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Solar system for electricity production

Energy solution
SEPTEMBER 2011 - REVISED JULY 2021

Solar system for electricity production

Solar systems are suitable for buildings that have a facade or
roof surface that faces approximately south - especially if they are
not exposed to considerable shade from mid-morning to late
afternoon in the summer months. It is particularly obvious to
establish solar cell installation in connection with the repair or
replacement of the roof coating.
Solar cells placed on the roof or facade of a house can contribute
to reducing the annual net electricity consumption from the
electricity grid. In addition, solar cells for newer houses can be
a sensible solution to improve the house's energy class, as the
installation can usually be carried out with minimal intervention in
the climate screen.
A solar cell produces electricity when illuminated; mostly when
the sun shines strongly and to a lesser extent when it is cloudy.
It happens without moving parts and silently.
The plant is connected to the public electricity grid via an
electronic inverter, which automatically adjusts the electricity
production from the solar cells to the voltage and frequency
of the electricity grid. When the solar cells produce electricity,
the house's electricity meter counts more slowly - or the plant
exports directly to the grid if the electricity production from the
solar cells exceeds the house's electricity consumption.
In this way, money is saved on the annual electricity bill.
The electrical performance of the solar cell system is indicated
in Watt peak (Wp), which, somewhat simplified, is the power it
can deliver in strong sunshine.
Solar cells are robust and have an expected lifetime of around
25 years. They are sensitive to shadows, and significant shading
on even smaller areas can have a significant negative effect on
electricity production.

Solar modules

Wires

Inverter - solar power to consumer power

Electricity meter with two counters

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A distinction is usually made between the two most common
categories of solar cell technologies, which are:
Crystalline silicon (mono, Tyndfilm
poly) (amorphous silicon, CIS, CdTe)
Modules with crystalline silicon are the oldest, most widespread
and most efficient solar cells. They are known by the typical division
into a number of square cells the size of a large palm.
Thin film modules can be recognized by a more homogeneous and
usually rather dark appearance, where the individual, longitudinal
cells can hardly be distinguished.
Recommendation for the size of the plant
In December 2012, the settlement method for solar cells was
changed. It is now no longer possible to use the electricity grid as
storage for overproduced electricity. Plant dimensioning has therefore
become significantly more difficult. If the electricity cannot be taken off
in the same hour as it is produced, it is sold to the grid.
For plant owners who apply for the Danish Energy Agency's pool
for an increased sales tariff, the following applies: If the solar plant is for
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Solar system for electricity production
ended in 2015, you as a house owner get DKK 1.02/kWh. The price is
fixed for 10 years. If the plant is connected in 2016, the settlement price
will drop by 14 øre to 0.88 and so on shared. In 2018, the price from
new plants will be down to DKK 0.60/kWh, corresponding to the general
level when you do not apply for the increased settlement price.
It is therefore recommended to choose a size for the solar cell
plant where the production is not too high in relation to one's
consumption. However, it must also be taken into account that
very small plants are more expensive per kW than large. To get
even more out of your system, you can adjust the electricity
consumption so that it fits better with the daylight hours. For
example, by using intelligent control on white goods, heat pumps or
electric water heaters. Table 3 can be used to get an idea of how
much electricity a typical household can use directly from a given plant
size. For a more accurate calculation, hourly values for consumption
and production must be obtained.
Advantage
• The owner gets a fixed price for the electricity produced by the
solar cell plant, and becomes less dependent on electricity price
increases
• The facility contributes to lower CO2 emissions
• A solar system helps the owner in general
increases its awareness of energy consumption. Thereby, the
gain is greater than just the solar plant's electricity production
• A solar system requires virtually no maintenance and takes care of
itself
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Solar system for electricity production

Energy saving
Installation of a solar cell system does not in itself provide a direct
energy saving, but the electricity production results in a reduced
purchase of electricity from the electricity company. The electricity
production per m2 solar cell area depends on the technology:

