Solar Resource

Assessment

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 Content
• Tools for site assessment
• Undertaking site assessment
• Shadow analysis
• Equipment locations
• Assessment of system capacity
• Assessment of PV array mounting arrangment
• Design considerations
• GRPV site survey format
• Water – availability & quality and accessibility for cleaning and maintenance
• System protection, personnel safety and Fire safety
• Grid connectivity and power evacuation arrangements
• Permits, clearances and relevant documentations 2
 Tools for Site Assessment

Measuring Tape /
Site Survey Solar Pathfinder /
Compass Digital Distance
Format Sun Eye
Meter

Angle Measuring Working

Camera Notebook
Equipment Partner
Tools for Site Assessment
 Undertaking Site Assessment – Tasks to Carry Out
 Assessment of occupational health and safety requirement
 Assessment of location for installation of PV array
 Conduct a shadow analysis
 Determine space between two rows in case of flat roof
 Determine PV array orientation and tilt
 Assess how the PV modules will be mounted
 Identify suitable location for inverters and other electrical equipment
 Determine cabling routes and cable run distances
 Study of site parameters that likely to affect the design considerations
 Undertaking Site Assessment –
Assessment of OH&S Requirement
 Safe access to the roof
 Exposure to the sun
 Arrangements to prevent falling off the roof
 Arrangements to prevent injuries due to lifting and installing heavy inverters
 Arrangements to prevent injuries due to falling objects from roof
 Arrangements to prevent cuts, bumps and burns from sharp and hot metallic items / tools
 Precaution against insect bites – some insect may be poisonous
 Undertaking Site Assessment –
Assessment of PV Array Location
 Undertaking Site Assessment –
Assessment of PV Array Location

Free from shadow in

all days of the year – Access for array Provide ample space
maintenance for air cooling
Use solar path finder

Prevails aesthetic of Not far from the

the building or charge controller / Protect array from
premises inverter / battery theft and vandalism
bank
 Undertaking Site Assessment –
Conduct Shadow Analysis
 Objects which come in the path of the incident solar rays, any time during the day, will cast
shadows and would reduce the solar generation
 Even on south facing roof, a taller object in the eastern side would cast shadows during
morning and a taller object on the western side would similarly cast shadows during the
afternoon
 Shading can not only lead to lower generation but can also over a period of time damage
the panels
 Roof s inclined towards south, would receive the sun rays all through the day. However
roofs inclined towards east and west will have a lesser window while roofs facing north
will receive the least sunlight
 Undertaking Site Assessment –
Conduct Shadow Analysis
Shadow Analysis - Use of Sun Pathfinder
 Undertaking Site Assessment –
Conduct Shadow Analysis
Shadow Analysis – Use of Sun Position (Azimuth & Altitude Angle)
Height

Critical Angle

Distance
Undertaking Site Assessment –
Conduct Shadow Analysis
Shadow Analysis – Use Thumb Rule
Undertaking Site Assessment
– Space Between Two Rows

Row in the South Row in the North

Undertaking Site Assessment – Array Orientation &
Tilt
Undertaking Site Assessment – Array Orientation &
Tilt
Undertaking Site Assessment – Location of Inverter and
other electrical equipments
 Location of inverter should be such a way that access is controlled
 Minimize distance from the Solar PV array to reduce losses
 Protection from environment as needed by the inverter class
 Sufficient ventilation for cooling
 The location of overcurrent protection devices and/or load breaking disconnecting means
should be at the end of the cable that is electrically most remote from the PV modules
GRPV System Capacity Assessment
Capacity and integration of a grid connected rooftop PV project is determined by the
following factors:

(1) Connected load and voltage level,

(3) Grid infrastructure,

(2) Shadow free space for installation of PV array and

(3) State specific regulations under net metering/ gross metering policy regime

(4) Budget and business model of implementation

 Assessment of PV Array Mounting Arrangement
Design Considerations:
• Comply the applicable structural, building code and safety requirements.
• Meet standards and module manufacturer’s mounting requirements.
• Enhance array performance - allowing airflow to minimize operating temperature
• Provide reasonable accessibility for installation and maintenance
• Make the system aesthetically appropriate for the site and application.
• Thermal aspects – to allow expansion/contraction of modules/ structure
• Mechanical loads on PV structures – to comply with related standards
• Wind - shall be rated for the maximum expected wind speeds
• Material accumulation on PV array - Snow, ice, or dust
• Corrosion – corrosion resistant materials suitable for the lifetime and duty of the system

