DETAILED PROJECT REPORT

FOR
GRID INTERACTIVE ROOF TOP SOLAR
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT AT
SEWA BHAWAN

CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY

SEWA BHAWAN, NEW DELHI
December, 2009

CONTENTS
Executive summary......................................................................................................... 1
Salient features ............................................................................................................... 2
1.
Introduction .................................................................................................... 4
2.
Location ......................................................................................................... 4
3.
Site Description .............................................................................................. 5
4.
Existing Power Supply Arrangements ............................................................ 5
5.
Functional description of SPV Power system ................................................ 7
6.
Arrangement .................................................................................................. 9
7.
Annual Energy Generation ............................................................................. 9
8.
Integration of PV Power with the Grid .......................................................... 10
9.
Metering Scheme ............. .12
10.
Power Quality Requirement ......................................................................... 13
11.
Communication Interface ............................................................................. 14
12.
Estimates of Cost ......................................................................................... 15
13.
Phasing of Expenditure ................................................................................ 15
14.
Cost of Energy Generation & Tariff .............................................................. 15
15.
Bill of material .............................................................................................. 15
16.
Implementation of work 15
17.
Construction Schedule...16

Executive summary
The proposed Roof Top Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant at Sewa Bhawan would
utilize vacant area of about 375 sq. m. available on the terrace of the north wing of
the building. The SPV power plant with proposed capacity of 25 kWp would be
connected to grid. No battery storage has been provided. It would meet partial load
of the building during working days and feed the surplus power available to the grid
during week end and holidays. The grid connected SPV project would be a
demonstration plant to harness renewable energy and the data on generation would
be utilized for analysis of the various aspects of operation as also that of availability
of power.

The 25 kWp SPV power plant is estimated to afford annual energy feed of 42 MWh
considering efficiency of the solar module as 16%, Inverter/ Power Conditioning Unit
(PCU) as 94% and losses as 3% in the DC and AC system. The Plant would
operate at an annual capacity utilization factor of 19%. The energy available from
the Plant would vary from a minimum of 3.33 MWh during the month of January to a
maximum of 4.13 MWh during the month of March.

The SPV Power Plant is estimated to cost Rs. 42.5 lakhs based on the normative
cost of Rs. 17 Crores per MW adopted by CERC notification dated 16th September
2009. The tariff for sale of electricity has been worked out adopting the parameters
given in the CERC notification and energy generation as presented in this report.
Adopting normative cost estimate and capacity utilization factor, the levelised tariff
works out as Rs 18.45 per unit.

Salient features
1. Location
i
State
ii
Locality
iii
Name of Building
iv
Latitude
v
Longitude
2. Area for SPV Plant
i
Length
ii
Width
iii
Location
3. SPV Power Plant
i
Output
ii
No. of modules
iii
No. of modules in series
iv
No. of parallel combination
v
DC BUS
4. Technical details of a SPV Module
(a) PV Module type
(b) Physical Dimensions
i
Length with frame
ii
Width with frame
iii
Thickness
(b) Electrical Parameter
i
Maximum Power Rating
ii
Rated Current
iii
Rated Voltage
iv
Short Circuit Current
v
Open Circuit Voltage
5. Mounting Arrangement
i
Mounting
ii
Surface azimuth angle of PV Module
iii
Tilt angle(slope) of PV Module

NCT Delhi
West Block area, R.K. Puram
Sewa Bhawan
77o 12
28o 32

25.5m
13.0 m
Terrace of North Wing of Sewa
Bhawan (Eastern side of terrace)
25 kWp
150
5
30
1 No.
Poly crystalline
1580 mm
795 mm
40 mm
170 kWp
5A
34 V
6A
42.8 V
Fixed Type
180o
28.32o

6. Inverter/ Power Conditioning Unit (PCU)

i
Number of units
ii
Rated Capacity
iii
Input Voltage range
iv
Output Voltage
v
Frequency
vi Efficiency

1
27 kWp
170 V (Max.)
440 V AC
50 Hz
94%

5. Grid Connection Details

i
Electrical parameters for interconnection

440 V, 3Ph ,50 Hz

6. Annual Energy Generation

i
Annual Energy

42 MWh

7. Cost Estimate
i
Estimated Cost (Rs. Lakh)
ii
Cost per kW (Rs.Lakh)
8. Cost of Energy Generation
i
Levelised Tariff (Rs/kWh)
ii
Cost of Generation (Rs/kWh)
11. Construction Time

42.5
1.7
18.45
10.54
5 months

1.

