Solar PV System Design – Sample Calculation

1. Background
The aim of this document is to give an example of a system calculation for the design of a grid-tied
rooftop solar PV system.

The example is for demonstration purposes only and there may be other solutions beside the one
shown here.

The roof of the Master Artisan Academy (MSC) in Modderfontein was selected.

2. Data
The following data was provided

Address McGowan Avenue, Lethabong

GPS Coordinates -26.096, 28.169
https://goo.gl/maps/UmynqdoSqs32

Altitude Highveld

Picture:

Roof available for the installation:  Approx. 15m x 4m

Further information  Standard roof tiles

 no feed in allowed, three-phase
 azimuth -150° (North-West), tilt 30°
 AC – grid-tied
 Consumption: 13,000 kWh per year

For this example the following equipment choice is provided:

 270Wp - 60-cell polycrystalline module (please refer to the datasheet provided)

 SMA Sunny Tripower (3-phase inverter)

Note: The basic principles demonstrated in this calculation apply to all standard string inverters and
the SMA inverters can be exchanged for any other inverter you choose.
The use of other technologies, e.g. module-level optimisers may require a different approach.

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3. Calculation

3.1. Location Information

Using PV GIS (http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/tools.html#PVP) or a similar tool the
meteorological information for any site can be determined

We were given the azimuth angle (-150°) and the roof slope (30°).

(Please refer to the annex for the complete report from PV-GIS)

The annual specific energy production is given as 1,690 kWh/kWp

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3.2. PV system sizing based on consumption

Note: This is a simplistic view of the sizing just as a rough estimate. Factors like night time
consumption fraction and other factors are ignored.

3.2.1. Required PV system size:

Annual Consumption given: 20,000 kWh

(Annual consumption) / (specific yield at the location)

= 13,000 kWh / 1,690 kWh/kWp
= 7.69 kWp

3.2.2. Number of modules required:

Module: 270 Wp (= 0.27 kWp)

(System size) / (Module size)

= 7.69 kWp / 0.27 kWp
= 28.49 modules (~28 modules)

3.2.3. Module layout:

Roof dimensions: 15 m x 4 m

Modules in portrait layout:

992mm
20mm
-------- 4m --------
1650mm

-------- 15m ---------

Number of modules per row:

(Roof length) / (module width + clamping space)

= 15 m / (0.992 m + 0.02 m)
= 14.82 modules; i.e. 14 modules

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 Solar PV System Design – Sample Calculation

Number of rows:

(Roof width) / (module length)

= 4 m / 1.65 m
= 2.42 rows; i.e. 2 rows

Total number of modules:

14 x 2 = 28 modules

Modules in landscape layout:

1650 mm
992 mm
----- 4 m -----

20mm

----------- 15m ----------

Number of modules per row:

(Roof length) / (module length)

= 15 m / (1.650 m)
= 9.09 modules; i.e. 8 modules
Number of rows:

(Roof width) / (module width + clamping space)

= 4 m / (0.992 m + 0.02 m)
= 3.95 rows; i.e. 3 rows

Total number of modules:

8 x 3 = 24 modules

We need 28 modules, so decide to install in portrait mode

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 Solar PV System Design – Sample Calculation

3.2.4. Inverter selection (DC sizing)

Note: The inverter sizing factor is assumed here to be in the range from 83% to 125% of the DC
rating of the PV system.
This is a rule-of-thumb and it is always a good idea to consult with the inverter manufacturer to
verify the system design and compatibility of an inverter for a specific installation.

PVdc = 28 modules x 270 Wp = 7,560 Wp = 7.56 kWp

PINV = PVdc / (sizing factor) = 7,560 Wp / 0.83 = 9,108 W (max. inverter size)

= 7,560 Wp / 1.25 = 6,048 W (min. inverter size)

Inverter options:

SMA Sunny Tripower 7000, 8000 or 9000

Decide on the “middle ground”, i.e. Sunny Tripower 8000

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3.2.5. String sizing

Note to convert coefficients from % to V, multiply the Voc by the coefficient:

-0.31 %/°C = (-0.31 % x 37.9V)/°C = 0.11749 V/°C or 117.49 mV/°C

Maximum number of modules per string:

VInv,max / Voc, module = 1,000 V / 37.9 V = 26 modules

We have 28 modules, so will have to have at least 2 strings.

e.g. 2 x 14 modules

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3.2.5.1. Parameter check

This parameter check entails the confirmation of system voltages at the extreme temperatures to be
expected at the given location.

Please note that the temperature used is the module temperature and not the ambient!

At STC:

Voc, string = No. of modules x Voc, module = 14 x 37.9 V = 530.6 V

Assumed temperature range for the location: tmin = 0°C ; tmax = 85°C

Maximum string voltage will be experienced at the minimum temperature.

ΔVoc, string, 0°C = temp. coeff. x Voc, module x (min. temp. – STC temp) x (no. of modules)

= (-0.31 %/°C) x 37.9 V x (0°C – 25°C) x 14 modules

= (-0.11749 V/°C) x (– 25°C) x 14 modules

= 41.12 V

So at 0°C the maximum string voltage will be:

Voc, string, 0°C = (14 modules x 37.9 V) + 41.12 V = 530.6 V + 41.12 V = 571.72 V

This is lower than the 1,000 V maximum voltage of the inverter, so acceptable.

Minimum string voltage will be experienced at the maximum temperature.

ΔVmpp, string,STC = Vmpp x no. of modules = 30.8 V x 14 modules = 431.2 V

ΔVmpp, string, 85°C = temp. coeff. x Vmpp, module x (max. temp. – STC temp) x (no. of modules)

= (-0.41 %/°C) x 30.8 V x (85°C – 25°C) x 14 modules

= (-0.1268 V/°C) x (60°C) x 14 modules = -7.608 V x 14 modules

= -106.512 V

So at 85°C the minimum string voltage will be:

Vmpp, string, 85°C = 431.2 V – 106.512 V = 324.688 V

This is slightly lower than the 330 V minimum Mpp voltage of the inverter. Seeing that the extreme
case may be expected to be quite rare, we can make a judgement call and accept the result.

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4. Annex1 – PV GIS report

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 Solar PV System Design – Sample Calculation

5. Annex2 – Module Data Sheet

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 Solar PV System Design – Sample Calculation

6. Annex3 – Inverter Data Sheet

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