UFPB (Federal University of Paraíba) has expanded its solar energy generation with the inauguration of another photovoltaic plant on the premises of CTDR (Center for Technology and Regional Development). The new unit has a customized solution based on AI (artificial intelligence) and joins the photovoltaic system already installed by the university in June of last year.
The project was executed by L8 Energy in partnership with Huawei, and uses Trackers that maximize the capture of solar radiation in the photovoltaic panels, positioning them so that they always face the sun throughout the day. To find the best positioning angle for the modules, the tracker system uses AI tools that cross-reference energy generation information.
“The layout of the new plant was designed to ensure maximum use of energy, with panels that move towards the incidence of solar rays using a system based on algorithms developed by UFPB researchers and with Huawei technology. With this, we were able to optimize capture and generate more energy”, explains Guilherme Nagamine, director of L8 Energy.
According to Euler Machado, a professor at UFPB and project coordinator, the new plant – which uses artificial intelligence – has a higher performance than conventional photovoltaic systems. “This equipment is very important for the development of our research. In addition to being highly innovative, we have observed an increase in energy generation on cloudy or rainy days of up to 6% compared to other (conventional) photovoltaic systems,” he said.
In total, the plant has an installed capacity of 241,8 kWp and the capacity to generate up to 520 MWh per year, enough to serve around 280 homes. The installation was carried out in a structure with trackers from STI Norland, which received 372 Canadian modules of 650 W each and two inverters from Huawei.
An answer
I believe that having electrical and electronic equipment, including a computer running an AI, to increase by 6% is not that useful.
Components consume energy and require frequent maintenance.
Given this 6% increase, I think it would be more appropriate and sustainable to install 23 more modules, corresponding to 6% of the total quantity installed.
So, I believe this is just for research and study purposes because the lowest cost solution in the long run would definitely be to put more plates to cover the Gap.