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Friday, September 23, 2011

SOLAR ENERGYSOLAR ENERGY Solar basics: The sun is unlimited source of energy. Trillions watts of solar energy is generated due to nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms. Produced heat by fusion heats the outer surface of the sun. From outer surface also called chromo sphere heat or energy reaches to outer layer of earth’s atmosphere by radiation. Chromo sphere is just like a hot body having temperature more than 5800°K (0°C is 273°K and 100°C is 373°K). Each and every time 1366 watts per meter square (1366w/M^2) energy comes at the outer atmospheric layer of earth. The solar energy is made of tiny waves having size in nm (1 neno meter = 10¯9 Meter). The composition waves or rays are 7% ultraviolet rays (UV), 46% visible rays & 47% infrared. The size of ultraviolet rays are 0 to 280 nm, visible rays are 280 nm to 780 nm & infrared 780 nm and above. Out of energy reached at the outer atmospheric layer of earth, some reflects back to sky, some absorbed by the atmosphere and remaining about 1000 watts/M^2 reaches to earth's surface. The sky is seems blue due to reflection of ultraviolet rays(UV). In broad classification solar energy is used in electric generation and heating systems. Further electricity generation is done by two different processes by photovoltaic cell & solar thermal. Solar heating is used in solar coolers, water heating, incineration of liquid & solid waste, vapour absorption refrigeration, space heating etc.





http://barmersolar.blogspot.com


http://renewableenergyconsult.com

 Solar basics:  The sun is unlimited source of energy. Trillions watts of solar energy is generated due to nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms. Produced heat by fusion heats the outer surface of the sun. From outer surface also called chromo sphere heat or energy reaches to outer layer of earth’s atmosphere by radiation. Chromo sphere is just like a hot body having temperature more than 5800°K (0°C is 273°K and 100°C is 373°K). Each and every time 1366 watts per meter square (1366w/M^2) energy comes at the outer atmospheric layer of earth. The solar energy is made of tiny waves having size in nm (1 neno meter = 10¯9 Meter). The composition waves or rays are 7% ultraviolet rays (UV), 46% visible rays & 47% infrared. The size of ultraviolet rays are 0 to 280 nm, visible rays are 280 nm to 780 nm & infrared 780 nm and above. Out of energy reached at the outer atmospheric layer of earth, some reflects back to sky, some absorbed by the atmosphere and remaining about 1000 watts/M^2 reaches to earth's surface. The sky is seems blue due to reflection of ultraviolet rays(UV).
In broad classification solar energy is used in electric generation and heating systems. Further electricity generation is done by two different processes by photovoltaic cell & solar thermal. Solar heating is used in solar coolers, water heating, incineration of liquid & solid waste, vapour absorption refrigeration and air conditioning, space heating etc.

Definitions:   Two dimension Geometry is used in solar system. The systems of measurements are Cartesian Coordinates & Polar Coordinates. All the measurements are taken from observer (the place where we are standing for measurements). These coordinates length and breadth can be measured by tap (in feet or meter), angle by inclinometer or GPS.  

Latitude: Consider the Earth as a circle. Draw a line through a centre of circle, it meets at the points on the periphery of circle at two points, say them N and S. Draw another line through  centre “O” perpendicular to NS, it is E and W. “N” denotes the North pole of Earth and “S“ denotes the south pole of Earth. “E” denotes for east and “W” denotes for west. I am living at Barmer (Rajastahn)- India situated at point “P” on the periphery of circle between point NE. Draw a line from point “O” to “P”. Now the angle APOE is 25°46’( 25 degree and 46 minutes). This is the Latitude of Barmer  called by name 25°46’N. Point EW lies on Equator and is “zero” Latitude. The upper portion of EW called Northern hemisphere and lower portion called southern hemisphere of Earth. Barmer is in Northern hemisphere. We can determine latitude by Google Map.

