Application note: Dual Solar Power System (SPS) set-up

Please consider the following when reading this application note:

Power [W] = Voltage [V] x Current [A]

Energy [Ah] = Current [A] x Time [h] or Energy [Ah] = (Power [W] / Voltage [V]) x Time [h]

SPS are sized to provide a certain amount of energy. The required energy is considered when defining the required
generating and storage parts (solar modules and batteries) of the SPS. The power is considered for safety features
like circuit breakers.

The dual system set-up of a SPS has 2 x 100% of the power available (during a limited period of time) and 2 x 50% of
the energy.

A dual system set-up of a SPS increases the reliability of a SPS. In a dual system set-up the SPS consists of two identical
sub systems:

Two solar arrays each with 50% of the total required solar modules for generating the energy
Two battery banks each with 50% of the battery capacity to supply energy to the loads during ‘no-sun
periods’
Two charge controllers, one for each sub-system

Each sub system can supply 100% of the

required power for the load.

The total number of solar modules and battery

capacity provide the required energy and are
divided over the two sub systems. The full
power can be supplied by each sub-system.
Each sub-system has an energy storage for 50%
of the autonomy period. Each sub-system can
therefore power the loads for at least half the
autonomy period under ‘no-sun conditions’.

The load is connected via output diodes.

Each sub system has a monitoring facility, which
will provide a pre-warning low voltage or general alarm signal.

The dual system set-up of a SPS provides the following advantages:

A fault in one of the sub-systems will not (immediately) affect the performance of the complete SPS. Both
sub-systems are/can be isolated from each other. This means that when a fault occurs in one sub-system,
operation of the loads is guaranteed by the other sub-system.

With the dual system set up, one sub-system of the SPS can be shut down for test and maintenance
purposes without interrupting the power for the load.

Components can safely be replaced during live operation of the loads by switching off one sub-system in
which the components have to be replaced. The other sub-system remains operational and supplies the
required power.

Tss4U B.V. Looyenbeemd 3a Tel: +31 40 235 1702 info@tss4u.nl CoC 17156182
The Netherlands 5652 BH Eindhoven Fax: +31 40 235 1881 www.tss4u.nl VAT No: NL8120.42.530.B01