SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY [SS-2022]

Section-C
Unit-3 Grid Connected PV System
1. GRID CONNECTED PV SYSTEM SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM:
A grid connected PV system is one where the photovoltaic panels or array are connected to
the utility grid through a power inverter unit allowing them to operate in parallel with the
electric utility grid.
Stand alone solar systems are self contained fixed or portable solar PV systems that are not
connected to any local utility or mains electrical grid as they are generally used in remote and
rural areas.
In recent years, however, the number of solar powered homes connected to the local
electricity grid has increased dramatically. These Grid Connected PV Systems have solar
panels that provide some or even most of their power needs during the day time, while still
being connected to the local electrical grid network during the night time.

Solar powered PV systems can sometimes produce more electricity than is actually needed
or consumed, especially during the long hot summer months. This extra or surplus electricity
is either stored in batteries or as in most grid connected PV systems, fed directly back into
the electrical grid network.

2. EQUIPMENT FOR GRID-TIED SOLAR SYSTEMS

There are a few key differences between the equipment needed for grid-tied, off-grid and hybrid solar
systems. Standard grid-tied solar systems rely on the following components:

➢ Grid-Tie Inverter (GTI) or Micro-Inverters

➢ Power Meter

Grid-Tie Inverter (GTI)

What is the job of a solar inverter? They regulate the voltage and current received from your solar
panels. Direct current (DC) from your solar panels is converted into alternating current (AC), which is
the type of current that is utilized by the majority of electrical appliances.

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Power Meter

Most homeowners will need to replace their current power meter with one that is compatible with
net metering. This device, often called a net meter or a two-way meter, is capable of measuring power
going in both directions, from the grid to your house and vice versa.

3. COMPONENTS OF A GRID CONNECTED PV SYSTEM:

Grid connected PV systems always have a connection to the public electricity grid via a suitable
inverter because a photovoltaic panel or array (multiple PV panels) only deliver DC power. As well as
the solar panels, the additional components that make up a grid connected PV system compared to a
stand alone PV system are:

Inverter – The inverter is the most important part of any grid connected system. The inverter extracts
as much DC (direct current) electricity as possible from the PV array and converts it into clean mains
AC (alternating current) electricity at the right voltage and frequency for feeding into the grid or for
supplying domestic loads.

It is important to choose the best quality inverter possible for the budget allowed as the main
considerations in grid connected inverter choice are: Power – Maximum high and low voltage power
the inverter can handle and Efficiency – How efficiently does the inverter convert solar power to AC
power.

Electricity Meter – The electricity meter also called a Kilowatt hour (kWh) meter is used to record the
flow of electricity to and from the grid. Twin kWh meters can be used, one to indicate the electrical
energy being consumed and the other to record the solar electricity being sent to the grid.

A single bidirectional kWh meter can also be used to indicate the net amount of electricity taken from
the grid. A grid connected PV system will slow down or halt the aluminium disc in the electric meter
and may cause it to spin backwards. This is generally referred to as net metering.

AC Breaker Panel and Fuses – The breaker panel or fuse box is the normal type of fuse box provided
with a domestic electricity supply and installation with the exception of additional breakers for
inverter and/or filter connections.

Safety Switches and Cabling – A photovoltaic array will always produce a voltage output in sunlight
so it must be possible to disconnect it from the inverter for maintenance or testing. Isolator switches
rated for the maximum DC voltage and current of the array and inverter safety switches must be
provided separately with easy access to disconnect the system.

Other safety features demanded by the electrical company may include earthing and fuses. The
electrical cables used to connect the various components must also be correctly rated and sized.

The Electricity Grid – Finally the electricity grid itself to connect too, because without the utility grid
it is not a Grid Connected PV System.

5. CHARGE CONDITIONERS IN GRID CONNECTED PV SYSTEM:

In applications, where batteries are used, it is critical to prevent overcharging or deep discharging of
the batteries to preserve their life and to ensure good performance. This is achieved by what is called
charge controllers.

Charge controllers regulate the charging and discharging of battery. A charge controller senses
the voltage of the battery [or ‘state of charge’ (SoC)] and decides either to disconnect it from
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the source (PV array in this case) to prevent it from overcharging or to disconnect the load
(from the battery output) to prevent deep discharging.

Such controllers are mainly used where loads are unpredictable and the batteries are optimised
or undersized to minimise the initial cost. The charge control algorithm has set points (threshold
values) depending upon which it takes decisions.

Voltage Regulation (VR) set point: It is the maximum voltage up to which a battery can be charged
(without getting overcharged). If this threshold is reached, the controller either disconnects the battery
from the source or starts regulating the current delivered to the battery.

Voltage Regulation Hysteresis (VRH): It is the difference between VR and the voltage at which the
controller reconnects the battery to the PV source and starts charging. If VRH is too small, it will result
in tighter voltage regulation but the control will be oscillatory and may deteriorate the battery life. At
the same time, a large value of VRH may lead to ‘slight’ overcharging of battery during every cycle.
So, in practice, there is a trade-off. VRH also determines how effectively the controller can charge the
battery.

Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD): It is the minimum voltage up-to which the battery can be allowed to
discharge, without getting deep discharged. It is also defined as the maximum Depth of Discharge
(DoD) of the battery. The charge controller disconnects the load from the battery terminals as soon as
the battery voltage touches LVD to prevent it from over-discharging.

Low Voltage Disconnect Hysteresis (LVDH): It is the difference between LVD value and the battery
voltage at which the load can be reconnected to the battery terminals. LVDH is not kept too small, or
else the load will be switched on and off more frequently, which can adversely affect battery and the
load.

Most charge controllers are a variation of one these four basic types:
➢ Shunt Regulator.

➢ Series Regulator.

➢ PWM Regulator.

➢ MPPT Charge Controller.

Fig. Solar charge controller

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6. BALANCE OF SYSTEM COMPONENTS OF GRID CONNECTED PV SYSTEM:

7. PV SYSTEM IN BUILDINGS:
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) System should be approached to where energy conscious
design techniques have been employed, and equipment and systems have been carefully selected and
specified. They should be viewed in terms of life-cycle cost, and not just initial, first-cost because the
overall cost may be reduced by the avoided costs of the building materials and labor they replace.
Design considerations for BIPV systems must include the building's use and electrical loads, its location
and orientation, the appropriate building and safety codes, and the relevant utility issues and costs.

Steps in designing a BIPV system include:

➢ Carefully consider the application of energy-conscious design practices and/or energy-

efficiency measures to reduce the energy requirements of the building. This will enhance

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comfort and save money while also enabling a given BIPV system to provide a greater
percentage contribution to the load.
➢ Choose Between a Utility-Interactive PV System and a Stand-alone PV System: The vast
majority of BIPV systems will be tied to a utility grid, using the grid as storage and backup. The
systems should be sized to meet the goals of the owner—typically defined by budget or space
constraints; and, the inverter must be chosen with an understanding of the requirements of
the utility.
➢ Shift the Peak: If the peak building loads do not match the peak power output of the PV array,
it may be economically appropriate to incorporate batteries into certain grid-tied systems to
offset the most expensive power demand periods. This system could also act as an
uninterruptible power system (UPS).
➢ Provide Adequate Ventilation: PV conversion efficiencies are reduced by elevated operating
temperatures. This is truer with crystalline silicon PV cells than amorphous silicon thin-films.
To improve conversion efficiency, allow appropriate ventilation behind the modules to
dissipate heat.
➢ Evaluate Using Hybrid PV-Solar Thermal Systems: As an option to optimize system efficiency,
a designer may choose to capture and utilize the solar thermal resource developed through
the heating of the modules. This can be attractive in cold climates for the pre-heating of
incoming ventilation make-up air.
➢ Consider Integrating Daylighting and Photovoltaic Collection: Using semi-transparent thin-
film modules, or crystalline modules with custom-spaced cells between two layers of glass,
designers may use PV to create unique daylighting features in facade, roofing, or skylight PV
systems. The BIPV elements can also help to reduce unwanted cooling load and glare
associated with large expanses of architectural glazing.
➢ Incorporate PV Modules into Shading Devices: PV arrays conceived as "eyebrows" or awnings
over view glass areas of a building can provide appropriate passive solar shading. When
sunshades are considered as part of an integrated design approach, chiller capacity can often
be smaller and perimeter cooling distribution reduced or even eliminated.
➢ Design for the Local Climate and Environment: Designers should understand the impacts of
the climate and environment on the array output. Cold, clear days will increase power
production, while hot, overcast days will reduce array output
➢ Consider Array Orientation: Different array orientation can have a significant impact on the
annual energy output of a system, with tilted arrays generating 50%–70% more electricity
than a vertical facade.
➢ Reduce Building Envelope and Other On-site Loads: Minimize the loads experienced by the
BIPV system. Employ daylighting, energy-efficient motors, and other peak reduction
strategies whenever possible.
➢ Professionals: The use of BIPV is relatively new. Ensure that the design, installation, and
maintenance professionals involved with the project are properly trained, licensed, certified,
and experienced in PV systems work.

APPLICATION OF BIPV

Photovoltaics may be integrated into many different assemblies within a building envelope:

➢ Solar cells can be incorporated into the facade of a building, complementing or replacing
traditional view or spandrel glass. Often, these installations are vertical, reducing access to
available solar resources, but the large surface area of buildings can help compensate for the
reduced power.

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➢ Photovoltaics may be incorporated into awnings and saw-tooth designs on a building facade.
These increase access to direct sunlight while providing additional architectural benefits such
as passive shading.

➢ The use of PV in roofing systems can provide a direct replacement for batten and seam metal
roofing and traditional 3-tab asphalt shingles.

➢ Using PV for skylight systems can be both an economical use of PV and an exciting design
feature.

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