Off Grid PV Systems Design Guidelines
Off Grid PV Systems Design Guidelines
Off Grid PV Systems Design Guidelines
PV POWER SYSTEMS
SYSTEM DESIGN GUIDELINES
FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
OFF GRID
PV POWER SYSTEMS
SYSTEM DESIGN GUIDELINES
FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
These guidelines have been developed by the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands in
Collaboration with the Pacific Power Association
They represent latest industry BEST PRACTICE for the design and installation of Off Grid PV Systems.
© Copyright 2012
While all care has been taken to ensure this guideline is free from omission and error, no responsibility can be taken
for the use of this information in the installation or design of any off-grid system.
GENERAL
The design of any off-grid system should consider, other than the electrical load, a number of criteria such as:
o Budget o Acceptable genset runtime
o Power quality o /PJTFMFWFMT
o Environmental impact o Site accessibility
o Aesthetics o -FWFMPGBVUPNBUJPO
Note: This guidelines are based on d.c. bus systems and do not include the new a.c. bus hybrid systems currently
available. Guidelines dedicated to hybrid Systems will be developed.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
All appliances should be chosen for the lowest possible energy consumption for each desired outcome, such
as
o High efficiency lighting
o Energy efficient refrigeration
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Equipment for use with Distributed Energy Resources
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INTRODUCTION
Four major issues arise when designing a system:
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4. the energy available from the PV array will vary from day to day during the year.
Since the system is based on photovoltaic modules, then a comparison should be undertaken between the
available energy from the sun and the actual energy demands The worst month is when the ratio between
solar energy available and energy demand is smallest.
The design of an off-grid power requires a number of steps. A basic design method follows:
1. Determination of the energy usage that the system must supply.
2. Determination of the battery storage required.
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To determine the daily energy usage for an appliance, multiply the power of the appliance by the number of
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Appliances can either be DC or AC. An energy assessment should be undertaken for each type, examples of
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You need to calculate the electrical energy usage with the customer. Many systems have failed over the years
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because the customer was unaware of the power/energy limitations of the system.
The problem is that the customer may not want to spend the time determining their realistic power and energy
needs which is required to successfully complete a load assessment form. They just want to know: How much
for a system to power my lights and TV?
A system designer can only design a system to meet the power and energy needs of the customer. The system
designer must therefore use this process to understand the needs of the customer and at the same time
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during this process that you will discuss all the potential sources of energy that can meet their energy needs
and you can educate the customer on energy efficiency.
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Worked Example
Table 1 DC Load (energy) Assessment
B
B
C
C
Comments
dry season wet season Contribution
Power to maximum
Appliance Number Usage Energy Usage Energy demand
Time Time
W h Wh h Wh W
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In the worked example on the previous page, the TV and refrigerator are using AC electricity so we have to take
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in many systems the inverter will sometimes be running when there is very little load on the inverter, so the
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the energy required to be supplied to the inverter from the battery bank.
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If there are no AC loads, then you only have to work out the load from the DC appliances, and not include the
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BATTERY SELECTION
DETERMINATION OF SYSTEM VOLTAGE
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system. For example, if the batteries and the inverter are a long way from the energy source then a higher
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but these are not typical household systems.
As a general rule, the recommended system voltage increases as the total load increases. For small daily loads,
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the actual power profile.
One of the general limitations is that maximum continuous current being drawn from the battery should not
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BATTERY SIZING
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This means that the daily Ah demand on the batteries will be:
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Battery capacity is determined by whichever is the greater of the following two requirements:
The ability of the battery to meet the energy demand of the system, often for a few days, sometimes
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OR
The ability of the battery to supply peak power demand.
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B
Maximum power demand
C
Surge demand
Based on the these parameters there are a number of factors that will increase the battery capacity in order to
provide satisfactory performance. These correction factors must be considered.
Where a generator is operating on a regular basis the autonomous period can be reduced.
In other cases, where there is no auxiliary charging source, the period of autonomy is often increased to
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Maximum Depth of Discharge
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The actual discharge rate selected is highly dependent on the power usage rates of connected loads.
Many appliances operate for short periods only, drawing power for minutes rather than hours. This affects
the battery selected, as battery capacity varies with discharge rate. Information such as a power usage
profile over the course of an average day is required for an estimate of the appropriate discharge rate.
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evenings so unless the system is located in a
mountainous region that does get cold then
ignore the temperature derating. If you want to
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for this factor.
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BATTERY SELECTION
Deep discharge type batteries / cells should be selected for the required system voltage and capacity in a
single series string of battery cells.
Solar irradiation data is available from various sources. Some countries have data available from their respective
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ground collection data in some countries. but if there is no other data available it is data that can be used.
