Residential Grid-Tie Photovoltaic

System
Michael Cain
Advisor: Dr. J Douglas Sterrett

Goal: The goal of this project was to design a fixed-tilt residential

grid tie photovoltaic system that meets the TVA Green Power Switch
Generation Partners program requirements and be as efficient and cost
effective as possible to maximize financial return on the system

Objectives: “Grid Tie” Solar System

• Create a system that can be paid off in 10 years
• Develop system that meets all requirements of TVA Generation Partners
• Gain knowledge of how PV systems work
• Develop an understanding of how utility interconnectivity works
• Design a modular system that uses the Enphase M215 micro inverter
• Design a second residential PV system that uses one large grid-tie
inverter

TVA Green Power Switch:

• 12 cent premium per kilowatt produced
• 10 year contract for added premium Major Components:
• 500 watt minimum/50kW maximum system size • Inverter(s)
• Federal tax credit for 30% of total cost available • Photovoltaic (Solar) Panels
• $1000 for startup costs from TVA • Racking for Panels
• System must have lockable disconnect • Cables and Wiring
• Must be IEEE 1547, 1547.1, and UL 1741 certified
• Must pass electrical inspection by licensed electrician

Final Design:
• 9.6kW Panel Rating System – 40 Panels
• Enphase M215 for Micro Inverter Design
• SMA Sunnyboy 8000US for Centralized Inverter Design
• Iron Ridge Scalable Ground Array for Racking
SMA Sunnyboy 8000US Enphase M215 Micro Inverter
• Canadian Solar CSP6-240 Poly-Crystalline Solar Panel

Monthly Revenue and 10-year Loan Payment versus

Initial Capital Cost per kWatt for Various Solar Capacity
Hours per Day
Cost Analysis
$50
• Cost Analysis was performed
$45
• Payback occurred with-in project goal guidelines
• Outcome better than one or two axis tracking
$40

$35
Monthly Payment or Revenue

$30 6% Interest Loan

5-hr revenue
Payback Years versus Initial Capital Cost per kWatt
$25 6-hr revenue 18
7-hr revenue

$20 10-year loan cost

16
Single Inverter
Enphase
$15
14

$10
12
Payback Period in Years

$5
10 6% Interest Loan
5-hours per day
$0
$1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $3,000 $3,500 $4,000 $4,500 $5,000 $5,500 $6,000 6-hours per day
8
Initial Capital Cost per kWatt 7-hours per day
Enphase
6 Single Inverter

0
$1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $3,000 $3,500 $4,000 $4,500 $5,000 $5,500 $6,000
Initial Capital Cost per kWatt