Examining the northern region of Iraq and the imperative for establishing photovoltaic power stations

. The construction of a photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Iraqi province of Salah al-Din marks a significant step towards enhancing the region's energy infrastructure and transitioning towards sustainable, renewable energy sources. The project aims to harness the abundant solar resources in the area to generate clean and reliable electricity, contributing to both environmental sustainability and energy security. The chosen location, Salah al-Din province, is strategically positioned to receive ample sunlight, making it an ideal site for a photovoltaic installation. This solar plant is expected to have a considerable impact on the local energy landscape by diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance on conventional, non-renewable sources. The construction process involves the installation of photovoltaic panels designed to capture and convert solar radiation into electricity. These panels, often mounted on support structures, form an array that maximizes exposure to sunlight. The energy generated by the PV plant is then fed into the local power grid, supplementing the existing energy supply. The benefits of this solar initiative extend beyond environmental considerations. The project is likely to create employment opportunities during the construction phase, boosting the local economy. Additionally, the operation of the photovoltaic plant will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. Furthermore, the PV plant in Salah al-Din exemplifies Iraq's commitment to embracing renewable energy solutions as part of its sustainable development agenda. As the world transitions towards cleaner energy sources, projects like these play a crucial role in meeting the growing energy demand while mitigating the environmental impact associated with traditional energy generation. In conclusion, the construction of a photovoltaic plant in Salah al-Din represents a forward-thinking investment in renewable energy infrastructure, fostering economic development, environmental sustainability, and energy resilience for the Iraqi province and contributing to the broader global shift towards clean and sustainable energy systems.


Introduction
The ongoing progress and development of societies, coupled with the need to create comfortable conditions in housing and transportation, have significantly increased the global demand for energy.The rise in energy consumption has led to an increased use of fossil fuels, which is expected to deplete soon [1].The trend towards the use of renewable energy sources is rapidly spreading worldwide [2].The production of electricity using solar energy has become a viable and acceptable option globally [3].In Iraq, solar energy can be considered the best and most logical alternative to burning fossil fuels [4].The energy that reaches the Earth in one hour is sufficient to provide the entire planet with electricity for an entire year with proper utilization [5].It cannot be denied that the availability of energy plays a crucial role.The use of photovoltaic technology for electricity generation has become widely recognized and accepted today.Photovoltaic systems are deployed outdoors or connected to the electrical grid, generating electricity directly for the grid [6].Off-grid photovoltaic cells are used in small energy systems connected to diesel generators as an alternative in dusty or cloudy conditions [7].Solar photovoltaic technology is well-suited for electricity production in rural desert areas, far from the power grid [8].Iraq, in particular, possesses abundant solar resources, and the use of hybrid solar power stations and diesel generators in remote areas can significantly reduce emissions from fossil fuels [9].

Materials and methods
 Conduct a thorough assessment of solar resources in different regions of Iraq.This involves analyzing solar radiation data, weather patterns, and climatic conditions.Utilize advanced tools like solar resource modeling software to estimate the solar potential in various locations. Identify suitable sites for renewable energy plants based on solar resource assessments, land availability, and proximity to existing infrastructure.Consider factors such as land use, environmental impact, and community engagement in the site selection process. Utilize modeling software (such as PVsyst or other simulation tools) to simulate and analyze the performance of proposed solar energy systems under various conditions.Model the expected energy output, efficiency, and economic returns of the renewable energy plants.

Solar energy in Iraq
Several valuable scientific studies have indicated that the total solar energy reaching the Earth's surface exceeds global installed energy reserves by 10,000 times annually [10].Iraq is a region rich in solar energy, with sunlight intensity increasing for over 3,300 hours per year.Solar radiation in the desert areas of Iraq, which currently constitute more than 60% of the country's area, is equivalent to hundreds of thousands of times the total energy produced in the country [11].The power per square meter of land is approximately 30 watts-peak (Wp), corresponding to 30 megawatts per square kilometer [11].Electricity from photovoltaic installations can be considered a primary alternative and the most feasible option for harnessing solar energy.Solar energy is universally available, free from pollutants, and a true friend to the environment as it is not subject to geographical or political constraints and does not require the use of any fuel.At the same time, the construction of a photovoltaic system requires short construction periods.Financing for medium or large-scale systems can also be provided, making the size of a photovoltaic power station project flexible.It can be used directly and easily stored or redeployed to other areas.Figure 1.Solar map of Iraq illustrates the solar potential across the country.