Table 1: Indicative electricity production with different solar cell technologies

Indicative electricity production kWh/m2/year Guidance Area requirement m2/kW

Mono-crystalline silicon 150 6

Poly-crystalline silicon 130 7

Amorphous silicon 65 14

Amorphous SI / micro-crystalline silicon 75 11

CI(G)S 105 8

CdTe 95 9

Note that there may be variation within each technology

Table 2: Indicative annual electricity consumption in detached houses without electric heating

140 m2 200 m2

1 adult 3.300 kWh 3.700 kWh

2 adults 4.200 kWh 4.700 kWh

2 adults and 2 small children 4.900 kWh 5.300 kWh

2 adults and 2 older children 5.300 kWh 5.800 kWh

Table 3: Indicative proportion of self-consumption (hourly billing)

kWp plant size

Annual consumption kWh 1 2 3 4 5 6

2000 59 % 36 % 27 % 22 % 19 % 17 %

3000 79 % 48 % 36 % 30 % 25 % 22 %

4000 97 % 59 % 45 % 36 % 31 % 27 %

5000 100 % 70 % 52 % 43 % 36 % 32 %

6000 100 % 79 % 59 % 48 % 41 % 36 %

Annual production kWh 950 1900 2850 3800 4750 5700

The table values are for own consumption in households without electric heating.

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Solar system for electricity production

Prerequisite
The electricity production in tables 1 and 3 assumes that the
solar cell modules are oriented to the south with an inclination
of 30-40°, that they are not exposed to very high operating
temperatures caused by, for example, an insulated backside, and
that there are no significant shadows. Under these conditions, an
annual electricity production of 950 kWh per installed kWp. This
number is fairly independent
of solar cell technology, but fluctuates with geographical location
and from year to year. For other inclination/orientation, see table
4. It is also assumed in table 3 that the electricity meter is set up so
that the own consumption does not depend on the distribution of
the grid's three phases, and that there is no built-in battery storage
in the solar cell system (system with batteries is on the way, and
will be able to achieve significantly greater self-consumption).

Example of calculated savings

Prerequisites A family with an annual electricity consumption of 5,000 kWh wants to set up a solar system.
The house has a south-facing roof with a 40-degree slope (ideal production). There is space
for a facility of approx. 4 kWp, which can be expected to produce approx. 4 x 950 = 3,800
kWh. Table 3 shows an expected own consumption of approx. 43% of production.

Price for purchasing electricity: DKK 2.10/kWh

Price of electricity sales: DKK 0.24/kWh (2021)

Value of saved electricity purchase at DKK 2.30/kWh 2,10 x 0,43 x 3.800 = DKK 3,431

Value of electricity sales (year 2021 + 10 years ahead) 0,24 kr./kWh x 0,57 x 3.800 = DKK 1906

Estimated availability payment, network tariff and =

100 DKK
subscription (may vary, ask network company)

3.431 + 1.906 – 1.000 = DKK 3,851

Change in electricity costs 1st year

Annual CO2 savings 3,800 kWh x 0.226 kg/kWh = 859 kg/0,9 ton

If the solar cell face faces in a different direction or has a different slope, use the table on page 5 under section Execution, point 4, to find
a percentage less performance or to make the area correspondingly larger.

