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LARGE PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT DESIGN

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The 7 International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Architecture
LARGE PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT DESIGN
Snidvongs Suravut1*
1
Department of Engineering, Electrical Engineer, Bangkokthonburi University,
16/10 Leab Klong Thawewattana Rd., Thawewattana Bangkok, Thailand, 10170.
* airscan_t@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The recent increase in demand for solar power
systems is due to enhancements in manufacturing
crystalline panels, which reduces overall costs in
manufacturing and increases the efficiency of the
PV panels. Additional reasons for the demand in
solar power are: PV technology is proven and
reliable, PV modules have warranties exceeding
30 years and government incentives.
There are two main requirements for solar
inverter systems: harvest available energy from
the PV panel and inject a sinusoidal current into
the grid in phase with the grid voltage. In order to
harvest the energy out of the PV panel, a
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
algorithm is required. This algorithm determines
the maximum amount of power available from
the PV module at any given time. Interfacing to
the grid requires solar inverter systems to abide
by certain standards given by utility companies.
Photovoltaic type, Field arrangement, voltage
selection, inverter type selection, electrical
protection system, lightening protection system,
and grounding system must be designed
appropriate to get optimum power and profit.
To get appropriate optimum performance Solar
cell and inverter size match to distribution
transformer, transmission line, bus bar, and
protection system is critical. This paper shows
the design of photovoltaic power plant design
with safe ring.
INTRODUCTION
Solar panels use sunlight to produce direct electricity
(DC). To be able to use solar electricity, in both on-grid
and off-grid solar panel installations, we need to convert
direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC); solar
inverters, Cluster or Micro, are used to make this DC-AC
conversion, thus transform solar electricity in a usable
form. They are safer to install, good for solar systems that
encounter shade, and allow for future system expansion.
The solar panels are connected in series and parallel to
form an array, which may be considered as a large PV
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panel, with a nominal rating, say, of about 300-600 VDC,
match to inverter size. Use large inverter, 1 MW, is
expensive, hard to maintenance, not easy for stocking.
Use very small inverter, 300 W, is to complicate, still
expensive, so many wiring, easy to damage with
lightening and grounding.
STRING INVERTER
In a solar panel installation with a conventional,
central inverter, solar panels are connected in
series and parallel to form an array, which may
be considered as a large PV panel, with a
nominal rating, say, of about 300-600 VDC. The
solar panels array is connected to a single central
inverter in order to convert the generated solar
electricity to alternating current (AC). The usual
voltage power 120-180VAC at 60Hz (North
America) whereas 220-240VAC at 50Hz (Europe
and Thailand).
With a central (string) inverter arrangement, solar
panels are connected in a series (string connection)
with a big disadvantage being that the overall
system performance is defined by the performance
of the system’s bottleneck. That is, the maximum
output performance of the string is defined by the
minimum (poorest) performing solar panel depend
on solar panel efficiency. This is a main
disadvantage of solar panel installations may face
several sources of performance reduction. For
example, if a solar panel has a manufacturing defect
reducing its performance level, in string connection
with a central inverter, it will affect negatively the
performance of the whole string, even if the other
solar panels are performing to their maximum
power output. The same applies in situations of
partial shading onto a solar panel, from debris, or
snow, or bird droppings etc., affecting the output of
the whole string connection. That is why solar panel
cleaning is of ultimate importance, especially if
central inverters are used. This is extremely
important since solar panels have dramatically
lower outputs when shaded. Reduced performance
in solar electricity generation results in reduced
earnings for on-grid installations, especially with
FIT’s, leading to longer payback periods and poor
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financial performance of a solar panel investment.
From conducted research it has been found that a
shade of as little as 9% on the solar panel surface in
a module can lead to power reduction of the whole
system as much as 54%.[1]
Another disadvantage of string inverters is that
they normally come at a limited selection of
power ratings; this means that the power rating of
the solar panels has to be matched to the power
rating of the string inverter. For example, an
array of 20 solar panels with a total power of
4900Wp will need an inverter rated at 4900W+,
say 5000W or 5300 W. This leads to system
unutilized inverter capacity that you actually pay
for but you never use. In addition, it places
limitations on the option of expansion of the
solar panel system. For example, in order to add
more panels, one need to consider keeping the
match between the power rating of solar panels
and the central inverter used. Some additional
