Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Session 1 ‐ Design
Javier Relancio & Luis Recuero
Generalia Group
September 14th 2010
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-
construction-operation-and-maintenance
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
Design, Execution, Operation & Maintenance
FACILITY DESIGN
Javier Relancio. Generalia Group. 14/09/2010
www.generalia.es
2
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
INDEX
Single-line diagram
3
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
INDEX
Single-line diagram
4
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Solar resource evaluation
Great quantity and quality of measurement stations, both the global radiation and its
components: direct and diffuse
These stations are insufficient to allow the evaluation of any geographical location
or with changeable topography.
5
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Solar resource evaluation:
Solar Radiation maps
But, to get a completely certain measure, a rigorous solar radiation evaluation must
be done in situ.
Then, we could additionally compare them with the satellite information and
the closer meteorological stations
6
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
INDEX
Single-line diagram
7
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Towards the profitability of
the plant from the design
Resource evaluation System losses (PR)
• Latitude
• Shadows
• Longitude
• Disconnections & Breakdowns
• Altitude
• Panel tolerance
• Data from closest
• Pollution, dispersion & reflectance
meteorological stations
• Temperature
• Data from satellites
• Inverter
• Cables
OPTIMUM
PROFITABILITY
8
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
INDEX
Single-line diagram
9
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Inverters: Trends
MULTI CONTROLLED
MULTI POWER STAGES ONE POWER STAGE
POWER STAGES
The electrical companies can ask for galvanic isolation transformers when the connection
is in low voltage
10
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Inverters: features
The inverter main features are:
Maximum Input Voltage:
The PV generator voltage must be under the
inverter maximum input voltage
MPPT Voltage:
It is the range where the inverter is able to get
the Maximum Power Point from the PV
generator I‐V profile.
The PV generator voltage must be within this
range in the different conditions and weather
during the whole year.
Source: SolarMax
11
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Inverters: Features
Other important parameters are:
• Inverter efficiency:
• As it is shown in the graphic, the inverter has a different efficiency depending on the load. Usually,
the manufacturers give the maximum efficiency and the european efficiency, which is the weighting
of the different efficiencies when the load is: 5%, 10%, 30%...100%
• Inverter temperature range:
• This is really important, as in some places the temperature can reach over 40º, and extra cooling
might be considered
12
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Crystalline or Thin-film Panels
Visual identification:
Source: Atersa
They are cheaper, but they need larger surfaces & structures
The guaranteed output power is not as precise as in Mono/Poli crystalline modules
There are no references from facilities producing an important amount of years
13
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Crystalline or Thin film modules
Poli crystalline
CGIS (Copper‐Gallium‐Indium
Selenide)
CIS (Copper‐Indium Selenide)
CdTe (Cadmium telluride)
A‐Si:H triple (Amorphous silicon
triple union)
A‐Si:H tandem (Amorphous silicon
double union)
A‐Si:H single (Amorphous silicon)
14
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
PV Module Specs
The most important electrical spec is the panel efficiency
The highest the efficiency is, we will require a smaller
surface to reach a certain output power
Voltage and current parameters are not determinant, as we
can connect the panels in series or in parallels to fit the
inverter input.
Source: Atersa
15
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
PV Module Specs
The losses due to temperature affect the production
specially in countries with latitudes between 0 – 35º
Among panels with the same technology: the
thermal coefficient is quite similar among the
different manufacturers & models
Source: Atersa
Among panels with different technologies: we can find big differences, as we can see in the technical
information below.
A: Si Polycrystalline
Source: QS Solar
16
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Concentration Panel
Hardest challenges
DC side AC side
DC AC AC
DC Miniature Circuit Miniature Circuit
Fuses Differential
Breaker (MCB) Breaker (MCB)
S800PV-M Switch-Disconnector
Versions: 2P, 3P & 4P Source: ABB
Current: Up to 125 A
Voltage: 800Vcc with 2P & 1200Vcc with 3P & 4P
18
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Overvoltage protections
To protect the installation against overvoltage we must
install high energy varistors close to the element that we
want to protect
The main aim of this device is to detect an overvoltage
within a certain period of time and then divert it to the
ground
The device may be destroyed depending on the power to
be diverted to the ground
20
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Cables
It is recommended to use*:
Specific PV usage cable
RZ Cable
Main features:
Conductor: electrolytic copper
Insulation: halogen free
Cover: fireproof; low emissions (corrosive gas & toxic smokes) in
case of fire
To avoid health damages and device damages
Obligatory in public locations
21
* Based in previous slide considerations
Cable FV
CABLE FV
22
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Cable RZ
CABLE RZ
23
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Earthing System
24
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Transformation stations
Bidirectional
The grid connected PV facility exports all the generated electricity towards
the grid, except the consumption of its own devices: Inverters, Monitoring &
communications devices, Auxiliary services, Suntracking devices
The grid connected PV facility uses the network as a battery. This type is
known as “Net metering”
26
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Grid connection point
An underground to aerial link will be done, to connect with the power line
of the electric company
Main features for the copper cable
Density g/cm3 8,89
Resistivity Ohm – mm2/km 17.241
Conductivity (%IACS) 100.0
Breaking strength Mpa 220
Elongation % 25 – 30
Corrosion resistance Excellent
MT PV Facility
Source: Centelsa
27
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Grid connection point
Source: Centelsa
• Impact
• Chemicals agents
28
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
INDEX
Single-line diagram
29
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Towards the PR (Performance Ratio)
definition
PR = 0,74 - 0.78
Radiation (Wh/m2)
Considerations:
1. The values considered in the following slides are estimated values and should only be used as an
approach. They may vary depending on each location.
