Generalised Technical Specifications for Grid Tie Solar Power plants

The Grid tie Solar Power Plants without battery may be installed for any office
buildings. As the office buildings have day time energy consumption, Solar System
without battery is suggested, as the battery is the weak link in the system and
requires regular maintenance as well as replacement in every 2-3 years. Also the
efficiency of the battery based system is less due to loss in the battery (around 15%).

The shadow free area required for installation of solar plant is appx 150 sq.feet
(14 Sq.m) per KW. The Solar panels may be installed on the roof of the building.
Sufficient area shall be available for servicing the system. The minimum clearance
required from the parapet wall & in between row of panels is min 2 feet for cleaning
the panels & servicing. In between the row of solar panels sufficient gap need to be
provided to avoid falling of shadow of previous row on the next row.

The Inverter /Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) shall be placed indoor in a safe and
easily accessible place.

The bench mark cost fixed by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for
Solar Power Plants without battery is as below:

Upto 5 kWp Rs.160/Wp

> 5 kWp to 100 kWp Rs.140/Wp

MNRE provides 30% of the benchmark cost (or) 30% of actual cost whichever is less
as capital subsidy for a maximum capacity of 100KWp per system.

The details on how to decide the capacity of the solar system required for a
particular building is enclosed as Annexure -I

The detailed Technical Specifications, Standards & suggested Tender Eligibility

Criteria are enclosed as Annexure IIA, IIB & IIC respectively.
 ANNEXURE I

Grid tie Solar Power Plant consists of following main components:

1. Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) Array

2. Power Conditioning Unit (PCU)

The SPV array & PCU may be sized as below:

1. Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) Array

The Capacity of the Solar Power Plant (Wp) ie., Wattage of the SPV array,
required for a particular building, may be calculated in following 3 steps. The
minimum of the 3 values may be taken as the capacity of plant.

Step I:

Capacity of Solar Plant (Wp) = 50% of the connected load of the building

For example:

Sl. Connected Wattage of Number of Total Connected

No Loads each load (W) Load Load (W)
(4 * 5)
1 2 3 4 5
1. Tube Lights 40 10 400
2. CFLs 18 5 90
3. Fans 70 5 350
4. Computers 150 2 300
5. Printer 700 1 700
6. Air Conditioner 2250 1 2250
(1.5 ton split AC)
Total Connected Load 4090

50% of the Connected Load = 4090/2 =2045 W (Value I)

Hence recommended capacity of Solar Plant in the building with total

connected load of 4090 W is 2 KWp.

Step II:

Capacity of Solar Plant (Wp) may be such that it generates 25% of the energy
requirement of connected loads in the building in a day.

For example

Sl. Connected Wattage of Number Total Connected Hours of Energy Required

No Loads each load of Load Load (W) operation (Kwhr)*
(W) (4 * 5) in a day (5*6) /1000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1. Tube Lights 40 10 400 10 4.0
2. CFLs 18 5 90 10 0.9
3. Fans 70 5 350 10 3.5
4. Computers 150 2 300 8 2.4
5. Printer 700 1 700 2 1.4
6. Air Conditioner 2250 1 2250 10 22.5
(1.5 ton split AC)
Total Energy Consumption in a day 34.7
 25% of 35 Units = 8.75 Units

1 KWp Solar Plant generates approximately 4 -4.5 units a day. Hence 2 KWp
(Value II) plant may be installed.

Step III:

Capacity of Solar Plant (Wp) may be such that, the maximum energy generated
by the plant in an hour is 50% of the energy consumption of the building in an hour.
Energy consumption during 10 am to 3 pm (good sunshine period) may be taken for
this calculation.

For example the energy consumption may be calculated as below:

1 2 3 4 5
Date Energy meter Energy meter Difference Average consumption
Reading @ 10.00 Hrs Reading @ 15.00 (3-2) in an hour in Units
Hrs (4/(15 Hrs- 10 Hrs))
10.03.13 7456 7466 10 10/5 = 2

50% of the energy consumption in an hour = 2/2 = 1 unit

Hence 1 KWp (Value III) solar plant which generates maximum 1 Unit in an hour
may be installed.