The future of solar energy in Iraq
Why is there a current emphasis on renewable energy and solar energy in Iraq?The correct answer lies in the energy shortage amidst growing demand and rapidly fluctuating oil prices, causing global economic recession.Additionally, the rise in natural gas prices and environmental risks associated with the pollution from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, contribute to this focus.The available solar energy resources in Iraq can be considered supplementary to the existing suitable locations for constructing such stations [13].As country rich in oil and gas reserves, Iraq's government incentives, increased funding, and investment options are driving the emphasis on solar energy generation [11].
This emphasis aligns with the future goals of the Iraqi government, forming part of the commitment to improving environmental conditions and reducing pollution.Besides the necessary efforts to raise public awareness of the benefits of using renewable energy, such as solar power, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity has yet to develop a plan for deploying renewable energy sources for electricity generation [11].Practical and theoretical studies on solar energy have demonstrated that Iraq has the potential to establish solar energy systems.As the country progresses, it is crucial to integrate renewable energy initiatives, particularly solar energy, into the national energy strategy.
III. Modeling and analysis of a 3 mw solar photovoltaic installation using pvsyst.
The selection of PVsyst as the modeling tool is based on its capabilities to simulate the performance of a 3 MW solar photovoltaic installation under diverse conditions.It considers factors such as solar radiation, shading, temperature, and other relevant meteorological parameters.PVsyst aids in determining the optimal system size, configuration, and layout, ensuring maximum energy output.The software's comprehensive database allows for the inclusion of real-world components and their specifications, enabling an accurate representation of the photovoltaic system.Additionally, PVsyst provides a platform for in-depth financial analysis, considering factors such as the levelized cost of electricity, payback period, and return on investment.
The modeling and analysis process in PVsyst involves inputting site-specific data, selecting appropriate components, and simulating the system's performance over time.The results obtained from PVsyst simulations contribute to informed decision-making regarding the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed 3 MW solar photovoltaic installation in Iraq.

Determination of Site Geographic Parameters
The selection of a location for a solar power station based on photovoltaic elements is crucial and should be linked to a reliable data source, such as specialized data from NASA-SSE satellites.Salah ad-Din was chosen as the site for implementing the system.The specific geographical coordinates for Salah ad-Din are 35°021' north latitude, 31°6377' east longitude, and an elevation of 254 meters above sea level.The annual average solar insolation is 4.49 kWh/m²/day, with a clarity index of 0.597.The geographical characteristics for the Salah ad-Din region in Iraq have been determined using software.These facts can serve as references for any area in Iraq.PVSYST has the advantage that, after selecting the installation site, the program automatically links the latitude and longitude information obtained from the NASA-SSE satellite station (Figure 2).

Module Orientation Angle and Row Spacing
The type of ground-mounted solar power station can be chosen with either a fixed tilt angle or with endless rows in PVsyst 7.0.A row in PVsyst 7.0 represents a line of modules.When using a fixed tilt angle, both mutual and nearby shadows are taken into account.A fixed inclined plane is used, and endless rows are defined in additional parameters for close shadow modeling to specify the module layout (Figures 3 and 4).Energy production will be optimized for annual radiation exposure.When selecting the tilt angle and azimuthal angle for a ground-mounted solar power station, row spacing must be considered along with orientation.
Optimization between tilt angle, azimuthal angle, land usage, and optimal power production must be performed when choosing row spacing.In this project, optimization considering annual radiation exposure and also taking into account the absence of overall shade from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. was utilized based on the solar path at the site, as shown in Figure 5. Through orientation optimization, performance curves for the tilt angle and orientation are shown in Figure 4.

