Professional Documents
Culture Documents
6 This technical specification (TS) sets out general guidelines and recommendations for the
7 design and installation of photovoltaic (PV) power plants. A PV power plant is defined as a
8 grid-connected, ground mounted system of at least 1 MW, comprising multiple sub-arrays and
9 interconnected directly to a utility’s medium voltage or high voltage grid. Technical areas
10 addressed are those that largely distinguish PV power plants from smaller, more conventional
11 installations, including ground mounted array configurations, cable routing methods, cable
12 selection, overcurrent protection strategies, equipotential bonding over large geographical
13 areas, inverter and medium voltage transformer sizing and siting, medium voltage collection
14 systems, grid interconnection, and auxiliary and communication services. Safety requirements
15 are largely dependent on existing referenced IEC standards, and in general existing
16 standards are referenced wherever possible for uniformity. Emphasis is placed on systems
17 employing large scale central inverters, but sections are also applicable to systems employing
18 AC modules, string level inverters or DC/DC converters. Large rooftop mounted systems are
19 not included in the scope of this document because of the unique design considerations that
20 are common to rooftop systems in general, and which are being addressed in a separate
21 standard.
22 This TS addresses PV system design and installation topics that are essential to power plant
23 applications but largely absent from existing PV system and related standards. Power plants
24 are a significant and growing component of the PV market, yet design methodologies range
25 considerably, partly due to the fact that systems are not accessible to the public or non-
26 qualified personnel. Overall guidelines are still needed to ensure safe, reliable, and productive
27 systems.
28 2 Normative References
29 The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
30 For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
31 of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. Informational (i.e.
32 dispensable) references are included in the bibliography.
33 IEC 60287 (all parts), Electric cables – Calculation of the current rating
35 IEC 60364-4-41, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-41: Protection for safety –
36 Protection against electric shock
38 IEC 60364-5-53 Electrical installations of buildings - Part 5-53: Selection and erection of
39 electrical equipment - Isolation, switching and control
40 IEC 60364-5-54, Electrical installations of buildings – Part 5-54: Selection and erection of
41 electrical equipment – Earthing arrangements, protective conductors and protective bonding
42 conductors
45 IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
46 equipment
58 IEC 61836, Solar photovoltaic energy systems - Terms, definitions and symbols
59 IEC 62109-1 Safety of power conversion equipment for use in photovoltaic power
60 systems -Part 1: General requirements.
61 IEC 62109-2 Safety of power conversion equipment for use in photovoltaic power
62 systems -Part 2: Particular requirements for inverters.
63 IEC 62446, Grid connected PV systems - Minimum requirements for system documentation,
64 commissioning tests, and inspection requirements
66 IEC 62548 - Installation and Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic (PV) Generators.
67 IEC 62446 Grid connected photovoltaic systems - Minimum requirements for system
68 documentation, commissioning tests and inspection
73 IEC 61829 Crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) array - On-site measurement of I-V
74 characteristics (not on www.iec.ch list)
75 IEC 61683 Photovoltaic systems - Power conditioners - Procedure for measuring efficiency
76 IEC 61724 Photovoltaic system performance monitoring - Guidelines for measurement, data
77 exchange and analysis
78 Publications issued by TC 8
XXX IEC:201X –3– 82/639/NP
81 IEC/PAS 62559 (2008-01) Ed. 1.0, IntelliGrid methodology for developing requirements for
82 energy systems ???
85 IEC 62511 TR Ed. 1.0 E, A white paper - Power system reliability in a deregulated electricity
86 market environment
87 PNW 8-1275 Ed. 1. Guidelines on dispersed generation - Impact of renewable energy sources
88 on grid planning and operation
89 PNW 8-1284 Ed. 1.0, Power Quality of Energy Supply - Characterization of power quality from
90 the point of view of the electrical energy suppliers
91 PNW 8-1285 Ed. 1.0, Standard calculation methods of performance indexes for energy
92 supply.
95 4.1 General
96 PV power plant designs can be categorized by the PV array configurations and the inverter
97 configurations employed.
99 Fixed tilt arrays use structures that orient PV modules at an azimuth and tilt angle that is fixed
100 year round. Arrays are fixed typically at the site latitude angle +/- 15 degrees to optimize
101 annual generation, but may be tilted at other angles to achieve specific performance
102 objectives. Pros and cons....
104 Adjustable tilt arrays are essentially fixed tilt arrays that can be manually adjusted once or
105 more per year. The most typical adjustable tilt array uses a higher angle tilt setting for winter
106 months and a lower angle tilt setting for summer months. This is not often found in existing
107 PV power plants due to the time and labor associated with making the adjustments twice a
108 year. Pros and cons....