The minimum among the 3 values is 1 KW. Hence 1 KW SPV array may be selected.

2. Power Conditioning Unit (PCU)

The PCU / Inverter capacity, mentioned in KVA, shall be equal to SPV array
capacity. Eg., 1 KWp PV array shall have PCU of 1 KVA capacity & 5 KWp PV
array shall have PCU of 5 KVA capacity.
 ANNEXURE-IIA

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION FOR GRID TIE SPV POWER PLANTS

Solar PV Array (KWp) To be filled based on

the capacity of plant

Power Conditioning Unit (KVA) ---- do-----

DEFINITION

A Grid Tie Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) power plant consists of SPV array,
Module Mounting Structure, Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) consisting
Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT), Inverter, Controls & Protections,
interconnect cables and switches. PV Array is mounted on a suitable
structure. Grid tie SPV system is without battery and should be designed with
necessary features to supplement the grid power during day time.

Components and parts used in the SPV power plants including the PV
modules, metallic structures, cables, junction box, switches, PCUs etc.,
should conform to the BIS or IEC or international specifications, wherever
such specifications are available and applicable.

I. Technical Specifications of Major Components of Solar PV Power Plant

1. Solar PV modules and array

2. Module mounting structure
3. Junction Boxes
4. Power Conditioning Unit
5. DC & AC Switches
6. Cables and installation accessories
7. Earthing and lightning protection

1. SOLAR PV MODULES AND ARRAY

(i) Only indigenous modules shall be used in the project. Solar module
shall be Crystalline (Mono/Poly) (or) Thin Film (or) Concentrator PV
modules type. The peak power output of the PV Module shall be min
100Wp under STC. Module Voc shall be minimum 21V. The total array
capacity shall not be less than _______ KWp (to be filled based on the
 capacity of the plant) and this shall be operating at the DC voltage of

____V (to be selected based on capacity of the plant). The power output
of the PV module must be reported under standard test conditions
(STC). I_V curve of the sample module should be submitted.

(ii) The mechanical structure shall withstand gusts of wind / cyclonic wind
up to 150km/hr from back side of the panel.

(iii) The offered modules must conform to the latest edition of any of the

following IEC/ equivalent BIS Standards for PV module design

qualification and type approval:
Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial PV Modules : IEC 61215/IS14286
Thin Film Terrestrial PV Modules : IEC 61646/ Equivalent IS
(Under Dev.)
Concentrator PV Modules & Assemblies : IEC 62108

(iv) In addition, the modules must conform to IEC 61730 1- requirements

for construction & Part 2 – requirements for testing, for safety
qualification or Equivalent IS ( Under Dev.)

(v) PV modules must also qualify Salt Mist Corrosion Testing as per IEC
61701/IS61701.

(vi) SPV modules shall be certified by NABL/IECQ accredited test centre.

The bidder shall submit appropriate certificates.

(vii) Protective devices against surges at the PV module shall be provided.

Low voltage drop bypass diodes shall be provided.

(viii) Module Junction box (weather proof), where the module terminals shall
be interconnected and output taken, shall be designed for long life out
door operation in harsh environment as per the relevant BIS
specifications and protected against surges. It should have a provision
for “Opening” for replacing the cable, if required.

(ix) PV modules used in solar power plants must be warranted for output
wattage, which should not be less than 90% at the end of 10 years and
80% at the end of 25 years.
 (x) Each PV module must use a RF identification tag (RFID), which must
contain the following information:
a. Name of the manufacturer of PV Module
b. Name of the manufacturer of Solar cells
c. Unique Serial Number & Model No. of the module
d. Month and year of the manufacture (separately for Solar cells and
module)
e. Country of origin ( separately for solar cells and module)
f. I-V curve for the module
g. Peak Wattage of the module ,Im, Vm and FF for the module
h. Date and year of obtaining IEC PV module qualification certificate
i. Name of the test lab issuing IEC certificate
j. Other relevant information on traceability of solar cells and
module as per ISO 9000 series
RFID shall be mandatorily placed inside the module laminate.

A distinctive serial number starting with NSM will be engraved on the frame of
the module or screen printed on the tedlar sheet of the module.