Selection of Solar Modules
In this project, two-sided (bifacial) modules are used to analyze the albedo effect on the solar energy system.There are various types of solar modules, each with different , 03012 (2024) E3S Web of Conferences https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202449403012494 AEES2023 characteristics.Among these modules, a highly efficient, widely available, cost-effective, and locally sourced product was chosen.The selection of a high-capacity and highly efficient solar module ensures less surface area usage.The chosen solar module is depicted in Figure 6. Figure 7 presents a graph of efficiency relative to incident solar radiation under changing temperature conditions, demonstrating that as the temperature of the solar module increases, the efficiency decreases at a certain radiation level.The solar panel's efficiency is 20.47% under standard test conditions.From Figure 9, it is evident that with an increase in incident solar radiation, the maximum current for the solar array also increases and does not significantly impact the voltage at a stable temperature.In this study, the proposed model for the station was divided into 1437 groups with 114 parallel rows each.The resulting system, with a capacity of 1 MW, comprised 4,255,319 photovoltaic panels and 1347 inverters (Figure 9).The inverter is a crucial component of a grid-connected photovoltaic system.Inverters convert direct current from photovoltaic modules into alternating current.Matching the technical specifications of the inverter with the technical characteristics of the photovoltaic panels is essential for the proper functioning of the system.The built-in MPPT technology in the inverter enhances the system's efficiency.Additionally, inverters can be chosen from the options provided in the software, and the technical compatibility of available inverters can be verified.
For simulation, the ABB PVI 400 inverter with a voltage range of 570-800 V and a power rating of 400 kW was selected.The power output size of the inverter is shown in Figure 10.The output of the photovoltaic system depends on the received solar radiation and temperature.Figure 11 shows the volt-ampere characteristics of the photovoltaic module.At a temperature of 60°C, the voltage at the maximum power point will be 570 V, while at a temperature of 20°C, the voltage at the maximum point will be 800 V.

Efficiency Curve
In normal operation, the efficiency of the inverter is characterized by the power transfer function as a function of instantaneous power.This transfer is usually expressed as a function of input or output power, i.e., efficiency.In other words, it is represented by a nonlinear curve, as shown in Figure 12, and has a threshold input power, which can be understood as the inverter's self-consumption.Fig. 12. Dependence of efficiency on input power.

Curve Parameter (Falling Insolation)
The calibration process results in the characterization of the photovoltaic array at various levels of insolation, as shown in Figure 13.

Model Parameters:
The previous section defines the resistances involved in the single-diode model.This explains why low performance under weak illumination (relative efficiency) is determined by the parameters RSerie, RShunt, and RShunt(0).Figures 14-16 depict the model parameters at specified values of isc, Mpp, and Voc.

Results
In this study, the design and analysis of a grid-connected solar photovoltaic system were conducted using the PVSyst program.After numerous simulation runs and calibrations, the most satisfactory results were identified and discussed in the results analysis section.Following the completion of the aforementioned design process, the model is simulated, and based on the findings, the efficiency of the installation can be assessed.For a deeper understanding of the installed equipment, a thorough simulation was carried out, yielding various insights.Below are various results, including daily input/output graphs, loss indicators in the form of a diagram, a horizontal line depicting the location, efficiency coefficient graph, daily energy production graph considering incident changes, module temperature under operating conditions, power distribution graph across the array, normalized indicators including loss changes, and a graph studying the azimuth of the sun and the angle of incidence of light, respectively.

Balances and Key Results
Balances and key results are presented in Table 1 along with variables, including horizontal global insolation, average ambient temperature, collector plane insolation, and effective global insolation after losses from soiling.In addition to these elements, simulations were also conducted for direct current energy produced by monocrystalline solar array, energy injected into the grid after accounting for losses from the photovoltaic array, electrical components, and system efficiency.Each of the factors listed in the balances was modeled, and monthly and annual key results were collected.Annual values for variables are achievable as averages for temperature and efficiency, and by summing for insolation and energy.Regardless of the high and low photovoltaic configurations, the agrivoltaic system is expected to produce approximately 1,672,862,861 kWh of electrical energy per year according to the PVSyst software.Approximately 1,639,364,558 kWh per year will be injected into the grid.The system efficiency coefficient is 83.3%.Table 1 shows the values of solar energy produced and grid-required energy for months and annually.
Table 1.Balances and key results are presented with variables.

Normalized Production Metrics
Figure 17 illustrates the normalized production of the solar power station.It reflects system losses, significant inverter outputs, and losses in capturing solar energy by the photovoltaic array.The production and losses of useful energy over the month per kilowatt-hour are clearly depicted.These normalized metrics-standardized variables for assessing the efficiency of photovoltaic systems-are established according to IEC standards.The collected losses, or losses in capturing solar energy by the photovoltaic array, amount to 0.84 kWh/kWp/day.The generated solar energy is 4.67 kWh/kWp/day, while system losses are 0.1 kWh/kWp/day.

