Top 10 Technical Lessons for PV Projects

from planning to grid integration

ROBERT PFATISCHER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, HEAD QUALITY SERVICES PV

About meteocontrol
30 years of expertise Market leader in professional monitoring 31.000 PV-systems, 6.7 GWp Quality Services covering total investment volume of EUR 10 billion 100 employees worldwide Member of S.A.G. group

OFFICES and strategic partners

Quality Services meteocontrol

Planning Phase Construction Phase Operations Phase

Manufacturer Auditing Yield Reports & Consulting Construction Supervision Technical Acceptance Monitoring of PV Systems Operation Management Technical Due Diligence Forecasts Technical System Rating Deconstruction and Recycling
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AGENDA
SESSION I: Planning and Contracts

Lesson 1: Lesson 2: Lesson 3:

Securing yield in planning phase Verifying design and estimations Contracts

Lesson 1: Securing yield in the planning phase

Yield is depending on the right components: Modules Substructure Cabling Inverters Grid connection Monitoring

Lesson 1: Securing yield in the planning phase

Is module output really secure in the long term? IEC is not enough! Just a sample test (6-8 modules) To secure multi MWp projects, an evaluation of product AND process is required On-site appointment, production site Focus on quality assurance

Lesson 1: Securing yield in the planning phase

Lesson 2: Verifying design and estimations

High-quality yield reports minimizing financial risks: Precise simulation Evaluation of irradiation data Validation of real operational data Experience in comparable projects Essential information for investors Accepted by banks

Lesson 2: Verifying design and estimations

Accuracy of +/- 2 % is achievable: Correct information Real installed power High quality measurements
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 crystalline CdTe Yield Report a-Si Real Operation CIS

Lesson 2: Verifying design and estimations

Solid technical foundation is indispensable: Comprehensive Technical Due Diligence Evaluating yield reports Project audit (location, components, design, partners) Technical terms of contracts

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Lesson 3: Contracts EPC and O&M

A defined framework for a successful partnership: Clearly defined scope of work Realistic time schedule Defined milestones and payments Guarantees with conditions Quality control chain defined

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Lesson 3: Contracts Example EPC

Module quality has to be verified: Definition in contract Datasheet or flash value? Number of microcracks? Samples in laboratory/field What happens if tolerances or specifications are not met?

Sample 1

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Lesson 3: Contracts Example O&M

Availability level has to be guaranteed: Definition in contract Time based only or technical availability? Backed up by manufacturer? Penalties defined

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Lesson 3: Contracts
Technical rating of PV systems gives an overall risk evaluation: Condensed results Accelerates the financing process Certifies the PV systems quality and failure risk of the plant Rating of project planning, EPC/O&M contracts, construction and operational phase Accredited by the German accreditation body

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ANY QUESTIONS ?
SESSION I: Planning and Contracts

Lesson 1: Lesson 2: Lesson 3:

Securing yield in planning phase Verifying design and estimations Contracts

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AGENDA
SESSION II: Construction and Operation

Lesson 4: Lesson 5: Lesson 6: Lesson 7:

Independent Construction Supervision Technical Acceptance Detailed Measurements Professional Operation Management

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Lesson 4: Independent Construction Supervision

Taking the hassle out of the PV system installation work: Technical support/advice for the investor On-site presence on behalf of the investor Direct interface between investor and EPC Quality control during construction Identification and correction of defects

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Lesson 5: Technical Acceptance

Quality assurance from independent experts: Verification of project specifications Verification and evaluation of vendor protocols Visual check of all components Detailed measurements on site Evaluation of outage risk

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Lesson 5: Technical Acceptance Bad Jobs

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Lesson 6: Detailed Measurements STC power

Quality assurance from independent experts: Small sample in a laboratory Bigger sample in the field Referencing on-site values to laboratory measurements Overview on the real installed power

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Lesson 6: Detailed Measurements EL testing

Reduced performance might not be detected immediately! Electro-Luminescence uncovers damages of the cells Damages can break up in the whole chain: module production transportation assembly after several years of operation

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Lesson 6: Detailed Measurements EL testing

Reduced performance might not be detected immediately! 1: inactive cell-areas 2: micro-cracks 3: gridfinger defects Power reduction: -1.3%

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Lesson 6: Detailed Measurements EL testing