INTRODUCTION:
Harnessing of non polluting renewable energy resources to control green
house gases is receiving impetus from the government of India. The solar
mission, which is part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change has been
set up to promote the development and use of solar energy in for power
generation and other uses with the ultimate objective of making solar energy
competitive with fossil-based energy options. The solar photovoltaic device
systems for power generation had been deployed in the various parts in the
country for electrification where the grid connectivity is either not feasible or not
cost effective as also some times in conjunction with diesel based generating
stations in isolated places and communication transmitters at remote locations.
With the downward trend in the cost of solar energy and appreciation for the
need for development of solar power, solar power projects have recently been
implemented. A significant part of the large potential of solar energy in the
country could be developed by promoting grid connected solar photovoltaic
power systems of varying sizes as per the need and affordability coupled with
ensuring adequate return on investment. It has been proposed to set up a 25
kWp grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant on the roof top terrace of
the north wing of Sewa Bhawn as a pilot project.
The 25 kWp SPV system at roof-top of Sewa Bhawan, is estimated to afford
annual energy generation of 42 MWh and operate at a capacity factor of 19%.
The SPV system estimated to cost Rs. 42.5 lakhs would have a levelised tariff
of Rs. 18.45 Per kWh base on CERC norms.

2.

LOCATION:
Sewa Bhawan is situated in the West Block area at R.K.Puram in New Delhi
bounded by inner ring road (Mahatma Gandhi road) in the north and outer ring
road in the south and the Bhikaji Cama place on the east.

3.

SITE DESCRIPTION:
The Sewa Bhawan has two wings known as north wing and south wing. The
lay out of the rooftop terrace is shown in the Exhibit II. The terrace on the
north block has communication antennas and an area of about 375 sq meters
is vacant which could be used for SPV installation of 25 kWp. The terrace of
the south wing having an area of about 1000 sq. meters is vacant and could
also be used for larger size SPV installation. It is proposed to utilize the vacant
area available on the north wing for installation of 25 kWp which could serve as
a grid connected demonstration system and could be used for collection of
data for analysis on the of availability of solar power. The development on the
south wing terrace could be taken up later.

4.

EXISTING POWER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS:

4.1. BRPL Supply

Electrical Power requirement for Sewa Bhawan is met from two sources of
BRPL viz Main supply from sub-station Sector-1 and sub-station Sector-9, R.
K. Puram. The power received at 11 kV level is stepped down to .4 kV by 4
Nos. dry type 11/ 0.4 kV, 4x1600 kVA distribution transformers located at the
S/S in the ground floor of the Sewa Bhawan building. The load of north wing
where the office of CEA is located is fed from transformers (TR-3 & TR-4).
The maximum load for CEA is to be around 1-1.2 MW (1600 -1800 Amp). A
4x600 kVAr capacitor bank has also been provided to improve the power
factor.
The Sub-station at Sewa Bhawan is operated and maintained by officers and
operators of CPWD. The changeover of power supply from main to alternate
is, however, under the control of BRPL.
4.2. Emergency Power Supply
DG set of 1x180 kVA capacity has been installed for providing back up supply
to important services like lifts, corridor lights, chairman & Members office and
essential lighting in the building during the period of load shedding.

4.3. LV Distribution System

The load of CEA is fed from transformer (Tr-3 &Tr-4) through LT feeders. LT
system is maintained by CPWD. The single line diagram of the supply system
is given below.