disadvantages of string inverters include their
increased need for cooling and their need of large
diameter wire to handle the low voltage of DC in
a string connection. Due to larger power ratings,
central inverters have integrated cooling fans
making them more bulky and noisy.
Figure 1, In the traditional photovoltaic string
converter architecture, all of the solar modules in
an array feed energy into a single string inverter.
Source: Renewable Green Energy Power, April
1, 2018.
So why should anyone undergo the
disadvantages of string inverters if there is not
benefit? The main reason for anyone using a
string inverter is leveraged cost. Provided a
system’s power rating is optimized between solar
panels and inverter, string inverters may have the
cost advantage. The other main issue is location
and size of the solar photovoltaic system. When
dealing with large scale photovoltaic power
plants, especially in rural areas with no
surrounding buildings, string inverters are a
preferable solution. In PV power plants, using a
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number of central (string) inverters, in a modular
structure, is preferable than using micro-
inverters.
MICRO INVERTER
Indeed, micro-inverters have brought about a
new concept in solar photovoltaic system design,
with manufacturers claiming an output
performance increase of around 5-20%. This
improved system performance can have
significant financial benefits in solar PV systems.
Since their development, micro inverters have
brought about alternative design solutions on
solar photovoltaic arrays, introducing new
competition to established manufacturers of the
conventional central (string) inverters. A good
example is Enphase micro inverters that have
forced established invert manufacturers, such as
SMA, to introduce their own micro-inverter in
order to maintain their position in the market.
Following the establishment of both micro and
central (string) inverters as alternative solutions
to solar photovoltaic systems, a number of
inverter companies have launched their own
solutions in both products. The answer to the
question of which inverter is best, micro inverter
or central inverter, primarily depends on
parameters which are custom specific to each
case of a solar photovoltaic system.
Unlike central (string) inverters which are used to
connect on an array of many solar panels, micro-
inverters, as their name ‘micro’ suggests, are
designed to connect on to a single or a pair of
solar panels dual micro-inverters. Their power
rating is designed for the output of a single panel,
e.g. 245w, or between 400-500w for duel micro-
inverters.
Micro-inverters’ smaller power rating also results
in smaller size than of central inverters which has
several technical advantages. For example,
micro-inverters are less prone to failure from heat
as they do not have the same need for cooling as,
bigger, central inverters do.
Apart from these technical improvements, the
main advantage of micro-inverters, compared to
central inverters, is that they manage to isolate
each solar panel, or pair of 2 solar panels, from
the whole system without affecting the overall
performance of the photovoltaic system. For
example, in a solar panel installation with 20
solar panels and a total power of 4,900w, if one
of the solar panels is shaded from snow, or bird
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droppings or other debris, the reduction in the
performance of the affected solar panel will not
influence the performance of the other panels,
thus will isolate the ‘damage’ to a single panel.
Considering manufacturing defects in solar
panels and performance factors such as, shading,
temperature issues etc., manufacturers claim that
an array of solar panels with micro-inverters can
produce as much as 5% to 25% more than the
equivalent array with a string inverter, depending
on custom specific circumstances. [2]
Furthermore, Micro-inverters, unlike central
(string) inverters are very flexible offering many
system expansion options without significant
limitations. Because they tend to become an
integrated part of the solar panel itself,
Figure 2, Micro-inverters installation
Source: Renewable Green Energy Power, April 1, 2018.
or of two panels in dual-inverters, they offer the
option of adding as many solar panels with a
micro-inverter to an existing system as one
wants. In addition, extended panels are not
limited to have the same power rating of existing
panels.
Another main advantage of micro-inverters is
their ability to produce grid-matching power at
the level of a single solar panel. Each solar panel
has its own micro-inverter; solar panel arrays are
connected in a parallel connection configuration
and then connected to the power grid. The
parallel structure with micro-inverters, opposed
to string connections with central string-
inverters, has the crucial advantages of isolating
each panel, thus isolating problems of low
performance from the entire system. The sources
for such problems may include shading on
panels, malfunction of the solar panel or the
micro-inverters themselves etc. Considering that
micro-inverters operate at lower power levels
than central (string) inverters, they offer
additional advantages such as lower heat-loads,
improved Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF),
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smaller diameter connection cables which all
conclude to better reliability the overall system.
The main disadvantage of micro-inverters has, up
until recently, been their increased initial cost.