1.1 ORIENTATION AND TILT OF PV MODULES

Modules shall be North –South oriented at the Tilt Angle of 11o -13o

2. MOUNTING STRUCTURES
The PV modules will be mounted on fixed metallic structures of adequate
strength and appropriate design, which can withstand load of modules and
high wind velocities up to 150 km per hour. The support structure used in the
power plants will be hot dip Galvanized Iron (G.I).

The “Mounting Structure” should have the following features:

• The modules support structure shall be Mild Steel /hot dipped

Galvanized (atleast 120 micron) Iron for holding the PV modules. The
size of angle iron should not be less than 50x50x5 mm.

• Each panel frame structure shall be so fabricated as to be grouted on roof

on its legs. The legs of the structure shall be fixed and grouted in the
PCC foundation column made with 1:2:4 cement concrete. The
 foundation shall support SPV modules at a given orientation, absorb
and transfer the mechanical loads to the ground properly and shall
withstand maximum wind speed of 150 km/hr.
• All nuts and bolts should be made of good quality Stainless Steel.

• The structure should be designed to allow easy replacement of any

module.

• The array structure shall be so designed that it will occupy minimum

space without sacrificing the output from the SPV panels.

• The minimum clearance of the lowest part of the module structure and
the developed ground level shall not be less than 500 mm.

• The minimum clearance required from the parapet wall of the roof & in
between row of panels is min 2 feet for cleaning the panels & servicing.

• The bidder shall specify installation details of the PV modules and the
support structures with appropriate diagrams and drawings. The work
shall be carried out as per the designs approved by the procuring entity.

4. JUNCTION BOXES

The junction boxes shall be dust proof, vermin and waterproof and made
of FRP / Thermo Plastic. The terminals shall be connected to copper bus
bar arrangement of proper sizes. The junction boxes shall have suitable
cable entry points fitted with cable glands of appropriate sizes for both
incoming and outgoing cables. Suitable markings shall be provided on the
bus bar for easy identification and cable ferrules shall be fitted at the
cable termination points for identification. Each main junction box shall
be fitted with appropriate rating blocking diode. The junction boxes shall
be of reputed make.

4. POWER CONDITIONING UNIT (PCU)

As SPV array produce direct current electricity, it is necessary to
convert this direct current into alternating current and adjust the voltage
levels to match the grid voltage. Conversion shall be achieved using an
electronic Inverter and the associated control and protection devices. All
these components of the system are termed the “Power Conditioning Unit

(PCU)”. In addition, the PCU shall also house MPPT (Maximum Power
Point Tracker), an interface between Solar PV array & the Inverter, to
 maximize Solar PV array energy input into the System. PCU including

MPPT & protection conform to IEC 61683/IS 61683, IEC 60068-

2(1,2,14,30)/Equivalent BIS Std.,

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

To be filled up based on the capacity of PV

Nominal DC Array plant
1) Input Voltage
DC Voltage of the PV array shall be suitable for
the MPPT range of PCU

DC Array Input -20% to +15% of the DC Array input voltage in

2) Operating Voltage Sl.No. 1 above

Type of Solar Charge

MPPT Based Solar Charge Controller
3) Controller

4)
Switching device MOSFET/IGBT based

Continuous inverter Equal to capacity of PV plant. To be mentioned

5) Output Rating in KVA

Output Wave Form Pure Sine Wave Output

6)

