learning in the design and construction of photovoltaic systems, oriented towards the use of PVSyst and PVGIS software to simulate and generate data on energy efficiency, performance of a photovoltaic system in terms of annual production, system losses and coefficient of performance designed PV system.

The project-based training includes three modules - simulating, building and verifying simulation results obtained from the first module through real measurements with specialized equipment in the smart laboratory of PU "Paisii Hilendarski".

In the first module, students based on set input data for PV design such as power, power generation, energy losses, non-linear distortions, shading, terrain and other parameters, perform a series of simulation studies and form skills for analyzing the obtained results and their practical applicability.

In the second module, students perform a correct selection of the materials and components needed to build the PV system, based on technical specifications provided by the component manufacturers.
The aim of this module in project-based learning is to create permanent knowledge and skills in students for correct and optimal selection of components of PV systems, as well as skillfully handle technical specification and catalog information of specialized technical products.

The third module of the project-based training consists in conducting real measurements of the constructed PV system in order to verify the simulation results of the first module. Emphasis is placed on the practical skills for precision of the measurements carried out by the students.
In this module, students analyze the simulated and actually measured values of energy production, power, energy losses in the system, etc.
From the conducted analyses, the students summarize the factors affecting the reported results.
Students' understanding of the factors influencing the parameters of PV systems will be useful in their future professional realization, meeting the requirements of the renewable energy industry.

The student opinion on the implementation of this type of project-based training in the field of renewable energy sources has been studied. The results of the study are presented and analyzed in the article.

Keywords:

Photovoltaic, simulation, software, education.