Outline

What is a photovoltaic system

o Cell, Module, and Array
BOS
o Structure

o Electronics

PV System Design Basics

o Hybrid Systems
The Cell, The Module and The Array
Balance of System (BOS)
The BOS typically contains;
o Structures for mounting the PV
arrays or modules
o Power conditioning equipment
that messages and converts the
electricity to the proper form and
magnitude required by an
alternating current (ac) load.
o Sometimes also storage devices,
such as batteries, for storing PV
generated electricity during
cloudy days and at night.
Types of Photovoltaic Systems
Stand-alone systems - those systems which use
photovoltaics technology only, and are not
connected to a utility grid.
Hybrid systems - those systems which use
photovoltaics and some other form of energy, such
as diesel generation or wind.
Grid-tied systems - those systems which are
connected to a utility grid.
Stand Alone PV System
Water Pumping System
Examples of Stand Alone PV Systems
• PV Panel on a Water
Pump

PV powers stock water

pumps in remote locations
Examples of Stand Alone PV Systems
A 4-kW system used for
mobile emergency power
The workhorse batteries that
can store up to 51 kW-hrs of
electricity are housed in a
portable trailer behind the
flag.
The system is the largest
mobile power unit ever built
Examples of Stand Alone PV Systems
Smiling child
stands in front
of Tibetan home
that uses 20 W
PV panel for
electricity
PV panel on
rooftop of rural
residence
Hybrid PV System
Examples of Hybrid PV Systems
Ranching the Sun
project in Hawaii
generates 175 kW of
PV power and 50
kW of wind power
from the five Bergey
10 kW wind
turbines
Examples of Hybrid PV Systems
PV / diesel hybrid power
system - 12 kW PV array,
20 kW diesel genset
This system serves as the
master site for the "top
gun" Tactical Air Combat
Training System
(TACTS) on the U.S.
Navy's Fallon Range.
Examples of Grid Tied Systems
The world's
largest
residential PV
project
180 kWp for
500 homes
END