Comparative performance analysis of solar power plants employing central and string inverters using data from Mardin province

This thesis comparatively examines the performance of two photovoltaic (PV) systems using different inverter technologies in Mardin, a province in Turkey with high solar energy potential. The energy productions of solar power plants using central and string inverters operating under similar climatic conditions were analyzed through real field data and PVSOL simulations. According to simulation results, the annual energy production of the string inverter system was estimated as 196,033 kWh, while the central inverter system's production was 178,568 kWh. However, actual production data for 2024 indicated 128,180 kWh for the string inverter system and 145,678 kWh for the central inverter system, showing deviations of 34.6% and 18.4%, respectively. These differences demonstrate that simulation programs like PVSOL calculate under ideal conditions, but field conditions such as dust and dirt accumulation on panel surfaces, shading, inverter efficiency, temperature effects, and grid outages negatively affect actual production. In particular, the high dust load in Southeastern Anatolia increases performance losses. Moreover, combined effects of shading and high temperatures can cause efficiency losses between 10% and 30%, and up to 50% in some studies. The results show that string inverter systems provide technical advantages especially in situations requiring shading management and module-level monitoring, but these advantages are balanced with maintenance difficulties and investment costs. Central inverter systems, while offering cost and compactness advantages, are more sensitive to shading and temperature variations. This study emphasizes that panel cleaning, maintenance planning, and fault management must be considered for system efficiency in hot and high-irradiance regions like Mardin, and demonstrates that such investments contribute to renewable energy goals.