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The variation of both the solar irradiation and the load energy requirement should be considered. If there is no
variation in daily load between the various times of the year then the system should be designed on the month
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OVERSIZE FACTOR
If the system does not include a fuel generator which can provide extra charging to the battery bank then the
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For the worked example the adjusted array output current is:
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The output power and/or current of the module must be based on the effective temperature of the
cell. This is determined by the following formula:
Tcell-eff5a.day¡$
Where
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at the effective cell temperature should be used in calculations. If curves are unavailable to determine the
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manufacturers.
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Assuming a 5% dirt derating then the adjusted output current of the above module is:
ADJUSTED
Module current = I (NOCT) x 0.95 ( NJOVTGPSNBOVGBDUVSFTUPM
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NUMBER OF MODULES REQUIRED IN ARRAY
First determine number of modules in series, To do this divide the system voltage by the nominal operating
voltage of each module. In our example:
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Do we round up or down? If you want to be conservative you would round up. However in this example we
suggest you round down since this calculation was based on the worst month and we allowed an oversize of
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INVERTER SELECTION
The type of inverter selected for the installation depends on factors such as cost, surge requirements, power
quality and for inverter/chargers, a reduction of the number of system components necessary. Inverters are
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There are few square wave inverters used today.
Modified square wave inverters generally have good surge and continuous capability and are usually cheaper
than sine wave types. However, some appliances, such as audio equipment, television and fans can suffer
because of the output wave shape.
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INVERTER SIZING
The selected inverter should be capable of supplying continuous power to all AC loads
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providing sufficient surge capability to start any loads that may surge when turned on and particularly if they
turn on at the same time.
Where an inverter cannot meet the above requirements attention needs to be given to load control and
prioritisation strategies.
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CONTROLLERS- Standard Switched
Controller
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of connected batteries to microprocessor based units that incorporate many additional features such as …
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is a possibility that the array could be increased in the future then the controller should be oversized to cater
for the future growth.
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Factors that must be considered when using internal combustion generators are
o Fuel storage and spillage precautions
o /PJTFFNJTTJPODPOUSPM
o Ventilation
o Generator loading
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PV ARRAY SIZING- MPPT
Daily ENERGY REQUIREMENT from the PV Array
Cable losses
MPPT efficiency
manufacturing tolerance of modules
dirt
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With the standard controller the only sub-system losses was the battery efficiency and the calculations are
undertaken using Ah. When using a MPPT the calculations are in Wh and the sub-system losses in the system
include:
#BUUFSZFóDJFODZ XBUUIS
Cable losses
MPPT efficiency
In order to determine the energy required from the PV array, it is necessary to increase the energy from the
battery bank to account for all the sub-system losses.
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OVERSIZE FACTOR
If the system does not include a fuel generator which can provide extra charging to the battery bank then the
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For the worked example Therefore the adjusted array output current is:
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DERATING MODULE PERFORMANCE
The PV array will be de-rated due to:
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de-rated by the manufacturer’s tolerance.
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the output. The output of the module should therefore be derated to reflect this soiling. The actual
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because of the glass on the front of the module and the fact that the module absorbs some heat from
the sun. The output power and/or current of the module must be based on the effective temperature
of the cell. This is determined by the following formula:
Tcell-eff5a.day¡$
Where
Tcell-effUIFBWFSBHFEBJMZFòFDUJWFDFMMUFNQFSBUVSFJOEFHSFFT$FMTJVT ¡$
Ta.dayUIFEBZUJNFBWFSBHFBNCJFOUUFNQFSBUVSFGPSUIFNPOUIUIBUUIFTJ[JOHJTCFJOHVOEFSUBLFO
With switched controllers the temperature effect was used to determine the operating current of the module/
array. With MPPT’s the derating power factor must be calculated.
The three main types solar modules available on the market each have different temperature coefficients.
These are:
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1PMZDSZTUBMMJOF.PEVMFTUZQJDBMMZIBWFBUFNQFSBUVSFDPFóDJFOUPGooC.
Thin Film: Modules have a different temperature characteristic resulting in a lower co-efficient typically
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5IFSFGPSFUIJTJTo$BCPWFUIF45$UFNQFSBUVSFPGoC.
5IF8PNPEVMFVTFEJOUIJTFYBNQMFJTBQPMZDSZTUBMMJOFNPEVMFXJUIBEFSBUJOHPGoC
5FNQFSBUVSFMPTTo$Yo$MPTT
5IJTJTBUFNQFSBUVSFEFSBUJOHGBDUPSPG
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"TTVNJOHBEJSUEFSBUJOHUIFOUIFBEKVTUFEPVUQVUQPXFSPGUIF8NPEVMFJT
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To calculate the required number of modules in the array, divide the required array power by the adjusted
module power.
