How grid interactive roof top solar PV systems work?
|Many countries in the world are using conventional energy sources to fulfill their electricity requirements. Conventional power generation involves burning of fossil fuels that releases Greenhouse gases (GHGs) resulting in global warming and climate change. Growing concern about climate change, countries around the world are searching for best alternative to fossil fuels. Renewable energy is the solution but current state of technology and cost factor makes it the least suitable option as an alternate choice. However, since the past one decade, the technology has evolved in such a way that we can see utility scale renewable energy power projects based on Solar, Wind and other renewable technologies coming up. For countries like India where coal is the dominant fossil fuel to generate electricity, the least GHG emission intensive option is the major requirement. Rooftop Solar PV system is the best option nowadays.
Unlike MW scale solar PV projects, rooftop system uses very less space and is also cost effective. We all know that the major issue behind utility scale solar PV project is availability of land. It takes around 5 acres of land for installing 1MW of solar PV plant. In India, where the population is growing enormously, we require considerable land area for growing food grains to support the growing population. Agricultural land conversion for solar project does not seem a viable option. Another issue is the availability of grid. Rural population in India is still struggling for electricity as they don’t have access to power grid. In addition, there is acute shortage of electricity generation in India due to non/ inadequate availability of coal resulting in frequent power cuts.
Rooftop Solar PV system: How it works?
Solar PV rooftop system is basically a small power plant at your rooftop. The Grid interactive Roof Top Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) mainly consists of three major components. These are the solar PV modules, mounting structure for the modules and the inverter or power conditioning units. Solar PV modules form an array and it requires a mounting structure to hold PV modules at the required angle for maximized generation. The solar panels convert solar energy in the form of light into electricity in DC form (Direct Current). The DC electrical energy is converted to AC (Alternate Current) power by the inverter/power conditioning unit which is connected to the power grid through AC distribution board. The AC power output can be measured through metering panel connected to it. The 415 V AC output of the system can be synchronized with the grid and the electricity can be exported to the grid depending upon solar power generation and local consumption.
Grid synchronization
Electrical inverters convert direct current generated from solar PV modules to alternating current. Therefore, solar modules need to be connected to inverters. Nowadays we have smart Grid-interactive inverters. These inverters can produce AC power that matches voltage and frequency of the grid and the power line it connects to. There is another requirement of adding an isolation transformer. For safety purposes, isolation transformer is used to transfer electrical power from inverter to the connected load while isolating the load from the power source. In addition, the injection of DC power into the grid can be avoided by using an isolation transformer at the output of the inverter.
Power generated from the rooftop solar system during the daytime can be utilized fully by powering the building loads and feeding excess power to the grid as long as grid is available. Whenever, solar power is not available due to shadow or a cloudy day, the building loads can be served by drawing power from the grid or DG sets. Smart inverters automatically understand the power situation and always give preference to power generated from solar modules.
Metering
If the project location has feed-in-tariff applicable, the separate feed-in-meter (export meter) is suitable. Feed-in-tariff meter records gross generation from the rooftop solar system. However, conventional energy meter (Import meter) record electricity consumption of the building. Currently, the state of Gujarat have feed-in-tariff scheme and hence feed-in-tariff meters are applicable in Gujarat. However, where feed-in-tariff provision is not applicable, project developer can have net metering system (bi-directional meter).
Key facts about rooftop solar systems;
- The solar panels should be south facing to maximize the production (In India). The angle of panel should be 25-30 degrees with respect to the land surface
- The weight exerted by the Solar Panels and the structure is around 10 Kgs per square meter.
- The solar installation require about 100-150 square feets of area per Kilowatt.
- No frequent maintenance is required for the solar system except regular cleaning of surface of the panels.
- There are two types of rooftop solar installations. First is for captive use and second is for feed in tariff based grid connected system. In captive use, rooftop solar system installer himself consumes all electricity generated by the system. However, in second type i.e. feed in tariff based grid connected system, installer can also feed/sale excess power to the grid.
- In captive rooftop solar systems, there are two types. The first one is standalone systems and other is grid connected system.
Benefits of Rooftop Solar PV systems
- Cost of electricity is increasing. Electricity utility companies are bound to increase the cost per unit of electricity due to increase in cost of fuel.
- Many regions in the country are facing severe power cuts extending to 12 -14 hours in a day.
