Part 3 - Solar PV Project Life Cycle and where to look for cost savings

What does it really take to build a Solar PV project in a cost effective manner? ©
Part - 3

System design is a factor that seems to befuddle most system integrator. From the days of laying modules flat or close to flat when capacity based incentives were the order of the day to today’s performance based incentives the key to maximizing energy production (KWh) is how a system is put together.

2. System Design


• Design and Equipment Review
• System Optimization
• Design Review for code compliance
  

Design and Equipment review starts with selection of the appropriate equipment for the job at hand:

• Module
• Inverter
• Transformer

System optimization is key to getting the best out of the Design and selected equipment. Factors to consider for optimizing a system design:

• Tracker vs. Fixed Tilt design
• Row spacing to avoid shading
• System shading due to other obstructions
• DC wire size based on run
• AC wire size based on run

At the end of the day the question to ask is, does the design comply with local code?

In the next segment we will review:

3. System Integration


• Permit Acquisition
• Construction
• System Testing
  
• Project Completion

To be continued...