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Performance
Before the actual execution, it should be ensured that the
local plan allows the installation of solar cells on the building.
This is particularly relevant in areas with many listed buildings.
As the system must be connected to the mains by an authorized
electrician, it is also a good idea to contact an installer
immediately. In addition to possibly advising the customer on
setting up a solar cell system, the installer should immediately
contact the local electricity distribution company and ensure
that the agreement between the solar cell system's owner and
the electricity company is put in place, including to clarify the
requirements for the system's connection to the electricity grid
before the system is installed. It must also be ensured that the
house's electricity meter has an hourly reading from two counters.
Otherwise, it must be replaced.
The energy production of the solar cells is sensitive to shadows,
and as a rule of thumb the intended location for setting up the
solar cells from and including April to September should not be
exposed to shadows in the period from mid-morning to late
afternoon, since by far most of the year's solar energy coming
in this time period.
In addition, the entire area of the solar system should have
similar light/shadow conditions. If parts of the facility are
exposed to significant differences in light/shadow, it should be
divided into smaller facilities. Shaders can, for example, be roof
caps, masts, trees, buildings and antennas, and it can be difficult
to assess the reduction in annual electricity production. In case
of doubt, it may be a good idea to consult an expert.
Solar cell systems must be designed so that they do not
cause temperature-induced damage to the building.
The solar cell modules can achieve operating temperatures
that are 20 to 40°C above those of the surroundings, mostly if
the backside is insulated, as is often the case when, for example,
it is deposited in the climate screen.
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Solar system for electricity production
It is recommended to choose solar modules with an
appearance and arrangement that matches the architecture
of the house. An entire roof surface with modules can be
beautiful, and adaptation to window surfaces and lines between
roof and facade can also be considered.
Solar cells should have good ventilation on the back for
reasons of electricity production. However, it can be difficult
to achieve when they are incorporated into, for example, a
roof surface for architectural reasons. Then you just have to
be aware that the elevated operating temperature can cost
perhaps 2-4% of the annual electricity production.
The inverter should be placed dry and cool for longevity and
maximum performance and not in a residential viewing room
as it may emit a faint hum. Efforts should be made to minimize
the distance between the inverter and the solar modules in
order to reduce the electrical losses.
When planning the assembly of the solar cell modules, the access conditions
to the individual module should be considered in case it becomes necessary
to troubleshoot and possibly replacing a module. An electrical installer must
report the system to the electricity company, carry out a light conversion of
the house's electrical panel, connect the solar cell system to the power grid
and put a sign on the electrical panel with information about the solar cell
system. For further information see: www.sik.dk/professionelle/el/
solcelleinstallationer
For solar cell assembly on concrete types of roof, please refer
to the instructions developed by the Technological Institute,
which can be found at: www.bis.teknologisk.dk
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Solar system for electricity production

Checklist
investigate Questions Response Solution

Solar radiation Is there shade on the roof in the summer? And [ ] No [ ] If yes: see 1

Tag Is the roof pitch between 0° and 15°? And [ ] No [ ] If yes: see 2

Roof covering Is it a thatched roof or another type of roof that And [ ] No [ ] If yes: see 3
can make it difficult to install the solar cells?

Tilt and orientation Is the roof pitch between 30° and 40°? And [ ] No [ ] If no: see 4

Installation on existing roof Should the solar cells be mounted on an existing And [ ] No [ ] if yes: see 5
roof?

New roof Should the roof covering be changed anyway? And [ ] No [ ] If yes: see 6

Cable routing A short distance between solar modules and To be clarified with

inverters should be aimed for, and cables must not the home owner
lie in the sun.

Inverter location Can a suitable location be found indoors at a And [ ] No [ ] If no: see 7
suitable short distance from the solar modules?

