Microgrid Photovoltaic System Design Specifications

What is a technical assessment for a solar PV-based microgrid?

Technical assessment is based on the nature of the energy sources and the load of the microgrid. For a solar PV-based microgrid, the main technical aspects that are necessary to be considered include rating of PV modules, tilt angle, fill factor, MPPT, PV efficiency, and efficiencies of the power electronic converters.

How can a microgrid improve the reliability of solar PV?

In order to overcome the problems associated with the intermittency of solar PV and enhance the reliability, energy storage systems like batteries and/or backup systems like diesel generators are commonly included in the microgrids [11, 12].

What is a PV-based microgrid?

The name implies the principle component in a PV-based microgrid is the solar PV system. However, the generated output power of a PV system is dependent on the weather condition, that is, solar irradiance and temperature; and the intermittency in the solar irradiance causes fluctuations in the generated output power of the solar PV system.

Does solar PV affect power factor in microgrids?

PV systems can affect the power factor (PF) in an electrical system and microgrids can have unique power factor needs. The solar PV project should be analyzed for PF impact and benefit from a technical and economic perspective in grid-connected and islanded modes.

What is a PV inverter & a microgrid?

The inverter shall be capable of real-time data logging, alarm reporting, and communication with a remote power system controller. PV systems can affect the power factor (PF) in an electrical system and microgrids can have unique power factor needs.

What is a solar microgrid?

Microgrids that include solar photovoltaics (PV) as a generating source have the ability to not only provide power when the grid is down, they can also reduce energy costs when the grid is available. For solar project designers future microgrid considerations are becoming increasingly important.