11 KV supply
From Sec-I
BRPL S/S

11 KV BUS

4x1600 KVA
DTs

LT
feeders

Tr 1

BSES (Imp/ Exp) Meter

Tr 3

Tr 4
4x600 KVAR
capacitor bank

Bus coupler

DG set
180 KVA

DG set
62.5
KVA

Tr 2

11 KV supply
From Sec-9
BRPL S/S

MFP PANEL
Automatic
Change Over

Manual
change
over
Panel

Emergency
Load

Data Center

5.

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION OF SPV POWER SYSTEM:

5.1

The solar PV system shall be designed with either mono/ poly crystalline
silicon modules or using thin film photovoltaic cells or any other superior
technology having higher efficiency.

5.2

Three key elements in a solar cell form the basis of their manufacturing
technology. The first is the semiconductor, which absorbs light and converts
it into electron-hole pairs. The second is the semiconductor junction, which
separates the photo-generated carriers (electrons and holes), and the third
7

is the contacts on the front and back of the cell that allow the current to flow
to the external circuit. The two main categories of technology are defined
by the choice of the semiconductor: either crystalline silicon in a wafer form
or thin films of other materials.
5.3

The grid interactive roof top solar PV system generally comprises the
following equipment.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

vii.

SPV Power Source

Inverter (PCU)
Mounting Structure
AC and DC Cables
Earthing equipment /material
Junction Boxes or combiners
Instruments and protection equipments

5.4

Photovoltaic solar system use the light available from the sun to generate
electricity and feed this into the main electricity grid or load as the case may
be. The PV panels convert the light reaching them into DC power. The
amount of power they produce is roughly proportional to the intensity and
the angle of the light reaching them. They are therefore positioned to take
maximum advantage of available sunlight within siting constraints.
Maximum power is obtained when the panels are able to 'track' the sun's
movements during the day and the various seasons. However, these
tracking mechanisms tend to add a fair bit to the cost of the system, so a
most of installations either have fixed panels or compromise by
incorporating some limited manual adjustments, which take into account the
different 'elevations' of the sun at various times of the year. The best
elevations vary with the latitude of the load location.

5.5

The power generating capacity of a photovoltaic system is denoted in

Kilowatt peak (measured at standard test conditions of solar radiation of
1000 W per m2). A common rule of thumb is that average power is equal to
20% of peak power, so that each peak kilowatt of solar array output power
corresponds to energy production of 4.8 kWh per day (24 hours x 1 kW x
20% = 4.8 kWh)

5.6

Solar photovoltaic modules can be developed in various combinations

depending upon the requirements of the voltage and power output to be
taken from the solar plant. No. of cells and modules may vary depending
upon the manufacturer prudent practice.

5.7

Inverter
i.

The DC power produced is fed to inverter for conversion into AC.

ii.

The output of the inverter must synchronize automatically its AC output to

the exact AC voltage and frequency of the grid.

iii. Inverter Efficiency of 94% is considered in the PV system.

8

5.8

Protection and Controls:

i.

Inverter shall be provided with islanding protection to isolate it from the

grid in case of no supply, under voltage and over voltage conditions so
that in no case there is any chance of accident.

ii.

In addition to above, PV systems shall be provided with adequate rating

fuses, fuses on inverter input side (DC) as well as output side (AC) side
for overload and short circuit protection and disconnecting switches to
isolate the DC and AC system for maintenances are needed.

iii. Fuses of adequate rating shall also be provided in each solar array
module to protect them against short circuit.
6.

ARRANGEMENT :
The general layout arrangement of the SPV panels is shown in the drawing
given at Exhibit III and installation details of the panels are shown in the
Exhibit - IV.

7.

ANNUAL ENERGY GENERATION:

The annual energy generation from the SPV power plant has been worked out
based on the data on mean global solar radiant exposure over Delhi at
Safdarjung. The mean global solar radiant exposure varies from 3.72 kWh/m2
/day in the month of December to 7.08 kWh/m2 /day in the month of May. The
month-wise mean global solar radiant exposure is given at Annex-I.
Considering the efficiency of PV module at 16% and temperature coefficient of
4.4 % per oC, the annual energy generation feed into the grid is estimated as
42 MWh. This takes into consideration an efficiency of the Power Conditioning
Unit (PCU) as 94% and losses in the DC and AC system as 3% each up to the
point of interconnection. The month wise energy generation during the year is
given at Annex-II and shown below.