 
Longitude: The lines joining North pole to South Pole is called longitude. Zero time or zero longitude passes through “Grean Which” in the England. The world standard time is GMT (Green witch mean time). The periphery of earth is divided in 360°. The earth rounds in its axis in 24 hours. Thus the each degree of rotation is 4 minutes. The lines eastward of this line are East longitude and of it are western longitude. Indian standard time is at 82°30’E longitude. It means if GMT is 2.30pm than IST is 8.00pm(difference of +5.30 hours). Our Barmer (Rajasthan)-India is 71°41’E
Location of site: The location of any place is determined by Latitude & Longitude. The location of Barmer is (25°46’N, 71°41’E)

Azimuth Angle: The plan perpendicular to the line joining the sun is divided in 360°.If you are in space and visiting Earth. Divide the Earth four points NESW . The azimuth angle at North is zero, at East it is 90°, at South it is 180°, at West it is 270° and again North it is 360° or 0°.  Generally for measurement purposes azimuth angle is taken 0°.
Solar Noon: It is also called mid day. To find the mid may take a difference of sunset and sunrise times, divide by two and add to sunrise time. 
Hour angle: The solar time is represented by angle. 24 hour time is divided in 360° and 1 hour is 15°. At solar noon hour angle is zero.
True South and True North:  There is difference between geographic north and magnetic north. But for lower latitudes it is almost same. We can find the True south & True north without compass box. At the solar noon erect a 5 to 10 feet rod vertical to the earth. The shade of rod will be in the south and north.
For more accuracy one can go to the site:




  Zenith angle: It is the angle between line joining the observer to Sun and vertical line from Earth. If the sun is exactly above the observer head than the zenith angle is zero. At sun rise and sun set it is 90°. It is a function of azimuth angle and altitude angle.
Altitude angle:  The angle between the horizontal line from observer to line joining sun. It is zero at sunrise and sunset.
Example: The altitude angle at solar noon on 21st March is =90°-Latitude of that place. For Barmer it is (90 - 25°46’ = 64°14’). On 21st December (64°14’-23°45’ = 40°29’). The value 23°45’ is the inclination of earth axis. Two positions 21st March and 21st September are called spring and fall equinoxes. On these days night and day both are equal on any part of the Earth. 21st December and 21st June are winter and summer Solstices.
Normal radiations: It is the radiation from sun is vertical line joining the sun and observer. The sun should be over head the observer.
Diffused radiation: These are deflected radiation from atmosphere, snow, water, clouds.
Global Radiation: It is the total radiation. Add of Normal radiation and diffused radiation.
                                           http://barmersolar.blogspot.com



    Solar cell:   

Sunday, January 2, 2011

FOUR DAYS TRAINING PROGRAM PV SYSTEM DESIGN & INSTALLION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES


D2HD95BMDCFJSYLLABUS
FOUR DAYS TRAINING PROGRAM PV SYSTEM DESIGN & INSTALLION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

1.     Solar energy basics ; Definitions:  irradiance, latitude, longitude, altitude angle, azimuth angle, solar insolation, solar noon, hour angle, inclination angle, zenith angle, net metering.
2.     Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission for incentives.
3.     Working Safety with photovoltaic Systems                                              15%
3.1  Working with safe
3.2  Industrial regulation act
3.3  Electrical Safety
3.4  Fall Protection
3.5  Stairways & Ladders.
3.6  Hand and Power Tools.
3.7  Personal Protective Equipments (PPE)
3.8  Working Space for Electrical Systems.
3.9  Photovoltaic Modules.
3.10       Battery Safety.
4.     Conducting a Site Assessment.                                                                    5%
4.1  Shading.
4.2  Array Orientation.
4.3  Array Location
4.4  Available roof Area.
4.5  Roof Structure & Condition.
4.6  Commercial Roof Mounting Options.
4.7  Array Mounting Methods.
5.     Selecting a System Design.                                                                           5%
5.1  Differentiating Among Available Modules and Inverters.
6.     Adapting the Mechanical Design.                                                               15%
6.1  Roof Mounting.
6.2  Mounting Materials.
6.3  BOS Layout.
6.4  Tracking Mounts.
7.     Adapting the Electrical Design.                                                                   20%
7.1  PV Modules
7.2  Wires, Fuse, Circuit Breaker, and Disconnect Sizing.
7.3  Temperature and conduit Fill Corrections for ampacity of Conductors.
7.4  Voltage Drop for Circuits.
7.5  Sizing Conductors Based on Power and Required OCPD Ratings.
7.6  Grounding.
7.7  Ground fault Protection.
7.8  Equipment Grounding.
7.9  System Grounding.
7.10       Continuity of Equipment and System Grounding.
7.11       Batteries and Battery Wiring.
7.11.1           Battery Sizing Concepts.
7.11.2           Battery wiring.
7.12       Charge Controllers and Linear Current Busters.
7.12.1            Linear Current Boosters and Maximum Power Tracking Charge
           Controllers.
7.12.2           Charge Controller Operation.
7.12.3            Low Voltage Disconnect Controls.
7.13       Generators.
7.13.1           PV/Diesel Hybrid System.
7.13.2           Charging Batteries with Generators.
7.13.3           Generators in NEC.
7.14       Inverters.
7.15       Point of Utility Connection.
1.     Dedicated Over current and Disconnect.
2.     Bus or Conductor Rating.
3.     Ground Fault Protection.
4.     Marking.
5.     Suitable for Back feed.
6.     Inverter Output Connection
            7.16 Optional Standby System Panels.
     8.   Installing Subsystems and Components at the Site.                                20%
         8.1 Electrical Component Mounting.
         8.2 Testing and Programming Equipment.
         8.3 Marking and Labeling
   9.    Performing a System Checkout and Inspection.                                          10%
        9.1 Acceptance testing.
  10. Maintaining and Trouble shooting a System.                                                10%
       10.1 Array Maintenance
       10.2 Battery Maintenance.
       10.3 Inverter & Charge Controller Maintenance.
       10.4 Maintenance Tools and Equipment.
       10.5 Performance Monitoring.
11.  System installation cost.
12. Steady Guide Review Questions.