Because a system with micro-inverters requires
one micro-inverter for every panel (or every two
panels in cases of dual-micro-inverters) the
overall cost is marginally higher than that of a
system with central, string-inverters. However,
with the introduction of dual micro-inverters and
technological advancement in manufacturing
integrated micro-inverters in solar panels the cost
difference is continually reducing.
SOLAR FIELD DESIGN
In Thailand with diffuse insolation average of
850 W/m2, hot and humid climate, monsoon area,
and near equator, should use Monocrystalline
solar panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest
efficiency rates since they are made out of the
highest-grade silicon. The efficiency rates of
monocrystalline solar panels are typically 15-
20%. SunPower produces the highest efficiency
solar panels on the U.S. market today. Their E20
series provide panel conversion efficiencies of up
to 20.1%. Update (April, 2013): SunPower has
now released the X-series at a record-breaking
efficiency of 21.5%. [4]
Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are space-
efficient. Since these solar panels yield the
highest power outputs, they also require the least
amount of space compared to any other types.
Monocrystalline solar panels produce up to four
times the amount of electricity as thin-film solar
panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels live the longest.
Most solar panel manufacturers put a 25-year
warranty on their monocrystalline solar panels.
Tend to perform better than similarly rated
polycrystalline solar panels at low-light
conditions.
In solar field you have area larger than any other
building, with low chances of shading on your
solar panels and in an open area with cooling
breezes, the cheaper option of string inverters
was better solution.
Small String inverter 11-22kW with MPPT much
better to use as one inverter can connect from 1
to 3 strings. Solar String inverter had input
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voltage range from 160-1,000VDC and start
voltage 350VDC. Series and parallel connection
for solar panel to get voltage, current, and power
as required input for Solar String inverter.
Figure 3, Solar panels arrangement with string solar
inverter
The composition of the entire system mainly
includes solar nodules, cluster grid Inverter,
lightening protection, AC protection, DC
protection, Combination box, panels support,
concrete footing, cable, cable support, conduits,
outdoor, transformer and monitoring system etc.
Solar Modules install above ground in order to
improve efficiency of panels, power generation
and beautiful effect, installation angle of 20
degree, guarantee the inverter in each period are
in the best MPPT working state, this design uses
the set of string and cluster type Inverter, ensure
that every squo.re loop has the best efficiency of
Inverter. This project corresponding inverter,
photovoltaic phalanx access through the grid
inverter, the 450VDC convert to 230/ 400VAC,
incorporated into the outdoor AC distribution
after access to the 22KV up pressure change,
Meet the requirement of local grid.
Design standard
1. SJ/TU127-1977
2. GB/T184 79-2001
3. GB50217-2007
4. GB/T18802.12-2006
5. GB50052-2009
6. GB50057-2010
7. GB/T19939-2005
8. IEC60364-7-712-2002, IEC60076
IEC60298, IEC60439, IEC60947
The corresponding standards PV components,
Inverter and other technical manuals and samples.
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Scope of Design
Photo Voltaic modules layout, foundation, steel
support, protection system, cables, conduits,
electrical equipment layout, AC/DC principle
diagram, lightening protection, grounding
system, power station, and monitoring system.
The system in detail
This PV power station, 22kV side uses the cable
way hand in hand, concentrated In the #5
interconnected of box type transformer, computer
protection, set #5 box transformer concentration,
telemetry, remote communication, remote
control, remote automation function, telemetry
part should contain the three phase current,
voltage, active power, reactive power,
environmental temperature (multifunction
meter), protection, remote communication,
remote control performed by DTU remote
communication part should contain the breaker
points, closing breaker and isolation, the location,
grounding switch breaker position, main feed line
circuit breaker tripping pressure loss and pressure
switch function.
1. The composition of the entire PV
system mainly Include PV components, cluster
grid Inverter, DC Medium voltage power switch
box, AC Medium voltage power switch box,
22kV/400VAC transformer (oil-immersed),
power cable, cable bridge, conduits, lightening,
grounding and monitoring system.
2. Solar Cell Module using high quality
Mono crystalline 567,000 panels of 300W.
3. Inverter using high efficiency and stable
20kW solar grid tie inverter, a total of 6,750 sets.
4. Outdoor step up distributed transformer
2,500kVA, 22+/-2 x 2.5% /0.4kV, Uk=6%Dyn11.
5. Power cable use 0.6/kV XLPE insulated
cross linked polyolefin sheathed flame-retardant
power cable.
6. PV Modules connecting structure and
body building lighting protection system, all
other equipment chassis has to be reliable
grounding.
The main equipment parameters
1. PV modules, using Mono crystalline, at
the same time with high conversion rate
performance, effectively absorb the solar energy
into electrical energy, power generation capacity
is high. According to the site condition, we adopt
high efficiency power generation performance of
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567,000 panels of 300W Monocrystalline

