PV TRAINING – DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND

MAINTENANCE
Q&A SESSION 2

September – October 2010

http://www.leonardo-energy.org/node/5948
iperez: Do you install de panels Usually, it is used the same type and
randomly or do you take into the same brand of panel in the
consideration the IV curves of each accomplishment of the different
panel to make the different strings strings. As the percentage of
with similar MPP characteristics? variation of power between modules
usually does not overcome +/-3 %, it
is not necessary to select the panels
at the moment of mounting the
strings. Sometimes nevertheless,
groups of modules are done, based
on the flash list provided by the
manufacturer and depending on the
(little differences of) power . Some
studies have arrived to the
conclusion that this selection does
not guarantee a real increase of
production in the plant
pabloindustrial@hotmail.com: What If the tests of thermography have
do you do when you see a been done by a specialized
thermography with hot points? How company, we will follow the
do you take a decision for change it? recommendations it gives to us. In
case we do the tests by ourselves: a)
if the fault is clear, we will return the
panel to the manufacturer. b) If we
have doubts, we can send the
thermographies to a laboratory in
order they confirm us the
seriousness of the problem
Bouaziz: Do you measure P-V curve It is interesting to get the curve I-V
for some panels before installation as for the whole photovoltaic facility. If
a check before installation? we obtain it every year with similar
atmospheric conditions, we will be
able establish the annual
degradation of the facility.

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 CONCERNING THE CONTRACT: If the
contract with the manufacturer fixes
a price per real supplied Wp, it can
be interesting to select a set of
samples and pay him depending on
the average power of the selected
samples
Silpa Babu: The anchored type of Usually, the supplier of these
structures can be used up to what elements can do the study of the
wind speeds? type of anchorage to use depending
on the wind, as well as other very
relevant conditions to take into
account as the soil resistance and
number of modules for every
anchorage
ashrafhafiz: Is there is any You can need to limit the ratio:
adjustment to be done with solar Power peak/ Nominal Power
panel or regulator in high solar (inverter). If not, you could lose
radiation areas certain energy in certain moments of
the day with higher radiation
padam 2: how can you make sure You can select a few samples and
that every module procured, is good test them, but it is more useful and
enough for installation? practical the voltage measuring in
every string during the facility
commissioning and thus to detect
possible failures
Aviram: what is the recommended It is usual, in countries with medium
generator/inverter ratio? radiation (Southern Europe for
example), the facility design with a
ratio of 1.15 or 1.20. This ratio can
decrease in areas with higher
radiation (1-1.1)
Malik: should the minus termination In this case, it is necessary to follow
(-) be connected to the earth? the indications of the manufacturer
of panels. In a usual way: in a

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 crystalline module facility, the
negative pole is not connected to
earth and in thin film ones (A-Si), it is
Vuyo Mzini: How do these concepts, The approach of civil works, the
especially those related to ground technology of the plant and the
mounted PV plants, differ from those design of the facility differ
related to Concentrated Solar enormously, and it is not easy to do
Thermal Power Plant? I would assume a comparison. The photovoltaic
there to be similarities in terms of plants do not have limitation
Civil works, Environmental effects concerning the minimal size and can
etc be mounted on roofs, the
thermoelectric ones need a minimal
high power and must be mounted in
not urban areas. In addition, water
for their working is needed.
avikul: This is Avi Your exposition is correct, a
<avikul@hotmail.com> from favorable slope can turn out also
Toronto. Why should the site be flat? favorable in order to reduce the
If it is possible to have a south distances between rows of modules,
sloping site (in the northern as in the case that you are referring
hemisphere), will it not allow less
shadowing? Look forward to your
response. Thanks.