1. Solar radiation
If there is shade on the roof in the summer, another location for
the solar modules can be chosen: on the carport or free-standing
on a stand. Be aware that if a location is chosen that is lower, more
vertical or more deviating from the south, the risk of shadowing
increases.
2. Roof
If there is a flat roof, the solar modules are mounted on a stand or
ballast boxes, preferably so that they face south with an inclination of
30-40°. When choosing a stand, check that the perforations of the
climate shield are sealed very carefully. When choosing ballast boxes,
check that the roof can support the increased weight.
3. Roof covering If it
is a thatched roof or another type of roof that is outside the
"common" standard, proper fixing of the solar cells must be
ensured. Solar modules typically weigh 12 kg/m2 (1 layer of
glass with frame) to 18 kg/m2 (2 layers of glass without frame).
Alternatively, the solar modules can be placed on a stand on the
ground, but in that case be aware of possible shadow givers.
this, the same performance can be achieved by increasing the total
area of the solar cell modules, depending on direction and roof slope.
In Table 4 on the next page, you can see how location and performance
are related.
Example of using table 4 A solar cell system
of 4.5 kWp, located facing south with an inclination of 35°, freely
ventilated and not exposed to shadows can produce approx. 4,050
kWh/year (corresponds to the 100% in table 4). If the roof pitch is 60°
from the horizontal and the orientation is southwest, the system
produces only 88 %, corresponding to approx. 3,564 kWh/year.
If an annual electricity production of 4,050 kWh is desired, the
installed solar power (and thus the area) can be increased by a
factor of 1/0.88 = 1.14. This brings the installed power to 5.1 kWp.
5. Mounting on existing roof The solar
cell modules are mounted on rails on the roof, on a stand or on ballast
boxes. The system can normally be delivered with brackets for
different roof types. Before starting, always check that the brackets for
mounting the solar modules fit the current roof.

4. Slope and orientation A solar

cell system works optimally when placed on a south-facing 30-40°
roof surface. Is there no possibility of

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Solar system for electricity production

Table 4

Slope The direction of the roof

Vest Southwest South Southeast East

90° 60° 45° 30° 15° 0° 15° 30° 45° 60° 90°

0° 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 86 %

5° 86 % 88 % 89 % 89 % 90 % 90 % 90 % 89 % 89 % 88 % 86 %

10° 86 % 89 % 91 % 92 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 92 % 91 % 89 % 86 %

15° 85 % 90 % 92 % 94 % 95 % 95 % 95 % 94 % 92 % 90 % 85 %

20° 84 % 91 % 93 % 95 % 97 % 97 % 97 % 95 % 93 % 91 % 84 %

25° 83 % 91 % 94 % 97 % 98 % 99 % 98 % 95 % 94 % 91 % 83 %

30° 81 % 91 % 94 % 98 % 99 % 100 % 99 % 97 % 94 % 91 % 81 %

35° 80 % 90 % 94 % 97 % 99 % 100 % 99 % 97 % 94 % 91 % 80 %

40° 78 % 89 % 91 % 97 % 99 % 100 % 99 % 97 % 94 % 89 % 78 %

45° 77 % 88 % 93 % 96 % 99 % 99 % 99 % 96 % 93 % 88 % 77 %

60° 70 % 83 % 88 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 94 % 92 % 88 % 83 % 70 %

70° 66 % 78 % 82 % 86 % 88 % 88 % 87 % 86 % 88 % 83 % 70 %

90° 44 % 64 % 68 % 70 % 72 % 72 % 72 % 70 % 68 % 64 % 44 %

6. New roof Indoor climate

If the roof covering needs to be changed, it is possible to build the
solar cell modules into the roof. When planning the plant, it is important to focus on reducing noise
nuisance from the plant's inverter.

7. Location of the inverter The inverter

should be placed in a cool, well-ventilated, dust-free place. It should
not be set up in living rooms, as it can emit weak noise, and finally,
the distance to the solar modules should not be too great. If no
suitable location can be found indoors, you can set it up outdoors. In
What are the requirements of the building regulations?
There are no specific requirements in the building regulations for the
performance of the facility.

that case, you must make sure with the supplier that an inverter type
Installations which may cause a particular risk of fire must be
is chosen that is designed for outdoor installation.
placed and carried out in the building so that the risk of a fire starting
and spreading is minimised.

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Solar system for electricity production

More info

www.bis.teknologisk.dk

www.kso-ordning.dk

www.sik.dk

www.ens.dk

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in Buildings (VEB)

You can call us on tel. 7220 2255 if

you have any questions.
Or go to the website:
www.ByggeriOgEnergi.dk

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printed or digital information material or for losses that may arise as a result
of dispositions based on the material. VEB reserves the right to make
changes to the material without prior notice.

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