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July 26, 2026Open Access

The impact of users on the operational effectiveness of residential photovoltaic systems in fragile-grid contexts: Iraq as a case study

OAO. Al-HafithUniversity of Plymouth BAB. Al-HafizUniversity of Mosul ZAZ. AlhafedhAlsalam University College

Key Points

This study aims to explore how user practices affect the operational effectiveness of residential photovoltaic systems in Iraq, a context with frequent power interruptions.
Mixed-methods approach combining operational data from 30 photovoltaic system loggers and surveys of 26 users with interviews of 6 industry professionals.
Logger data collected in five-minute intervals over one week, focusing on instances of zero PV output and daytime demand exceeding PV generation.
Utilized descriptive statistics and thematic analysis for survey and interview data respectively.
Operational performance varied significantly among systems, with 0.3%–1.9% of instances showing zero PV output during grid outages.
Daytime battery reliance ranged from 0.9%–5.4%, indicating inefficiencies during peak demand hours.
User practices varied; 38% cleaned panels regularly, 42.1% checked batteries, and 60% understood component placement.

Abstract

Residential photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly promoted as key components of low-carbon and intelligent buildings. While extensive research has examined technological and climatic influences on PV performance, limited attention has been given to how users operate PV systems and the operational challenges that arise, particularly in fragile-grid contexts where PV systems function as primary electricity sources. This study addresses this gap by exploring user practices and identifying operational challenges affecting residential PV system performance in Iraq, a high-solar context characterised by persistent electricity supply interruptions. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining operational data from 30 PV system loggers with survey responses from 26 users and interviews with six PV industry professionals. Logger data were collected at five-minute intervals over a one-week period (27 November–3 December 2024). Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while interview data were analysed thematically. Logger data were analysed using two diagnostic indicators: (i) instances of zero PV production during grid outages and (ii) daytime demand exceeding PV generation, indicating battery reliance. Also, median-based statistics were used to examine variability in the operational performance across the monitored systems. Results indicated substantial variability in operational performance across the examined systems. Instances of zero PV output accounted for 0.3%–1.9% of recorded instances, while daytime battery reliance ranged from 0.9%–5.4%, indicating short-duration operational inefficiencies. Survey results show variability in user practices, with 38% reporting regular PV panel cleaning, 42.1% reporting battery checks, and 60% demonstrating awareness of appropriate component placement. Interview findings highlight challenges in user understanding and system operation. The study highlights the socio-technical nature of PV system operation in fragile-grid settings and shows that system performance is shaped by the interaction between user practices, system conditions, and contextual factors. The findings point to key operational challenges and underscore the need for user-centred system design and targeted guidance to enhance system effectiveness.

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