components, as shown in table 1 below.

Table 1. 300W Monocrystalline Specifications

Model
Pmax 300W
Vmpp 32.2VDC
Impp 9.32A
Ipvc 9.97A
Maximum system voltage 1,000VDC
Dimension (LxWxH mm) 2,000x1,000x40
Voltage temperature factor -0.42%/℃
Notes• Standard test conditions: AM 1.5, Insolation
1,000W/m2, 25℃.
The choice of Inverter
Figure 4, Cluster grid tie inverter GroWatt 20000UE
Choice of GroWatt 20000UE, 20kW, MPPT cluster Source: GroWatt, April 1, 2018.
grid tie inverter as shown in Figure 3. The selected
model has the advantages of high conversion
efficiency, stable and reliable performance, realize the
effective utilization of solar energy sources.
1. Full digital DSP28335 + CLPD control
technology.
2. MPPT control, timely track the maximum
output power of PV panels.
3. Sine wave output, automatic synchronization
grid current harmonic content is small, the grid no
pollution, no impact.
4. Advance disturbance detection technology,
realizing the island protection operation, reduce
disturbance to the grid.
5. Active power adjust function 0 to 100% Figure 5, Remote monitoring system with RS-485
6. Adjustable reactive power, power factor range
-0.8 to 0.8. Table 2. GroWatt 20000UE Specifications
7. RS485 data with computer remote Model 20000UE
monitoring running state. Max PV array power 20,800W
8. High accurate output measurement. Max PV input voltage 1,000VDC
9. Protection function, high reliability, MPPT voltage range 400-800VDC
over voltage protection, short circuit protection, Maximum PV input current 26ADC/string
island protection, overheat protection, over load Output voltage 3x230/400VAC 32A
protection, DC grounding protection, AC Number of MPPT 2
grounding protection, Phalanx insulation Protection grade IP65
Impedance protection and residual current Frequency 50/60 Hz
protection phalanx. Rated power output 20kW
10. Active and reactive power grid PV Efficiency 98%
scheduling. Dimension (LxWxH mm) 570x740x235
11. The flow control function (option). Weight 60kgs
Certificate: PEA, MEA, CE, IEC62109, EN50438
Lighting protection design
Lighting protection system prevent direct lighting
flesh with using component frame as a pick up. a. all stents using equipotential grounding.
Solar panels direct lighting prevention measures b. output, and lighting surge protector on
mainly include two aspects. the cable. (DC part, communication part is

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Bangkok, May 21-22, 2018

equipped with surge protection). In view of the

induction lighting measures are
1. For the DC input line into induction
lighting protection.
2. For the AC output line into induction
lighting protection, installation of over voltage
surge protector, and external grid systems also
have a lighting protection system to protect.
3. All of the Introduction of the
distribution through reliable processing metal
shell to reduce thunder electric wave invasion of
amplitude. Figure 6 SafeRing configuration
SAFE RING Source: ABB SF6 insulated compact switch gear,
SafeRing[3] is a ring main unit for the secondary type SafePlus, and SF6 insulated Ring Main
distribution network. SafeRing can be supplied in Unit, type SafeRing 12/24 kV, April 4, 2018.
15 different configurations suitable for most
switching applications in 12/24 kV distribution SYSTEM SETUP
networks. It is extendable and combined with the A system setup for 135 MW solar cell power
SafePlus concept, which is ABB’s flexible, plant shown in Figure 7.
modular compact switchgear, they represent a
complete solution for 12/24 kV secondary
distribution networks. SafeRing and SafePlus
have identical user interfaces. SafeRing is a
completely sealed system with a stainless-steel
tank containing all live parts and switching
functions. A sealed steel tank with constant
atmospheric conditions ensures a high level of
reliability as well as personnel safety and a
virtually maintenance-free system.
The SafeRing concept offers a choice of either
switch-fuse combination or circuit-breaker with
relay for protection of the transformer. SafeRing
can be supplied with an integrated remote control
and monitoring unit.
SafeRing is designed for use in the following
applications: - Compact secondary substations -
Small industries - Wind power plants - Hotels,
shopping centres, office buildings, business
centres etc. - Light mining applications, airports,
hospitals, tunnels and underground railways
C - Cable switch
De - Direct cable connection with earthing
D - Direct cable connection
F - Switch-fuse-disconnector
V - Vacuum circuit-breaker
Be - Busbar earthing
Sl - Busbar sectionalizer, load break switch
Sv - Busbar sectionalizer, vacuum circuit-breaker Figure7 Box type oil immersed transformer
single line diagram
CB - Circuit-breaker module
M - Metering module

