1. Solar Energy Commercialization Utility Scale Solar Development
SEC598S19
Solar Energy Commercialization
Session 12
Utility Scale Solar Development
Design Issues, cont.
February 18, 2019

2. Session 12 - Value to class members
This session wraps up a discussion of Design Issues

3. Utility Scale PV Systems
Design Steps
Selecting an appropriate site and solving all land issues
Carrying out the permitting process for construction and operation
Selecting a financing approach including power purchase agreements or energy off-take agreements
Carrying out PV system and solar field engineering and design
Interconnection to the grid

4. Utility Scale - Solar Farm Design
Steps in Solar Farm Design
Design calculations
Electrical design considerations
System monitoring
System equipment selection
Installation issues
Yield calculations

5. Solar Farm Design - Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
String – PV modules connected in series, so voltages add up
String inverters
Sub-array – A number of parallel strings, so currents add up
Array – Sub-arrays connected in parallel to complete entire solar system
Central inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

6. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

7. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

8. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

9. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

10. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

11. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

12. Utility Scale PV Systems
Module/Inverter compatibility calculations
Minimum number of modules per string:

13. Utility Scale PV Systems
Module/Inverter compatibility calculations
Maximum number of modules per string:

14. Utility Scale PV Systems
Module/Inverter compatibility calculations
Maximum number of parallel strings (in a sub-array):

15. Utility Scale PV Systems
Module/Inverter compatibility calculations
Confirming the power rating per sub-array

16. Utility Scale PV Systems
Module/Inverter compatibility calculations
Determining array configuration - calculated
Minimum number of modules/string
Maximum number of modules/string
Minimum number of strings connected to inverter
Maximum number of modules connected to inverter

17. Utility Scale PV Systems
Module/Inverter compatibility calculations
Determining array configuration – next steps
Number of string combiner boxes/string monitoring connections
Number of string overcurrent protection devices
Acceptable cable losses
Number and size of required DC isolators
Oversizing factor

18. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4
Normal sizing

19. Solar Farm Design – Electrical Design
Matching the solar array to the inverters
Solar Farms
Chapter 4
Oversizing the array

20. Solar Farm Design – Mechanical Design
Energy Harvesting
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

21. Solar Farm Design – Mechanical Design
Energy Harvesting
Solar Farms
Chapter 4

22. Solar Farm Design – Mechanical Design
Energy Harvesting
Tracker array at ASU

23. Solar Farm Design – System Monitoring
Solar Farms
Chapter 4
Grid integration and plant control

24. Solar Farm Design – System Monitoring
Solar Farms
Chapter 4
Transformers

25. Solar Farm Design – System Monitoring
Solar Farms
Chapter 4
Plant control

26. Solar Farm Design – System Monitoring
Solar Farms
Chapter 4
SCADA components/services

27. Solar Farm Design – Operation
System yield