Comparison and selection of off-grid PV systems

Andrey Yu. Izmailov, Yakov P. Lobachevsky, and Olga V. Shepovalova

Citation: AIP Conference Proceedings 1968, 030001 (2018); doi: 10.1063/1.5039188

View online: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5039188
View Table of Contents: http://aip.scitation.org/toc/apc/1968/1
Published by the American Institute of Physics
 Comparison and Selection of Off-Grid PV Systems
Andrey Yu. Izmailov, Yakov P. Lobachevsky, Olga V. Shepovalovaа)

«Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM» (FSAC VIM)

1-st Institutskiy proezd, 5, Moscow, 109428
a)
Corresponding author: shepovalovaolga@mail.ru

Abstract. This work deals with comparison, evaluation and selection of PV systems of the same type based on their
technical parameters either indicated in their technical specifications or calculated ones. Stand-alone and grid backed up
photoelectric systems have been considered. General requirements for photoelectric system selection and evaluation have
been presented that ensure system operability and required efficiency in operation conditions. Generic principles and
definition of photoelectric systems characteristics have been considered. The described method is mainly targeted at PV
engineering personnel and private customers purchasing PV systems. It can be also applied in the course of project
contests, tenders, etc.

INTRODUCTION
In spite of intensive growth of the amount of installed PV systems and mass production of PV modules and
system components, photoelectric systems are still mostly designed as individual projects. Significant part of PV
system solutions and engineering approaches is custom developed by each particular manufacturer and even for each
particular installation [1, 2].
Unlike other engineering equipment, PV systems essentially depend on specific operational conditions which
make them in some sense much more individual. However, the application of generic solutions and methods for
system implementation is still possible. This approach taking into account all PV system’s specific features makes it
possible to reduce the cost of the PV system, to ensure its efficiency and provide wider system applicability.
In this article, a general method for comparison and selection of PV systems designed to meet the customer’s
power demand and not intended to supply electricity to utilities has been described.

GENERAL APPROACH
Photoelectric system comprises two main parts (see Fig. 1), namely: photoelectric battery (PV array) and
application circuit. Application circuit includes all the components of photoelectric system from the PV array output
to the system output. It comprises of application equipment (loads) supplied with electric power generated by PV
array along, in general, devices for energy conversion and storage. Depending on specific features of system design,
it is controlled either with the help of devices belonging to the application circuit or with the use of control module
that makes a separate part of photoelectric system (not shown in Fig. 1).
Two options of system output parameter can be considered for definition of system daily performance while PV
system comparing and selecting depending on whether PV system includes any particular power application
equipment supplied by manufacturer along with the system or such equipment is only specified in its types and
parameters in system technical documentation:
1) parameters of electric power supplied to application equipment (AE), first of all, input power (see. Fig. 1, Рin AE);
2) output parameters of application equipment.

Technologies and Materials for Renewable Energy, Environment and Sustainability

AIP Conf. Proc. 1968, 030001-1–030001-7; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5039188
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1675-8/$30.00

030001-1
 Primary resource Secondary resource
(solar energy) (а)

Application circuit
Photoelectric array

SP1, SP2, p1, …, pn

PPV array Pin CE

Primary resource Secondary resource

(solar energy) (b)

Application circuit
Photoelectric array
AE

SP1, SP2, p1, …, pn

P array
Primary resource
(solar energy)

(c)
Application circuit
Photoelectric array
AE

P array Pin AE

FIGURE 1. General diagram of photoelectric systems (a); diagram of photoelectric system for option 1 (b) and option 2 (c)

