Photovoltaic Systems Training

Off grid installations

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PHOTOVOLTIC SYSTEM
Design, Execution, Operation & Maintenance
STAND ALONE FACILITIES

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INDEX Introduction Elements. Storage System & Backup System

Trends: Hybrid Systems. Efficiency. Smart Grids

Applications. Examples Design Maintenance http://www.aryavgreenenergy.com

Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

INDEX Introduction Elements. Storage System & Backup System

Trends: Hybrid Systems. Efficiency. Smart Grids

Applications. Examples Design Maintenance http://www.aryavgreenenergy.com

Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

PV Regulator PV Modules

DC Consumption

Inverter

AC Consumption

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Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Differences with a grid connected system
Designed for self-consumption
An electricity storage is required Regulator / charger Batteries

Inverters with capacity " to create a grid

For facilities with consumptions in DC and output power below 2 kW, we may require modules with particular characteristics:
If the consumptions are in DC 12 V, modules of 18 V If they are in DC 24 V, modules of 30-32 V NOTE: The modules of 12 V are more expensive, but it is possible to avoid their use by using regulators with power maximizers. Only for powers over 2 kW

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Criterion of winter production maximization VS annual production maximization

In the grid connected facilities, the objective is to obtain the maximum annual profitability
of the installation In stand-alone facilities, the objective is to feed the demand for any day of the year. For it: We have to design the installation for the " worse day of the year We will choose the modules tilt that maximizes the production in the above mentioned month

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Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

INDEX Introduction Elements. Storage System & Backup System

Trends: Hybrid Systems. Efficiency. Smart Grids

Applications. Examples Design Maintenance http://www.aryavgreenenergy.com

Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Inverter
Lower range of powers than for grid connected facilities Possibility of connection in parallel or series Prepared for auxiliary inputs in parallel, in case of hybrid systems: diesel, grid, modules

Manufacturers:

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Regulator / Charger
It is used to: ... protect the batteries against overcharging To avoid excessive discharges within a cycle It is recommended to work with a over sizing of 125 %

Differences between regulator and charger

Charger: it is only used to charge the batteries Regulator: it is used both for charging the batteries and managing the loads in DC NOTE: The chargers are not simple devices: The battery charge stage depends on many factors and is difficult to determine Multiple algorithms exist to optimize the battery charging and to increase its lifetime

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Batteries
Batteries are used for storing the energy that is produced by the

modules during the day, for being consumed in the periods that
there is no solar irradiation This storage takes place due to chemical reversible reactions A battery is composed by the connection of several "cells in series Between the electrodes there is a certain potential difference (Generally: 2V) In photovoltaic applications we can generally find batteries of 12, 24 or 48 volts Normally, the system is designed to store energy for several days of consumption

In case of several days of low irradiation: clouds, rain, etc

Three days can be a good recommendation, depending on each case

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Capacity
Electricity that can be obtained during a full discharge of a completely charged battery The capacity, in Amperes - hours (A - h), is the current that the battery can supply, multiplied by the number of hours in which the above mentioned current is delivered

Real Capacity
Theoretically, a battery of 200 A - h might supply: 200A during an hour, 100A for two hours, 1A for 200 hours and so on. However, in the reality, the capacity of the battery will change according to the regime of charge and discharge. (Generally, lower speed of discharge implies a bigger capacity) For example: a battery which specifies a capacity of 100 A - h during 8 hours (C-8): It might supply 12,5 A during 8 hours. C = 12.5 x 8 = 100 A h But it might provide 5.8 A during 20 hours. C ' = 5.8 x 20 = 116 A - h

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Depth of Discharge
Percentage of the total capacity of the battery that can be used without need of recharge and without damaging the battery. As a general rule, the less depth of discharge is reached in every cycle, the longer the battery lifetime will be

Classification:Light Cycle Designed for high current in the initial discharges Constant charges and discharges Depths of discharge lower than 20% Deep Cycle Designed for long periods of utilization without Being recharged They are more robust and have higher energetic density Depth of discharge around of 80%'

Note: This classification is generally used for Lead-Acid batteries

Several manufacturers
Isofoton, Hoppecke, BAE, TABB, Tudor, etc

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Type of Batteries
For photovoltaic applications the most suitable batteries are the stationary ones, designed to have a fixed emplacement and for the cases in which the consumption is more or less irregular. The stationary batteries do not need to supply high currents during brief periods of time, but they need to reach deep discharges

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The Diesel Generator as a Backup (I)

The use of a diesel generator can allow us to avoid the over sizing of solar modules

and batteries.
The diesel generator would cover the periods of low irradiation or the situations of extraordinary consumption Nowadays, the energy generated by a diesel group can be more expensive than the energy obtained from a photovoltaic solar system It will depend on the price of the fuel in each country NOTE: In the following slide we can find an example

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INDEX Introduction Elements. Storage System & Backup System

Trends: Hybrid Systems. Efficiency. Smart Grids

Applications. Examples Design Maintenance http://www.aryavgreenenergy.com

Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Application Areas

Zones distant from the grid Zones currently supplied by diesel generators Exceptionally, areas with instabilities from the grid

