1. PV System Quality and Performance
Suryacon- Jan. 2018, Pune
Vaman Kuber Founder & CEO, Solar Systems Solutions (Sol2Sys), Pune

2. Contents Quality Design Aspects Electrical Design Highlights
Safety and Protection
Performance Monitoring
Performance Optimization
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

3. Plant Generation Generation 1500 kWh/m2 Performance 83.3% Insolation
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

4. Governing Factors Generation Performance Ratio POA Insolation
Plant Availability
System Loss Factors
Module Degradation
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

5. Defining PR and CUF Rated Energy = Rated Array kWp x POA PSH
Potential Energy = Rated Array kWp x (24 x 365) h
Capacity utilization factor (CUF) : Generation (kWh) / Potential Energy (kWh)
Rated Energy = Rated Array kWp x POA PSH
Plant performance ratio (PR): Generation (kWh) / Rated Energy (kWh)
Generation (kWh) = Rated Energy – Energy Losses
Generation (kWh) = Rated Energy x PR
PR independent of radiation, CUF radiation dependent
CUF measure of plant utilization, suitable in evaluating location
Both PR and CUF useful in technology selection at a given location
PR-It is possible to compare the performance of various plants at different locations on a normalized – independent from climate conditions - level over a long period of time. Therefore only the design and the ability of the system to convert solar energy into electrical energy will be compared with each other.
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

6. System Loss Diagram Installation Operation Design
No. of small loss components
Requires attention to details-design to commissioning
Module thermal loss accounts for 50% of plant losses
Design
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

7. Quality-a step ahead! Year on year performance for reduced LCOE
Quality is key to long term performance
Quality governs safety, reliability and durability
Standards Compliance is a good start
Quality Value Chain: Feasibility through to O&M
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

8. Factors governing Quality
Feasibility and Design Inputs
Components Selection and QAP
PV-Inverter-BoS Design Integration
Installation and Test Processes
Monitoring and Performance Evaluation
Operation and Maintenance Practices
Quality Checks, Feedback and Improvements
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

9. Quality Design Aspects
PV Module, Inverter and BoS Selection and QAP
Plant & Array Layout: Tilt, Inter-row Spacing, Inverter Placement
Safety & Protection: Human, Electrical, Grounding, LA, SPD
Electrical Design: PV-Inverter, Cabling, Protection, Switchgear, Power Evacuation
Structure Design: Wind Resistance, Material, Surface Treatment, Fasteners, pedestals
Monitoring and Communication
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

10. Quality Electrical Design
Module Power and Current Mismatch
PV-Inverter Sizing and Integration:
Max. Power Point Voltage, Grounding, PID
DC Overloading
Inverter MPP Tracking and Conversion Efficiency, Thermal Design
String level Monitoring
Protection: Fuses, SPDs
DC Cabling:
Layout Optimization
Sizing and Power Loss
Terminations- Number and Quality
AC Cable Sizing and Power Loss
Safety & Protection
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

11. Performance Monitoring
Energy Generation, POA Radiation and Module back surface temperature Monitoring
Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly performance evaluation
Compare with estimates and make corrections
The PR is also governed by installation, operation and maintenance conditions.
Testing, continuous monitoring and optimization of PR is a key to the long-term success of a PV power plant.
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

12. 500kWp Plant Performance
Insolation
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

13. Performance Evaluation
DC Performance
kWp DC Rating
POA Insolation
DC Energy
Inverter Performance
AC Performance
kW AC Rating
AC Energy
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

14. Inverter Performance DC and AC energy generation
Inverter power and energy efficiency
Inverter Performance Ratio
MPP input voltage, current and power
String current
Shading, soiling and connectivity
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

15. DC and AC Performance Thermal loss Soiling loss DC cable loss
AC cable loss
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

16. Shadow Analysis
MPPT Input Monitoring
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

17. Specific Generation Base Line Specific Generation
POA Radiation and Expected Generation
Quantify Effect of Dust
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

18. Inverter Performance
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

19. Inverter Generation Profiles
Generation Loss
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

20. Performance Optimization
Low temp variation of module power
Better response to low and diffuse light
Reduced mismatch of modules
Efficient module cleaning regime
Improved MPPT efficiency
Improved Inverter efficiency
Optimized DC and AC cable lengths and size
Reduced number of interconnections
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

21. System level Standards
IEC Installation and Safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays including DC array wiring, electrical protection devices, switching and earthing provisions.
IEC 62446: Grid connected PV systems – minimum requirements for system documentation, commissioning tests, and inspection.
IEC Photovoltaic system performance monitoring - Guidelines for measurement, data exchange and analysis.
IEC61727 – Characteristics of the Utility Interface of PV Systems
CEA Technical Standard for Connectivity to Grid-2012
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

22. Safety & Protection
IEC 62548: Installation and Safety requirements for PV Arrays
String, Sub-array and Array Overcurrent Protection Device
String, Sub-array and Array Disconnection Device
String, Sub-array and Array Cable Sizing
Equipotential Bonding and Protective Earthing
Earth Leakage Monitoring and Protection
System Earthing: IEC
Lightning Arrestor: IS/IEC , 2, 3 and 4
Surge Protection Devices: IEC (AC) and -31 (DC)
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

23. Solar PV Project Life Cycle
Pre Project Services
Design and Engineering
Component Selection
Procurement
Value Addition enhances Quality, Performance and Returns
I&C
Testing and Monitoring
Performance Optimization
O&M
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

24. Quality
Performance
Returns
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

25. Quality Packs Platinum Diamond Gold 5MW-500MW+ Ground/Utility
100kW-5MW
Rooftop/Ground
1kW-100kW
Rooftop
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

26. Quality Pack Deliverables
Platinum
Diamond
Gold
Monitoring Compliance
Quality Design
Long term Performance
Safety, I&C Compliance
Quality BoS
DC and AC Performance
PV-Inverter Compliance
Quality O&M
Safety and Performance
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber

27. Conclusion Life Cycle Cost reduction by maximizing Generation
Maximum Generation by optimizing performance
Performance optimization by quality design integration, monitoring and feedback
Sustainability achieved through Quality Value Chain
Jan. 12, 2018
Vaman Kuber