Correspondently, the two options of system daily performance description have to be considered:
1) amount of electric energy supplied to application equipment,
2) performance of application equipment during specified time period (usually 24 hours). It is the volume of
resource supplied to a consumer with the help of PV system (for example, water) or volume of produced product.
For the option 2 the system output parameters are assumed to be described by the relationship between two
significant output parameters (SP1, SP2), and dependency of either the first parameter or both significant parameters
on the capacity generated by PV array (Рarray) and irradiance. The first significant output parameter SP1 is the main
one and it characterizes PV system performance. The dependencies of the other system output parameters (p1, …,
pn) with significant parameters are usually defined from either well-known dependences or are specified in technical
documentation of application equipment. Otherwise, specific constant values of these parameters have to be
provided in technical specifications. In general, the second significant parameter is a parameter that takes into
account the influence of the PV system site conditions where PV system has to be installed on system performance.
With the option 1 the PV system can be characterized by just one significant parameter which is electric power it
can provide in the input application equipment Рin AE.
Solar energy is the primary resource of PV system while the secondary one is any other resource that may be
supplied to application equipment (for example, water in water-pump PV system). Depending on the practical task
to be solved, PV system can either supply this secondary resource as such or in its converted form to a consumer or
to use it to solve tasks to meet consumer needs.

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 The main criterion of PV system selection is the compliance of its performance with customer requirements
within specified period. Today, maximum output performance is often chosen as the only one system selection
criterion, with no regard to system operation conditions. However such approach may lead to a situation when
selected system having relatively high absolute performance may appear insufficiently effective, in specific
operation conditions of particular site. Specificity of PV system is that an adequate selection can be made only on
the basis of profound analysis of system operation conditions.
Basic phases of PV systems comparison and selection process are the following:
– necessary initial data acquisition;
– check of complete set and compliance of each system component with the requirements while comparing and
selecting prefabricated systems;
– definition of systems characteristics for specified operation conditions;
– check of systems for compliance with the performance requirement and selection of the most relevant option.
The requirement of completeness and validity of initial data is essentially important wile comparing and
selecting power equipment both for tenders held by customers and for PV system implementation projects. Initial
data for any PV system shall include complete information on operation conditions along with manufacturer
specifications for system components that to the full extent describe all their characteristics that are important for
their installation and operation and that, in the long run, define performance and operation of the entire system.
In the process of PV system selection and evaluation of manufactured systems, for instance, in tenders, by a
customer, etc. information on operation conditions is considered as initial data that have to be specified in, as an
example, tender documentation, along with the data related to the system and its components stipulated in technical
documentation provided with PV system. While implementing a system, extended information connected to all
conditions in which the system is designed to operate are used as initial data, as well as information on possible
system components options provided by their manufacturers. Final data on characteristics and parameters of the
system and its components has to be defined on the basis of information related to operation conditions, calculations
and tests.

DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF PHOTOELECTRIC SYSTEMS FOR SPECIFIED

OPERATION CONDITIONS
In the phase of system implementation process, output parameters and characteristics of PV system have to be
defined for actual operation conditions that are sufficient to evaluate compliance of system performance with the
requirements.
Let us consider the term ‘PV system characteristics’ with the use of nomogram for the case when PV system
operation is evaluated based on output parameters of application equipment (see Fig. 1a). While determining PV
system characteristics that have to be compared and selected based on their power production rate supplied to
application equipment steps 4) and 5) are skipped.
1) Characteristic days within PV system annual operation period have to be chosen with the use of information
on change of daily input of solar radiation and required system daily productivity performance (required daily
consumption volume) along with parameters of characteristic days (irradiance, number of daylight hours, daily solar
radiation input and required daily performance/consumption rate).
Essential, mandatory for analysis, characteristic days are those with the most stringent, of all probable, PV
system operation conditions: minimal solar radiation input and maximal required daily performance. That is:
– the day of maximal required performance, among all days with minimal solar radiation input and maximal
ambient temperature;
– the day of minimal solar radiation input, among all days with maximal required performance and maximal
ambient temperature.
In case that the required daily performance (aggregate daily consumption) is constant within the entire PV
system operation period, only one characteristic day has to be considered as mandatory, particularly the one with
minimal solar radiation input and maximal ambient temperature.
If environment conditions that affect the level of irradiance coming onto PV module operating surfaces (shading,
solar radiation reflection from surfaces covered with snow, etc.) may change within the year minimal solar radiation
input have to be determined with the account of such influence.
While determining the value of required daily performance (aggregate daily consumption) for characteristic days
selection the required reserve of resource/power have to be taken account of provided that it is separately specified

