Solar Design

ground mounted PV solar array

When you hear "solar power" you liking picture something like that in the photo above.

However there are two, lesser known solar power types that also have active installations, they are concentrator photovoltaic and concentrated solar power.

This page we will focus on PV solar, however concepts like solar angles, radiation vs irradiation, etc will be helpful regardless of type.

Before getting into the details like off-grid vs grid connected, power draw, VOC, etc; I want to introduce some of the basic concepts starting with solar angles.

What is Solar

PV Solar Angles

PV Solar Radiation Defined

Parts of the System

PV Solar Design Steps

  • define the project - business goals (deveop to sell, develop to operate, reduce site energy, reduce site peak, etc), on-grid vs off-grid, grid services or no, etc
  • decide on the technology, tracking, solar type, etc
  • decide on system topology, batteries?, central vs string (decision will be based on the project definition)
  • Execute the project
  • Operate the project

Figuring out what we the project needs

  • Maximumizing annual energy
  • Minimizing grid energy for on-site storage
  • With batteries managing utility demand charges or system peaks
  • 100% off-grid design
  • etc

When to use tracking

Deciding on inverter topology

  • Central or String

Deciding on Storage or No storage

  • Why a project may include storage
  • How the different storage use cases affect the grid for on-grid systems.
  • How storage affects off-grid scenarios
  • Different types of storage (Probably need yet another post series)

Preliminary Design for Grid Impact

Most on grid design will need a grid impact study, but what are the characteristics that you need to get to that point?

  • Inverter decisions, how are they controlled
  • Storage decisions and the control modes
  • POCC substation design, transformer size and type.
  • Internal system design
  • Need to know the AC impedances within the system

Preliminary Design for Stringing and shadows

At ths point the panels may NOT have been laid out in a topology that identifies the site specific shading, at this point if the project still has a strong business case, it is the time to do this.

Executing the PV Solar Project

  • Design -> Tender -> Build
  • Design/Build
  • EPC

They all have their place, and depending on the scale, location, and development team one of these will make the most sense.

Where JMK Engineering Fits

For small projects, < 10MW we can help you through the entire process, including detailed design and preparing RFPs for the project to be built.

For larger projects, >10 MW or multiple sites, we offer retainer driven Owner's Engineer services that from the initial project idea through to commissioning. We will help you define the project, provide the engineering inputs for your business modelling, and make introductions to manufacturers around the world that can supply the equipment for the project. We will be your voice in every meeting and will provide project management services to ensure that the project stays on track.

We provide comfort to investors that they have someone in their corner that understands how to execute a project and keep the schedule on track.