PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION From the pre-feasibility study to the commissioning

Transcription

1 FEBRUARY, 2011 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION From the pre-feasibility study to the commissioning

2 FEBRUARY, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENT PROJECT OVERVIEW 3 PHASE 1: PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY 4 A- Site selection 4 B- Collect of information and technical surveys 4 PHASE 2: PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DESIGN 5 A- Estimating system output 5 B- Select the mounting system 6 PHASE 3: BUSINESS PLAN 7 A- Feed-in-tariff 7 B- What to consider for solar PV finance 7 PHASE 4: PERMISSION PLANNING 8 A- Documentation 8 B- Support scheme 8 C- Grid connection permit 8 PHASE 5: SELECTION OF SUPPLIERS 9 A- Components of a PV system 9 B- Selection criteria 9 PHASE 6: SYSTEM INSTALLATION 10 A - Set up the photovoltaic generator 10 B - Wiring and commissioning 10 C - Grid connection 10 PHASE 7: MANAGEMENT OF THE INSTALLATION 11 A - Monitoring system 11 B - Maintenance 11 PHASE 8: END-LIFE OF THE INSTALLATION 12 A - More than 25 years of production 12 B - Decommissioning 12 C - Recycling 12

3 PAGE 3 PROJECT OVERVIEW Building-up a large-scale photovoltaic installation requires several steps and preliminary surveys in order to confirm the reliability of the project. Each phase is essential and it takes around 6 months to achieve the project. PHASE STEP DURATION Phase 1 Pre-feasibility study 2 weeks Phase 2 Photovoltaic system design 2 weeks Phase 3 Business plan 2 weeks Phase 4 Planning permission 8 weeks Phase 5 Selection of suppliers & providers 4 weeks Phase 6 System installation 4 weeks Phase 7 PV installation management For 25 years Phase 8 End-life installation After 25 years

4 PAGE 4 PHASE 1: PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY Thatʼs the first step of the project. When the decision is made to invest in a photovoltaic system, it is required to collect all the useful information in order to identify the interest and the feasibility of the project. A- Site selection One of the great advantages of solar photovoltaic is the simplicity of its installation, and a certified installer will do most of the work for you. However, essential criteria are required: -Orientation: Ideally, the surface should be south facing at a angle. Most farm and industrial building roofs are not at this angle, but the mounting system can be adjusted to provide the output needed. -Location: Avoid shade, although solar systems do not need direct sunlight to generate electricity, they will work much better the more they receive. The South of England is best suited because it is generally sunnier, but most parts of England have sufficient daylight to make it viable. -Presence of grid utility to feed the electricity network authority. The production of electricity will be sold to the national grid. Suitable electrical installation must be close the installation and meet local utility interconnection requirements. - The photovoltaic system size depends on the project budget, the size of the roof (for roof mounted systems) or the land (for ground mounted systems) and on the type of solar used. B- Collect of information and technical surveys Before moving forward in the project, two things to do: - Collect the useful information: geographical position, building or land dimensions, sun irradiation, cadastre, maps, pictures, etc. - Topographical, building structure and environmental impact surveys.