110 Single axis tracking arrays employ structures rotate PV modules along a single axis to follow
111 the sun’s path. Most common for power plants is the N-S axis tracker, which rotates the
112 modules from east to west throughout the course of a day. More..... Pros and cons
XXX IEC:201X –4– 82/639/NP
116 Plants designed with large centralized inverters are most common, particularly with multi-
117 megawatt sized systems. A common centralized inverter design approach includes a group of
118 inverters totalling 500 kW to 2 MW installed together in a housing container or on an
119 equipment pad along with a medium voltage transformer. The transformer steps the AC
120 voltage up to a standard medium voltage level, such as 20 kV. The figure below shows an
121 example 1 MW centralized inverter layout using a N-S single axis tracker. The inverters are
122 centralized within the array to minimize the total lengths of DC cable. The MV AC output of
123 the container connects to a substation north of the array.
124
128 Classification of systems using standard flat panel PV versus those using concentrating PV,
129 both low and high concentration.
XXX IEC:201X –5– 82/639/NP
132 For PV plants using string or centralized inverters, the process for determining the
133 appropriate number of modules to be connected in a series string is mostly similar to that of
134 standard commercial or rooftop PV systems. However, a power plant design may warrant a
135 greater evaluation of variables to optimize the string lengths for electrical and cost efficiency.
137 Determining the design low and design high temperature (statistical data at site).
139 Determine the minimum recommended string voltage at the high design temperature, given
140 the inverter minimum MPPT voltage, voltage drop on the conductors, mismatch, voltage
141 degradation over time, etc.
142 Determine the maximum recommended string voltage at the low design temperature, given
143 the inverter maximum OC voltage rating, the inverter’s high voltage withstand, site specific
144 weather factors, and string voltage calculations that incorporate impact of irradiance on cell
145 temperatures.
147 Determine the efficiency trade off of using the highest possible string voltages to minimize
148 power loss in the DC conductors and using lower string voltages to maximize the inverter
149 efficiencies.
151 Determine the string conductor size (ampacity) given maximum short circuit currents,
152 overcurrent protection ratings, electrical efficiency, and cost. Criteria may differ from plant to
153 plant. For examples, some based on maximum delivered efficiency at full power, other based
154 on levelized cost of energy over the life of the plant.
157 List recommendations for cable voltage and insulation ratings given various designs.
159 Recommendations and guidelines for exposed module to module wiring to protect from
160 physical damage.
162 Recommendations and guidelines for securing the cables to limit physical damage, stress on
163 connectors, stress on junction boxes, stress from wind vibration.
165 Define common methods, guidelines for routing cables in plants, including the transition of
166 cable from moving arrays (tracker assemblies) to fixed raceways.
XXX IEC:201X –6– 82/639/NP
169 Define guidelines for multi-criteria approach to overcurrent protection of module strings.
171 Define a matrix of fault scenarios on strings, including line to line, ground faults, faults to
172 other circuits.
174 Determine module and component protection needs given maximum reverse current ratings,
175 and evaluation of fault scenarios. Thin-film based systems will differ from standard crystalline
176 based systems.
178 Define guidelines for evaluating overcurrent protection effectiveness in protecting against fire,
179 given failure mode of modules, junction boxes, connectors, etc.
183 Define guidelines and considerations for use of circuit breakers for string protection.
186 This section focuses on decision making for size, string count, and arrangement of sub-array
187 junction boxes with the criteria of plant design cost-efficiency.
189 Define considerations and methods for calculating losses and cable costs for different sub-
190 array junction box arrangements.
192 Identify considerations for sizing boxes based on cable distances, effectiveness of over-
193 voltage protection, and level of lightning activity at a specific location.
195 Identify considerations of sub-array junction box arrangements, locations, and isolation with
196 respect to long term operation and maintenance procedures, requirements of personnel.
199 List recommendations for cable voltage and insulation ratings given various designs.
XXX IEC:201X –7– 82/639/NP
201 Define common methods, guidelines for routing sub-array cables in plants.
203 Define recommendations for use and selection of cable trays, specific to PV plant
204 applications, including thermal issues, physical support, use of tray covers, perforated trays,
205 mixed use cable, etc.
207 Define recommendations for use and selection of underground ducts or conduit, specific to PV
208 plant applications.
210 Define recommendations for use of direct buried underground cable, specific to PV plant
211 applications, including laying methods, separation of AC and DC circuits, MV circuits, and
212 communication circuits.
216 Provide discussion of selection of aluminium conductor for main PV DC circuits, with focus on
217 guidelines for their proper sizing and safe installation. Aluminium conductors have greater
218 Issues associated with expansion and contraction if exposed in to sunlight thermal-cycling
219 then copper conductors, and therefore greater risk of terminal stress and weakening
220 connections. This section will make recommendations for addressing these issues.