Reduced performance might not be detected immediately! Severly damaged cells Big parts inactive Power reduction: -6.5%

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Lesson 6: Detailed Measurements Thermography

Testing of systems in operation: Examination of 100% of the modules Indications for potential or existing defects Can be performed during operation For big plants innovative solutions are required

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Lesson 6: Detailed Measurements - Thermography

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Lesson 6: Detailed Measurements - Thermography

Cell string defect

Hotspot

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Lesson 7: Professional Operation Management

Shading Soiling

Hotspots

Fire

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Lesson 7: Professional Operation Management

A PV plant has on average 5 to 10 events of incidents per year.
60% 50% relative share 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Energy loss Number of events

Source: meteocontrol, 2011

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Lesson 7: Professional Operation Management

Securing return on investment with yield-driven PV operations management: Monthly investor reports Rapid response in the event of an outage Maintenance and repairs Organization and documentation of maintenance and repairs On-site visits (optional)

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Lesson 7: Professional Operation Management

90% 85%

PV-systems without professional monitoring

PV-systems with professional O&M

Performance Ratio

80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50%

mean PR: 76,9 %

mean PR: 81,3 %

PV-systems in Europe, Year of operation 2011, commissioned 2005-2010

Yield loss without quality assurance -3,6 % (for comparison: Fraunhofer ISE,
K. Kiefer, LBBW Konferenz Erneuerbare Energien, Leipzig 08)
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Lesson 7: Professional Operation Management

+1.3% +1.1% increase of financial yield +0.9% +0.6% +0.4% +0.2%

Plant power

1.3 %

1.5 %

1.3 %

1.7 %

1.1 %

1.7 %

0.9 %

1.8 %

0.9 %

2.0 %

0.8 %

2.1 %

10 kWp

30 kWp

100 kWp

500 kWp

1000 kWp

5000 kWp

The yield calculation bases on a typical plant configuration and standard assumptions for financing and taxes.
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ANY QUESTIONS ?
SESSION II: Construction and Operation

Lesson 4: Lesson 5: Lesson 6: Lesson 7:

Independent Construction Supervision Technical Acceptance Detailed Measurements Professional Operation Management

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AGENDA
SESSION III: Grid Integration and Energy Trading

Lesson 8: Lesson 9: Lesson 10:

Monitoring and Grid Connection Power Management Energy Trading

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Lesson 8: Monitoring and Grid Connection

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Lesson 8: Monitoring and Grid Connection

Intelligent solutions for optimum yield: Internet based Alarm management for early detection of faults Detailed reports for transparent analysis Reporting features included Virtual control for many PV plants

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Lesson 8: Monitoring and Grid Connection

Increasing requirements for grid connection have to be managed: Active power control Reactive power control Ramp up/down limits Forecasting energy generation

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Lesson 9: Power Management - Example Germany

Datalogger for monitoring and controlling

60 % 100 % 30 %

= = ~ = ~

Trader

0%

Gateway

Telecontrol equipment

Grid operators

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Lesson 9: Power Management Example EON

WEBlog Pro Ethernet (Master)

Ethernet Switch Ethernet Switch Fibre Optics Converter Communication Unit Fibre Optics Network to Inverters

Power Control Unit

100 % 60 % 30 % cos 0%

SPS

Power Control Station (mc)

EisMan Master (EON)

EON Bayern

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Lesson 9: Power Management Example EON

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Lesson 10: Energy Trading Market Overview

Transmission system operator (TSO) Stock exchange OTC

Energy generation

Direct sales

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Lesson 10: Energy Trading Connecting Systems

Virtual control room Intelligent grid integration Controllability of the PV-plant Optimized Trading Contribution to grid stability Automated calculation of yield loss

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Lesson 10: Energy Trading

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Lesson 10: Energy Trading - Forecast

Solar energy is predictible on different time scales!
Day-Ahead - up to 96 h - updated 2 times a day - 15 min resolution Numerical weather prediction (NWP)

Intraday - up to 5 h - updated every hour - 15 min resolution Satellite observations on cloud motion

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Lesson 10: Energy Trading - Forecast

Forecast horizon 5 hours

MOTION VECTOR FIELDS (UNIVERSITY OLDENBURG)

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Any Questions -> r.pfatischer@meteocontrol.de Thank you for your attention !

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