Total Harmonic
< 3% with resistive load
7) Distortion

230+ 3 % in case of 1phase PCU

Output Voltage
8)
400+ 3 % in case of 3 phase PCU

9)
Output Frequency 50 Hz. ± 0.5 Hz.
10) Power Factor > 0.9

11) PCU efficiency > 90% at nominal voltage & power

12) Idle Current < 4% of rated capacity

13) Regulation Line regulation & Load regulation – 2 %

14) Overload Features 150% for 1 minute

15) Cooling Forced Air cooling, with temperature controlled

cooling fan

Operating
16) temperature 0 – 50 0C
17) Relative Humidity 95% Maximum

18) LED/LCD Display : Display shall indicate system functional

parameters and protection functional indicator
Indications

Data monitor and

RS485, Ethernet OR RS232 connectivity
19) display controls

20) Protections

1) Input over voltage 2)Low/high frequency

4) Under/over output
3) Short circuit
voltage

6)Grid Input under

5) Over Temperature voltage / over voltage with
auto recovery

7) DC disconnect 8)DC reverse polarity

device

9) Anti Islanding Protection as per the

standard

21) Enclosure Protection IP 21(for indoor) as per IEC 529

22) Safety 1. IEC 62103

2. IEC 62109 Part 1 & 2
3. Galvanic Isolation at input & output through
transformer
5. DC & AC Switches

a. DC SIDE

(i) MCB of suitable rating shall be provided for connection and

disconnection of array & PCU for maintenance purpose.
(ii) Switches and Circuit Breakers on DC side shall be DC rated or
they shall be sufficiently de-rated, if AC rated switches are used.
b. AC SIDE
MCB of suitable rating shall be provided for connection and
disconnection of PCU & load
6. Cables and accessories
All the cables shall be supplied conforming to IEC 60227/IS 694 & IEC

60502/IS 1554 shall be of 1.1 kV grade as per requirement. Only PVC

copper cables shall be used. The size of the cables between array
interconnections, array to junction boxes, junction box to PCU, PCU to
 AC Distribution Box etc shall be so selected to keep the voltage drop
and losses to the minimum. Permissible Wire Drop on DC side shall be
<= 1%

The bidder shall supply installation accessories, which are required to

install and successfully commission the power plant.

7. Earthing and Lightning Protection:

Earthing : The array structure of the PV yard shall be grounded properly
using adequate number of earthing kits. All metal casing or shielding of
the power plants shall be thoroughly grounded to ensure safety of the
solar power plants.

Lightning: The SPV power plants shall be provided with lightning &over
voltage protection. The main aim in this protection shall be to reduce the
over voltage to a tolerable value before it reaches the PV or other sub
system components. The source of over voltage can be lightning,
atmosphere disturbances etc

8. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL

An Operation and Maintenance Manual, in English and Tamil, should be
provided with the solar PV power plants.

The following minimum details must be provided in the Manual:

(a) About Photo Voltaic & PV Module

(b) Clear instructions about mounting of PV module.
(c) About electronics used in
(d) DO's and DONT's,
(e) Clear instructions on regular maintenance and Trouble Shooting of
the power plants.

(f) Name & address of the person or Centre to be contacted in case of

failure or complaint.
 ANNEXURE-IIC

TENDER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The suggested Tender Eligibility Criteria are as follows:

S.No Minimum Eligibility Criteria Proof to be submitted for fulfilling

the Eligibility Criteria

1. a) Bidder shall be a Registered Company/ Certificate of Incorporation or

Firm in existence for at least past One Registration shall be submitted.
audited year.
b) Consortium not exceeding three i. Certificate of Incorporation or
partners. Each partner of the Consortium Registration of all the partners
shall be a Registered Company / Firm in shall be submitted.

existence for at least past one audited ii. Copy of consortium agreement
year. shall be submitted (OR) A letter of
intent to execute a consortium
agreement in the event of a
successful bid shall be signed by
all the partners and submitted
with the bid along with the copy of
proposed Consortium Agreement .

ii. In case of Consortium, all partners

of the consortium shall be liable
jointly and severally for the
execution of the contract in
accordance to the contract terms
and a statement to this effect shall
be included in the letter of intent.
2. The Bidder shall use only SPV modules Necessary Self undertaking letter shall
manufactured in India be submitted

3. Bidder should have experience in Copy of Work Orders and

installation of SPV power plants of 1 KW performance certificate for satisfactory
& above and shall have installed at least function of power plants obtained
10% of the quantity tendered (Power from the agency issuing work order
plants installed minimum 6 months prior
to the date of bid submission will only be
considered ) & these systems should be
working satisfactorily.

