College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Electrical Engineering
Date
6-2026
Primary Advisor
Jason Poon, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
This photovoltaic (PV) system performance evaluation study aims to assess the performance of Cal Poly’s Gold Tree Solar Farm, which produces 4.5MW of solar energy. The evaluation concerns itself with the reliability of the PV system that can be affected by weather conditions, component malfunctions, and degradation of the PV modules. Under the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems (IEA-PVPS) Task 13 objectives of reliability and maintenance, this study is necessary to contribute towards improvements in analysis and mitigation strategies for long term usage. Existing operational monitoring data from 2018 to 2025 is the focus timespan, providing real world data from the area. The evaluation model derives the following key performance indicators: performance ratio (PR), performance loss rate (PLR), temperature-corrected performance ratio, and reference yield (Yr) to characterize the system reliability. The evaluation model utilities irradiance and weather inputs, module outputs, and inverter data accessible through monitoring system software to acquire the key performance indicators. These system performance indicators are converted to various graphical representations to identify seasonal trends and challenges, long-term system degradation, and potential reliability improvements.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/eesp/726