030001-3
in the input data. In certain cases, power consumption distribution during the day may occur essential. In this case,
not only solar radiation input per day has to be taken account of but also irradiance distribution in time, during a day.
Therefore, a day has to be chosen that is characterized by not only minimal solar radiation input and maximal
required daily performance but also by the greatest disagreement between the changes of irradiance and
consumption.
For more correct calculations and evaluation, for example, in the course of project preparation and to consider
additional factors such as, for instance, ambient temperature, shading and atmosphere transparency fluctuations, PV
modules orientation, secondary resource level change in its source, etc. a greater number of characteristic days and
that of parameters that specify each characteristic day may be chosen.
For each characteristic day, the following operations have to be made:
2) Daily dependence of irradiance Gi = f (t) has to be determined, where i is the number of characteristic day
(square 1, in Fig. 2a).
For preliminary evaluation and rough estimates, for example, those made by customers, in tenders, project
applications, etc, the use of standard daily solar profiles in accordance with [3] may appear sufficient. In the process
of project preparation, more informative data on solar radiation input conditions has to be considered in final
estimates, for adequate specification of PV system parameters.
In case that environment conditions on the site where PV system is untended to be installed affect the level of
irradiance coming onto operating surfaces of PV modules during daylight hours daily irradiance dependence on time
has to be corrected with the account of such influence.
3) With the use of the obtained or specified daily irradiance dependence in time and PV array characteristics, PV
array capacity dependence on irradiance Parray = f(Gi) has to be defined for PV array specified temperature value (cell
temperature of the array), see square 2, in Fig. 2a. Either PV array capacity dependence on irradiance for various
temperature values or the family of current-voltage characteristics for various irradiance values and temperature
coefficients are applied. Alternatively, current-voltage characteristics for various temperature values can be used.
For system comparison and selection in tenders, project proposals, etc., PV array characteristics specified in
technical documentation of the system (in PV array specifications) have to be used in different phases of PV system
implementation/ namely, those obtained as a result of PV array tests provided that this documentation is prepared in
the course of PV system design.
PV array capacity value has to be defined as the minimal value among four or five values obtained for various
irradiance values in solar midday G max i (maximal irradiance for a specified characteristic day i), as well as for
values 0, 8 G mi ax ; 0, 6 G max
i
; 0, 4 G max
i
and 0, 2 G max
i
.
Issues of maintaining most effective PV array operation, i. e. in point of maximal output power, are well-
developed, and a wide range of equipment is produced insuring effective PV array operation. Therefore, it is
assumed that any system under comparison operates in the point of maximum output power or rather close to this
point, in any conditions. That is why Parray value coincides with that of Parray max. For systems in which application
equipment is not directly connected to PV array, probable deviations from maximal output power have to be taken
into account related to functioning of power conversion equipment, load control and adjustment devices, energy
storage devices. For systems in which application equipment comprises DC electric motor directly connected to PV
array, current-voltage characteristic of PV array has to be adjusted to DC motor operation modes.
Value of the cell temperature of the array (and that of wind speed, if necessary) for which this dependence was
obtained has to be definitely specified.
4) Dependence of the required daily performance of PV system to be installed on the site conditions (square 3 in
Fig. 2a) shall be studied. Therefore, the site conditions shall be expressed via a parameter similar to the second
significant output system parameter (SP2').
The corresponding characteristic has to be determined with the use of input data (site description and the data on
the secondary resource), otherwise it can be presented in the input data. The influence of all conditions from the
secondary resource to the point where a consumer receives the product of PV system operation has to be taken
account of including losses of secondary resource outside PV system and reduction of secondary resource’s level
within the source.

