Performance analysis and comparison of two silicon material based photovoltaic technologies under actual climatic conditions in Western India

Graphical abstract: Monthly average performance ratio (PR) of mc-Si and a-Si technologies. - Highlights: • Multi-crystalline silicon and amorphous-silicon power plants have been compared. • The performance ratio (PR) of the mc-Si power plant ranges from 57.1 to 93.14. • For a-Si power plant, PR ranges from 53.72 to 87.64. • The a-Si solar PV power plant has high capture losses as compared to the mc-Si. - Abstract: A study is conducted for solar PV energy generation from two grid-connected installations (mc-Si and a-Si power plants) located at the same place in Gujarat, Western India. Data-sets on electricity production were collected over entire year and compared under actual climatic conditions. The final yield of mc-Si power plant varied from a lower value of 2.79 h/d in the month of August to a maximum value of 5.14 h/d in the month of March. Final yield for amorphous silicon power plant varied from a lower value of 2.62 h/d in the month of August to a maximum value of 4.84 h/d in the month of March. The performance ratio (PR) of the mc-Si power plant ranges from 57.1 to 93.14 and for a-Si power plant, PR ranges from 53.72 to 87.64. The a-Si solar PV power plant found to have high capture losses as compared to the mc-Si solar PV power plant