2. A detailed Performance Ratio study is fundamental to evaluate the profitability of each solar facility
30
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
System Losses evaluation
91% 2. Inverter. We can consider about 6%. New inverters can reach 4%
Select inverters with high efficiency and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
Consider extra cable sizing avoiding long traces with voltage drops
Balance the separation between panel rows (to avoid shadowing) with the
optimization of the surface area
32
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Shadowing evaluation
Depending on the type of installation, the shadowing study and the surface optimization,
the project profitability may vary.
33
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Fix - Ground
A basic rule would be to avoid shadows during the 4 central hours of the day, in
the day of the year with less radiation.
This implies calculating the angle of the sun (height regarding the line of the
horizon) to +/-2 hours regarding the solar midday. This angle will vary depending
on the latitude
The objective is to avoid that the top of the front panel projects a shadow to the
lowest part of the panel that is placed behind.
d= h / k
2. Tilt angles
The optimum tilt angle of the solar panel can be expressed by the following
simplified formula: Tilt = Latitude – 10º
In Spain, tilt angles from 30 to 33º is considered as optimum, but tilt angles
between 20 – 40º don’t mean considerable system losses
Tilt angles below 15º in urban areas may cause system losses due to pollution
and dirt accumulation on the panels.
Local land slope will be logically taken into account, which can help reducing
distance between the panel rows to improve the surface profit. (Obviously, the
opposite effect can happen)
35
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Fix - Ground
3. Orientation angle
36
Suntracking - ground
…Placement optimization
37
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Suntracking - ground
…Location optimization
Previous tasks:
Environmental conditions
Urban conditions
Topography
38
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Suntracking - ground
39
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Fix - Roofs
40
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Architectural integration
Two possibilities:
To avoid visual impact, adapting the solar panels to the roof shape
To integrate the panel as a constructive element with a certain function:
Electricity generation
Sunshade effect: special panels which allow some sunlight to go
through
Innovative design: usually special structures are required, and this
may increase the installation costs
In architectural integration, the solar facility is not considered as just an
profitable investment, but also as an image and design element
41
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Annual production
We will consider that the radiation, in the south of Madrid (Spain), for a certain
year can be around 4.77 kW-h/m2 (Average)
42
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Annual production
F inc Tilt coefficient: a ratio normally obtained from the optimum tilt for a fixed
panel (Which optimizes its performance). In Spain (Latitude = 40º) it is 1.15
Pinst Installed solar power
Expected production for this horizontal radiation, with a PR = 0.74, would be: 1460 kW-h
43
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
System configuration
Once the modules and inverters are selected, the configuration of the system allows to
maximize the produced energy
It is possible that in some cases we should consider the use of a different module or
inverter in order to improve the system performance.
When designing the solar panel configuration in series and parallels, we must take into
account that the voltage and current of the branch will change depending on the
temperature. Therefore it will be necessary to choose extreme values of the region for the
calculation.
44
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
System configuration
A configuration example of a designing software for Solar Plants (PVSYS screen shot )
45 Source: PVsyst
Electrical calculation
Imax_admisible
∆V max (%)
∆V max (V)
V nom (V)
Conduct.
Inom (A)
Long.
ZA03 115 541 72 50 22 133 93 40 35 1,0 5,4 162 113 48 120 150 338
In order to do a simplified earthing calculation, we can start with the following formulas
depending on the soil resistivity and the electrode characteristics
The average values of the resistivity, depending on the type of soil are:
47
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Electrical calculations
• Considering:
•Three Phases
• P = Power
• L = Cable length
• γ = Cable conductivity
•One Phase • E = Allowed voltage drop
• U= Line voltage
• For example, for LV in Europe:
• 400V in Three-phase
• 230V in One-phase
DEVICE PROTECTION LEVEL
INVERTER
METER
Source: Cirprotect
CC CABINET
49
Transformers connection topology
RING
PRODUCTION
LOSSES
NO PRODUCTION
LOSSES
50
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
INDEX
Single-Line diagram
51
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
Single-line diagram
FUSE
DC
MCB
DIFERENTIAL
PROTECTION
AC
MCB
ELECTRICAL COMPANY
DEVICE
52
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-construction-operation-and-maintenance
End of Session 1
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-
construction-operation-and-maintenance
53