Abstract Shortages, deterioration in the quality of water sources and increased demand for water have been a problem for both developing and developed countries. In view of this scenario, the use of alternative sources such as the capture and use of rainwater proves to be a feasible solution. In remote places, without water and electricity supply, the use of a rainwater capture system, with ultraviolet disinfection and powered by an isolated photovoltaic panel can be the solution for the water and energy supply. Thus, this work evaluates the efficiency of the isolated photovoltaic system and the quality of rainwater after passing through the ultraviolet germicidal (UV) lamp. To measure water quality, laboratory analyzes were performed. Analyzes of water from the cistern were performed and after passing through the UV disinfection system using different flow rates to determine which would be more viable for the system. The rainfall and solar irradiation data are collected to determine whether the system powered by photovoltaic energy is viable in the city of Curitiba in the state of Paraná. The results for water analysis showed that the UV disinfection system is efficient, and in the medium and minimum flow rates, there were 100% improvements in the water quality for coliforms. The isolated photovoltaic system proved to be effective, as the irradiation rates were satisfactory even in the winter period, when solar irradiation is generally lower.

HIGHLIGHTS Comparative study of the operation of eight real cases of systems installed in Paraná. There is a convergence between the values estimated by the Atlas and the ones calculated. It was possible to identify the cities that presented the greatest figures of merit.

Abstract The use of batteries combined with photovoltaic (PV) systems connected to the grid allows the storage of surplus energy from photovoltaic generation for later use. This combination can reduce dependence on the grid, since, for most consumers, peak consumption does not occur simultaneously with peak generation from the PV system. This article describes the initial operation of a PV system with 10.72kWp connected to grid and associated to a storage system with 57.6kWh lead-acid batteries installed at the Federal University of Technology - Paraná, in Curitiba city, Campus Neoville. We present an analysis of the benefits obtained from the combined use of the PV system connected to the grid with energy storage, reducing the total energy consumed from the grid. A brief analysis of the demand showed that, for this UTFPR campus, the peak power consumption occurred between 10:00 and 12:00 AM, which was also the interval of peak photovoltaic generation. We have observed that a scheduled battery discharge of 5.5% of the storage capacity from May to November and 9% discharge in December has resulted in R$ 1,154.44 of saving in the first seven months of operation.

Abstract The obtaining of electric energy from solar energy through photovoltaic systems shows great growth due to the solar potential present in the Brazilian territory. In the State of Paraná, studies are recurrent in public and private sectors on the development and performance of this technology. The installation and commissioning processes of photovoltaic plants are linked to the expectation of energy generation and the performance of the system through the figures of merit. The feasibility of the project can be confirmed when the results of these parameters are satisfactory and correspond to averages obtained from already consolidated surveys. The six photovoltaic systems implemented at the Federal Technological University of Paraná have expectations of generation and performance consistent with those of previous studies and will contribute to scientific advancement on the behavior of systems with different technologies located in different regions in the state.

Abstract Considering the increasing adoption of Hybrid Plug-in and Electric Cars, there are concerns about recharging process of these vehicles considering the capacity of grid to provide sufficient energy to that purpose. In the past years, the growth of distributed energy generation from renewable and clean energy sources, especially photovoltaics, represents a possible and feasible solution to supply the energy used on recharging electric vehicles and reduction of greenhouse emission gases as CO2. This article is a study case that analyzes the energy production of a solar carport, located at Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) at Neoville Campus, comparing with energy consumption of a commercial electric car for a city use purpose. Based on solar energy generation, data from the web monitoring platform, real positioning characteristics of the solar carport installation, irradiation data collected from the National Institute of Meteorology basis and with a solarimetric station located at the same place as the solar carport is installed, the solar energy production is rated using three different metrics: yield, performance ratio and capacity factor. These metrics are calculated with RADIASOL2 software, a free and precise tool, developed by Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) to execute computational simulation of photovoltaic systems using mathematical models. The results showed a slightly low energy production performance than expected, but more than enough energy to recharge an electric vehicle for a day use, demonstrating that a solar carport system could be a good solution to meet the energy demand for this application.

