CHAPTER4: TECHNICALCHARACTERISTICSOFSOLARFARM

4.1 PRINCIPLEOFELECTRICITYPRODUCTIONFROMSOLARIRRADIANCE

Solar irradiance from the sun can provide an invaluable source of energy. Solar
energyisnormallycapturedbysolarpanelswhicharesodesignedastoproducean
electriccurrentfromtheheatcapturedfromthesunirradiance.

The electric current so produced is controlled by a Charge Controller which feeds a

batterysystemwhichproducestheDirectCurrent(DC)power.

However, DC power is not useful for everyday life use and for industrial use, and
needstobeconvertedtoAlternatingCurrent(AC)power.Thisisachievedbytheuse
of inverters which convert the DC power into AC power for evacuation onto the
publicutilitypowergrid.

Theabove principleofproduction of electricityfromthe sunenergyissimplistically

shownintheFigure4.1below:

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 Figure 4.1: Figure Showing Principle of Solar Power

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4.2 PLANTDIAGRAMANDFLOWCHART

Basedontheaboveprinciple,atypicalplantdiagram/flowchartfortheproductionof
electricityfromsolarpowercanbeelaboratedasgiveninFigure2.

Figure4.2:TypicalPlantDiagram

4.3 SOLARPLANTCOMPONENTS

Thesolarplantwillcompriseofthefollowingpowerproducingcomponents:

(i) Thesolarpanelsarray

(ii) Thecablingnetworks

(iii) Theinverters,completewithcomputerizedplatform.

(iv) Thestepuptransformer

(v) Thepowerevacuationlines

The above powerproducing components will be backedup and/or serviced by the

followingprojectcomponentstoofferthefullspectrumofthefacility.

i. TheInformationandWelcomeCentre

ii. Theartisanalmarketplace.

iii. Theperimeterfencing

iv. Themountaintoptreebarrier.

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 Thefollowingsubsectionsfullydescribeeachoftheabovelistedcomponentsofthe
solarfarm,startingwiththemainpowerproducingcomponents.

4.4 SOLARPANELSARRAY

The solar panel array or assembly will comprise about 62,000 modules (required to
provide the 15 MW capacity) facing North which will act as solar captors. Each
captorpanelwillbeofthefollowingdimension.

Length:1650mm

Width:990mm

Thickness:40mm

Eachpanelwillweigh19.1kg.Thepanelisprovidedwith6Nogroundingholes,4No
mountingholesand8Nodrainageholes.Thegroundingholesallowforthepassingof
groundingcables;themountingholesallowforthefixingofthepanelontoitsfixing
frame,whilethedrainageholesprovidefortheexcavationofrainwater.

Eachpanelismadeupofthefollowingconstructionmaterialsandcomponents:

Afrontcovermadeoflowirontemperedglassof3.2mmthickness

A set of 60 multicrystalline silicon cells of dimensions 156mm x 156mm with

either2or3busbars.

Ananodizedaluminiumframeofsilvercolourwiththenecessaryedgesealing
madeupofeithersiliconeortape.

AjunctionboxwithaIP65protectiondegreeorbetter.

Acableoflength1100mmofcrosssectionarea4mm2.

A plug connector of type MC4 with a protection degree to standard IP 67 or

equivalent

4.5 DESCRIPTIONOFPVPANELS

4.5.1 ManufacturingSpecifications

The photovoltaic panels will be manufactured by the Chinese Yingli Green Energy
HoldingCompanyLimitedwhichisoneoftheworldslargestfullyverticallyintegrated
PVmanufacturers,whichmarketsitsproductsunderthebrandYingliSolar.With
over 4.5GW of modules installed globally, the company is the leading solar energy
companybuiltuponprovenproductreliabilityandsustainableperformance.

4.5.2 Performance

The PV panels will be made up of high efficiency, multicrystalline silicon solar cells
withhightransmissionandtexturedglasswhichcandeliveramoduleefficiencyofup
to16.2%.Suchalevelofefficiencyresultsintheminimizationoftheinstallationcosts
andmaximizingthekWhoutputofthesystemperunitarea.

