Visualising the Effect of Degradation within a Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Plant

This study uses inverter-level analysis to visualise the long-term degradation of a utility-scale multi-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) plant in a semi-arid region over nine years. Degradation trends are examined alongside three environmental factors: temperature, wind, and relative humidity. Initially, the results indicate uniform degradation throughout the plant, but regional variations emerge over time due to environmental influences. The southwestern region exhibits a slower degradation rate, likely due to frequent western winds enhancing PV module cooling. Increased degradation is observed during periods of higher ambient temperatures and lower wind speeds, whereas improved performance is associated with lower temperatures and higher wind speeds. Additionally, higher humidity levels may accelerate degradation. These findings highlight the impact of environmental conditions on PV performance and the resulting average degradation rate of 0.53% per year over nine years.