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5IFBDUVBMOVNCFSPGNPEVMFTXJMMCFEFQFOEFOUPOUIF.115TFMFDUFE*GJUXBTUIFOUIFSBUJOHPGUIFBSSBZ
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SELECTING MPPT
The following table gives some examples of MPPT’s currently available on the market:
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."5$)*/(5)&17"33":505)&."9*.6.70-5"(&41&$*'*$"5*0/40'5)&.115
The MPPT typically have a recommended minimum nominal array voltage and a maximum voltage. In the case
where a maximum input voltage is specified and the array voltage is above the maximum specified, the MPPT
could be damaged.
Some MPPT controllers might allow that the minimum array nominal voltage is that of the battery bank.
However the MPPT will work better when the minimum nominal array voltage is higher than the nominal
voltage of the battery. The Outback range of MPPT’s requires that the minimum nominal array voltage is
HSFBUFSBTTIPXOJO5BCMF1MFBTFDIFDLXJUIUIF.115NBOVGBDUVSFSCFDBVTFUIFTFDPVMEWBSZ
It is important that the output voltage of the string is matched to the operating voltages of the MPPT and that
the maximum voltage of the MPPT is never reached.
The output voltage of a module is affected by cell temperature changes in a similar way to the output power.
The manufacturers will provide a voltage temperature coefficient*UJTHFOFSBMMZTQFDJöFEJO7¡$ PSN7¡$
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To ensure that the Voc of the array does not reach the maximum allowable voltage of the MPPT the minimum
day time temperatures for that specific site are required.
In early morning at first light the cell temperature will be very similar to the ambient temperature because the
TVOIBTOPUIBEUJNFUPIFBUVQUIFNPEVMF*OUIF1BDJöD*TMBOETUIFBWFSBHFNJOJNVNUFNQFSBUVSFJTC
UIJTDPVMECFMPXFSJOTPNFNPVOUBJOBSFBT
BOEJUJTSFDPNNFOEFEUIBUUIJTUFNQFSBUVSFJTVTFEUPEFUFSNJOF
the maximum Voc. /PUF*GJOTUBMMJOHJOUIFNPVOUBJOTUIFOVTFUIFBQQSPQSJBUFNJOJNVNUFNQFSBUVSF Many
QFPQMFBMTPVTF¡$
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5IFNBYJNVNPQFODJSDVJUWPMUBHFJTEFUFSNJOFETJNJMBSUPUIF
temperature derating factor for the power.
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.BYJNVNOVNCFSPGNPEVMFTUIBUZPVDBOIBWFJOTFSJFT77UIJTJTSPVOEFEEPXOUP
4PUIF.115XJMMBMMPXCFUXFFOBOENPEVMFTJOBTUSJOH
5IFBDUVBMOVNCFSPGNPEVMFTSFRVJSFEXBT*GXFSPVOEEPXOUP TJODFBOPWFSTJ[FGBDUPSPGBOE
BMTPXPSTUNPOUIGPS14)XBTVTFE
UIFOUIFBSSBZXPVMECFQBSBMMFMTUSJOHTPGNPEVMFTJOTFSJFT*GXF
SPVOEVQUPUIFOUIFTPMVUJPODPVMECFQBSBMMFMTUSJOHTXJUINPEVMFTJOTFSJFT
0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.%&4*(/(6*%&-*/&4]
ATTACHMENT 1: : Table showing Peak Sunhrs for various sites and tilt angles.
Longitude: 134°28’ East ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
Annual
Ponape, Pohnpei FSM Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 6°54’ North ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 158°13’ East ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
Annual
Majuro, Marshall Islands Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 7°12’ North ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 171°06’ East ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
]0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.%&4*(/(6*%&-*/&4
Annual
Alofi, Niue Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 19°04’ South ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 169°55’ West ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
Annual
Nauru Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 0°32’ South ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 166°56’ East ¡5JMU²
Annual
Vaiaku, Tuvalu Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 8°31’ South ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 179°13’ East ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
Annual
Hagåtña, Guam Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 13°28’ North ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 144°45’ East ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
Annual
Noumea, New Caledonia Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 22°16’ South ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 166°27’w East ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
Annual
Pago Pago, American Samoa Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct /PW Dec Average
Latitude: 14°16 South ¡5JMU¹
Longitude: 170°42 West ¡5JMU²
¡5JMU²
0''(3*%17108&34:45&.4t4:45&.%&4*(/(6*%&-*/&4]
Appendix 1 – Table of Abbreviations and Acronyms
Ta.day the daytime average ambient temperature for the month that the
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