Download - Solar systems
What do Solar PV systems provide?
• Electricity (AC/DC)
…but also…
Reliability
Simplicity
Modularity
Image
Silence
Solar Home Lighting System,
West Bengal, India
Components of Solar PV Systems
• PV Modules
• Storage: batteries, tank
• Power conditioner
Inverter
Charge controller
Rectifier
DC-DC converter
• Other generators: diesel/gasoline, wind turbine
•Pump
On-Grid Systems
• PV Integration
Distributed
Centralised
• Grid-Type
Central
Isolated
• Not usually
cost-effective
without subsidies
Off-Grid Systems
• Configuration
Stand-alone
Hybrid
• Often very cost-effective
Small loads best (< 10 kWp)
Lower capital costs than
grid extension
Lower O&M costs than gensets and primary batteries
Water Pumping Systems
• Special class of off-grid system
• Often cost-effective
Livestock watering
Village water supply
Domestic water supply
Examples: Tibet, Botswana, Swaziland and Kenya
Solar Light and Home PV Systems
• Cost of grid extension prohibitive
• Small loads
• Maintained locally
• Simple
• Reliable
Batik for Educational Purposes Solar Home System
Solar Home SystemMedical Clinic Staff Housing
Examples: Finland and Canada
Remote Cottages and Homes
• Modular
• Simple
• Reduced noise
• No power lines
• Cottage:
seasonal load correlation
• Year-round:
hybrid systems
Cottage Home
Hybrid System
Examples: Morocco and Brazil
Hybrid Village Power Systems
• Cost of grid extension prohibitive
• Cost of diesel fuel and genset maintenance high
• Human Aspects
Expectations
Managing demand
Social impacts
Village
Rural College
Examples: Antarctica and Canada
Industrial System: Telecom & Monitoring
• Very remote sites…
Cost of O&M
Genset and PV complementary
• …and even
sites near grid…
Transformer cost
Can be relocated
More reliable than grid
Seismic Monitoring System
Gas Well-head Monitoring System
Examples: Switzerland and Japan On-Grid Buildings with PV
• Not usually
cost-effective
without subsidies
• Justified by:
Image
Environmental benefits
Market stimulus
• Long-term commitments by manufacturers, governments and
utilities have reduced costsPV Integrated in Office Glazing
Solar Roofing System
Examples: India and USA
Water Pumping PV Systems
• Cost-effective when off-grid
• Load correlation
Storage in water tank
Seasonal load correlation
• Improved water quality
• Convenient
• Reliable
• Simple
Domestic Water
Cattle Watering System
Photovoltaic Project Considerations
• Distance to grid
• Cost of site visits
• O&M costs
• Reliability vs. cost
• Managing expectations
• Social aspects
• Value of intangibles
Image
Environmental benefits
Reduced noise and visual pollution
Modularity & simplicity
NorthwesTel Mountaintop Repeater Station, Northern British Columbia, Canada
Questions?
About Photovoltaic Project