5 !"$%&'())('*+%,-*./ PHASE 2: PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DESIGN PAGE 5! 0123$ :10$,52450$:1;<3$450 The photovoltaic installation design is done by an renewable energy consultancy specialised in photovoltaic system design and able to provide the most appropriate system based on the following criteria: )-%./$01230*/%4561$7%859$6% 8:$2$%*2$%1;<%+$$2*/%159$6%<=%$/$01230*/%>$63+6%=<2%)-%9<;$2%6561$76%=<2%:<7$6?%6561$76%1:*1%31$2*01%;31:% - Sunlight and weather resistant materials for all outdoor equipment. - Array location to minimise shading from foliage, vent pipes, and adjacent structures. -1:$%"13/315%9<;$2%+23>%*>%:*@$%<%A*11$25%A*0B"9%0*9*A3/315?%*>%6561$76%1:*1%31$2*01%*>%30/">$% System design in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes. -A*11$25%A*0B"9%*6%;$//C%% System design with a minimum of electrical losses due to wiring, fuses, switches, and inverters. - System design meets local utility interconnection requirements. - Roof area or other installation site is capable of handling the desired system size. &C(C(C%D23>EF1$2*013@$%G/5%HI<%J*11$25%J*0B"9K% 8:36%159$%<=%6561$7%</5%<9$2*1$6%;:$%1:$%"13/315%36%*@*3/*A/$C%430$%"13/315%<"1*+$6%*2$%2*2$L%1:36%6561$7%;3//% <27*//5%92<@3>$%1:$%+2$*1$61%*7<"1%<=%A3//%6*@3+6%1<%1:$%0"61<7$2%9$2%><//*2%<=%3@$617$1C% M<;$@$2L%3%1:$%$@$1%<=%*%<"1*+$L%1:$%6561$7%36%>$63+$>%1<%6:"1%><;%"13/%"13/315%9<;$2%36% 2$61<2$>C% 85930*/%4561$7%N<79<$16O%% A- Estimating system output )-%P22*5O%%P%)-%P22*5%36%7*>$%"9%<=%)-%7<>"/$6L%;:30:%*2$%$@32<7$1*//5E6$*/$>%0<//$013<6%<=%)-%N$//6Q 1:$%>$@30$6%1:*1%0<@$21%6"/3+:1%1<%$/$ C%%8:$%7<61%0<77<%)-%7<>"/$%1:*1%36%,E1<E&,%6R"*2$% =$$1%3%63S$%*>%;$3+:6%*A<"1%TEU%/A6CV=1 & C%G=1$%6$16%<=%=<"2%<2%7<2$%67*//$2%7<>"/$6%*2$%=2*7$>%<2% PV systems produce power in proportion to the intensity of sunlight striking the solar array *11*0:$>%1<+$1:$2%A5%612"16%3%;:*1%36%0*//$>%*%9*$/C%8:36%9*$/%36%15930*//5%*2<">%&'ET,%6R"*2$%=$$1% surface. The intensity of light on a surface varies throughout a day, as well as day to day, 3%*2$*%=<2%$*6$%<=%:*>/3+%<%*%2<<=C%8:36%*//<;6%6<7$%*66$7A/5%*>%;323+%="013<6%1<%A$%><$% so <%1:$%+2<">%3=%0*//$>%=<2%A5%1:$%361*//*13<%3612"013<6C% the actual output of a solar power system can vary substantial. There are other factors that affect the output of a solar power system. These factors need to be understood so that the 1:$%6</*2%7<>"/$6%31<%1:$%612"01"2*/%*>%$/$01230*/%6561$76%<=%1:$%:<7$C%8:$%;323+%6561$76%30/">$% customer has realistic expectations of overall system output and economic benefits under >360<$016%=<2%1:$%>0%*>%*0%63>$6%<=%1:$%3@$21$2L%+2<">E=*"/1%92<1$013<L%*>%<@$20"22$1% variable weather conditions over time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alculate your roof size to determine the maximum size of your PV system - Analyse the orientation of your roof, incline and shading to determine how much sunlight your system is able to capture and if your system operates near its rated efficiency - Solar radiation of your geographical region!! )-%P22*5% )-%P22*5% N320"31% N<7A3$2%% D2<">E]*"/1% )2<1$01<2%% [N% ]"6$>% 4;310:% [NVPN% F@$21$2% PN% ]"6$>% 4;310:% \13/315% 4;310:% W*3%4$2@30$% )*$/%! \13/315%! D23>EF1$2*013@$%)-%4561$7%;V<%J*11$25%J*0B"9% % &C(C&C%D23>EF1$2*013@$%X31:%J*11$25%J*0B"9% 8:36%159$%<=%6561$7%30<29<2*1$6%$$2+5%61<2*+$%3%1:$%=<27%<=%*%A*11$25%1<%B$$9%Y023130*/%/<*>Z%0320"316%3%1:$% calculate the production forecast on 25 years :<"6$%<9$2*13+%>"23+%*%"13/315%<"1*+$C%X:$%*%<"1*+$%<00"26%1:$%"31%>360<$016%=2<7%1:$% "13/315%*>%9<;$26%69$03=30%0320"316%3%1:$%:<7$C%8:$6$%023130*/%/<*>%0320"316%*2$%;32$>%=2<7%*% A photovoltaic design software is used to choose the output of, inverters and!"$%&''(%%! )*+$%,%

6 PAGE 6 B- Select the mounting system A wide range covering all possible scenarios of photovoltaic installation, from the building integration to the PV plant on ground. Ground mounting system On roof mounting system BIPV - Roof mount is often the most convenient and appropriate place to put the PV array is on the roof of the building. The PV array may be mounted above and parallel to the roof surface with a standoff of several inches for cooling purposes. Sometimes, such as with flat roofs, a separate structure with a more optimal tilt angle is mounted on the roof. - Ground mounted solution that can be used in almost all kinds of situations, from residential to large commercial, right through to utility scale. - Building-Integrated PV Array (BIPV) is another type of system allows easy integration of framed photovoltaic into the roofs of buildings, old and new, whatever the existing structure. This smart and innovative system has been developed to be a versatile integrated solution. Up to this point, selection, installation, and performance of PV systems have been discussed. System documentation should include an ownerʼs manual and copies of relevant drawings for whatever system maintenance might be required in the future.