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 ThePVpanelsaremanufacturedwithatightpositivepowertoleranceof0Wto+5W,
whichensurestheproductionanddeliveryofmodulesatorabovenameplatepower
thereby contributing to minimizing module mismatch losses leading to improved
systemyield.

4.5.3 Reliability

TestsbyindependentlaboratoriesprovethatthePVmodules:

Fullyconformtocertificationandregulatorystandards

Withstand wind loading pressure of up to 2.4kPa, confirming mechanical

stability

Successfully endure ammonia and saltmist exposure at the highest severity

level, ensuring their performance in adverse conditions. The PV panels are
manufactured to international standards and conform to ISO 9001:2008, ISO
14001:2004andBSOHSAS18001:2007.

4.5.4 Warranties

From a sustainability stand point, the PV panels are covered by a 10year product
warranty,comprisingtothefollowingcriteria:

Limitedpowerwarranty10yearsat91.2%oftheminimalratedpoweroutput,

25yearsat80.7%oftheminimalratedpoweroutput.

4.5.5 QualificationsandCertifications

The manufacture of the PV panels is covered by the following qualifications and

certificates: IEC 61215, IEC 61730, MCS, CE, ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, BS
OHSAS18001:2007,SA8000,PVCycle.

The Specification and Data Sheet enclosed at Annex 4A at the end of Chapter 4
provides additional information pertaining to conditions electrical performance, the
thermalcharacteristicsandtheoperatingconditionsofthePVpanelstowhichthe
interestedreaderisreferred.

4.6 ASSEMBLYOFPVPANELS

The assembly of the PV panels array which will be a fixedtilt groundmounted

configuration,isachievedbythefollowingmethods:

(i) Tilting of the PV panels to about 20o to the horizontal to induce maximum
exposuretosunlight

(ii) BoltingofthepanelsontohorizontalmetallicIbeamsorangleironsplacedat
intervalsunderneaththepanelassemblyarea.

(iii) Fixing of the top horizontal Ibeams or angle irons onto vertical metallic
sections or square metallic tubes held in position by a horizontal metallic

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 Ibeamatthebottom.Bracingwillalsobecarriedoutifjudgednecessary,to
produceadditionalstructuralstability.

(iv) Fixingtheverticalmetallicstrutsintotheground.

(v) Eachfixingholewillbe300mx300mby600mmdeep,encasedinconcrete.

Thephotographsbelowshow:

The appearance/look of the PV panels individually and in the arranged array

system.

ThehorizontalsupportingIbeams

TheverticalHsectioncolumns

Thefixingholesembeddedwithconcrete

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PhotographsShowingGeneralArrangementandFixingofPVPanels

Itshouldbenotedthathefixingheightabovetheexistinggroundlevelwillbeofthe
orderof1.51.8metres.Atthisheightabovegroundlevel,easeofinstallationwillbe
achieved,andmostimportantlythePVpanelarraywillbeprotectedfromhighwinds
duringcyclones,therebyensuringtheirsustainabilityinthefuture.

4.7 FOUNDATIONANDMOUNTINGSTRUCTURE

The mounting system is a dualaxis system with doublesupported and strutted

framesforincreasedloadresistanceandweaksoils.Dependingontheconditionon
the site, up to 5 (five) standard modules can be installed horizontally or 3 (three)
modules can be installed vertically. The preferred inclination angle is 20 (twenty)
degreesformaximumsunshineirradiance.

The foundation of the mounting system shall be screw foundation or concrete

foundation.

Thisconsiderationwillbefinalizedduringthedetaileddesignstageoftheprojectand
priortostartofworksonsite.

