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

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Duke Farms fixed tilt 1 axis 2 axis

Powerhouse-702 kW System

702 kW system

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Duke Farms fixed tilt 1 axis 2 axis

Powerhouse- 1000 kW System

1000 kW system

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Duke Farms fixed tilt 1 axis 2 axis

System Information for Employee Housing

Employee Housing -26 kW System

26 kW System

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fixed 1 axis 2 axis Duke Farms

Employee Housing- 50 kW System

50 kW System

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Fixed Tilt 1-Axis 2-Axis Duke Farms

Employee Housing-100 kW System

100 kW System

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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