030001-4
 Analytical expression G,
1 for solar irradiation 2 2
profiles, characteristic
day i Gi
max
Parray
f(Gi)

Parray, SP2'
W
t, h
SP1=f(Parr
)
SP2 k

SP2 1

5 Daily performance
SP1 SP2 SP1' 3
4 1=const

(а)

Analytical expression
for solar irradiation G,
profiles, characteristic 2
2
1 day i
i
G max

i Power
0,8Gmax characteristic
0,6Gmi ax
i
0,4Gmax

Parray, H, m
W
t, h H2
Hydraulic
Vsyst 4 characteristic
including friction
H3 losses

H4
Flowrate
H6 H5
H1
H2
Qsyst n=f(Рarray),
Hsyst n=const,
5 Qsyst n≥ 7 Qw.c, 3
, System m3/h
performance

(b)
FIGURE 2. (а) General layout of nomographic chart to be used for photoelectric system’s output characteristics definition. (b)
Example of nomographic chart for determining output characteristics of standalone photoelectric water pump system

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 5) Dependence of the main significant output parameter of the PV system, that is performance, on PV array
capacity SP1 = f(Parray), for variations of the second significant output parameter SP2 (square 4, in Fig. 2a) has to be
defined. For this purpose, results of the previous steps along with the dependence of the main significant output
parameter of PV system on PV array capacity has to be applied, for one or several constant values of the second
significant output parameter and constant values of other output parameters:
SP1 = f(Parray); SP2 = const;

SP1 = f(Parray); SP2 = const = SP21

or SP1 = f(Parray); SP2 = const = SP22

. . . . .
SP1 = f(Parray); SP2 = const = SP2n; n ≥ 5÷7.
While plotting the diagram, values of the main output parameter have to be defined for, at least, the same four to
i
five irradiance values that were obtained in the process of dependence Parray = f(G i) definition: G max ; 0, 8 G mi ax ;
i
0, 6 G max ; 0, 4 G max
i
and 0, 2 G max
i
.
Either dependences of the main output parameter on PV array capacity specified in system technical
documentation or those obtained as the result of tests performed in different phases of system creation have to be
used.

CHECK OF PHOTOELECTRIC SYSTEM FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT
Generally, selection criterion is compliance of system performance with the required performance (consumption)
in a specified range, within specified time period (typical, 24 hours)
Using the results obtained in the previous phase, change of the main significant output parameter of photoelectric
system during specified characteristic day (square 5, in Fig. 2a) and the value of system daily performance (area
under the graph, in square 5) have to be defined. While plotting this graph, values of the main output parameter have
to be defined for, at least, the same four to five irradiance values that were obtained in the process of dependence
i
Parray = f(Gi) definition: G max ; 0, 8 G mi ax ; 0, 6 G max
i
; 0, 4 G max
i
and 0, 2 G max
i
.
Obtained values have to be compared with the required daily performance, for each characteristic day.
Photoelectric system has to be qualified as one that complies with the consumption requirement if daily
performance of PV system estimated for characteristic days is within the tolerance range of daily performance
values specified for particular type of consumption, for specified operation conditions.
Additional selection criteria may include PV system ability to maintain conformance to the required daily
performance in specified limits regardless to: 1) aging (PV modules degradation), 2) PV modules operating surface
contamination.
The first of these two criteria belongs to ones that are specific for photoelectric systems. It has to be obligatorily
considered because output performance degradation is an immanent feature of all PV modules types. Depending on
PV module manufacturing technology, after a certain operation time period, PV module output parameters reduction
may appear significant, to an extent that photoelectric system fails to provide a required power production rate [4,
5]. Thus only such PV systems can be chosen that maintain ability to comply with the power production
requirements till the end of their stipulated life span or, at least, such systems that need just minor replacement of
(extension by) PV modules quantity, if this option is provided by specifications. Photoelectric system performance
has to be defined based on the data related to power degradation information given in system technical
documentation.
For the second criterion, the upper-limit contamination level has to be considered, for specified operation
conditions and time period. It has to be noted that the effect of contamination may reach a substantial extent. Today,
the requirement is introduced on IEC level that stipulates the need to measure current-voltage characteristics of
contaminated PV array, in accordance with relevant standard [6]. It may be reasonable to consider contamination
level as one of initial requirements and as one of parameters used to describe characteristic days. Depending on
operation conditions, this external factor may significantly affect parameters of characteristic days. Thus, minimal