4. PV Modules & PCU of the SPV system Copy of test certificates along with
shall conform to the MNRE standards as reports shall be submitted.
per clause ___
5. Bidder should not be blacklisted by any Necessary Undertaking letter should
of the State or Central Government or be furnished.
organizations of the State or Central
Government as on date of submission of
tender

6. Annual Turnover of the bidder shall be as A summarized sheet of turnover

per the following. In case of consortium, certified by registered CA should be
each consortium partner shall have 50%
furnished
of the average annual turnover as per
criteria (2) or (3) & Prime bidder shall
satisfy the criteria (1) :

CRITERIA Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender

<Rs.50 Rs.50L Rs.2- Rs.10- >Rs.25

L -2Cr. 10Cr. 25Cr. Cr

Turnover in PV Field in the last financial year - Min. Min. Min. Min.
(OR in the current financial year) Rs.25 Rs.1 Rs.5 Rs.10
L Cr. Cr. Cr.

Average annual Turnover in the last two - Min. Min. - -

financial years Rs.50 Rs.2
L Cr.

Average annual Turnover in the last three -- - - Min. Min.

financial Rs.10 Rs.25
Cr Cr.
years
 ANNEXURE- IIB
MINIMAL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS / STANDARDS

1. PV MODULES:

1.1 The PV modules must conform to the latest edition of any of

the following IEC/equivalent BIS Standards for PV module design
qualification and type approval:

Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial PV Modules IEC 61215 / IS14286

Thin Film Terrestrial PV Modules IEC 61646 / Equivalent IS
(Under Dev.)

Concentrator PV Modules & Assemblies IEC 62108

1.2 In addition, the modules must conform to IEC 61730 Part 1-requirements
for construction & Part 2 - requirements for testing, for safety
qualification or Equivalent IS (Under Dev.)

1.3 PV modules to be used in a highly corrosive atmosphere (coastal

areas,etc.) must qualify Salt Mist Corrosion Testing as per IEC 61701 /
IS 61701.

1.4 IDENTIFICATION AND TRACEABILITY

Each PV module must use a RF identification tag (RFID), which must

contain the following information:

(i) Name of the manufacturer of PV Module

(ii) Name of the Manufacturer of Solar cells
(iii) Month and year of the manufacture (separately for solar cells and
module)
(iv) Country of origin (separately for solar cells and module) (v)I-V curve
for the module
(v) Peak Wattage, Im, Vm and FF for the module
(vi) Unique Serial No and Model No of the module
(vii) Date and year of obtaining IEC PV module qualification
certificate
(viii)Name of the test lab issuing IEC certificate
(ix) Other relevant information on traceability of solar cells and module
as per ISO 9000 series.

RFID shall be mandatorily placed inside the module laminate

 1.5 AUTHORIZED TESTING LABORATORIES/ CENTERS

PV modules must qualify (enclose test reports/ certificate from IEC/NABL

accredited laboratory) as per r e l e v a n t IEC standard. Additionally the
performance of PV modules at STC conditions must be tested and approved by
one of the IEC / NABL Accredited Testing Laboratories including Solar Energy
Centre. For small capacity P V modules upto 50Wp capacity S T C perform a n c e
as above will be sufficient. However, qualification certificate from IEC/NABL
accredited laboratory as per relevant standard for any of the higher wattage regular
module should be accompanied with the STC report/ certificate.

1.5.1 Details of Test Labs are given in Annexure I.

1.6 WARRANTY

PV modules used in solar power plants/ systems must be warranted for their output
peak watt capacity, which should not be less than 90% at the end of 10 years and 80%
at the end of 25 years.

2. BALANCE OF SYSTEM (BOS) ITEMS/ COMPONENTS:

2.1The BOS items / components of the SPV power plants/ systems deployed under
the Mission must conform to the latest edition of IEC/ E quivalent BIS
Standards/ MNRE specifications / as specified below:

BOS Item / System Applicable BIS /Equivalent IEC

Standard
Standard Description Standard Number

Power IEC 61683 / IS 61683

Conditioners/ Efficiency Measurements
Inverters**including IEC 60068-2 (1, 2, 14, 30) /
Environmental Testing Equivalent BIS Std.
MPPT and
Protections

Storage Batteries General Requirements & Methods

of Testing Tubular Lead Acid /
VRLA / GEL

Capacity Test

Charge/Discharge Efficiency As per relevant BIS Std.

