The various types of commercially available solar PV modules, including their appearance, maximum efficiencies, manufacturers and possible module designs Module technology Maximum efficiency (manufacturer) Appearance Remarks mono-Si 21.5% (SunPower) homogeneous dark blue framed glass-foil and frameless glass-glass or foil- foil laminates Read more…
Inverters are electrical devices that convert the DC power generated by solar PV modules into AC power. They consist of thyristors or insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), which alternate the polarity of the DC current by means of pulse width modulation (PWM) to create a sinusoidal voltage output to match Read more…
AC cables are needed to connect the inverters’ outputs with the grid or the off-grid electrical system.On the AC side of a solar PV system, standard cables for electrical installations can be used. However, if the inverter is installed outdoors, it is important to use UV-resistant cables. Aluminium cables should Read more…
The intermittent nature and wide fluctuations in the availability of solar irradiation mean that provision has to be made to secure a continuous electricity supply in remote and off-grid areas. Especially for distributed generators and consumers, energy storage can be more cost-effective than grid extension and is indispensable for a Read more…
In general there are two types of meters: the export or sell meter, which measures the electricity fed into the grid, and the import or purchase meter, which measures the electricity drawn from the grid.In the case of net metering, the owner consumes the power generated from the solar PV Read more…
Either reference cells or pyranometers are used for solar irradiation measurements. Under irradiation, reference cells generate specific voltages at specific irradiation levels and temperature. A data logger records the voltages that are calibrated under the reference spectrum at STC according to IEC 60904-1. Referance cell: These encapsulated small solar cells Read more…
Depending on utility metering, the electricity bill shows how much electricity the owner obtains from the grid and how much electricity the solar system delivers to the grid. There is no detailed information about energy production of the solar PV system. To determine the overall energy production and behaviour of Read more…
Power generation, plant performance and, hence, project cash flow do not depend only on the chosen equipment. The main factors discussed in this section are:» system design: loss parameters, DC-to-AC ratio, monitoring and control system» maintenance: response times, scope of work aligned to local conditions, cleaning cycles» demand-driven generation versus Read more…
The basis for safe and reliable operation is proper planning and installation of the solar PV system. The system developer and installer should possess in-depth knowledge of the applicable (IEC) standardsFor roof-mounted PV installations, all safety precautions for working on rooftops have to be taken to provide a safe workplace.Due Read more…
Residential systems could be targets for theft. The solar PV modules themselves are the prime target, followed by copper, for example in the cables. Various theft protection measures are available on the market.A simple measure is to use custom-locking fasteners instead of standard bolts on the mounting rails. Sensor-based alarm Read more…