AE 868
Commercial Solar Electric Systems

Lesson 2 Activity

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Lesson 2 Activity
Activity Details
Assignment Refer to the scenario on the first page of this lesson. Imagine that, In addition to working in procurements, you are also a solar analyst for this company. You have a client in Charlotte, NC. The client has a farm where he wants to install 10 kW system and 240V service. Given the PV module used (Trina solar TSM-250PC/PA05A), you are to come up with the estimated annual energy yield. (Note: By this time you should have downloaded the latest version of SAM and completed the Simulation Exercise. Also, the choice of power conditioning units including inverters is not considered at this time, so use Enphase Energy M 215 if SAM asks for it.) Please note that Enphase 215 is a micro-inverter such that each PV module requires a single micro-inverter. These micro-inverters are finaly connected in parallel.   
 
  1. Choose the right PV module, system configuration(series/parallel), and simulate the effect of title angle and azimuth at that location
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  2. Go to NREL PVWatt website and try to choose the same values for the system size, tilt, and azimuth angles for the same location, and simulate the energy production and compare with SAM
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Deliverable

Prepare a report showing both simulation results for SAM and PVWatt. The report is to be no more than two double-spaced pages in a 12 point font. Include the following in your report:

  • Indicate the corresponding tilt and azimuth that give the best annual energy productions. (Hint: this lesson covered the best tilt and orientation using the location’s sun chart.)
  • What are the optimal tilt and orientation angles that can be used when installing the system? Explain why.
Bonus: Create a calculator to estimate the power and voltage ranges when ambient conditions (irradiance and temperature) change. (Hint: you may use Microsoft Excel for equations. Your input will be the ambient temperature and irradiance; your output will be actual voltage and power).
Submission Instructions and Grading Please visit the Lesson Activity page for submission instructions and grading information.