Webinar 1 Ed 9 English

Photovoltaic Systems Training
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
Evaluation of the solar resource
Increasing the plant profitability from the design
Choosing the components
Photovoltaic facilities calculations
Single-line diagram
3
INDEX
Increasing the profitability of the plant from the design
Single-line diagram
4
Solar resource evaluation
 Characteristics of the solar resource: random and variable
 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.
 The usage of Geostationary satellites images are

a tool that can cover this gap
 They are more reliable than the interpolation

of the data from closer meteorological stations
5
Solar resource evaluation:
Solar Radiation maps
 Each day, we can find new

maps, which have less
uncertain measures
 They allow a first approach to

the viability study for a solar
plant location
 They can be considered

enough for small solar facilities Source: NASA
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
INDEX
Single-line diagram
7
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
INDEX
Single-line diagram
9
Inverters: Trends
 The inverter can be considered as the heart of a solar facility

 Its cost, in relation to the complete installation, is between 6% - 9%
 Its performance is already between 95 %-97 %
 It is important to know about their operation principles. We can find 3 options:
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
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
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
Crystalline or Thin-film Panels
Visual identification:
Mono crystalline Poli crystalline Thin film A-Si:H
Source: Atersa
Thin film panel observations:
 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
Crystalline or Thin film modules
CRYSTALLINE PANEL PRICE* TEMPERATURE EFFICIENCY REQUIRED

INFLUENCE SURFACE
Mono crystalline
Poli crystalline
THIN FILM PANEL
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)
* This information can be altered depending on each manufacturer price policy
14
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
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
Concentration Panel
 Concentration technology is still being developed
 Fresnel Lens (and other kinds)

 Refractive optical system
 Concentration up to 500x
 Potential cost savings Source: Everphoton
 Improvement in cell efficiency: from actual 30% towards 40%

 Increasing the concentration: from actual 500x towards 1000x
 Hardest challenges
 Extremely accurate suntracking (Accuracy < 0.1 - 0.2º): High costs

 Optical elements degradation
 Cooling systems are required
17
Protections
The protections to be installed are:
DC side AC side
DC AC AC
DC Miniature Circuit Miniature Circuit
Fuses Differential
Breaker (MCB) Breaker (MCB)
Example: ABB S800PV (Specifications)

S800PV-S High Performance MCB
 Versions: 2P, 3P & 4P
 Current: Up to 80 A
 Voltage: 800 Vdc with 2P & 1200Vcc with 3P & 4P
S800PV-M Switch-Disconnector
 Versions: 2P, 3P & 4P Source: ABB
 Current: Up to 125 A
 Voltage: 800Vcc with 2P & 1200Vcc with 3P & 4P
18
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
Type 150 275 320 385

According to standard IEC – 61643 – 1
Maximum voltage (AC/DC) Uc(L-N/N-PE) 150/200V 275/350V 320/420V 385/500V
Nominal discharge current (8/20) In (L-N/N-PE) 20/20 kA
Maximum discharge current (8/20) Imax(L-N/N-PE) 40/40 kA
Protection Level Up (L-N) < 0.9 kV < 1.5 kV < 1.5 kV < 1.9 kV
Up (N-PE) < 2 kV
Tracking current If (L-N/N-PE) > 100 A RMS
19 Response time tA (L-N/N-PE) < 25 ns / 100 ns
Cables
Cable Requirements for PV facilities
The facility has a lifetime of over 25 years
From solar panel to inverter: weatherproof for outdoor conditions and

suitable for indoor conditions (in houses or industries)
From inverters to meters: direct burial or inside cable ducts
If medium-voltage is required, it might be suitable:

 For underground installation (inside cable ducts)
 For aerial installation
Source: TopCable
20
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
A comparative table can be found in next slides

Source: TopCable
21
* Based in previous slide considerations
Cable FV
CABLE FV
22
Cable RZ
CABLE RZ
23
Earthing System
Typical elements (used in every electrical installation):
 Earth peg: different sizes depending on the required depth

(from 1,5 to 2,5 meters)
 Cable: copper without cover >35mm2.
Depending on the installation:
 Low-power installations: it would be enough to use several

earth pegs connected by a copper cable (without cover)
 High-power installations: a copper cable grid is usually used

(without cover). Depending on the physical measures, earth pegs
can be also used.
24
Transformation stations
Required elements for a Medium-voltage installation:

 Transformer:
 With the same power as the PV inverter output.
 With the following features:
 Mineral oil bath
 Accessible neutral (in low-voltage)
 Natural cooling
 Three-phase voltage reduction: MV - LV
Medium-voltage cells:
 We can find different types, such as:
 Measurement cell
 Automatic switch cell
 They can be remotely controlled
Depending on each connection requirement, the company might

define the devices, and the cost may vary drastically.
25
Metering Device
The meter must be certified in the country where it will be used
Typical specifications to meet are:
 Class 1.0 ( Class B)
 Bidirectional
 Optical & RS 485 outputs
Depending on the installed power the meter can be directly connected

or coil inductors are to be used.
Source: Circutor
The most usual cases are:
 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
Grid connection point
 In order to avoid shadowing, MV cable will be buried underground
 Usual voltage will be between 15 kV – 30 kV (Although it can be a

different one depending on each country)
 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
Grid connection point
The MV cable requires a reinforcement to guarantee that the electrical

distribution is homogeneous.
This reinforcement is done in three layers (triple extrusion):
• Conductor reinforcement
• Insulation
• Insulation reinforcement
The cable requires also an external

cover to provide resistance to:
• Humidity
• Fire
• UV sunlight
Source: Centelsa
• Impact
• Chemicals agents
28
INDEX
Single-line diagram
29
Towards the PR (Performance Ratio)
definition
Electric Energy (Wh) System Losses
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
System Losses evaluation
100% 1. Temperature. (9%) +10ºC 4% received energy
91% 2. Inverter. We can consider about 6%. New inverters can reach 4%
87,4% 3. Cable: AC, DC & other electric devices: < 2%
85,6% 4. Panel tolerance. It shouldn’t be higher than 3%
83% 5. Pollution, dispersion & reflectance.

1. Fixed panel: aprox.3%
2. Suntracking system: 2%.
80,6% In urban areas, it should de increased by 2%
6. Shadowing. They should be below 4%. In case of using suntracking

77,3% systems, a shadowing study might be necessary.
7. Other losses (incidences, etc).

1. Fixed panel: 2%
75,8% 2. Suntracking system: 4%.
31
Keys to optimize the PR
 Choose cool locations, as elevated areas
 Select inverters with high efficiency and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
 Consider extra cable sizing avoiding long traces with voltage drops
 Choose solar panels with tolerances between +/- 2-3%
 Cleaning the modules in long periods without rain
 Balance the separation between panel rows (to avoid shadowing) with the
optimization of the surface area
 Minimize the impact of breakdowns, with a preventive maintenance.
32
Shadowing evaluation
Depending on the type of installation, the shadowing study and the surface optimization,
the project profitability may vary.
The main aspect to study are:

 Azimuthal deviation from the south (North hemisphere) or north (South hemisphere)
 Tilt of the solar panel
 Shadows of extern elements
 Shadows of own elements
FIX - GROUND SUNTRACKING-GROUND FIX - ROOF INTEGRATION
33
Fix - Ground
1. Distance between panel rows
 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
Latitude 29° 37° 39° 41° 43° 45°

34 k 1,600 2,246 2,475 2,747 3,078 3,487
Fix - Ground
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
Fix - Ground
3. Orientation angle
 The most favorable orientation is 0º South (North hemisphere).

 An orientation deviation below 20º (East or West) cause negligible system losses.
 The following graph (which is valid for a 40º latitude) shows how additional losses
may appear depending on the combination of orientation and tilt angle.
36
Suntracking - ground
…Placement optimization
A practical example: Solar Plant in Valdecarabanos (Spain)
37
…Location optimization
Previous tasks:
 Environmental conditions
 Urban conditions
 Topography
 External elements shadowing study (trees, electrical posts, etc)
 Own elements shadowing study: direct & crossed (in suntracking

cases)
 Definition of the distance between suntrackers (or panel rows)
38
…Location optimization. Shadowing study
39
Fix - Roofs
As grid connected solar facilities are considered as an investment, we have to choose

between the following cases:
 To place the solar panels at the optimum tilt and orientation angle.
 To adapt the solar panels to the roof shape OPTIMUM ANGLE & ORIENTATION
We should take into account:

 Impact of angle orientation.
 Impact of tilt angle.
 Impact of shadows
 Comparison between adapted VS optimum
 Roof geometrical limits ROOF ADDAPTED
Remarks: be careful with panels from

the same “row” in different planes
40
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
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
Annual production
Production by kWp (installed)
Hmed  day  PR  finc  days / year  Pinst

Eannual / kWp 
ISTC
(4.7 kW-h/ m2 –day x 0.74 x 1.15 x 365 day x 1 kW) / 1 kW/m2
Hmed-day Average solar radiation per day

PR Performance ratio for the solar installation. Dimensionless
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
ISTC Average irradiance in the horizontal plane
 Expected production for this horizontal radiation, with a PR = 0.74, would be: 1460 kW-h
43
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.
 The configuration of the systems takes into account:

 Maximum input voltage of the inverter
 Maximum input current of the inverter
 Voltage and current at Maximum Power Point
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
System configuration
A configuration example of a designing software for Solar Plants (PVSYS screen shot )
45 Source: PVsyst
Electrical calculation
It is very important to take into account:

 Maximum current in the cables
 Maximum allowed voltage drop.
 If there is a long distance the main factor to determine the cable section will be the
voltage drop.
 If there is a very short distance the current that flows along the cable will determine the
section of the cable
Tramo
Seccion estandar (mm2)