- Grid tied solar PV systems are the most common systems for captive power generation. It is technologically feasible to have hybrid systems such as Solar PV +Grid or Solar PV +Diesel Generator
- It cost about Rs. 2 Lakhs/KW with battery storage and 1.5 Lakh/KW without battery storage. It seems high as compared to conventional diesel power generators. However, operational cost for diesel generator is very high. Considering the replacement cost of power generation from diesel generators, solar PV systems provide attractive returns.
- MNRE provides capital subsidy to the off grid solar PV power systems.
Can such systems be installed for township projects? If yes, who are the well-know dealers for such installations?
Yes…you can install rooftop solar PV system for township. In addition, this is very common and help you to save considerable amount of money on long term basis. There are multiple companies who can do this job. Please access following link to visit list of channel partners accredited by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for Off Grid and Decentralized Solar Applications under JNNSM – http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/list_channelpartners_sp_jnnsm.pdf
Note: This list is indicative. You can also check other companies.
Thank you for the revert
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Thank you for posting this! This is a fantastic explanation of how solar works. I’ll definitely be sharing this page.
is the exporting of excess power generation to grid possible ( is it functional already ) in india?
Exporting of excess power from rooftop solar systems is not possible in all States. However, in some states like Uttarakhand, Gujarat and few others, it is possible.
Q — when i put a solar PV sys at top of my building in Indore, MP state , will i be allowed to feed this solar generated units in the main line into my building , ??
DO I NEED MPEB permission or do i ONLY intimate them , whats the rule / law . Shall truly appreciate to hear from on my email — maloo.sunil@gmail.com
tks
At this stage there is no clear information available for the connection of rooftop solar power plants to the grid in the state of Madhya Pradesh (MP). However, based on the information available on official website of MP Urja Vikas Nigam, the Government of MP is planning to promote private investment in grid connected roof top mounted solar photovoltaic generation plants with Net Metering technology.
Some of the information relevant to Madhya Pradesh;
The State of Madhya Pradesh has come out with its Solar Policy 2012. There are four categories of Solar Projects covered under the policy;
1.Category I: Projects selected as per the competitive bidding process for selling power to MP Discoms / MP Power Management Company (Based on the RPO targets Specified by MPERC).
2.Category II: Projects set up for captive use or sale of power to 3rd party within or outside the state or for sale of power to other states through open access
3.Category III: Projects set up under Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mode
4.Category IV: Projects under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission – As per JNNSM guidelines
MP Solar Policy hasn’t put clear information on the grid connected rooftop solar projects to be set up by individuals/private players.
Hi, I have a doubt that, if I installed a 5kW solar PV rooftop system on my house. My load is of 4kW, at a point of time my solar system generates power of 3kW and remaining i have to take from the electricity board. In that case how the synchronisation of the grid and solar system happen at this point? Who has to tell this to get a power of 1kW from the grid and the solar and the grid has to be sysncronised at this point or not ? if so, how this happens and if we are suddenly added or disconnected load how speed the operation of power switching from the grid and from the solar?
Today’s solar PV inverters (referred as smart inverters) takes care of it by synchronizing its frequency with that of the grid. With the help of inbuilt microchip (computer), output voltage and current from the inverter are exactly lined up with the grid. And its phase angle is within 1 degree of the AC power grid. In other words, the inverter senses the current from the AC power grid (in the waveform), and outputs a voltage to corresponds with the grid.
We have installed Solar Power of 14Kw at our village school. Village Umata, Mehsana district, Gujarat state,since June-2016, We are consuming our own solar power for whole complex consisting five bldgs including computerr hall. Still we are awaiting Bi-dirctional meter(Reversible meter) so we can export un used power -week end and on holidays a to State Electricity boards.Credit goes to Management Committee members. many of them are highly qulified either like C.A.,,Engineer, Industrialist, Running own schools at Gujarat big city and business men,working selflessly for village education, even donating time to time as per their capacity and Always all are thinking a head, the commenter himself is donnar of this solar scheme. and one of the management members of school body.
Sir, I have 5 Kw agreement electric load and solar Roof top at my residence connected with a bidirectional meter for export. I check solar power generation from Solarman app on daily and monthly basis and also export from bidirectional meter. The Solar generation and simultaneous export mismatch the reading. The export is almost 50 to 60 % less than generation. How can generation and export reading co relate and match. kindly reply.