       



            
          





Saturday, January 1, 2011

Drive your car by water

You will wonder that your cars will be run by water instead of petrol or diesel. Shree Ratan TATA has announced to make a car, driven by water. Hydrogen the future fuel for automobiles is derived from water by electrolysis process with help of solar panels. One cubic meter (at NTP) of hydrogen would require 3.266 KWh of DC electric energy. Three cubic meter (at NTP) of hydrogen will provide as much power as one liter diesel to your vehicle.
Decade ago we heard that cars will be run by water. The fossil fuels like diesel, gas and petrol will be replaced by water. This surprise is possible in now a day. The hydrogen is separated from water by electrolysis process with the help of solar panels.

Monday, August 9, 2010

LED’S LIGHT THE ENERGY EFFICIENT DEVICE

In the ancient times queen used to keep “JUGANU” in their hair. The juganu is a small insect which emits light in the night. “LED” the light emitting diode, emits the light with very low power consumption as compared to incandesce lamp. The normal 100 Watt incandesce lamps give 1200 lm (Lumens) or 12lm/watt. The florescence lamp gives the light 25lm/watt. But the LED gives 100lm/watt, thus it is eight times more efficient than the incandesce lamp. Till date the researcher’s achieved a goal of 200lm/watt.
The led devices are made of number of clusters. These are found in various colors including day light color. It can be used in DC and AC. The average life of led is 40000 hours, 40 times the life of incandesce lamp. But the cost of this device is $2 to $3 per watt. Though the initial cost is high, yet it will be economical in long run by saving energy consumption. The cost of production is continuously decreasing, so that it will be reachable range to customers.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

How much a 100watt module can produce energy.


The 100watt module will produce only 67watt. The efficiency can be increased to 77watt by adopting high efficiency modules and minimize other factors. In general energy calculation we take efficiency 77%
The PV solar plant consists of series and parallel connected modules. The specifications printed on the module are based on STC condition. Suppose module rated power is 120watt, it says that module will produce 120 watt power at 25°C cell temperature, 1.5 air mass and 1000watt/m^2 solar irradiance. In the actual practice this can not be achieved. There are so many factors which affects the plant efficiency.
1.     Module tolerances:  On the name plate of module “+/-5%” is written. It means that 100 watt module can generate 105watt or 95watt,  still the module is called 100watt module. For safety factor 95watt is considered. Its efficiency factor is 0.95
2.     Temperature: The output power of module decrease as temperature increases. In the summer season when the ambient temperature is 50°C than the module cell temperature will be 80°C on the roof top of building (30°C above ambient temp.). For crystalline module the temperature reduction factor is 0.89. It varies from manufactured technology of module.
3.     Dirt and dust: Bird spikes and accumulation of sand on the on the module surface, blocking some of the sunlight and reducing the output. A typical annual dust reduction factor is 0.93.
4.     Mismatch and wiring losses: The maximum output of the total array is less than the sum of individual modules. The difference is a result of slight inconsistencies in performance from one module to the next and is called module mismatch factor and amounts to at least 2%. Power is also lost in resistance of wiring. The wiring loss 3%. The total loss factor is 0.95.
5.     Dc to Ac conversion losses: The Dc power generated by modules converted in Ac power by inverters, this again causes losses anf loss factor is 0.9.
The total losses are products of 1 to 5 factors and are equal to:
 0.95x0.89x0.93x 0.95x0.9 =67watt. It means that 100watt module will generates only 67watt.
     6. If battery is used for back up an additional loss of 6 to 10%
7. Array oriental losses: Array gives maximum power in south facing and lilt equal to  latitude. But compromise  is made to avoid shading effect and old odd pitched roofs. These again lossess 2 to 6%.