Sección calc. (mm2)
Imax_admisible
∆V max (%)
∆V max (V)
V nom (V)
Conduct.
Inom (A)
Long.
Wp inst (kWp) Seccion (mm2)
100% 70% 30% 100% 70% 30%
ZA01 93 541 72 50 22 133 93 40 35 1,0 5,4 131 92 39 97 150 338
ZA02 97 541 72 50 22 133 93 40 35 1,0 5,4 136 95 41 101 150 338
ZA03 115 541 72 50 22 133 93 40 35 1,0 5,4 162 113 48 120 150 338
ZA04 133 541 38 27 12 71 50 21 35 1,0 5,4 100 70 30 74 95 245

46
Electrical design
In order to do a simplified earthing calculation, we can start with the following formulas
depending on the soil resistivity and the electrode characteristics
Electrode Soil resistivity (Ohm)

Buried plate R = 0,8 ρ/P ρ, soil resistivity (Ohm x m)
Vertical peg R = ρ/L P, Plate perimeter (m)
Buried conductor R = 2 ρ/L L, Peg or conductor length (m)
The average values of the resistivity, depending on the type of soil are:
Type of Soil Soil resistivity (Ohm)

Cultivable and fertile soils, compact and wet soils 50
Cultivable non fertile soil, or other soils 500
Naked rock soils, and dried and permeable soils 3.000
47
Electrical calculations
The cable sizing is based on the following formulas:
• 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
TABLE OF CONDUCTIVITY DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE
Material γ 20 γ 70 γ 90
Copper 56 48 44
Aluminium 35 30 28
Temperature 20 ºC 70 ºC 90ºC
48
Over Voltage
 A lightning may produce a transitory overvoltage of

short duration, with a huge amplitude.
TRANSITORY OVERVOLTAGE
 The overvoltage produced due to network unbalances is

a permanent overvoltage, with a longer duration and a
lower amplitude.
 In order to protect our installation against overvoltage,

electrical dischargers can be connected at the input and
output of each device to be protected. PERMANENT OVERVOLTAGE
There are three different protection levels:

High Middle Low
DEVICE PROTECTION LEVEL
INVERTER
METER
Source: Cirprotect
CC CABINET
49
Transformers connection topology
In installations where more than one Medium Voltage transformer is required, it is

important to define the correct topology for the connection between all the MV
transformers and the main grid (Power line).
The possible connections options are:

STAR
RING
PRODUCTION
LOSSES
CABLE BREAK DOWN
NO PRODUCTION
LOSSES
50
INDEX
Single-Line diagram
51
Single-line diagram
FUSE
DC
MCB
DIFERENTIAL
PROTECTION
AC
MCB
ELECTRICAL COMPANY
DEVICE
52
End of Session 1
Thank you for attending
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/training-pv-systems-design-
construction-operation-and-maintenance
53

Webinar 1 Ed 9 English

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Webinar 1 Ed 9 English

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Photovoltaic Systems Training

Javier Relancio & Luis Recuero

September 14th 2010

Javier Relancio. Generalia Group. 14/09/2010

Evaluation of the solar resource

Increasing the plant profitability from the design

Choosing the components

Photovoltaic facilities calculations

Evaluation of the solar resource

Increasing the profitability of the plant from the design

Choosing the components

Photovoltaic facilities calculations

 Characteristics of the solar resource: random and variable

 The usage of Geostationary satellites images are

 They are more reliable than the interpolation

 Each day, we can find new

 They allow a first approach to

 They can be considered

Evaluation of the solar resource

Increasing the plant profitability from the design

Choosing the components

Photovoltaic facilities calculations

Resource evaluation System losses (PR)

Evaluation of the solar resource

Increasing the plant profitability from the design

Choosing the components

Photovoltaic facilities calculations

 The inverter can be considered as the heart of a solar facility

The inverter main features are:

Other important parameters are:

Mono crystalline Poli crystalline Thin film A-Si:H

Thin film panel observations:

CRYSTALLINE PANEL PRICE* TEMPERATURE EFFICIENCY REQUIRED

THIN FILM PANEL

CdTe (Cadmium telluride)

A-Si:H triple (Amorphous silicon

* This information can be altered depending on each manufacturer price policy

The most important electrical spec is the panel efficiency

The losses due to temperature affect the production

Among panels with the same technology: the

 Concentration technology is still being developed

 Fresnel Lens (and other kinds)

 Potential cost savings Source: Everphoton

 Improvement in cell efficiency: from actual 30% towards 40%

 Extremely accurate suntracking (Accuracy < 0.1 - 0.2º): High costs

The protections to be installed are:

Example: ABB S800PV (Specifications)

To protect the installation against overvoltage we must

Type 150 275 320 385

Cable Requirements for PV facilities

The facility has a lifetime of over 25 years

From solar panel to inverter: weatherproof for outdoor conditions and

From inverters to meters: direct burial or inside cable ducts

If medium-voltage is required, it might be suitable:

A comparative table can be found in next slides

Typical elements (used in every electrical installation):

 Earth peg: different sizes depending on the required depth

Depending on the installation:

 Low-power installations: it would be enough to use several

 High-power installations: a copper cable grid is usually used

Required elements for a Medium-voltage installation:

Depending on each connection requirement, the company might

The meter must be certified in the country where it will be used