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV) buildings are increasingly present in urban centers and can generate their own energy becoming independent of the grid, depending on their consumption profile. However, most residential and commercial consumers show their peak demand at night, when there is no photovoltaic generation, needing the electricity grid to meet the demand of these facilities. Peak demand lead to increased costs for these consumers and end up disrupting the power quality of the grid. One possible solution for these listed problems is by applying storage systems to these buildings, which is already being done in some countries and can increase the PV generation. Aiming to seek the state of the art of these systems, this article brings a review of the literature, highlighting the possible modes of operation and a real case of application in PV buildings in the world. Also are described the storage technologies most appropriate for applications in these buildings, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. It is expected to gain greater knowledge of these systems, in order to overcome the challenges of intermittence generated by renewable sources, enabling the reduction of energy demand costs in these customers so that it can also be applied in the Brazilian scenario.

Abstract The photovoltaic solar energy has been growing in installed capacity worldwide year by year, and Brazil has also been investing in this renewable source of energy generation. The conversion of light into electrical energy occurs in the photovoltaic cells, which are sensitive to the increase of the temperature. A considerable amount of the energy incident on the module is transformed into heat, rising its temperature and decreasing its efficiency. This study aims to estimate the temperature in photovoltaic cells (Tc) for polycrystalline silicon modules from a grid-connected photovoltaic systems through several equations proposed over the last decades by researchers. This estimation will occur in the municipality of Curitiba, using data from INMET’s automatic station, located in the same city. The estimation was calculated hourly, throughout the day for one year. The validation of the estimated results was performed by measuring the cell temperature of a photovoltaic system installed in Curitiba, where it was observed that the equation proposed by Duffie and Beckman (2013) was the one that most approached to the measured value.

Abstract Sustainability, a concept used to exploit natural resources without harming future generations, is being applied to power generation. In Brazil, the main source of electric energy comes from hydroelectric plants, due to abundant water resources. However, the implementation of these plants causes irreversible impacts on the environment and society. On the other hand, the impacts caused by photovoltaic panels are considerably smaller in the construction phase and zero in the operation phase. This article describes the impacts generated by hydroelectric power plants and gives an overview of the power generated by floating photovoltaic panels using 10% of the area of the reservoirs of the largest hydroelectric power plants in Brazil. The results demonstrate a better efficiency of the photovoltaic panels in the water, which cools them, increasing their efficiency. Furthermore, photovoltaic panel power generation amount is higher than compared the annual power generation of three out of four hydroelectric plants analyzed. In addition, adding solar energy to the reservoirs would save infrastructure costs, considering that energy can be made available through substation infrastructure and existing power transmission systems.

Abstract The electric vehicle (EV) is not a recent invention. Between the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century, most motor vehicles were electric, due to their superior reliability and cleanliness, compared to that of vehicles driven by internal combustion engines (ICE). However, with the development of ICEs and the reduction of their price, electric cars were forgotten. Only almost a century later, they returned in the market due to a significant increase in fossil fuels prices, as well as to a growing environmental concern. EVs present a number of advantages over ICE vehicles: they are simpler and require less use and replacement of parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs; moreover, they do not release pollutants into the environment. However, their production cost is still much higher than that of ICE vehicles. In order to verify the possibility of converting a conventional vehicle into an electric one at a reasonable cost, achieving a good performance and a good kWh/km ratio, an ICE-powered Mercedes-Benz Class A 190 was converted into an EV. The results of several tests indicate that the conversion is feasible, as the car reached an average travelling cost of 0.16 R$/km, assuming a price for the energy of 0.63 R$/kWh. Moreover, this cost could be as low as zero if solar radiation is utilized to generate electricity through photovoltaic panels, which is an even more environmentally sustainable solution..

Abstract Understanding the solar radiation values in the surface is important for the development of solar energy projects, obtaining through radiometers installed in certain places or publications as in solar energy atlases. Typically, solar or weather stations do not have sensors to measure diffuse irradiation due to high investment and the need for constant maintenance. This paper presents methods for the determination of diffuse irradiation from surface measured data of global horizontal irradiation in the city of Curitiba, obtained through pyranometers installed at the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR) headquarters and from Curitiba-A807 National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) station. Two models are presented for the estimation of the monthly mean daily diffuse irradiation, based on the studies of Liu and Jordan (1960) and Page (1961). Finally, these data were compared with those presented by the Solar Energy Atlas - Paraná, verifying the percentage differences presented. It was observed that the model elaborated by Page presented better results in the diffuse radiation estimates when compared to the values presented by the Paraná Atlas, with an average variation of -1.39% and -1.55%, for data from INMET and UTFPR respectively.