AtypicalmountingarrangementisreproducedinFigure4.3below

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Figure4.3:TypicalMountingArrangement

4.8 CABLINGNETWORKS

Each panel or set of panels will be linked to an electrical cable as shown in the
photographsbelow:

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PhotographsShowingElectricalCable

Theseindividualcableswillbeentrenchedasshowninthephotographsabove,and
connect into biggersize cables. As the number of cables linking bigger areas of PV
panelsincrease,itgivesrisetobundlesofcableswhichwillbelaidintrenchesdugat
600mmdepth.

Allcabletrencheswillbefittedwitha75mmthickbeddingmadeupofeithercoral
sandorrocksand.ThesecablebundlesgototheChargeControllerandtheBattery
systemforthecollectionoftheentireDCpowersystemofthesolarpowerplant.A
typicalarrangementofsuchabundleofelectricalcableslaidinatrenchontopofthe
beddingisshowninthephotographsbelow.

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PhotographsShowingBundlesofElectricalCablesinTrenches

4.9 DESCRIPTIONOFINVERTERS

TheInvertersconstitutethemaincorecomponentofthesolarplantinsofarasthey
connect the DC power from the Charge Controller and the Battery System into the
solelyutilizedACpower.

AphotographofsuchanInvertercabinetisreproducedbelow:

PhotographofaTypicalInventor

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 The Inverters proposed to be installed at the Bambous Solar Plant will be of the
Sunny Central type whose actual ratings will be fixed at the design stage of the
project.

Themaincharacteristicsoftheproposedinvertersarelistedbelow:

Theywillbeupto1megawattsystempowerasstandard.

Maximumyieldswithlowsystemcots

Note: This inverter characteristic will ensure economic advantages for the
project

Fullnominalpowerincontinuousoperationatambienttemperaturesofupto
50oC.

Note:ThisinvertorcharacteristicisofutmostimportanceinsofarasatBambous
high ambient temperatures may be experienced on extremely sunny days in
summer.

Possibility of intelligent power management, via an interfacing with the

appropriatesoftware.

Adaptation to a wide range of DCinput voltage for flexible use of various PV

modulesconfigurations

PerfectlyadjustedforthetemperaturedependentbehaviorofPVgenerators

Includesallgridmanagementfunctions.

Anumberofinverterswillberequiredforthe15mWproductionplant.Theywillbe
enclosedinabuildingfittedwithcorridorswhichwillprovideeasyandreadyaccess
totheinverterunits.

All the inverters will be connected to a customized computer platform or

programmablelogicalcontroller(PLC) whichwillallowfortheoptimal monitoring
andcontrolofthesolarplant.

TheSpecificationandDataSheetoftheproposedinverterisenclosedatAnnex4Bat
the end of Chapter 4 to which the reader is referred, should he be interested in
having information on technical data, such as Input DC, Output AC, efficiency,
protectivedevices,generaldataandotherfeatures.

4.10 FEATURESOFSTEPUPTRANSFORMER

Thepoweroutputfromtheinverter,ofrating22kVwillrequirestepupto66kVfor
connection to the public grid at the CEB substation at La Chaumiere. For this
purposeastepuptransformer,whichwillbehousedinabuilding,attheendofthe
farm,willbeinstalled.ThetransformerwillbesuppliedbySchneiderElectric.

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 Its technical features, specifications and data are provided in the Specification and
DataSheetenclosedatAnnex4CattheendoftheChapter.

Thetransformerroomwillbeconstructedontheflatpartofthesiteatitsnorthern
top.

This position will allow for the shortest route of the power excavation line. At this
position, the housing building will also require basic standard strip footing and
separate columnbase foundations. Depending on site conditions, however, such
standard foundation may be modified to shallow bases and ground beams as
required.

4.11 POWEREVACUATIONLINE

Fromthestepuptransformer,the66kVpowerlinewillbeconnectedtotheCEBLa
Chaumiere substation, through a 66kV power line which will run from the
transformerroomatthesitetotheCEBsubstation,overatotaldistanceof3.9km.

The alignment of the evacuation line is as shown on the context plan enclosed at
Annex1BattheendofChapter1entitledProjectParticulars

The alignment of the power evacuation line will run across bare lands, forest lands
andunhabituatedareas,withoutthereforebearinganyenvironmentalimpactonany
humanreceptor.

