Evaluation of the photovoltaic generation potential and real-time analysis of the photovoltaic panel operation on a building facade in southern Brazil

• Power generation data in real time for a photovoltaic panel on building facade.
• Comparison of the power generation to the solar radiation data.
• Annual average solar radiation available in the panel plane equal to 73.8 kWh/day.
• Power generation of 11.0 kWh/day and efficiency in the order of 12.6%.

Solar photovoltaic systems are an alternative to the current model of power generation, supplying clean energy with little environmental impact and no significant losses associated with distribution networks. This study aims to obtain data on electricity generation in real time for a photovoltaic panel installed in the city of Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, comparing the electric power generation of the photovoltaic panel with the solar radiation data of the city, obtained with the use of a pyranometer. Data from incident solar radiation, measured in the city, on the period of 2007–2012 were used. Comparisons with data from power generation of the photovoltaic panel and assessment of the solar potential were performed. The photovoltaic panel has an area of 16.5 m2 and was installed on the campus of UNIVATES University Center, arranged so that it faces the true north and tilted at an angle of 24°, for better utilization of solar radiation incident along the year. At the end of this phase of the study, it was obtained an average power generation of 11.0 kWh/day and efficiency of the modules in the order of 12.6%.