7 PAGE 7 PHASE 3: BUSINESS PLAN A- Feed-in-tariff At this step of the project, it is valued the profitability according to the electricity production forecast on 25 years running of the PV installation considering the total investment. Feed In Tariff rewards solar PV up to 5MW capacity. The FIT is designed to enable a Return on Investment (ROI) of 5-10 per cent each year for well-sited PV installations. Scale Generation tariff Export tariff Tariff life time 2010/ / /13 4kW (new building) kW (retrofit) kW kW kW-5MW Stand-alone system B- What to consider for solar PV finance: - Generation Tariff: the price your energy supplier gives you for every unit of electricity produced, irrespective of whether you use it or export it. - Export Tariff: a minimum of 3p/kWh for all electricity exported to the Grid, this can be more depending on supplier and if you enter into a power purchase agreement. As an interim measure, payment of export tariffs to generators of 30kW or less will be made on the basis of deemed or estimated exports. The amount of electricity deemed to be exported for solar PV generators will be 50 per cent as a proportion of the metered generation output. (This will not apply if export meters are fitted). - Lower bills: account for the reduction in your energy bills if you use your own power. - Index linked: tariffs are linked to the Retail Price Index for electricity meaning your tariff will keep pace with inflation. - Tariff digression: the earlier you invest in renewable technologies, the greater the financial benefits. After 2012 the tariffs start to reduce, owing to the projected expansion of the PV market (up to 250MW of new solar capacity by 2011, compared to 22MW in 2009) which is expected to lead to lower technology costs. - Capital grants: the scheme generally prohibits recipients of grants from receiving FITs as this would mean they get a double benefit.

8 PAGE 8 PHASE 4: PERMISSION PLANNING A- Documentation Permission to install is dependent on the view of the local planning authority that will make a decision based on the views of the local planning committee. - Environmental Impact Assessment: an EIA would be required for an installation. - Planning permission: A Planning Application will need to be submitted with necessary supporting documents. The application will usually be decided upon in eight weeks (Government has imposed a target that 80% must be decided in the statutory 8 week period). - Planning decision: local Planning Authority (LPA) validates application and requests any missing documents and acknowledges applicant accordingly. LPA publicises and consults on application as necessary. Application is then assessed by Planning Officer/Planning Committee against valid information e.g. consultation responses, policies, responses to publicity etc. Negotiation with applicant if appropriate. Recommendation to Committee if not delegated and/or recommendation to Development Control Manager. Outcomes: - Planning Permission granted start work within the time limit and comply with conditions. - Permission granted with conditions accept conditions or appeal. - Application not decided in 8 weeks applicant has the right of appeal. - Permission refused Change proposal and submit new application or applicant can appeal. B- Support scheme For installations above 50kWp the installation must be registered on Ofgem's website using Ofgem's ROO-FIT process before an application is made to an Electricity Supplier. All suppliers with more than 50k domestic customers must offer FITs, smaller suppliers can volunteer to do so. A list of Licensees can be found on the Ofgem website. A generator can assign their right to FITs payments to a third party (nominated recipient) by way of bilateral agreement. C- Grid connection permit The connection of the solar PV system to the grid connection point will need to be completed as regulation G59/1 i.e. DNO makes offer to PV generator incorporating NGC requirements, procedure then as for residential systems over 16A per phase. Technical requirements must be in accordance with G59/1