Array Loss Diagram
The array loss diagram is generated using computer simulations to aid in the analysis of various losses that may occur in photovoltaic installations.The array loss diagram, representing different losses in the system, is shown in Figure 18.The global insolation is 1798 kWh/m² on the horizontal plane.However, the effective collector insolation is 2013 kWh/m².When this effective insolation hits the surface of the photovoltaic module or array, electricity or electrical energy is generated.After the photovoltaic conversion, the nominal energy of the array under standard test conditions is 1934734381 MWh.The efficiency of the photovoltaic array is 18.03% under standard testing conditions.The virtual energy supplied from the maximum power point is 1686857229 MWh.Thermal losses account for 10.6% of the losses at the stage, degradation caused by light is 1.5%, the array mismatch is 1.1%, and losses in wiring due to ohmic resistance are 0.2%.
The inverter station has 1639384558 MWh of available energy per year, of which 1639384558 MWh are fed into the grid.There are two main losses in this case: 2.5% inverter losses during operation and 0% inverter losses relative to its rated power.

Efficiency Coefficient
The efficiency coefficient primarily serves as an indicator of quality for assessing the efficiency of the photovoltaic installation.It explains the ratio between theoretical and practical energy outputs of the photovoltaic system.The efficiency coefficient shows the energy after removing all energy costs and losses.Typically, the efficiency coefficient is around 83.3% due to inevitable losses occurring during operation.Figure 20

Discussion
The construction of photovoltaic plants in the northern part of Iraq presents a significant opportunity to address the region's growing energy needs and contribute to sustainable In recent years, the northern regions of Iraq have experienced increased energy demands due to population growth and economic development.Photovoltaic plants offer a clean and renewable energy source, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.By harnessing solar power, Iraq can decrease its reliance on traditional fossil fuels, mitigating environmental impacts.
Moreover, the construction of photovoltaic plants promotes job creation and local economic development.The implementation of such projects not only addresses energy challenges but also stimulates the growth of a sustainable green economy.Additionally, the utilization of solar energy aligns with Iraq's commitment to achieving its renewable energy targets and ensures a more resilient and reliable energy infrastructure for the future.
In conclusion, investing in photovoltaic plants in the northern part of Iraq is a forwardthinking approach that aligns with environmental goals, stimulates economic growth, and addresses the increasing energy demands of the region.This endeavor not only contributes to a more sustainable energy landscape but also positions Iraq as a proactive player in the global transition towards cleaner and greener energy sources.

Conclusion
Iraq can be considered one of the most promising and preferable regions for the implementation of photovoltaic solar systems worldwide.The reliance on electricity generated by photovoltaic elements brings numerous immediate benefits to the lives of people in the deserts of Iraq.These systems can also be utilized in small towns and villages or extensive marshlands in Iraq.
Stations must be built with effective load characteristics and maintain the necessary power supply used by the people of Iraq.Numerous studies by Iraqi and foreign researchers have shown that the performance of photovoltaic systems installed in various parts of Iraq can operate almost optimally.
Furthermore, these systems will generate sufficient energy to meet the needs of Iraqi citizens in the desert, marshlands, and remote areas.Many studies on the life cycle cost of the system have been considered, and with appropriate design, it is possible to extend the service life of all system components, significantly reducing the costs of replacing these parts and lowering the overall system cost over its service life.

Fig. 2 .
Fig. 2. Choosing the installation location of a solar power plant.

Fig. 7 .
Fig. 7. Graph of efficiency at Pmax [%] depending on the total number of incidents [W/m 2 ] of the selected photovoltaic module.

,Fig. 8 .
Fig. 8. Graph of the dependence of the current [A] on the voltage [v] of the selected photovoltaic module.

Fig. 9 .
Fig. 9.The proposed model of the power plant.

Fig. 13 .
Fig. 13.Characteristics of the photovoltaic array at different levels of insolation.

Fig. 17 .
Fig. 17.Shows the normalized production of a solar power plant.

Figure 18
Figure 18 displays daily variations in energy delivery to the grid, input/output profiles (kWh/day), and global incident on the plane (kWh/m²/day).

Fig. 18 .
Fig. 18.The result of modeling the array loss diagram.

,Fig. 19 .
Fig. 19.The energy supplied to the network, in comparison with the graph of the global incident.
illustrates the efficiency coefficient of the photovoltaic installation, representing the annual average value of the efficiency coefficient.The efficiency coefficient value slightly varies each month, as seen in the figure.

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03012 (2024) E3S Web of Conferences https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202449403012494 AEES2023 development.The strategic placement of these plants, taking advantage of the abundant sunlight in the area, can play a crucial role in diversifying Iraq's energy mix.

Table 2
provides the normalized production metrics.

Table 2 .
Shows the normalized production figures.