pre354 - Photovoltaic System Technology (Complete module description)

After completing the module, the student will be able to:
- Assess the system requirements for both grid connected and stand alone applications.
- Design and develop a PV system by evaluating complex customer needs in relation to an application
- Critically evaluate the performance of a PV system in comparison to a theoretical model of such a system, calculating yields and efficiencies
- Analyse the main system losses and compare methods for minimising these for various system designs

1. Basic systems design
- Photovoltaic (PV) arrays, support structures
- Electrical Connections and wiring issues
- BOS components
- Stand alone and grid connected systems
- System sizing
2. Stand-alone systems
- Applications
- Performance assessment and sizing
- Standards and regulations
3. Grid connected systems - electrical
- Inverter systems and electrical supply issues
- Grid connection regulations
- Harmonic content, reactive power, and wiring issues
4. Grid connected systems - large scale
- Design of large scale systems
- Case studies
5. Grid connected systems - building integrated
- System design and sizing
- Energy in buildings and building components
- Installation and operation
- Case studies
6. Concentrator systems
- Design of concentrator systems
- Operation and maintenance
7. Monitoring and performance analysis
- Monitoring specifications
- Yield and performance ratio, and MTBF
- Operational issues and maintenance
8. Standards and regulations
- Standards for construction and operation
- Regulations governing system design and operation
- Health and safety issues
9. Space systems
- Array configurations
- Quality control and assessment
- Design of systems
- BOL and EOL design tradeoffs

Messenger, R., & Ventre, J.:. Photovoltaic Systems Engineering, 3rd edition, Taylor & Francis, 2010.
Wenham, S.: Applied Photovoltaics, 3rd edn., Earthscan, 2011.
Journals:
- Progress in Photovoltaics
- Renewable Energy
- Various IEEE journals relating to electrical engineering
Databases and Websites
- IEA PV Power Systems Programme (www.iea-pvps.org)
- European Photovoltaic Industries Association (http://www.epia.org/home/)
- PVGIS web site (http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/)
Other Resources
- Measurement data from system trials
- PVSyst software

At the end of the semester

Written exam (60%, 3 hours)
Written report (40%, design assignment): Feasibility report, maximum of 10 pages plus technical appendices