The energy available from the Plant would vary from a minimum of 3.33 MWh
during the month of January to a maximum of 4.13 MWh during the month of
March .
The annual capacity utilization factor works out as 19.2%. The month wise
capacity utilization factor is also shown in the Annex-III.
8.
8.1

INTEGRATION OF PV POWER WITH GRID:

The out put power from SPV would be fed to the inverter which converts DC
produced by SPV array to AC and feeds it into the main electricity grid after
synchronization. In case of grid failure, or low or high voltage, solar PV
system shall be out of synchronization and shall be disconnected from the
grid. Once the DG set comes into service PV system shall again be
synchronized with DG supply and load requirement would be met to the
extent of availability of power.

10

8.2 Inverter shall have the software and controls capable of operating the
complete system for safe and efficient operation and includes the Islanding
protection, Over voltage/ under voltage protection, Ground fault /short circuit
protection system, communication equipment such as modems, web box etc,
DC reverse polarity protection, Grid monitoring of all the phases & pole
sensitive residual current monitoring unit, protection against voltage
fluctuations in the grid & protection against internal faults in the power
conditioner, operational errors and switching transients etc.
8.3 The out put power from inverter would be fed to the panel of 180 KVA DG set
at CPWD S/S at Sewa Bhawan. The solar power would be used locally in
Sewa Bhawan on working days to the extent of load in the building and the
generation over and above the requirement of the building would be fed into
the grid. On the week end and other holidays, almost the entire energy from
the SPV module would be fed into the grid. The connection of the grid
connected SPV power plant with the existing power supply system is shown
in the diagram below.

11

11 KV supply
From Sec-I
BRPL S/S

11 KV BUS

4x1600 KVA
DTs

Tr 1

Tr 2

11 KV supply
From Sec-9
BRPL S/S

BSES (Imp/ Exp) Meter

Tr 4

Tr 3

4x600 KVAR
capacitor bank

LT
feeders

Bus coupler

S
DG set
180 KVA

DG set
62.5
KVA

MFP PANEL
Automatic
Change Over

SM

Manual
change
over
Panel

PCU
S

Emergency
Load

DC BUS

Data Center

9.

PV M

PV M

PV M

METERING SCHEME:

9.1 The above project is demonstration project as such measurement is proposed

to be carried out on small intervals. It is proposed to measure the Solar Gross
Generation on 15 minute interval basis besides measurement of DC battery
voltages, DC current, AC system voltages and current, frequency, Total
harmonics current and voltage distortion etc.
12

9.2 An Import/Export meter has already been installed by BSES at the entry point
of 11kV incoming underground cable for metering for billing purpose which
would also serve the purpose of registering the net export and import to the
grid. A meter would also be installed at the out put side of the inverter to
register the energy output from the SPV power plant. The meter would have
necessary registers for recording and storing the information on 15 minutes
time interval basis. The operational data of the SPV power plant shall be used
for analysis.
10. POWER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS:
10.1

DC Injection into the grid: The injection of DC power into the grid shall be
avoided by using an isolation transformer at the output of the inverter. It is
proposed to limit DC injection within 1% of the rated current of yhe inverter
as per IEC 61727.

10.2

Harmonics on AC side

i.

Harmonic distortion is caused principally by non-linear load such as

rectifiers and arc furnaces and can affect the operation of a supply system
and can cause overloading of equipments such as capacitors, or even
resonance with the system leading to overstressing (excessive voltage &
current). Other effects are interference with telephone circuits and
broadcasting, metering errors, overheating of rotating machines due to
increased iron losses (eddy current effects), overheating of delta
connected winding of transformer due to excessive third harmonics or
excessive exciting current.

ii.

