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This paper presents the assessment of solar resources, investigation of performance, and estimation of normalized performance indices of a 1 kWp Solar PV system in India's climatology of an isolated hilly area. The monthly and yearly mean normalized performance indices are estimated. The annual mean values of the daylight hours, cell temperature, and ambient temperature are 12.7 h/d, 10.89°C, and 1.25°C, respectively. The yearly mean values and corresponding ranges of monthly mean values of capacity factor, performance ratio, array yield, reference yield, final yield, array capture loss and system loss are obtained as 23.60%, 59.82%, 2.83 h/d, 4.63 h/d, 2.69 h/d, 1.8 h/d, 0.14 h/d and (17.56–29.07)%, (47.93–75.55)%, (2.24–3.42) h/d, (2.85–6.1) h/d, (2.13–3.25) h/d, (0.60–2.99) h/d and (0.11–0.17) h/d, respectively. The Levelized Cost of energy is reduced to 85% and 68.22% by using the proposed solar PV/ battery system compared to DG and DG/Battery systems. A saving of 14.8 kl of diesel and the corresponding reduction of emissions of carbon monoxide (244.22 kilograms), unburned hydrocarbons (10.66 kg), particulates (1.48 kg), and nitrogen Oxides (229.42 kg) have also been achieved per year. These findings effectively provide optimal power solution strategies for policymakers in the concerned area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of photovoltaic (PV)/wind turbines (WT)/diesel generator (DG)/battery‐based hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) using lead acid (LA), lithium‐ion (LI), and iron Edison nickel‐iron (IE) battery technologies (BTs). The energy cost is optimized, and the obtained results are compared to select the best hybrid system. The LI battery employed in the PV/DG/battery system (206.43 kW PV, 50 kW DG, 53.04 kWh LI batteries, and 61.1 kW converter) performed comparatively much better, as levelized cost of energy (LCOE) was reduced by around 28% and 20%, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were reduced by 31% and 6% as compared to the LA and IE batteries employed in HRES, respectively. In addition, sensitivity analysis reveals that the capital cost of PV and the discount rate are more critical to determining the LCOE and renewable penetration. In contrast, the effect of the battery cost and inflation rate is relatively small. Finally, comparing the optimal resource configuration has confirmed that PV/DG/LI has significantly reduced LCOE (58% less than DG/LI) and GHG emissions (87% less than DG/LI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to reduce LCOE (levelized cost of energy), NPC (net present cost), unmet load, and greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing an optimized solar photovoltaic (SPV)/battery energy storage (BES) off‐grid integrated renewable energy system configured with a 21‐kW SPV, 5707.8 kW BES, and a 12‐kW converter system. The LCOE is reduced to 14.73% of that obtained in the diesel generator (DG)‐only system by deploying the proposed energy system and to 28.61% of that obtained in the DG/battery energy system. The NPC is reduced to 14.78% of that DG and 28.70% of that DG/battery energy system. By sensitivity analysis, it is found that LCOE decreases with the increasing inflation rate and also with the decreasing discount rate. A performance compression analysis between the designed energy system and similar recent studies has also been presented. The proposed energy system reduces diesel consumption by at least 8113 L/year and total greenhouse gas emissions by at least 21 545 kg/year in the study area. Also, 13.9% of excess energy is produced per year at only 0.02% of the unmet load percentage. These outcomes are extremely relevant for making investments in policies for supplying electricity to a residential load in a low‐load profile area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to determine the ecological role of three seed morphs observed for the first time in a desert population of Lotononis platycarpa (Fabaceae), with respect to their germination requirements. Seeds sorted by seed coat colour (olive green, orange and brown) were germinated under laboratory conditions under two photoperiods (12/12‐h light and continuous dark) and three alternating temperature regimes (15/25, 20/30, 25/35°C). We found that the three distinct seed types differ in their seed mass, germination percentage and speed of germination. Overall, the light‐incubated seeds germinated with higher percentages than seeds in the total darkness. Furthermore, seeds with orange coat germinated with higher percentages at 15/25 and 25/35°C (up to 60%, for both) and significantly faster than the other two colour morphs. Our results suggest an adaptive significance of seed colour heterogeneity in the harsh desert habitat inhabited by the study species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suaeda aegyptiaca is a facultative halophyte found in saline and non-saline habitats of the Arab Gulf desert, which produces small-sized undispersible seeds. The interactive effects of maternal salinity and other environmental conditions, such as salinity, light and temperatures, that are prevailing during seed germination have received little attention for a facultative halophyte. This study tested the effects of maternal salinity on salt tolerance during seed germination of S. aegyptiaca under different light and temperature regimes. Seeds collected from both saline and non-saline habitats of the United Arab Emirates ( UAE) were germinated in 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl, and incubated at 15/25°C, 20/30°C and 25/35°C in both 12-h light/12-h dark regimes and continuous darkness. Generally, seeds of the non-saline habitat were 56% heavier and attained greater germination at the lower temperatures than seeds of the saline habitat. Seeds of the saline habitat germinated better in saline solutions at higher temperatures and in light. Germination was faster for seeds of the saline habitat than for seeds of non-saline habitats. Germination recovery after transfer to distilled water was significantly greater for seeds from the non-saline habitat, compared with seeds from saline habitats. Recovery was greater at lower and/or moderate temperatures, compared with at higher temperatures. Germination was significantly faster during recovery, compared with in the saline solutions. The study indicates that the maternal effect of salinity was confounded with the seed-size effect and it cannot be conclusively confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]