SOLAR PV BASICS

VOLTAGE

Voltage (V) is a measure of the amount of pressure, or electromotive force, applied to electrons to
make them move. A Volt is the unit of electromotive force that will force a current of one ampere
through a resistance of one ohm. After we learn about current and resistance, this definition will
make more sense. Voltage is measured in units of Volts (V).

CURRENT

Current (I) is the measure of electron flow in a conductor between two points having a difference in
potential (voltage). Current is measured in units of Amperes or Amps (A).

RESISTANCE

For conducting wires, the resistance of the wire is actually a constant that is dependent on the
conductor material (the wire may be made out of copper, aluminum, silver – all have different
resistance properties) and the size of the wire (diameter). Resistance (R) is measured in units of Ohms
(Ω).

OHM’S LAW

Ohm’s Law states: V = I * R [Units: Volts = Amps * Ohms or V = I * Ω ] or Voltage = Current x

Resistance From basic Algebra, if we can solve for V by multiplying I and R, we should be able to work
backwards to find R if we know V and I simply by dividing V by I. R = V / I or Resistance = Voltage /
Current

What is Electrical Power?

Electrically, power is the rate at which energy is converted or the rate of doing work. Power (P) is
measured in units of Watts (W). When talking in terms of Watts, we are talking about the rate that
electricity is being produced or consumed.

P= V * I

P= Power

V= Voltage
I=Current

AC vs. DC

The concepts of AC, or Alternating Current, and DC, or Direct Current, are important in the electrical
world, especially with PV. We will not examine them in detail now, but will simply differentiate
between the two. Direct current is produced when current flows constantly in one direction. It's
abbreviated as "DC". Since direct current flows in one direction only, its electrical pressure or voltage
is always oriented in one direction, or "polarity".

Series Wiring

To combine batteries or PV cells in series, connect the positive of one battery to the negative of the
next. The way we normally insert batteries into a flashlight does this – the nipple end of one battery
goes into the receptor end of another. When voltage sources are aligned in series, the voltages of
each respective source is added to the others to find the total voltage across the terminals of the
circuit. The Voltage ADDS ( V1 + V2 + V3 + … Vx = V Total )
Parallel Wiring

To combine batteries or PV cells in parallel, connect the negative terminal of one battery to the
negative terminal of the next battery and so on. Do the same procedure with the positive terminals.
When a circuit has power sources wired in parallel, the source current adds through the circuit, but
the voltage remains the same. The Current ADDS ( I1 + I2 + I3 +…Ix = I Total )

Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV)

The "photovoltaic effect" is the basic physical process through which a PV cell converts sunlight into
electricity. Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy. Imagine that these little
particles of energy are microscopic “bullets” of light that literally “rain” on earth wherever sunlight is
shining. Billions upon billions of these light bullets are hitting the earth every second. These photons
contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different colors of the solar spectrum.
Cell Efficiency

The efficiency of a solar cell is determined as the fraction of incident power which is converted to
electricity and is defined as:

V​
where ​ oc​is the open-circuit voltage;
I​
where ​ is the short-circuit current; and
sc​
FF​
where ​ is the fill factor
where​η​ is the efficiency.

Fill Factor
V​​ I​
m* = Actual Power
m​

V​ * I​
oc​ sc =
​ Ideal Power

Effect of Temperature on Solar Module

Temperature has inversely relation with voltage and power=> T α 1/V α 1/P

1 degree temperature rise= 2.3mV Voltage drop

Annual Solar Energy Production

E = A * r * H * PR

E​
= Energy (kWh)
A​= Total solar panel Area (m²)
r​
= solar panel efficiency, η
H​= Annual average solar radiation on tilted panels (shadings not included)
PR​= Performance ratio, coefficient for losses (range between 0.5 and 0.9, default value = 0.75)

PR (Performance ratio) = ​
__ Energy calculated__________________

Module area x Module η x Average solar Irradiation

Plant Load Factor/Capacity utilization factor

PLF/CUF (Plant Load factor) =​ Energy calculated__________________

365days x 24hrs x Rated capacity of Plant

Solar PV system sizing

1. Determine power consumption demands

The first step in designing a solar PV system is to find out the total power and energy consumption of
all loads that need to be supplied by the solar PV system as follows:

1.1 Calculate total Watt-hours per day for each appliance used.
Add the Watt-hours needed for all appliances together to get the total Watt-hours per day
which
must be delivered to the appliances.