The limits for harmonics shall be as stipulated in the CEA Regulations on

grid connectivity which are as follows:
a. Total Voltage harmonic Distortion= 5%
b. Individual Voltage harmonics Distortion=3%
c. Total Current harmonic Distortion=8%

10.3

Voltage Unbalance-The Voltage Unbalance at 33 kV and above shall not

exceed 3.0%

13

10.4

Voltage Fluctuations
(i)

The permissible limit of voltage fluctuation for step changes which

may occur repetitively is 1.5%.
For occasional fluctuations other than step changes the maximum
permissible limits is 3%.
The limits prescribed in (i) and (ii) above shall come into force not
later than five years from the date of publication of these regulations
in the Official Gazette.

(ii)
(iii)

11. COMMUNICATION INTERFACE:

11.1

The project envisages a communication interface which shall be able to

support ( These facilities are being provided as this is a demonstration project)

Real time data logging

Event logging
Supervisory control
Operational modes
Set point editing

11.2

Communication System shall be an integral part of inverter. All current

values, previous values up to 40 days and the average values of major
parameters shall be available on the digital bus.

11.3

The following parameters shall be measured, displayed and

recorded/logged. Daily plotting of graphs for various parameter shall also be
available on demand. ( These facilities are being provided as this is a
demonstration project)
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)
xi)
xii)
xiii)

11.4

15 minute, Daily, monthly & Annual energy generated by the solar

system (kWh)
Solar system temperature
Ambient temperature
Solar irradiation/isolation
AC and DC side voltage and currents
Power factor on AC side
DC injection into the grid (one time measurement at the time of
installation)
Total Current Harmonics distortion in the AC side
Total Voltage Harmonic distortion in AC side
Efficiency of the inverter
Solar system efficiency
Display of I-V curve of the solar system
Any other parameter considered necessary by supplier of the solar PV
system based on prudent practice.

Data logger system and the software for study of effect of various
environmental & grid parameters on energy generated by the solar system
and various analysis would be required to be provided.

14

11.5

The communication interface shall be suitable to be connected to local

computer and also remotely via the Web using either a standard modem or a
GSM / WIFI modem.

12. ESTIMATES OF COST:

Based on the normative cost adopted by CERC

the cost is estimated as

Rs.42.5 Lakh.
13. PHASING OF EXPENDITURE:
The implementation of the SPV Power Plant could be achieved in a period of
5-6 months. The indirect expenditure would therefore be in the year in which
the plant is to be installed.
14. COST OF ENERGY GENERATION & TARIFF:
The Tariff for the sale of energy from the SVP Power Plant at Sewa Bhawan
has been worked out considering that equity ratio of 70:30. The interest rate
on the loan has been adopted as 12.79 % based on the prime landing rate
(PLR) as per CERC. The salvage value of the project has been considered at
10% and the depreciation has been based on the differential depreciation
approach as per the CERC Notification dated 16th September, 2009. The
depreciation of 7% has been adopted during the 1st 10 years and based on
straight-line method for remaining useful life. The interest rate on the working
capital has been adopted as 13.79 % based on the prime lending rate of
CERC. The working capital has been worked out based on the CERC norms.
The O & M expenses have been adopted at the rate of Rs.9 lakh / MW for the
first year operation and escalated @ 5.72% / annum.

The data sheet

indicating the various parameters adopted in the computation of the Tariff as

per CERC norms is enclosed as Annex-.IV.
The computations for tariff have been made in the Performa template given in
the CERC Notification. The computations are enclosed at Annex-V.
The cost of generation at different discount rates using discounted cash flow
studies works out as under.
15. BILL OF MATERIAL
The bill of material is enclosed in Annex.VI.

15

16. IMPLEMENTATION OF WORK:

The

solar

panel

and

other

associated

equipment

are

indigenously

manufactured in the country. The implementation of the plant could, therefore,

be achieved in 5 to 6 months. The work would be awarded through limited
tender on tern key basis to selected companies having experience in the
design engineering, testing & commissioning of SPV system in India like
BHEL, CEL, TATA SOLAR BP, Moser Bear, etc.
17. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE:
A construction schedule for the installation of 25 kWp Power Plant at Sewa
Bhawan indicating the various activities is enclosed as Annex-VII