222 This section will have discussions similar to those described for string conductors in the
223 sections above.
240 Define guidelines for specifying the proper component electrical ratings from PV and circuit
241 information.
243 Define guidelines for specifying the proper component environmental ratings for a specific
244 installation type, or adequately protecting the enclosure to meet its rating.
246 Define typical approaches and recommendations for box mounting given different location
247 scenarios.
249 Identify references to clearance requirements (for control boxes, e.g.) but also describe
250 practical clearance issues found in PV plant applications.
262 Describe typical approaches and design guidelines for collecting sub-array circuits at central
263 inverter location.
265 Describe methods and cost-design trade-offs of different overcurrent protection methods at
266 inverters.
XXX IEC:201X –9– 82/639/NP
268 Describe methods and cost-design trade-offs of different DC circuit isolation methods at
269 inverters.
271 Show examples of inverter container configurations. Define classifications (such as building
272 vs, container), which if classified for occupation has different requirements for clearance,
273 exits, etc. Identify references for the various requirements.
275 Show examples of inverter equipment pad configurations. Identify guidelines and
276 recommendations for protection of equipment, use of shade structures, fencing, etc.
279 The sections below will provide guidelines and specifications for the different aspects of
280 earthing design, specific to PV plant applications.
292 The sections in 8.4 will describe lightning protection equipment methods commonly employed
293 in PV plants, including in locations with high activity. It will also discuss issues to address
294 and lessons learned.
298
XXX IEC:201X – 10 – 82/639/NP
301 The sections in 8.5 will describe equipotential bonding design methods for reducing the risk
302 and impact of nearby lightning strikes. Example layout diagrams to be included.
307 Define guidelines and recommendations for selecting collection system voltages based on
308 plant power ratings, inverter pad sizes and distances.
311 Discuss low cost collection system designs using radial systems, pros and cons.
313 Discuss additional benefits and costs of designing open-loop collection systems.
315 Discuss additional benefits and costs of designing closed-loop collection systems, including
316 the equipment choices.
319 Section 9.3 to include guidelines and specifications for oil-filled and dry-type transformers, as
320 well as specialized transformers commonly used when connecting multiple inverters.
321 References to applicable IEC transformer standards.
326
329 Section 9.4 will include guidelines for selection of different MV switchgear design approaches,
330 for equipment at the inverter pads or at centralized collector stations (substations). Define
331 specifications specific to PV system applications. Call out references to applicable IEC
332 switchgear standards.
333
XXX IEC:201X – 11 – 82/639/NP
339 Section 9.5 will include guidelines for selection of MV cable for conditions of use, highlighting
340 PV system specific considerations. Call out references to applicable IEC cabling standards.
352 Identify shading impact of overhead lines and utility poles on nearby arrays. Provide
353 guidelines and recommendations for minimizing impact.
355 Discuss standard utility interconnection issues – but focus on considerations specific to PV
356 plants – such as intermittency and use of inverters as mitigation for protection and control
357 requirements.
366 Provide design guidelines and recommendations for design of auxiliary power systems given
367 load requirements. The design typically involves a cost trade-off analysis of providing a
368 separate system – sometimes metered separately from the PV production, or tapping off of
XXX IEC:201X – 12 – 82/639/NP
369 the PV power output circuits to supply loads locally at pads. Energy consumption is typically
370 low throughout the field unless significant inverter container cooling is required.
376
382 14 Bibliography
383 IEC 60050-151:2001, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Part 151: Electrical and
384 magnetic devices
385 IEC 60050-195:1998, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Part 195: Earthing and
386 protection against electric shock
389 IEC 60050-461:1984, International Electro-technical Vocabulary – Part 461: Electric cables
392 IEC 60364-5-53, Electrical installations of buildings –Selection and erection of electrical
393 equipment – Isolation, switching and control
394 IEC 60364-7-712:2002, Electrical installations of buildings – Part 7-712: Requirements for
395 special installations or locations – Solar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems
396 IEC 60904-2, Photovoltaic devices − Part 2: Requirements for reference solar cells
397 IEC 60904-3, Photovoltaic devices − Part 3: Measurement principles for terrestrial
398 photovoltaic (PV) solar devices with reference spectral irradiance data
399 IEC 61277, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) power generating systems – General and guide
XXX IEC:201X – 13 – 82/639/NP
400 IEC 61829, Crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) array − On-site measurement of I-V
401 characteristics
402 IEC 61836, Solar photovoltaic energy systems – Terms and symbols 1)
403 IEC 62246-2, Reed contact units – Part 2: Heavy-duty reed switches 2)
—————————
1) Second edition, in preparation.
2) To be published.