1.2 Calculate total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules.
Multiply the total appliances Watt-hours per day times 1.3 (the energy lost in the system) to
get
the total Watt-hours per day which must be provided by the panels.
Battery sizing

The battery type recommended for using in solar PV system is deep cycle battery. Deep cycle battery
is specifically designed for to be discharged to low energy level and rapid recharged or cycle charged
and discharged day after day for years. The battery should be large enough to store sufficient energy
to operate the appliances at night and cloudy days. To find out the size of battery, calculate as
follows:

Battery Capacity (Ah) = ​

Total Watt-hours per day used by appliances​ x Days of autonomy
(D.O.D x Inverter η x nominal battery voltage)

D.O.D (Depth of discharge = 0.8)

Inverter η = 0.9 to 0.95

Inverter sizing

An inverter is used in the system where AC power output is needed. The input rating of the inverter
should never be lower than the total watt of appliances. The inverter must have the same nominal
voltage as your battery.

For stand-alone systems, the inverter must be large enough to handle the total amount of Watts you
will be using at one time. The inverter size should be 25-30% bigger than total Watts of appliances. In
case of appliance type is motor or compressor then inverter size should be minimum 3 times the
capacity of those appliances and must be added to the inverter capacity to handle surge current
during starting.

For grid tie systems or grid connected systems, the input rating of the inverter should be same as PV
array rating to allow for safe and efficient operation.

PV ARRAY SIZING

1. Calculate the energy required (Wh) and capacity required

 Capacity required (Ah) = ​
Energy required (Wh____________________
(Inverter η x battery η x battery voltage)

Inverter η = 0.9 to 0.95

Battery η = 0.8 to 0.85

2. Total ampere requires = Capacity (Ah)/ sunshine hours

Sunshine hours = 6hrs (For India)

3. No. of modules in parallel string = Total Ampere required/ I​

mp rating
​ (Module)

I​
mp =
​ Max. Current of module (from Module datasheet)

4. No. of modules in series string = Battery voltage required /V​ rating (Module)
mp​

V​ = Max voltage of module (From module datasheet)

mp ​

5. Total No. of Modules = No. of modules in parallel string x No. of modules in series string

6. Total capacity (Wattage) = Total No. of Modules x Module size

CABLE SIZING

Parameters to know:

1. Conductor size 2. Length of cable 3. Conductor type: Copper/Aluminum

4. No. of cores 5. Allowed voltage drop: 1%

​
To calculate the cross section area in mm2​(It is also applicable for AC single phase)

S (cross-section)= ​
_____L*I_______________

γ*ε

L= Length of cable line (both negative & positive)

I= Total current value of the string

C): 46.82m/Ω.mm2​
Γ=conductivity of copper (at 70⁰

ε = Maximum voltage drop

Solar charge controller sizing

The solar charge controller is typically rated against Amperage and Voltage capacities. Select the solar
charge controller to match the voltage of PV array and batteries and then identify which type of solar
charge controller is right for your application. Make sure that solar charge controller has enough
capacity to handle the current from PV array.

For the series type, the sizing of controller depends on the total PV input current which is delivered to
the controller and also depends on PV panel configuration (series or parallel configuration).

According to standard practice, the sizing of solar charge controller is to take the short circuit current
(I​
sc)
​of the PV array, and multiply it by 1.3

Solar charge controller rating = Total short circuit current of PV array x 1.3

SITE SURVEY PARAMETERS

1. Shadow test​ : To collect maximum sunlight during the day, the solar PV panel should face as much
south as possible. The rooftop must be checked for the shadows of trees or adjoining builds etc.,
particularly from south direction. A clear rooftop without any shadow from all around is an ideal case
for solar PV installations. In case there is shadow on rooftop, a detailed analysis of time and direction
of sunlight needs to be performed by an expert to estimate the energy received by rooftop.

2. Rooftop type​: The load carrying capacity of the roof should be checked. The solar panels with
structure typically weigh 10-15Kg per Sq. meter. This weight varies with technology and type of
structure.

Type of roof: a. Flat roof b. Tin Shade c. Ground mounting

3. Sizing of solar system​

: Size of solar system depends on the rooftop area available for panels. This
can be calculated by dividing the available area by each panel area and multiplying it by panel’s rated
output.

4. System performance (annual units generated)​ : The output per panel and hence system output
depends on panel efficiency and the solar radiation at the site.

System performance can be best calculated by performance ratio (PR), however, we still rely on
PLF/CUF

5. Pricing of the system/Plant

The most important factor of any technology, here in solar PV the prices are as follows
Off-grid system: Rs100 per watt

Grid-tied system: Rs75 per watt

(Utility-scale)

Grid-connected: Rs60 per watt/Rs6crore per MW

(Export to grid/PPA Based)

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
​
● Rooftop Solar PV plants require 100-130 SF or 12m2​
of shade-free roof area per kW of plant
capacity

● Shadows falling on the panels not only reduce power output but also damage the panel
​
● Rooftop plants weigh 20-30 Kgs/m2​which is too heavy for asbestos roofed sheds. Installation
on metal roofed sheds should be decided on a case-to-case basis

● The mounting structure should be designed to handle cyclones where wind speeds can reach
200 kph

Reference Link:
http://www.ezysolare.com/blog/knowledge-center/how-to-calculate-solar-energy-generation/