SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMON

SOLAR PV SYSTEMDESIGN

Structure

By
Ravindra Goyal
Components of solar PV system
Main Components Balance of System (BOS) Components

PVarray (group of PVmodules Cables – DCand AC

in series / parallel)
Array Junction Box / DCCombinerBox
Inverter (grid-connected / off-
grid / multimode) Over current prot. device / Disconnector

Array mounting structure Energy Meters and System Monitoring

Plugs, Sockets and Connectors

Storage battery (with off-grid/
multimode inverters) Earthing and Lightning Protection System

Marking and Signages

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Components of solar PV system
Main Components Balance of System (BOS) Components

PVarray (group of PVmodules Cables – DCand AC

in series / parallel)
Array Junction Box / DCCombinerBox
Solar Inverter
Over current prot. device / Disconnector

Array mounting structure Energy Meters and System Monitoring

Storage battery (with off-grid / Plugs, Sockets and Connectors

multimode inverters) Earthing and Lightning Protection System

Marking and Signages

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Array mounting structure

Basis of Structure Tilt

Azimuth Angle - The azimuth angle is the compass direction from which the sunlight is
coming. The azimuth angle varies throughout the day.

At sunrise on the spring and fall equinox, At solar noon, the azimuth angle is 00
the azimuth angle is 900

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Array mounting structure
Basis of Structure Tilt
Elevation Angle - The elevation angle (used interchangeably with altitude angle) is the
angular height of the sun in the sky measured from the horizontal.

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Array mounting structure
Basis of Structure Tilt
Daily SUN Path

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Array mounting structure
Basis of Structure Tilt
Annual SUN Path

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Requirement & Types
• Fixed Tilt
• Seasonal Variable Tilt
• Single Axis Tracking
• E-W Tracking
• N-S Tracking
• Dual Axis Tracking

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Array mounting structure

Structure – Fixed Tilt

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Seasonal Tilt
Function

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Seasonal Tilt
Function

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Single Axis Tracking
Function

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Single Axis Tracking
Function – E-W

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Dual Axis Tracking
Function

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Dual Axis Tracking
Function
• Requires “close control loop”
• Provides position feedback to the controller
• Positional data – Centre of the Sun +“Home”

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Array mounting structure
Structure – Dual Axis Tracking
Function

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Structure – Comparison
Type Axis of Yield Area Required O&M
Rotatio (MWp)
n
Fixed Fixed in Base 3.5 – 4 acres Very Easy with Least
Horizontal and (Depending on Module, downtime and basic
Vertical Location & Tilt angle) cost
Seasonal Manual Vertical 6–8% 4 – 4.5 acres Easy with Least
Rotation High (Depending on location it can downtime and basic
have similar area as Fixed) cost
Single Axis Auto Horizontal 15-18 % 5 – 6 acres Difficult with Higher
Rotation High (Depending on location it can downtime and 10-
have similar area as Fixed) 15% higher basic cost
Double Axis Auto Horizontal 25-30 % 7 – 9 acres Difficult with Higher
and Vertical High downtime and ~20%
Rotation higher basic cost
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Structure – Array configuration
Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR)
• Higher the array, Lower the GCR
• Lower GCR= Long cables
• Lower GCR= Potential for large DC
voltage drop

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Structure – Tracking High Wind Speed

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Array mounting structure – Single AxisTracking

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Array mounting structure – OnShed

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Array mounting structure – On RCCRoof

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Other Parameters affecting Structures

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Array mounting structure –Specification
• Hot dip galvanized MS mounting structures (with 1000 gm/m2 zinc
mass coating)
• Shall be designed to withstand the speed forthe wind zone
• The mounting structure steel shall be as per latest Country-specific /
International standard
• Galvanization of the mounting structure shall be incompliance of
latest Country-specific / International standard
• Structural material shall be corrosion resistant and electrolytically
compatible with module frame
• Aluminum structures also can be used. Necessary protection towards
rusting need to be provided either by coating oriodization.
• The fasteners used should be made up of stainless steel.
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