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On Grid Sizing - 1

1) The document outlines steps to properly size PV module strings connected to an inverter, including gathering technical specifications, understanding sizing rules, and performing calculations. 2) Key factors that influence string sizing are the module and inverter voltage and current ratings, temperature effects, and number of MPPT trackers. 3) Calculations are shown to determine the minimum and maximum number of modules in series and number of parallel strings based on a use case example. The example calculates a minimum of 16 and maximum of 20 modules in series per string, with 6 strings in parallel.

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Mohamed Khaled
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107 views16 pages

On Grid Sizing - 1

1) The document outlines steps to properly size PV module strings connected to an inverter, including gathering technical specifications, understanding sizing rules, and performing calculations. 2) Key factors that influence string sizing are the module and inverter voltage and current ratings, temperature effects, and number of MPPT trackers. 3) Calculations are shown to determine the minimum and maximum number of modules in series and number of parallel strings based on a use case example. The example calculates a minimum of 16 and maximum of 20 modules in series per string, with 6 strings in parallel.

Uploaded by

Mohamed Khaled
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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String sizing methodology for On grid inverters

Implementation and Configuration


Follow the steps below to calculate the string size.
1. STEP-1: Gather technical information

Technical parameters from PV modules

• Model of PV module to include

• Maximum Open circuit voltage

• Maximum array Short circuit current

• Maximum power point voltage and current

• Vmp temperature coefficient.


1. STEP-1: Gather technical information

Technical parameters from Inverter

• Full Power MPPT voltage range

• Operating voltage range

• Maximum open circuit input voltage

• Absolute max. Short circuit current per MPPT

• Single MPPT or multiple MPPT

• Type of Wiring Box.


1. STEP-1: Gather technical information

Weather data

• Highest and lowest temperature at the location of installation

• TMY or MET data set for location.


Inverter with single MPP tracker
Inverter with multiple MPP trackers
Single MPP tracker mode on an inverter with multiple MPP trackers
2. STEP-2: Understand and ensure the rules of string sizing

• Series connected modules should not have more open circuit voltage

than maximum Voc limit of inverter.

Equation 1: Number of modules per string x Voc (at t° min) < inverter Vmax.

Calculate the maximum number of PV modules in Series.

• Series connected modules should not have open circuit voltage lower

than the lower limit of MPPT voltage range of inverter.

Equation 2: Number of modules per string x Vmpp (at t° max) > inverter Vmin.

Calculate the minimum number of PV modules in Series.


2. STEP-2: Understand and ensure the rules of string sizing

• Parallel connected strings should not conduct more short circuit

current in total than Short circuit current rating of inverter (per MPPT).

This should include any derating as required by code for defining

maximum Isc.

Equation 3: Isc strings x 125% < inverter max. current

Calculate number of strings in Parallel.


Use case example:

PV Module: A typical 310 Wp Poly crystalline PV module parameters are

considered.

Inverter: Conext CL 25 kW Inverter.

Weather conditions: Maximum high temperature 36 ºC, Minimum low

temperature -5 ºC.
By defining:
Ns min= Number of PV modules in series at least
Vmin= Minimum voltage for maximum power point tracking
Voc= Open circuit voltage of the panels
ᵠ = Coefficient of variation of voltage with temperature
Vmp= Voltage at the point of maximum power
Tc= Temperature of the cell, Average temperature
Tamb= Ambient temperature
I inc= Incident radiation (maximum annual average)
NOCT= Nominal Operating Cell Temperature
Isc nec = Isc of module at STC x 125%
Isc = short circuit current of the module at STC
By defining:
STC = Standard Test Conditions (STC) for measurement
STC conditions define the irradiation conditions and temperature of the solar cell,
widely used to characterize the cells, PV modules and solar generators and are
defined as follows:
- Irradiance: 1000 W/m2
-Spectral distribution: Air Mass 1.5
- Cell temperature: 25 ºC
NOCT conditions define the irradiation conditions and temperature of the solar
cell, widely used to characterize the cells, PV Modules and solar generators and
are defined as follows:
- Irradiance: 800 W/m2
- Spectral distribution: Air Mass 1.5
- Cell temperature: 20 ºC
Minimum / Maximum number of PV Modules
In order to calculate the Minimum / Maximum voltage, we must first understand
the effect that a high temperature will have on reducing the PV module Vmp
voltage from the data sheet NOCT rating, and the low temperature will have on
increasing the PV module Vmp.

To determine the temperature of the cell in any situation, use the following steps:

• Calculate the range of the PV module temperature


Step 1

• Calculate the drop / increase in the voltage of the PV Module


Step 2

• Calculate the minimum / maximum number of the PV Modules


Step 3
Minimum number of PV Modules
Step 1
Equation 4: Tc = T amb + (I inc (w/m2) * (NOCT-20)/800)
Where: Tc = 36 ºC + ((1000) * (47 - 20) / 800)) = 70 ºC.
To determine the temperature of the cell at STC, use the following formula:
Equation 5: T = Tc - T stc
Where: T=70 ºC - 25 ºC = 45 ºC.
To calculate the Vmp of the module at the site maximum high temperature
Step 2
Equation 6: Vmp (70 ºC) = Vmp (25 ºC) - (T x (Vmp (25 ºC) x Δ Vmpp/T))
Where: Vmp (70 ºC) = 36.40 V - (45 x (36.40 V x 0.34 / 100)) = 30.83 V
To maintain full nameplate power, calculate the minimum number of PV modules
to be connected in series, using the above data.
Step 3
Equation 7: Ns min = (V min / Vmp min)
Where Ns min = (500 / 30.83) = 16.21 modules ~ 16.
Maximum number of PV Modules
Step 1
Equation 8: Tc = T amb + (I inc (w/m2) * (NOCT-20)/800)
Where: Tc = -5 ºC + ((1000) * (47 - 20) / 800)) = -3.6 ºC
To determine the temperature of the cell at STC, use the following formula:
Equation 9: T= Tc - T stc
Where: T= -3.6 ºC - 25 ºC = -28.6 ºC.
Step 2
To calculate the Vmp of the module at the site maximum low temperature,
Equation 10: Vmp (max) = Vmp (25) ºC - (T x (Vmp (25)ºC x Δ Vmpp/T ))
Where: Vmp (max) = 36.40 V - (-28.6 x (36.40 V x 0.34 / 100)) = 49.27 V
To maintain full nameplate power, calculate the maximum number of PV modules
to be connected in series using the above data.
Step 3
Equation 11: Ns max = (Vmax / Vmp (max) )
Where, Ns max = (1000 / 49.27) = 20.29 modules ~ 20
Number of strings in parallel
The maximum number of strings installed in parallel and connected to Conext CL
inverters, is calculated.

Equation 12: Number of Strings = Isc Inverter max / (Isc nec)


The Number of Strings for the inverter = 72 A /(9.08 A x 125%) = 6.34 strings ~ 6.
Or
The Number of Strings for each MPPT= 36 A /(9.08 A x 125%) = 3.17 strings ~ 3.

Note that: the low ambient temperature does not affect on the calculations of the

maximum current as it is limited by the PV module itself.

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