Email: jeff.johnson@todosolar.

mx Tele: 871 722 9522 Skype: todosolarmexico

Demonstration of PV system design
Using PVSYST
Dr. Jeffery Lee Johnson
CTO Todo-Solar
Coahuila, Mexico
Agenda
Resources

A review of the basic principles of Photovoltaic Engineering

What is PV System design?

Initial Project Assessment: Matching Kwh of consumption (energy
needed) to solar Kwh produced using an actual Case Study

Case Study in Design : A real time design demonstration using PVSYS

Comparison of predicted performance to actual performance

Special features of PVSYST, compatibility with other resources

TodoSolar and TodoSolarKids

Resources
Doc Solstices Seasoned Sentiments
The question of the day that is on everybodys minds

Does Solar Energy have a future ?
Resources
Doc Solstices Seasoned Sentiments
The question of the day that is on everybodys minds

Does Solar Energy have a future ?

Solar Energy is here and is here to stay
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
PHOTOVOLTAIC ENGINEERING
Key Concepts and Equations
The mathematics of PV engineering relies mostly on a single
equation - The Schockley diode equation

Watts peak : The Power output of a panel under specific conditions
1000 W / m
2
solar radiation normal (perpendicular to surface) at 25C and 1 atm.
A normalized quantity that is helpful but not useful and is confusing

Specific yield The PV designers best friend
Specific yield is the Kwh produced per KW
p
installed per day (Kwh/KW/day)
It is normalized quantity independent of total size of system

Specific yield depends on
Geographical location and climate (solar resource)
Installation and orientation
Design by matching components for optimum performance
The Shockley Diode Equation
(The physics of the P-N Junction)
K at mV V
kT
e
where
V
V
I
kT
eV
I I
thermal
thermal
300 26
1 exp 1 exp
0 0
= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
A First Look at the Diode Equation
K at mV V
kT
e
where
V
V
I
kT
eV
I I
thermal
thermal
300 26
1 exp 1 exp
0 0
= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
BLUE CURVE
Effect on diode equation
Photo-active materials
(semiconductors)
Photon
The photovoltaic Equation and curve
=
0
I I
I
PH
th
I
V
V
I I
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
= 1 exp
0
RED CURVE
The Photodiode is at the heart of every opto-
electronic device including solar cells
Electrical diode
Photodiodes
Solar Cells
Lasers
Power = I x V
The Solar Cell Isc and Voc
Variation with Temperature and Irradiation
|
|
.
|

\
|
= 1 ln
0
I
I
kT
q
V
ph
OC
Variation of Isc and Voc with Radiation
V
oc
varies logarithmically
with illumination
ISC varies linearly in proportion with illumination
ISC and VOC variation with
Temperature
Voc Is inversely proportional with
temperature
ISC varies little
with changes in
temperature
|
|
.
|

\
|
= 1 ln
0
I
I
kT
q
V
ph
OC
|
|
.
|

\
|
= 1 ln
0
I
I
kT
q
V
ph
OC
Solar Cell Power
0
1 exp
max
0
=

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
=
dV
dP
V
V
V
I I V P
V I P
themal
L
0
max
=
dI
dP
I
Maximum Power point tracking
All modern inverters have MPPT capability that optimizes the power point for a
string or array of solar panels
WHAT IS PV SYSTEM DESIGN?
Panel and series characteristics
String is a series of panels with
predetermined current and
voltage output
V = V
1
+ V
2
+ V
n
= V
i

I = I
1
= I
2
= I
n
Inverter characteristics
Inverters have input requirements

Number of DC inputs
Minimum/Maximum current
Minimum/Maximum Voltage
MPPT range of Voltage
Matching the panels with inverter is
called String Sizing
Matching the panels with inverter is
called String Sizing
Inverters have Output characteristics
Peak Power
Specific Yield
Grid connection compatibility
Annual Production of energy
Kwh
Matching all components to generate the desired power
and energy output for a client is the called PV system
Design
INITIAL PROJECT ANALYSIS
A CASE STUDY IN DETERMINING KWH NEEDED
Collect data from Client
Utility bill provides
consumption and prices for a
year

We know the precise
geographical location


A site visit provides:
the area available
orientation possibilities
shading issues
Grid connection
Electrical interface

We can now begin the design
Needs 26,823 Kwh per year. Using a Specific yield of 4.5. this client
needs a minimum system of 16 KW
Using consumption needs to estimate sizing
A CASE STUDY IN PV SYSTEM DESIGN
USING PVSYST
PVSYST Simulation Software
http://www.pvsyst.com/
DEMO
COMPARING PREDICTED WITH
ACTUAL PERFORMANCE
USING SYSTEM MONITORING
http://www.sunnyportal.com/Templates/Start.aspx

http://www.sunnyportal.com/Templates/PublicPageOverview.aspx?plant=e40d
994b-9238-4c84-818b-82c731316308&splang=en-US
http://www.sma-america.com/en_US.html
SPECIAL FEATURES OF
PVSYST
(Solar Energy made available to Everyone)
http://www.sunnyportal.com/Templates/PublicPageOverview.aspx?p
lant=e40d994b-9238-4c84-818b-82c731316308&splang=en-US
Twitter: @TodoSolarKids
Twitter: @TodoSolar