Great potential in African countries

Especially, areas with high fuel prices

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Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Application Examples

Single family houses Public buildings: hospitals, schools, etc Public lighting and traffic lights Communication Stations Water pumping For human consumption For agriculture

Desalination & Water sewerage

Industrial uses

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Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Particular Case: Water Pumping Facilities
Great advantages to be fed with solar energy: There is no need for batteries The construction of a high water tank can be used as a energy storage Therefore we do not need regulator either Neither inverters Nowadays, we can find great quality DC bombs

Installation with few elements:

We reduce the price of the installation We reduce the possibilities of breakdown

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Other Considrations
Limits on the system Maximum power output It is limited by the inverters: nowadays <120 kWp Maximum capacity of storage It is limited by the batteries Lead - acid: it is recommended not to install more than three or four blocks of batteries in parallel If we use Ni-Cad this quantity can be higher (according to the manufacturers) * * It is recommended to verify this information with the manufacturer Other considerations Towards the system scalability With the goal to supply energy to growing populations By the mix of different technologies

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INDEX Introduction Elements. Storage System & Backup System

Trends: Hybrid Systems. Efficiency. Smart Grids

Applications. Examples Design Maintenance http://www.aryavgreenenergy.com

Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

System Design (I)

We begin by creating a table with all the consumptions we will find in the system
Device No. of Units Peak Power (W) Average Power (W) Hours of Usage (h per day) Consumed energy (Wh per day)

Lamp PC
Fridge TV TOTAL

10 1
1 1

11 300
1000 90 1500 W

88* 150
400 90 728 W

8 6
24 8

880 900
9600 720 12.100 Wh per day

The peak power will affect the inverter calculation

The daily energy consumption will affect: The storage system The solar modules

* Simultaneity ratio 80%

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System Design (II) Solar Generator Calculator

According to the consumption study, we have to produce 12.100 Wh per day (average) As we have explained previously, this production must be guaranteed even the worst day of the year, in this case, in December We have to consider the losses in all the elements of the system: modules, inverters, chargers, batteries and cables. The battery losses can be estimated around 15 % The whole system losses, can be estimated around 34 %

We could install, for example: 34 modules of 230 W = 7.820 Wp http://www.aryavgreenenergy.com

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System Design (III) Battery Calculation

According to the consumption study, the batteries should supply 12.100 Wh/day (average) In this example, the system will consider that the batteries have to be able to store Energy for two days without solar radiation The batteries, then, should be able to store 24.200 Wh For this example, we will choose Lead-Acid batteries, with a Cycle-Depth of 80% In order to increase the battery life-time, we will consider a maximum discharge depth around 60 % We will consider the battery losses around 15%.

Conclusion: 24V batteries of 2000 A-h (C-20)

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System Design (IV) Inverter Calculation (I)

Now, we have to consider the peak power of the system

In this case, the maximum power would be 1500 Wp

However, usually we use a Simultaneity Ratio, because normally all the devices will not be connected at the same time Furthermore, the inverters are prepared to supply the double of their nominal output power, during a certain period of time In this case, we will consider that the peaks from the washing machine and the fridge will not be longer than these periods

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System Design (V) Inverter Calculation (II)

We will reach a maximum output power of 1500 Wp, so the Nominal

Output Power should be higher than 750 Wp

Considering the average consumptions, and applying a Simultaneity Ratio of 80% for the lights, the nominal Output Power of the inverter should be higher than 728 Wp

So, we will choose any inverter with a Nominal Output Power higher than 750 Wp

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System Design (VI)

Conclusions
Demanded energy: 12.100 Wh Solar modules peak power: 7.820 Wp Batteries capacity: 2.000 A-h (C-20) x 24 V = 48.000 W-h Inverter nominal output power: 750 1000 Wp

Observations
We have considered that the consumption is homogeneous during the year If this was not the case (For example, if we had an air conditioning system) we would have studied also the maximum demanding day We could reduce the amount of batteries, by reducing their autonomy or increasing their discharge depth and introducing a diesel generator as a backup for the periods that the batteries cannot assume

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INDEX Introduction Elements. Storage System & Backup System

Trends: Hybrid Systems. Efficiency. Smart Grids

Applications. Examples Design Maintenance http://www.aryavgreenenergy.com

Aryav Green Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Solar Modules Maintenance

Periodical cleaning of the modules Depending on the pollution of each area Generally, once per year Checking the cables and connections

Retightening the screws

Checking the structure If it is not protected against open air (aluminum, galvanized steel, etc) it will

require a periodical antioxidant paint

Checking any shadowing effect

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Battery Maintenance (I)

The battery is a dangerous element, due to its chemical and electrical properties

Main risks
The electrolyte is, generally, dilute acid: it may

produce burns if contacting the skin or the eyes

Electrocution risk From 24 V, in wet environments From 48 V, in dry environments Recommendations: Use appropriate gloves and shoes Use plastic handle tools Avoid wearing any metallic object Avoid sparks and flames close to the batteries

Risk of fire or explosion

The batteries produce hydrogen gas An appropriate ventilation system is needed

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Thank you for attention

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