030001-6
irradiance and/or maximal temperature will correspond to some other day due to this phenomenon. Estimates have
to be made in correlation with scheduled cleaning of PV modules surfaces. On the other hand, corrections may be
introduced in PV modules scheduled cleaning operations based on results of current-voltage characteristics
measurements performed on contaminated system. This will insure clean condition of PV modules in days
corresponding to the minimal irradiance level.
Since characteristic days are chosen for the minimal solar radiation input it has to be also taken in consideration
that daily performance of PV system may exceed the upper limit of permissible range, in other days. It may appear
to be advisable, as an example, to provide for a possibility to use either surplus power generated by PV array or
resource supplied to the system output for other purposes thus correcting the required amount of produced product,
during non-characteristic days, etc.
For PV systems connected to electric grid as a backup power source, selection is defined by the requirement of
relationship between amounts of power supplied from PV array and by the utility. In case that this requirement is not
specified, the system has to be chosen whose power consumption from electric grid is minimal.
Figure 2b shows an example of nomogram designed for selecting standalone water supply photoelectric system
with centrifugal pump [7]. In this case, significant parameters are flow of water Qsyst and hydraulic drop H (or
pressure) in the output of photoelectric system. The main output parameter is flow of water. While selecting a
system daily water volume pumped by the system Vsyst has to be compared with the required water consumption.

CONCLUSIONS
1. Relevant general requirements for comparison and selection of PV system procedure define the validity of
final statements and their conformity to what a customer will receive in real operation conditions. A part of
requirements, for instance those relates to initial data, are of general importance in the process of system
implementation.
2. General requirements for system comparison, evaluation and selection considered in this work, are applied
both to preliminary estimates, comparison and selection of system by customers, in tenders, project applications, etc.
and to all phases of system implementation process. Nevertheless, more detailed analysis of possible operation
conditions, operation specificity of system and its components may be necessary, in the course of designing, options
selection, check of estimates correctness and that of system compliance with the given or required conditions, in
various steps of system implementation.
3. In this article, description for the case of one secondary resource and one task is presented. In case that
multiple secondary resource or various types of application equipment have to be considered, estimates and
selection have to be performed in the same way, for each type of PV system performance or each mode of electric
power supplied to application equipment. In this case, requirements for not only permissible deviation of system
daily productivity from the specified value can be included in selection criterion but also requirements on the
preferences by the distribution of electricity generated by PV array to various tasks and on the ratio of electricity
(resources) going to different tasks..

REFERENCES

1. C. Whitaker, J. Newmiller, M. Ropp and B. Norris Distributed Photovoltaic Systems Design and
Technology Requirements (Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York, 1979).
2. O. V. Shepovalova, Energy Procedia. VoI.74, 1551 – 1560 (2015).
3. IEC 61725 Analytical expression for daily solar profiles
4. P. Hacke et al., “Voltage PotentialInduced Degradation Mechanisms in PV Modules and Methods for Test,” in
Proceedings of the 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC 37), 2011.
5. D. E. Carlson et al., Photovoltaics Res. Appl. 11 [6], 377 (2003).
6. IEC 61829:2015 Photovoltaic (PV) array - On-site measurement of current-voltage characteristics.
7. IEC 62253 Photovoltaic pumping systems – Design qualification and performance measurements.

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