16

Annex-I

Mean Global Solar Radiant Exposure

Safdarjung, New Delhi
Month

Daily solar radiation - horizontal

kWh/m/d

Jan

3.75

Feb

5.03

Mar

6.00

Apr

6.75

May

7.08

Jun

6.47

Jul

5.14

Aug

4.92

Sep

5.50

Oct

5.22

Nov

4.19

Dec

3.72

Annual

5.31

Annex-II

25 kWp Roof Top SPV at Sewa Bhawan

Pattern of Energy Generation

Month

Export to Grid
(MWh)

Jan

3.333

Feb

3.641

Mar

4.133

Apr

3.903

May

3.844

Jun

3.316

Jul

2.859

Aug

2.883

Sep

3.382

Oct

3.833

Nov

3.437

Dec

3.436

Annual

42.00

Assumption:
Losses in DC circuit
Converter efficiency
Lossess in AC circuit

3%
92%
3%

Annex-III

25 kWp Roof Top SPV at Sewa Bhawan

Capacity Utilisation Factor

Month

Capacity Utilisation Factor

(%)

Jan

17.9%

Feb

21.7%

Mar

22.2%

Apr

21.7%

May

20.7%

Jun

18.4%

Jul

15.4%

Aug

15.5%

Sep

18.8%

Oct

20.6%

Nov

19.1%

Dec

18.5%

Annual

19.2%

25 kWp Photovoltatic Roof Top PowerAnnex

Pla

nt

III

Pattern of Energy Generation & Capacity F

actor
25%
10.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0

20%
15%
10%
5%

Month

Annex-IV

Tariff determination for SPV System

As per CERC notification No L-7/186(201)/2009-CERC

Sl No

dated 16th September 2009

Parameter

Value

Useful Life of Solar PV System (Year)

25

Capital Cost (Rs Lakhs/MW) - normative

Capacity Utilisation factor (%) - normative

19

O&M Charges (Rs Lakhs/MW)

Escalation (%)

Tariff Period (Year)

25

Debt (%)

70

Equity (%)

30

Salvage Value (%)

10

10

Loan Tennure (Year)

10

11

Interest rate (%)

12

Depreciation first 10 year (%)

13

Depreciation 10-25 year (%)

1.33

14

Working Capital (Rs Lakhs)

1700

5.72

11.75

14(a)

O&M (Rs Lakhs)

one month

14(b)

Receivable (Rs Lakhs)

two months

14( c)

Maintence Spare (Rs Lakhs)

15

Interest on working capital

15% of O&M
expenses
13%

Project Specific
1

Capital Cost (Rs Lakhs)

45

Annual Energy (MWh)

42

Annex-VI
BILL OF MATERIAL FOR 25 KW SOLAR PV SYSTEM FOR SEWA
BHAWAN
( 5 module in series & 30 module in parallel)
Sl No
1

2
3
4
5

6
7
8
9
10

Component
Name

Type and
Model No

or Description
of
Components
SPV Module
170 Wp
@ 5 Amps/
or equivalent
module
Total
DC
current (30x5)
= 150 Amps
(AC
O/p
current = 32
Amps, 3 Ph)
Structure
Module type
MS Hot dip
galvanized
steel
Field Junction Reputed make
Dust & water
Box
proof
Main Junction Reputed
make Dust & water
Box
2x100 Amps
proof
GridTie
180 V D/C input
30 KW power
Inverter
415 V AC - output rating
with
Rating
synchronizer
&
meter
equipped with
data logging
facilities
Ground Fault
Included
at
Protection
inverter
System
Cordless
NA
Modem, Web
Box etc
Cables
Conforming to BIS 25 sq mm
PVC cables
Lightening
Arresters
Earthing
Reputed make

Quantity/
System
sets of 150
nos
SPV
module
(30 in parallel
and
5
in
series)

5 nos of 40
Amps each
2 no
1 no

1 No
1 set
As per site
conditions
2 No
2 sets

17

Exhibit-I
LOCATION MAP OF SEWA BHAWAN, R K PURAM, NEW DELHI

Sewa Bhawan, R K Puram, New Delhi

( 28 34 2.02)
( 77 10 44.93)

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