Main final results of MASLOWATEN - the H2020 project for market uptake of large power PV irrigation systems

Abstract

This paper presents the main technical results of MASLOWATEN, a H2020 European Project for the market uptake of large-power photovoltaic irrigation systems (PVIS). Five large-power PVIS, with peak powers ranging from 40 to 360 kWp were installed in real-farms of farmers, cooperatives, agro-industries and irrigator communities (one in Portugal two in Spain, one in Italy and one in Morocco) to show their reliability and economic feasibility in order to introduce them into the market. Furthermore technical specifications, business plan and a simulation tool for PVIS were developed. Finally, the technology developed was transferred to more than 20 SME. The main technical results of the project include: a solution to mitigate the problems associated to PV power intermittences due to passing clouds, the use of North-South horizontal axis trackers in order to match PV production and irrigation needs, the development and application of new performance indices based on the typical performance ratio of a PV system in order to understand the performance of each component of a PVIS.