Structural Standards to follow:

• ASCE 7 (American Society of Civil Engineers): minimum design loads for building and other structures
• IS: 875 (Part3): Wind Loads on Buildings and Structures
 Assessment of PV Array Mounting Arrangement
PV array mounting arrangement would depend on the type of roof

Tile
RCC Roof
Roof

Corrugated
Corrugated
Metal
Cement
Sheet
Asbestos
Assessment of PV Array Mounting Arrangement
PV array mounting arrangement would depend on the type of roof
Assessment of PV Array Mounting Arrangement
PV array mounting arrangement would depend on the type of roof
Design Considerations (1/2)

 Load bearing capacity of roof depends of the age of roof

 Typically RCC Roof has a life of 100 years, Asbestos roof have much lower life at 30 years,
Depending on the grade, corrugated metal has life span between 20 and 100 years
 Usually the load of the structure including PV and the supporting structure varies from 30
Kg/m2 to 60 Kg/m2
 As per MNRE technical specification the total load of the structure should be less than 60
kg/m2
Design Considerations (2/2)

 For large system a suitable walk-way will be required for maintenance purpose
 Operating Temperature affects performance. Therefore arrays should be installed in such a
way that there is sufficient air flow / ventilation for cooling
 High wind pressure can damage the structure and modules. Therefore mounting structure
should be opted in such a way that there is minimum wind pressure
 High Humidity and salty atmosphere can corrode the structure and the extreme levels in
the site should be known
 Lightning strikes can damage the electrical equipment and some times the modules. So
lightning vulnerability in the site should be known
Typical Site Survey Format for GRPV Project (1/5)

1 General information
1.1 Date of Survey
1.2 Name of Building
1.3 Address
1.4 City
1.5 Latitude – Longitude of site __________°N , ___________ °E
1.6 Surveyed By:
1.7 Checked By:
 Typical Site Survey Format for GRPV Project (2/5)

2 In case of RCC flat roof

2.1 What are the items installed on the roof?
2.2 Usable area for installation of solar modules
2.3 How old is the roof?
2.4 Load bearing capacity
2.5 Accessibility to the roof
2.6 Building orientation
 Typical Site Survey Format for GRPV Project (3/5)
3 In case of pitched / slanted roof:
3.1 Roof orientation
3.2 Roof tilt angle
3.3 Roof material
3.4 Roof age
3.5 Roof structure – type, material, load bearing capacity
3.6 Accessibility and convenience to work on the roof
 Typical Site Survey Format for GRPV Project (4/5)
4 Assess potential source for near and far shadow
4.1 Shadow from trees and vegetation
4.2 Shadow from other buildings

Shadow from objects like overhead tanks, poles and pipes

4.3
etc.

4.4 Shadow from natural landscape in hilly areas

5 Maximum wind velocity on the site, occasion of cyclone
6 Environment: salinity, humidity, dust, industrial pollution
Typical Site Survey Format for GRPV Project (5/5)
7 How the building is separated from the roof?
8 Activities under the roof
Are there any inflammable materials (hydrogen, LPG, gasoline etc.)
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stored under or nearby the roof?
Space available for the installation of inverter and BOS on roof and
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at the building
11 Load details – list of appliances and working hours
12 Details of standby power supply system – DG set, UPS, inverter etc.
13 Locating balance of system equipment
14 Health, safety and environmental risks
Ensure water availability and measure hardness of water that will be
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potentially used for cleaning of modules
Grid connectivity and power evacuation arrangements
• Connected/ Demand Load
• Incoming Voltage level (415V, 11kV, 33kV)
• Metering – central/ distributed, voltage level
• Current capacity of main LT /HT panel
• Capacity and voltage rating of the nearby utility transformer
• Details of transformers inside customer premise if any
• Grid Tariff – structure and rate
• Power outage - frequency, duration, scheduled/ unscheduled, technical fault,
• Power outage due to storm, flood, cyclone etc
• Details of captive power plant (DG set etc) if any
Types of Clearances and Permits required for GRPV systems
1) Permits and clearances related to local building byelaws
– Building permits are given by Local Urban Body (Municipal Corporation, Development
authority, Town committee etc. )
– Building bye laws will be different for different cities/ towns

2) Permits and clearances related to grid integration

– Approval from local DISCOM on technical feasibility, Grid interconnection under Net Gross
metering regime

3) Fire safety Compliance

– Approval from State Fire Department
– Availability of access, pathways and smoke ventilation
THANK YOU..