Photovoltaic Photovoltaic “Parallel System”“Parallel System”for Duke Farmsfor Duke Farms
Group Members
Trecia AshmanPaola BarryMukti Patel
Zarina Zayasortiz
Photovoltaic Parallel System Photovoltaic cells are used to harness energy from the sun.
This energy can then be directly converted to electricity and be used to power your home or other facility.
Parallel System
A “parallel” system Role of Components:
PV Panels Inverter Meter
Power Distribution Grid 3-phase AC Power
PSE&G Specifications In order for the system to be approved it must meet the
following standards: The installation must comply with the provisions of the
NEC Modules must be UL listed The maximum amount of sunlight available year should
not be obstructed All solar array orientations are required that the
estimated system output must be 75% of the default output estimated by PVWATTS
The inverter must be certified as compliant with the requirements of IEEE 929 and with UL 1741
PSE&G Specifications The system needs the following visual
indicators: On/off switch Operating mode setting indicator AC/DC overcurrent protection Operating status indicator
Warning labels must be posted on the control panels and junction boxes indicating that the circuits are energized by an alternate power source
Tracking Options
Fixed Plate
• stationery panel
1-Axis Tracking
• North/South or East/West
2-Axis Tracking
• North/South & East/West
System Information for the Powerhouse
Month Duke FarmsPower House Usage (kW-hr)
Aug-03 146424
Sep-03 247055
Oct-03 137557
Nov-03 97546
Dec-03 156921
Jan-04 169716
Feb-04 162028
Mar-04 140565
Apr-04 137610
May-04 112532
Jun-04 130047
Jul-04 137338
Aug-04 128162
Powerhouse Calculations
panels
monthkWhrmonthhrswatt
dayhrswatt
1326404.13263040.11/146424
/040.11/1104030368
/3686.480
The area needed to place 13,264 panels is:
acresft 07.29043281.613264 2
Necessary Calculations:
100% of Power House monthly average (equivalent of 1400 kW system)
Average monthly Power House usage: 146,424 kW-hr/month
Powerhouse Calculations
panels
monthhrkW
6632040.11/73212
/732122/146424
acresft 04.14516481.66632 2
50% of Power House monthly average (equivalent of 702 kW system)
Necessary Calculations:
The area needed to place 6632 panels is:
Powerhouse Calculations
panels
monthhrkW
3316040.11/36606
/366064/146424
acreft 518.2258281.63316 2
Necessary Calculations:
The area needed to place 13,264 panels is:
25% of Power House monthly average (equivalent of 350 kW system)
Powerhouse 350 kW System350 kW system
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
Aug-03 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Aug-04
Month
En
erg
y k
W-h
r/m
on
th
Duke Farms fixed tilt 1 axis 2 axis
Powerhouse-702 kW System
702 kW system
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
Aug-03 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Aug-04
Month
En
erg
y k
W-h
r/m
on
th
Duke Farms fixed tilt 1 axis 2 axis
Powerhouse- 1000 kW System
1000 kW system
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
Aug-03 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Aug-04
Month
En
erg
y k
W-h
r/m
on
th
Duke Farms fixed tilt 1 axis 2 axis
System Information for Employee Housing
Employee Housing -26 kW System
26 kW System
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Month
En
erg
y kW
-hr/
mo
nth
fixed 1 axis 2 axis Duke Farms
Employee Housing- 50 kW System
50 kW System
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Month
En
erg
y (k
W*h
r)
Fixed Tilt 1-Axis 2-Axis Duke Farms
Employee Housing-100 kW System
100 kW System
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Month
En
erg
y k
W-h
r/m
on
th
fixed 1 axis 2 axis Duke Farms
Mounting System Design The mounting system for Duke Farms had to be:
Unique and Creative Clients wanted to show off their product to visitors
Cost Efficient A large number of stands would be needed because of
the large scale of the project Support tracking
Since NJ only averages around 4.6 hours of sunlight/day/year tracking would be necessary in order to increase the amount of light hitting the panels
Durable and Sturdy The mounting system not only has to support the
weight of the solar panel but would be exposed to harsh weather conditions
Refined Solar SupportRefined Solar Support
Figure 1 – Refined Design of Solar Support Figure 2 – Close-up of Solar Support Joint
Further analysis is needed in order to determine how wind, rain, and snow loading will affect this new design.
Control ConfigurationControl Configuration To enable one axis tracking a good control
configuration was needed.
Options One tracker for every five modules. One tracker that will control all of the modules
Master/slave configuration
Master/Slave Master/Slave ConfigurationConfiguration
The primary module will have a tracker, while the others (secondary modules) will mimic the motion of the primary module.
The motion will be mimicked by using small motors that will position the modules.
Electrical Layout Electrical Layout AlternativesAlternatives
System that provides electricity only for Duke Farms:
1. No electricity is sold back to the grid.2. All surplus to power grid.
Interconnection Interconnection ProtectionProtection
If surplus is connected back to the power grid it is necessary
The function is three-fold: Disconnects the generator when it is no longer
operating in parallel with the utility system.
Protects the utility system from damage caused by connection of the generator, including the fault current supplied from the generator for utility system faults and transient over voltages.
Protects the generator from damage from the utility system, especially through automatic re-closing.
Interconnection Protection Interconnection Protection (Cont.)(Cont.) Interconnection protection varies
depending on the following factors: System Size Point of Interconnection to PSE&G Type of Power Generated Interconnection Transformer Configuration
Therefore the group needs to find what works best for our system.
Total Capital CostTotal Capital Cost
A large portion of the total capital cost will come from the structures themselves.
This large amount of capital will probably need to be borrowed so interest costs will have to be taken into account.
Operation and maintenance costs will also be added to the total capital cost.
Maintenance CostsMaintenance Costs This expense can be explored in
three ways: Delegate work to current
employees Hire part-time workers Hire contractors
Payback PeriodPayback Period Factors that may cause the payback time
to change: The price you pay for your system will vary
depending on local market conditions. Another factor is that the energy generated by
your system depends on sunlight conditions at your location.
Finally, the inclination of your solar module array may be less than optimal.
System PlacementSystem Placement
VisualsVisualsLife-Sized Models vs. Display:
Life- Size Model Give the customer an idea of how one individual
module will look. Not working model.
Small Display Commercial visualization with the purpose to create
a better overall picture of the system and what kind of space it would take up.
QuestionsQuestions
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