Abstract The photovoltaic solar energy in Brazil was boosted by Normative Resolution No. 482/2012 of ANEEL, which regulated the micro and mini generation in the compensation system, and by the specific auctions for photovoltaic plants carried out by the federal government. However, the country still has little representation of the solar energy in its electrical matrix, about 0.13%, with approximately 1% of the installed capacity of electric power generators considering all the sources, both values refer to the year 2017. In the initial moments of a technology, its growth occurs irregularly and because there is little installed capacity, any added value can cause abrupt variations in the percentage from one year to another, that is, its growth still does not follow a sustainable standard, which should be regularized around the year 2025, following the worldwide trend of growth of approximately 30% each year. As a scenario for 2025, the total power of the PVSGC in Brazil will be approximately 75.6 GWp which will represent 98.3 TWh of electric energy produced by this source, considering the estimated electric energy demand for 2025 of 800 TWh, will result in the contribution of 12.3% of the energy by solar photovoltaic source.

Abstract: Humanity is increasingly dependent on energy, which demand grows every year. Renewable energy sources are consolidated alternatives in the market, previously installed on a small scale but now thought as large plants. The correct operation, taking full advantage of the generation potential, depends on studies of the place of implantation, such as radiation levels, temperature, latitude, etc. Two photovoltaic systems installed in the city of Curitiba were studied in order to monitor their respective performances through figures of merit.

ABSTRACT Unlike some countries, Brazil has a predominantly hydraulic energy matrix, a clean and renewable source. But, in recent years, both the non-renewal of the normal volumes of water in the reservoirs and the lack of consciousness in the consumption of water and energy have placed the country in a critical state of energy supply leading to many intensive policies to reduce its consumption. In contrast, energy from Photovoltaic (PV) on-Grid Systems has grown dramatically in recent years. In this sense, this study presents an analysis of the contribution of the energy generated by a PV on-Grid Systems to be installed in CINDACTA II, in order to make re-contracting a lower demand possible and also reduce electric energy consumption and its cost.

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for electricity and the scarcity of resources, require renewable energy sources and efficient equipment that reduce the consumption of electricity. The Green Office (GO) of the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR) is a sustainable building that uses strategies to reduce impacts to the environment, one of them being the use of the grid connected photovoltaic system (on-grid). The on-grid was installed in 2011 and since then has been feeding the GO and another building (block V) belonging to UTFPR. This article presents a comparison between an estimate of energy consumption and the generation of energy through the on-grid. By means of the estimated consumption, a survey in loco of the scenario of expenditures of the electrical equipment used in the GO was made, estimating hours of use and power, so the consumption scenario was 145 kWh/month. The power generation of the EV is lower in the months May - July, period in which the solar irradiation is smaller, but according to the measurements the on-grid produces more energy than it consumes.

ABSTRACT The Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR), Campus Curitiba, has a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System (GCPVS) of 2.1 kWp in the Green Office (GO), which has been in operation since December 2011, and until September 2017 generated little more than 13.64 MWh and a GCPVS of 10.2 kWp, in operation since February 2016. The photovoltaic panel of the 2.1 kWp system was set up following the inclination of the roof of the building, which does not give its maximum performance. On the other hand, the panel of the 10.2 kWp system in Neoville was installed in optimum conditions, that is, oriented to the north and with slope equal to the latitude of Curitiba and, up tol September 2017 generated more than 20.65 MWh. This paper presents the monitoring of the electric energy generated by the systems and also a history of the merit indexes of the GCPVS, which are: Productivity (Yield); Performance Ratio; and Capacity Factor. These indexes allow to evaluate the performance of the GCPVS and make a comparison between them. Finally, the photovoltaic generation of both GCPVS proved to be a sustainable and effective form of distributed generation of electric energy in the urban environment.