4.12 INFORMATIONANDWELCOMECENTRE

TheInformationandWelcomeCentrewillbehousedinabuildingofabout30square
metresinsize.Itwill

(i) Providespaceforvisitorswhileonavisitingtourofthesolarfarminstallations.

(ii) Accommodatetrainingfacilitiesatthesite,intheformoflectureroom,fitted
with all the necessary accessories and appliances, where lectures on the
operation and benefits of the green renewable energy concept of the solar
farmwillbepresented.

Thebuildingislocatedtowardsthewesternportionofthesite,withinclosedistance
tothemainentrancegateandtheparkingarea.Thismeansthatthevisitorswillnot
havetowalklongdistancesontheirvisittothesolarfarm.

The centre will be used for visit and educational purposes, in line with the
GovernmentspolicyofMauriceIleDurable(MID)concept,andcreateawarenessand
educationamongschoolandcollegechildrenandthemauritianpopulationatlarge.

ThelayoutandfrontelevationoftheInformationandWelcomeCentreareenclosed
atAnnex4DattheendofChapter.

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4.13 ARTISANALMARKETPLACE

The project finally incorporates the settingup of an artisanal market place which
willconstituteanopenairshelteredspacewherehandmadematerialsrepresenting
thesolarfarmwillbedisplayedforsale,afterhavingbeenmanufacturedbythelocal
womenentrepreneursoftheMdineandBambousVillages.

Thisartisanalmarketplacewilloccupyanareaofabout100m2whichwillbeopen
butcovered,andputatthedisposaloftheinterestedlocalpopulation.

Thetargetedartisanalproductscanbe:
Hatswiththelogoofthesolarfarm
Paintingsshowingthegeneralinstallationsofthesolarfarm
Carvingsrelatedtothesolarfarm
Teeshirtswithanyinterestingfeatureofthesolarfarm.

Theintrinsicpurposeofthisartisanalmarketplaceasenvisagedbythepromoterwill
bethesociallinkwiththelocalpopulation,andthegenderempowermentpotential
affordedbytheproject,insofarasthewomenentrepreneursofthelocalpopulation
will be targetted. This is considered to be an enhancement opportunity offered by
thesolarfarmproject.

4.14 PERIMETERFENCING

It is envisaged to provide fencing all along the site boundary to keep the site safe
fromintrudersbutmoreimportantlyfromstrayanimalswhichcandamagethecells.
Theperimeterfencingwillthusbeerectedtoprovidesitesecurityagainstvandalism
andanimalsfindingtheirwayintothesitepremises.

Atthispointintheprojectprocurementcycle,itisenvisagedtoplaceagalvanized
polesupportedchainlinkfencingaroundtheperipheryoftheprojectsite.

Aphotographofthetypicalchainlinkfencingproposedisreproducedbelow:

PhotographofChainLinkFencing

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4.15 MOUNTAINTOPTREEBARRIER

Itisproposedtoinstallallalongtheboundaryofthesitealongthemountaintopa
tree barrier which will consist of our row of Eucalyptus trees and one row of Ficus
tree,plantedinastaggeredfashion.

Thepurposeofthisdoublelinetreebarrierisdescribedbelow:

(i) Itwillprovidestabilizationofthemountaintopareaoverlookingthesolarfarm,
throughitsrootpenetrationaction.

(ii) It will act as protection against accidental rolling of any boulder along the
mountainslopewhichcancausedamagetothesolarpanels

(iii) Itwillprovidesomeshadealongthemountaintopareaofthesite.

(iv) Itwillinduceanenvironmentofnaturallylandscapedarea,whichwillproduce
inturnapositivevisualimpact.

The positioning and alignment of the trees barrier along the southern
(mountaintop)boundaryofthesiteareshowninthesitelayoutplanenclosed
atAnnex4EattheendofChapter4.

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