9 PAGE 9 PHASE 5: SELECTION OF SUPPLIERS A- Components of a PV system The main components of a PV system include: - Solar panels, either mounted on the roof or the ground, or replacing the roof material. - Inverters, which turns the electricity from the panels into a form you can use for your home or business. Convert DC power into AC power. - System Monitoring provides feedback to the customer about the power and energy metering. Without proper metering the customer will never know whether the system is operating properly or not. - Mounting systems, on-roof, grounded or BIPV. - Cable and connectors, different length and section. B- Selection criteria When choosing a supplier and specifying a PV system, the following criteria help the decision-making process: - Company profile, reputation and references in similar projects - Technical advantages and innovative products - Quality and certification (such as MCS) - Competitiveness - Warranty and insurance Essential requirements for components - MCS approved - IEC standard - High efficiency cells - 25 years warranty - Quality Insurance package - G83/1 or G59 approved - IEC standard - European efficiency - 5 years warranty - Reliable after sale services - Sufficent load capacity and wind resistance - Long-term liability - 10 years warranty - Easy to install - Full system monitoring - String monitoring - Data record - System failure notification - Online portal PV MODULE INVERTER MOUNTING SYSTEM MONITORING SYSTEM

10 PAGE 10 PHASE 6: SYSTEM INSTALLATION B - Set up the photovoltaic generator The D-Day has started. After months and months, the installation begins and can go on for days depending of the number of to install. Preparation and making the roof tidy, ready to host the mounting system Rails are mounted directly on the roof structure Modules are installed and fixed on the rails C - Wiring and commissioning Thatʼs the final steps to the commissioning. All the installation is wired. After a final inspection, the installation will be ready to produce electricity. Wiring. Each will connected to each other and finally plug to the inverters On grid inverters and their protection devices D - Grid connection There will be a detailed procedure for this set out or referred to in the "construction and adoption" agreement which is not standard. There is no "legally set" process for testing and acceptance followed by adoption.

11 PAGE 11 PHASE 7: MANAGEMENT OF THE INSTALLATION A - Monitoring system With the decision for a PV system, you also decide for a long-term source of income. It means that the system must function smoothly at all times. The best way to manage your PV installation and your production of electricity is to use monitoring devices: Communication hub. It continuously collects all the data from the inverters on the system side, thereby keeping you informed of the systemʻs status at any given time: system monitoring, remote diagnosis, data storage and visualisation of the production of electricity. Web portal for professional management. Whether for a small home system or a large solar park, central administration and monitoring of several PV plants saves time and money. Plant operators, installers and inverter manufacturer service technicians have access to key data at any time, from any location. The yields of all inverters in a plant are compared fully automatically, permitting detection of even the smallest deviations. Large-scale display. A large-format display visualises yield, performance and CO2 reduction of PV systems in large, luminous figures. it derives the display data from the communication hub via the Ethernet interface. B - Maintenance Even if maintenance is minimal, there are no moving parts in the installation, so it is almost maintenance free. However, it is required to regularly inspect the installation: - Keep clean: If the PV installation is located in a dusty place and it doesnʼt rain frequently, it is recommended to clean the (e.g. birds dejection). - Connectors: check if all the connectors are properly plugged and if no scratch or damage appear on cables. - Protection devices: check if all the protection devices are in operation. - Mounting system: check if no damage on the installation racks. - Electrical measurement on specific parts (inverters).

12 Recycling of PAGE 12 PHASE 8: END-LIFE OF THE INSTALLATION A - More than 25 years of production Depending on the feed-in-tariff scheme and the right to run the installation, the PV system can still run after 25 years. Indeed, the end of the FIT contract between the installationʼs owner and the grid authority, doesnʼt mean the will stop produce electricity. The production of electricity will be use for your own consumption and will allow you to reduce your electricity bills. B - Decommissioning In some cases, land or roof are a concession for 25 years, and it will be required to dismount the full PV system. In that case, at the construction of the system, special material are used in order to recycle them after the life-time (e.g. use of ground screws instead of concrete foundation to avoid ground contamination). C - Recycling The PV industry is working to create truly sustainable energy solutions that take into consideration the environmental impacts of all stages of the product life cycle, from raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling. Although the PV industry is young, leading manufacturers embrace the concept of producer responsibility and have come together to put in place a voluntary, industry-wide take-back and recycling programme. By addressing future recycling needs now, it can be offered a truly sustainable energy solution today to help prevent climate change tomorrow. MAKING THE PHOTOVOLTAIC INDUSTRY DOUBLE GREEN LIFE CYCLE OF CRYSTALLINE SILICON MODULES Recycling of photovoltaic Re-use Raw materials Production process Production of photovoltaic Recycling process Module Installation of Collection of end-of-life photovoltaic Collection of Disinstallation of end-of-life Producing green energy Producing green energy Use of photovoltaic LIFE CYCLE OF THIN FILM MODULES

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