Friday, May 21, 2010

How to size Wiring and Cabling for your System

WIRE VOLTAGE DROP CALCULATIONS EXAMPLE
Solar pv stand alone system operates at nominal voltage 12-volt, 24-volt & 48-volt. The Dc power is equal to voltage multiply by current & voltage is equal to current multiply by resistance. As the size of power plant increased, the current increased. For example in 240 watt power plant at 24-volt the current is 10 amp, but for 480 watt power plant it will be 20 amp. The resistance is measured in ohms per 1000 feet. From it is clear that as the current and wire length increases the voltage drop will be increases and energy will lost in heat. This increase in voltage drop will drop the power.
The solar energy is very costly so voltage drop is kept minimum 3% to 5%, by keeping the wire length minimum..
Allowable % voltage drops are: -
For Dc system: total: 1 to 6 = 4.18%
1. Module wiring : 0.69%
2. Array to Junction box: 0.72%
3. Junction box to Combiner box: 1.82%
4. Combiner box to Charge controller: 0.43%
5. Charge Controller to Disconnects: 0.26%
6. Disconnects to Inverter: 0.26%
For Ac Circuits: total: 1&2 = 0.36%
1. Inverter to disconnect: 0.06%
2. Disconnect to service panel: 0.3%
Over all Dc & Ac =4.18%+0.36% =4.54%
Example: Calculate wire size between the Junction box to combiner box at a distance 40 feet at a site. Consider the 24-volt Dc system, module Imp current =7.0 amp (printed on module).
From above point no 1, voltage drop from junction box to combiner is 1.82%
Voltage drop/system voltage =% loss in voltage
Voltage drop = 1.82x24/100=0. 4368
Voltage drop = 2 x L x Imp x resistance of wire.
Where L is distance between Junction box to Combiner box.
Resistance of wire = Voltage drop/(2x40x7) =0.00078 ohms
The resistance of wire is measured in ohms/1000Feet.
So the resistance of 1000 Feet wire is 0.78 ohms.

From NEC table the resistance of stranded wires per 1000 Feet is as follow.
1. 14AWG = 3.140 ohms 2. 12AWG =1.980 ohms 3. 10AWG = 1.240 ohms
4.8AWG= 0.778ohms 5. 6AWG=0.491ohms
By comparing, 8SWG wire is suitable for our application.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Wire sizing between inverter & battery in stand alone pv solar system

In a stand alone PV system, inverters are frequently used to change the direct current (DC) from a battery bank to 230-volts, 50-Hertz(Hz) (In USA and Canada 120-volts, 60 Hz) alternating current(AC).The conductors between the inverter and the battery must have properly rated over current protection and disconnect mechanisms [NEC 240,690-8b(3), -8(b)(4),-15]. These inverters frequently have short duration (tens of seconds) surge capabilities that are four to six times the rated output.
For example, a 2500-watt inverter might be required to surge to (2500x4)10,000 volt-amps for 5 seconds when a motor load must be started. The NEC requires the ampacity of the conductors between the battery and the inverter to be sized by the rated 2500-watt output of the inverter. Consider a 24-volt system, a 2500 watt inverter would draw 134 amps (2500/0.85/22) at full load (85% inverter efficiency and 22 volt battery charge. The ampacity of the conductors between the battery and inverters must be 125% of the 134 amp or 167amp.
This 167amp current in conductor is at the ambient temperature 30°C. Normally the inverter operates at temperature at 40°C to 45°C so derating of cable be must. Go to NEC table 310.16 and select 60°C column, where you find derating correction factor 0.71 in the right hand side of 41-45 ambient temperature. Devide 167 by 0.71 you get corrected 235 amp and conductor size 300 kcmill.
The length of conductor should be kept small to avoid voltage drop. The conductor should be tested for voltage drop also (continue).