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The system use Mono crystal Solar Cell 300W in
series to get 450VDC and parallel in 3 sets to get
20kW with Cluster inverter GROwatt 20000UE to
make small cluster 1 MW system, connect as
network with SafeRing. Input 22kV transmission
line connected with ABB Gsec/T2F DS1,
Transformer protection SF6 type, Lightening
protection, Grounding system, Kvar automatic
control, AE4000SWE Air Circuit Breaker,
SIRCO switch, and MCB 40A. Box type
transformer was used in the system. Remote
monitoring system with RS-485 as shown in
Figure 5 was installed. Output transmission line
22kV connected with ABB Gsec/T2 DS2 Bus bar
Sectionalizer SF6 type, it connected to the input
of next 1 MW cluster. With this type of Ring
connection as network will make the system
stable and better protection. The size of
transmission line will minimum with maximum
power handling. The single line diagram as
shown in Figure 8.
DISCUSSIONS
The answer to the question of which inverter is
best; micro-invert or string inverter is rather
dependable on custom specific circumstances. If
you are dealing with a small system such as
residential solar panels perhaps it would be
justifiable to undergo the extra initial cost of
micro-inverters in order to avoid evident risks of
underperformance. In residential areas the
chances of underperformance, either from
shading or from technical faults, are usually high.
On the other hand, if you have a roof higher than
any other building, with low chances of shading
on your solar panels and in an open area with
cooling breezes, the cheaper option of string
inverters might be a better solution.
Once again, the type of solar panel, solar
configuration, best type of inverter is a matter of
custom specific circumstance of your solar
photovoltaic system; size, location, temperature,
risk of shading and of course, financial
constraints! If you are interested in installing
solar panels for your power plant you may be
faced with choosing the best solution for your
solar photovoltaic system.
Photovoltaic type, Field arrangement, voltage
selection, inverter type selection, electrical
protection system, lightening protection system,
and grounding system must be designed
appropriate to get optimum power and profit.
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Smart City and Urban Resiliency
Bangkok, May 21-22, 2018
To get appropriate optimum performance Solar
cell and inverter size match to distribution
transformer, transmission line, bus bar, and
protection system is critical. The network system
with SafeRing will reduce cost and help stable
system with better protection.
Figure 7 and 8 shown how to setup system for
networking solar power plant with small cluster 1
MW connect with SafeRing as network system to
scale up easily such as 135 MW. RS485
monitoring system help to monitor and control
the power plant real time. SF6 disconnection and
protection make the job much easier to control
the system. The box type transformer with all
protection system in the box make the system
simple, easy to increase the size, and low cost.
CONCLUSION
String inverter was used for large system instead
of micro grid inverter which is appropriate for
small system in order to avoid evident risks of
underperformance. In residential areas the
chances of underperformance, either from
shading or from technical faults, are usually high.
On the other hand, if you have a roof higher than
any other building, with low chances of shading
on your solar panels and in an open area with
cooling breezes, string inverters is a better
solution.
Type of solar panel, solar configuration, type of
inverter is a matter of custom specific
circumstance of your solar photovoltaic system;
size, location, temperature, risk of shading and of
course, financial constraints.
Photovoltaic type, Field arrangement, voltage
selection, inverter type selection, electrical
protection system, lightening protection system,
and grounding system must be designed
appropriate to get optimum power and profit.
To get appropriate optimum performance Solar
cell and inverter size match to distribution
transformer, transmission line, bus bar, and
protection system is critical. The network system
with SafeRing will reduce cost and help stable
system with better protection.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research paper was supported by
BangkokThonburi University. We thank
sincerely our colleagues from the Electrical
Engineering Section, Faculty of Engineering,
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The 7 International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Architecture
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Bangkok, May 21-22, 2018

BangkokThonburi University who provided [2] “Enphase Microinverter M190″, Enphase

warm encouragement to conduct this research.
REFERENCES
[1] “Increase Power Production”, eIQ Energy,
2018.
Energy, 2017.
[3] ABB product catalogue, Application, ABB
SF6 insulated compact switch gear, type
SafePlus, and SF6 insulated Ring Main Unit,
type SafeRing 12/24 kV, April 4, 2018.
[4] SunPower, 300W Panel specification, 2017.

Figure 8 Box type oil immersed transformer with SafeRing.

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