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Research Article
Reliability Analysis and Performance Assessment of the Badiari Hybrid Photovoltaic Power System (Sedhiou, Senegal)
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-13
Received:
5 December 2025
Accepted:
18 December 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
Abstract: In the context of the energy transition and Senegal’s objective to increase the share of renewable energy to 20%, this study investigates the reliability of an off-grid photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in the village of Badiari, Sédhiou region, in the south of the country. Over a three-month period (June to August), corresponding to the rainy season, the 5 kWp production system was continuously monitored using an intelligent SMA inverter, enabling minute-by-minute data collection. The analysis reveals a clear mismatch between the system’s generation capacity and the users’ energy demand. The lead-acid batteries (1,000 Ah) undergo recurrent deep discharges, occasionally reaching critical levels (21 % state of charge), significantly shortening their operational lifespan. Simultaneously, the backup generator, intended to mitigate these deep discharges, is seldom activated. Frequent overvoltage events, shutdowns due to extreme temperatures (up to 80 °C at the heat sink), and islanding phenomena highlight both system imbalance and structural vulnerability. Reliability metrics were quantified, with a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 10,907 minutes and a Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) of 43 minutes in June, compared to 8,671 minutes and 329 minutes, respectively, in August. These values underscore the irregularity of energy supply. The findings emphasize the need to reconsider the sizing and maintenance strategies of rural solar installations. Recommended measures include increasing battery bank capacity (up to 2,500 Ah), introducing power limiters for consumers, and improving the thermal management of the technical room (ventilation, insulation). Implementing these strategies is expected to enhance local energy autonomy and improve the long-term sustainability of solar infrastructures.
Abstract: In the context of the energy transition and Senegal’s objective to increase the share of renewable energy to 20%, this study investigates the reliability of an off-grid photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in the village of Badiari, Sédhiou region, in the south of the country. Over a three-month period (June to August), corresponding to the rainy ...
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Research Article
Influence of Climatic Parameters on the Performance of Polycrystalline and Monocrystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Modules: The Case of the City of Koudougou
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
14-22
Received:
3 December 2025
Accepted:
22 December 2025
Published:
19 January 2026
Abstract: Monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon-based modules are commonly used in Burkina Faso, particularly in the city of Koudougou, to generate electricity. However, climatic parameters affect the performance of these modules. It is therefore necessary to conduct a comparative study between polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon-based photovoltaic solar modules. The objective of this work is therefore to determine the module best suited to the city of Koudougou's climatic context. In this study, climatic parameters such as sunshine and temperature were considered. Thus, based on the mathematical model of a photovoltaic module, a simulation was carried out in the MATLAB/Simulink environment an experimental study of the two types of modules was conducted. The results obtained after the simulations and experiments were compared. Analysis of the results for the two module technologies shows that during the period of the day when the temperature is high, the polycrystalline silicon-based module performs better than the monocrystalline silicon-based module. However, during periods when the temperature is lower, the monocrystalline module performs better than the polycrystalline module. Considering the average daily power output for October 2024, it appears that the monocrystalline silicon-based module performs better than the polycrystalline silicon-based module. In general, monocrystalline modules offer better technical performance than polycrystalline modules in the climate of the city of Koudougou.
Abstract: Monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon-based modules are commonly used in Burkina Faso, particularly in the city of Koudougou, to generate electricity. However, climatic parameters affect the performance of these modules. It is therefore necessary to conduct a comparative study between polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon-based photovol...
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Research Article
Compensation of the Reactive Power Consumed by the Transformer of the Mamou Electrical Substation
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
23-30
Received:
18 December 2025
Accepted:
31 December 2025
Published:
29 January 2026
Abstract: The continuous growth in electricity demand imposes increasing constraints on power transmission and distribution infrastructures, particularly in developing electrical networks. Among the key components of these systems, power transformers play a central role, while simultaneously contributing to reactive power consumption that affects voltage regulation and network efficiency. This study focuses on the compensation of reactive power absorbed by the power transformer of the Mamou electrical substation in Guinea. The investigated transformer is an oil-immersed unit rated at 15 MVA with a voltage level of 110 kV/30 kV. An analytical approach based on transformer operating characteristics is adopted to evaluate the reactive power requirements associated with magnetizing and leakage reactances. Using these formulations, the required rating of a shunt capacitor bank is determined in order to fully compensate the reactive energy consumed by the transformer. The results indicate that a capacitor bank rated at 2422.5 kVAr allows a significant reduction in apparent power and line current on the high-voltage side. Consequently, copper losses, Joule losses in the transmission line, and associated greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, leading to an annual energy saving of approximately 36,104 kWh. The findings highlight the technical and economic relevance of reactive power compensation for improving the operational performance of substations in emerging power systems.
Abstract: The continuous growth in electricity demand imposes increasing constraints on power transmission and distribution infrastructures, particularly in developing electrical networks. Among the key components of these systems, power transformers play a central role, while simultaneously contributing to reactive power consumption that affects voltage reg...
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Research Article
Development and Experimental Evaluation of a New Photovoltaic-thermal Air Collector to Optimise the Performance of PV Solar Modules
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
31-44
Received:
8 January 2026
Accepted:
20 January 2026
Published:
6 February 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijsge.20261501.14
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Abstract: One of the main challenges to the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules is the reduction in efficiency resulting from their high working temperature. Air-based photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) devices offer a solution. This work presents the development of a photovoltaic/thermal air heat collector to optimize the performance of PV modules: Experimental case with monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic solar modules. This was accomplished by designing, constructing, and positioning a thermal collector under the solar modules that had a surface area of 0.378 m2 and a height of 0.11 m. A real-time experimental study conducted on a sunny day in the courtyard of ISABEE of university of Ebolowa, Cameroon, showed that the proposed collector maintained the temperature below the monocrystalline solar panel at 49°C and that of the polycrystalline panel at 51°C, respectively, in order to an average power of 56.24 W (a power gain of 9 W compared to conventional PV) for the monocrystalline panel and 62.4 W (a power gain of 18 W) for the polycrystalline panel. DC fans where set up at the collector’s outlet were used to control the air flow rate to optimize cooling. In terms of thermal performance, a power output of 242 W (52% efficiency) was achieved for the monocrystalline module, while the polycrystalline module reached 295.94 W (56.46% efficiency). The tests, conducted under average sunlight of 936.36 W/m2 (between nine in the morning and three in the afternoon), demonstrated the system's efficiency. This study not only validates the optimization of electrical and thermal performance using the proposed technique, but also reveals the different behavior of the two types of cells. This collector can be considered highly suitable for optimizing the efficiency of PV modules in domestic solar installations, particularly in regions with an equatorial climate (such as the southern region of Cameroon) and high ambient temperatures.
Abstract: One of the main challenges to the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules is the reduction in efficiency resulting from their high working temperature. Air-based photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) devices offer a solution. This work presents the development of a photovoltaic/thermal air heat collector to optimize the performance of PV modules: Experiment...
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,
Mame Faty Mbaye Fall