Self-Discharge
Cables General Test and Measuring IEC 60227 / IS 694
Method PVC insulated cables
for working voltage up to and IEC 60502 / IS 1554 (Pt. I & II)
including 1100 V and UV
resistant for outdoor installation

Switches/Circuit General Requirements IEC 60947 part I,II, III /

Breakers Connectors –safety
/Connectors IS 60947 Part I,II,III
A.C. /D.C. EN 50521

Junction Boxes General Requirements IP 54(for outdoor)/ IP 21(for

/Enclosures indoor) as per IEC 529
for Inverters/Charge
Controllers/Luminaries

**In case if the Charge controller is in-built in the inverter, no separate IEC 62093 test is required and
must additionally conform to the relevant national/international Electrical Safety Standards wherever
applicable

2.2 AUTHORIZED TESTING LABORATORIES/ CENTERS

Test certificates / reports for the BoS items/ components can be from any of the
NABL/ IEC Accredited Testing Laboratories or MNRE approved test centers.

2.3 WARRANTY
The mechanical structures, electrical works including
power conditioners/inverters/charge controllers/ maximum power point
tracker units/distribution boards/digital meters/ switchgear/ storage batteries,
etc. and overall workmanship of the SPV power plants/ systems must be
warranted against any manufacturing/ design/ installation defects for a minimum
period of 5 years.
 Accredited Test centers for MNRE Off-Grid Programme
Lighting Systems Inverter
Charge Controller
>100 W
Lab/
Organizat PV Module as per Battery
MNRE Environment
ion Efficiency Environmental protections Environmental
Specificatio al
ns
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes (Including
(IEC61215up MNRE Yes (upto Yes (Including IP) Yes
(Including IP) IP) MNRE
SEC to100WP) Accredited MNRE MNRE 10KVA) MNRE Accredited MNRE Accredited
NABL Accredited MNRE Accredited
Accredited
Accredited Accredited
STC Test Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes NABL/ Yes NABL/
ERTL Facility NABL/ NABL/ Yes NABL/ NABL/
MNRE MNRE
(east) MNRE MNRE MNRE Up to 1000AH MNRE MNRE
Accredited Accredited
Accredited Accredited Accredited Accredited Accredited
Yes Yes NABL/
Yes
(IEC61215)u MNRE
(up to
nder ICEEE- Accredited Yes Yes
3KVA) Yes NABL/ Yes NABL/
ETDC CB, NABL/ Yes NABL/
MNRE MNRE
(B) IEC 61701 MNRE Up to 100 AH MNRE
NABL/ Accredited Accredited
(upto100WP) Accredited MNRE Accredited
NABL
Accredited
Accredited
Yes Yes
NABL/ (up to
Yes Yes
MNRE 10KVA) Yes NABL/ Yes NABL/
CPRI NABL/ Yes NABL/
No Accredited MNRE MNRE
(B) MNRE Up to 500 AH MNRE
NABL/ Accredited Accredited
Accredited Accredited
MNRE
Accredited
Only Yes Yes
Yes NABL Yes NABL Yes NABL
Electronics (up to (up to
ERTL (N) No Accredited No Accredited Accredited
& luminaire 5KVA) 5KW)
NABL
 Accredited NABL NABL
Accredited Accredited
Yes
(IEC61215 Yes Yes
Yes
IEC 61730 (up to (up to
(except Yes NABL Yes NABL Yes NABL
Pt.II and IEC 6KVA) 6KW)
UL (B) battery) Accredited No Accredited Accredited
61701)
NABL
upto400WP Accredited NABL NABL
NABL Accredited Accredited
Accredited
Yes Yes
Yes
(IEC61215 & (up to
Yes NABL Yes NABL (up to Yes NABL
TUV 61730 Pt-II) 10KVA)
NO Accredited No Accredited 10KW) Accredited
Rhineland upto400WP NABL
NABL NABL
Accredited
Accredited Accredited
Yes Yes
Only
(up to (up to
Electronics Yes NABL Yes NABL Yes NABL
5KVA) 5KW)
Inter Tek No & luminaire Accredited No Accredited Accredited
NABL
NABL NABL
Accredited
Accredited Accredited

*Beyond 10KVA self certification by the manufactures is acceptable.

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