Field Considerations for PV

Pete Singer, Chief Editor, Photovoltaics World
October 03, 2011 | 2 Comments

In the quest to reach grid parity – generally defined as getting the cost of PV below $1/Watt – the focus has largely been on increasing cell and module efficiency, while reducing manufacturing costs. Another important aspect, however, is the cost of installation and maintenance, and the efficiency of the overall PV installation. A sharpened focus on the so-called "balance-of-systems", which includes wiring, switches, support racks, inverters and even the land, could result in significant cost savings.

In this issue of Photovoltaics World, Matt Denninger of Advance Energy Industries, describes how PV system operation and maintenance is often an overlooked factor by system designers (Read the Article). This isn’t rocket science: Issues such as unsealed enclosures and conduits, loose connections, and even damage caused by insects, reptiles and rodents can all detract from the performance of the PV system. It’s sobering to think about all the advanced technology being brought to bear on PV manufacturing, only for it to be derailed in the field by something as mundane as mouse droppings! The solution could be as simple as improved data collection and benchmarking.

This theme is continued in a second feature that delves into issues related specifically to inverters, including airflow/cooling, environmental protection, operations and maintenance concerns, and EMI shielding. Author Steven Leidig of Crenlo notes that the sun could be shining at optimum levels, but if the inverter is not converting that power to its full potential, the cost of that lost efficiency will be passed on to the end user (Read the Article).

While large, utility-level PV system installations are exciting in that they could lead to high growth for the PV industry, installations in rural areas are equally important. Srinivasamohan Narayanan of Hanwha SolarOne notes that the breakthrough of residential solar and mini-grid systems in the developing world may prove a more transformative event for the future of solar PV (Read the Article). Solar manufacturers should be prepared for surges in stand-alone system demand, independent of existing grid-tied demand, as the push for clean electric power increases in the developing world, he writes.

2 Comments

Mike Mendes
October 4, 2011

The panels are pretty easy to install and therefore pretty easy to remove to check for wiring issues or damage. For any kind of array that is more than two rows or columns, you are going to have wiring that won't be easily accessible.

Mice - forget it! Birds are the little solar gremlins! We have several systems installed where the birds have decided that the space between panels and the roof is a great place to nest. They don't make much mess on the panels glass, but what a mess underneath - yuck!

Thomas M
October 4, 2011

Good points Pete. All you have to do is look at pictures of installations to see how maintenence issues can arise. There is usually no space for working or inspecting once an array is installed. There is also no view of electrical connections especially at the panel. Nobody can see weather and animal effects on connections and the wires themselves once installed in this fashion. Access to broken or non-perfoming panels is difficult once installed. This is especially the case when the system is installed on a roof, taking up all the space necessary for safe maintenence and inspection.
Ground mounted systems at least allow easier access for visual inspections on a regular basis, and allow for easier panel and part replacement.
So more thought should be put into a system's installation location and design with service in mind. Unfortunately, there are those who believe that panels are maintenence free once installed since there are no moving parts. A conception that will come back to haunt them after their first experience with a damaged panel or wire that is hidden out of sight.

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Pete Singer

Pete Singer is the Editor-in-Chief of Solid State Technology.

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