Chapter 5

Grid-Connected PV System Design

Expected Outcomes
After completing this module, you should be able :
- To design a grid-connected PV system
- To apply the system sizing based on design criteria
- Evaluate the system performance
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
Visit to KMB and AMCORP
 Sub-topic
1. Introduction
2. Grid-connected types
3. Balance of System Equipment
4. Designing a Grid-Connected PV System
5. System Installation
6. System Protection
7. Maintenance and Trouble Shooting
 Introduction
• A grid-connected system is connected to a large independent grid
(typically the public electricity grid) and feeds power into the grid.
• A grid-connected PV system receives back-up power from a utility's
grid when the PV system is not producing enough power. When
the system produces excess power, the utility is required to
purchase the power through a metering and rate arrangement.
• Net metering is the best arrangement. Under this arrangement,
the power provider essentially pays you retail price for the
electricity you feed into the grid.
 Introduction Cont..
How a Grid-Connected PV System Works
• Where utility power is available, consumers can use a grid-connected solar
electric (PV) system to supply a portion of the power they need while using
utility-generated power at night and on cloudy days.
• When the PV system supplies power to the grid the utility becomes a storage
device or battery for PV-generated power.
• While residential, grid-connected PV systems (10 kilowatts or less) can
provide most of a consumer’s electric needs, they may also generate more
electricity than needed.
 Introduction Cont..
• The electricity generated by the PV system can be used on site or fed through
a meter back into the utility grid. For example, if a PV system is generating at
near its rated output and a system owner is on vacation or not home during
the day, a system will typically be producing more electricity than is needed,
and that excess can be sold back to the utility. At the end of the month, a
credit for electricity sold is deducted from charges for electricity purchased.
• A grid-connected PV system is connected to the utility system or grid through
an interconnection agreement with your utility company. The interconnection
agreement sets the terms and conditions under which a PV system can be
safely connected to the grid and outlines metering arrangements for your PV
system.
 Type of Grid-connected PV System

Two types of grid-connected installations will be

reviewed:
1. Centralize system - Large-scale PV power
generation in PV power station.
2. Distributed system - form of power generation in
units located directly at the customer’s
premises/buildings.
 Centralized system
Centralized large-scale PV power generation in PV power
station.
 Distributed system
Distributed form of power generation in units located
directly at the customer’s premises.
 Grid-connected types Cont..
Centralize system - PV Power station
Advantages Disadvantages
Generated more power Must have wide area
Installed in higher irradiation place More transmission losses
Government Financial Assistance High maintenance

Distributed system
Advantages
No cost in buying the land
The transmission losses lower because
the load is on the same site as the supply
Low maintenance
Disadvantages
Installed in low/mid irradiation place
Own Financial Assistance
Long pay back period
Balance of
System
Equipment
 Balance of System Equipment
In addition to the solar cells and modules, a small solar
electric system (or photovoltaic system) consists of other
parts called balance-of-system components.
The balance-of-system equipment required depends which
of the following systems is being used:
• Grid-connected
• Stand-alone
• Hybrid
The major components of a PV-GC system include:

a. PV array comprising modules connected in series-parallel.

b. Balance of System (BOS) components com prising:

i. Array Junction Box (AJB)
ii. DC and AC Cables
iii. Inverter
iv. Energy meter
v. Current Protection Devices
vi. Surge Protection Devices
vii. AC and DC Breakers
viii. Structure
Balance of System Equipment Cont..
Schematic
diagram of a
grid-
connected
PV system
(single-
phase)
Schematic
diagram of a
grid-connected
PV system
(three-phase)
 1. Site Survey
2. Load assessment
3. Solar Access at site
 Shading
 Solar resources at site
4. Available area - Suitability of roof
GC-PV System 5. Interconnection to grid
Step to Design  Location of system equipment
 Cable route length
6. Wind loading
7. Monitoring equipment
8. Selecting type of inverter
9. Power losses
10. Sizing of PV system
 Site Survey
A site survey is required before the system is designed:
1. Determine the solar access for the site.
 Determine whether any shading will occur and estimate its effect on the system.
 Estimate the solar resource at the site.
2. Determine the available area for the solar array.
 whether the roof is suitable for mounting the array.
 How the modules are mounted on the roof.
3. Determine components location to be installed
 where the inverter will interconnect to the grid.
 where the array junction box, inverter, and kWh meter will be located.
 the cabling route and therefore estimate the lengths of the cable runs.
 Selecting Inverter
 There are several types of inverter as follows:
1. Central
2. Multi-string
3. String
4. Modular

 Things to consider when selecting an inverter are:

i. The peak rating of the PV array
ii. Whether the solar modules are all are in the same plane (the same tilt angle
and direction)
iii. The type of shading that occurs on the array
iv. The capital costs of the different inverters
v. The average annual energy yield
 System Sizing
In general, a PV Grid-Connected system can be designed in
accordance with the following limiting design criteria:
i. Designed to fit on available roof area - determine the total
number of modules that can be mounted on the roof.
ii. Designed to meet yearly energy requirements - determine
the PV array capacity to meet the energy requirement.
iii. Designed to meet a budget - determine the PV array capacity
that fits within the budget constraint.
 Designed to fit on available roof area
 The possible number of modules that can fit
on a roof is limited by the actual length and
width of the module compared with the
length and width of the available roof space.
 A module has two fixed dimensions, length
Length-wise up
and width, and in general modules are in a
rectangular shape.
 The modules could then be installed in an
area either mounted length wise across, or
length wise up Length-wise across
 Designed to meet yearly energy requirements
Consider the Sub-System Losses due to the following:
 Inverter efficiency
 Cable losses (transmission efficiency)
 Average yearly irradiation for selected tilt angle and
orientation
 Manufacturing tolerance of modules and mismatch
 Temperature effects
 Effects of dirt on the modules
 Designed to meet yearly energy requirements
The total number of PV module required is
 Designed Based on Budget
• The systems designer shall consider all the various activities and
items that incur costs to make up a complete PV system, such as:
consultation and design work, hardware equipment, installation,
test and commission and all relevant costs and fees.
• Typically the size of the complete PV system is accounted for in
terms of the installed price per installed PV array capacity.

𝐵𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑒𝑡 • Budget is sum of money allocated for the investment

𝑁 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 =
𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 • fcost is cost factor for PV system (RM per kWp)
 Conclusion
• In this chapter, we have determined the total
number of PV modules that is required based on
the selected sizing criteria
• The final number will be dependent on the
selection of the Inverter and the specific number
of modules that can be connected in series and
parallel to that inverter. This will be covered in the
next Part…
Thank you..

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