Talk on Solar Photovoltaics (PV)Talk on Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

Sachin Shah

Vice President

Electrotherm Immodo Renewables Ltd.

What is PV?What is PV?

PV (Photovoltaic) is a method of generating electrical power byPV (Photovoltaic) is a method of generating electrical power by

converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using

semiconductors which exhibit photoelectric effect.semiconductors which exhibit photoelectric effect.

PV ApplicationsPV Applications

• Energy source for space applications like satellites• Energy source for space applications like satellites.

• Portable power applications like calculators, watches etc.

• Building Integrated PV (BIPV)• Building Integrated PV (BIPV) 

• Rural applications for powering light loads, for pumping water etc.

• Miscellaneous applications like solar street lights, solar lanterns etc.Miscellaneous applications like solar street lights, solar lanterns etc.

PV ApplicationsPV Applications

• Rooftop systems (kWp scale) for decentralized power generation• Rooftop systems (kWp scale) for decentralized power generation.

• Utility‐scale (MWp grade) power plants for centralized power 

generation.generation.

Advantages of PVAdvantages of PV 

• PV utilizes solar energy which is a locally available and perennial• PV utilizes solar energy, which is a locally available and perennial 

source of energy. 

• Decentralized power generation (in case of rooftop systems) ; lower• Decentralized power generation (in case of rooftop systems) ; lower 

exposure of generated energy to line T&D losses.

• PV systems are available from small‐sized kWp systems to utility‐scalePV systems are available from small sized kWp systems to utility scale 

MWp sized plants.

• Clean and silent source of energy; environment‐friendly.gy; y

• Converts energy directly from the primary source of all energy‐Sun.

• PV systems are modular; existing system may be augmented in future.y ; g y y g

• Minimal operation and maintenance costs.

Challenges for PVChallenges for PV

• Relatively higher Capex cost; especially for rooftop systems which• Relatively higher Capex cost; especially for rooftop systems which 

involve batteries.

• PV produces DC power while the grid operates with AC power; hence• PV produces DC power while the grid operates with AC power; hence 

converters are required to change power waveform which increases 

plant capex.plant capex.

• Land intensive; 5‐7 acres may be required for installation of 1 MWp

system.y

• Solar energy is a variable resource; hence there is inherent difficulty in 

forecasting energy production.g gy p

Typical PV Power SchemeTypical PV Power Scheme

PVM d l String  L V lt St Medium Substation 

& PV Module Array

gJunction Box

Inverter Low Voltage Panel

Step‐up Transformer Voltage 

PanelSwitchyard with Power Transformer

Grid

PV System Components & RolesPV System Components & Roles

Component Role

PV Modules Convert solar energy to DC electrical energy

Mounting System Hold PV modules in place

DC Cables Transmission of DC power from module strings to junctionDC Cables Transmission of DC power from module strings to junction boxes

Junction Boxes Paralleling of DC strings 

Inverter DC to AC conversion of electrical powerInverter DC to AC conversion of electrical power

LV Panel Protection of inverter, transformer etc.

LV Step‐up Transformer Step‐up power to 11 kV level

AC Cables Transmission of AC power to grid‐interconnection facility

Energy Meter Measurement of net injected energy to grid

Grid‐Interconnection System Interconnection of plant with grid; electrical protectiony p g p

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Crystalline

PolycrystallinePV Modules y y

Monocrysalline

Thin‐film

Amorphous Silicon (A‐Si)

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)

Others

Mounting System

Others 

InverterInverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Crystalline

Polycrystalline (pC‐Si)PV Modules y y (p )

•52.9 % global market share

•Source: multifaceted Si crystals

L ffi i t th C Si•Less efficient than mC‐Si

•Less expensive than mC‐Si

Monocrystalline (mC‐Si)

Mounting System

•33.2 % global market share

•Source: Single, high purity Silicon crystal

•Complex manufacturing processI t Complex manufacturing process

•Most efficient technology in market

•Most expensive technology in market

Inverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Thin‐film

Amorphous Silicon (A‐Si)PV Modules p ( )

•5 % global market share

•Process: Thin layers of Si is placed on glass

L f t i t•Low manufacturing cost

•Better performance than C‐Si in hot weather

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)

Mounting System

•5.3 % global market share

•Low manufacturing cost

•Better performance than C‐Si in hot weatherInverter Better performance than C Si in hot weather

•Cadmium‐hazardous substance 

Inverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Fixed‐tilt System

Seasonal‐tilt SystemPV Modules y

Tracking System

Single‐axis

Dual‐axisMounting System

InverterInverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Fixed‐tilt System

•Module orientation is fixedPV Modules•Material: MS GI is commonly used

•Most common mounting system

•Lowest land requirement per MWp•Lowest land requirement per MWp

Seasonal‐tilt System

•Module orientation can be varied seasonally

Mounting System

according to altitude of sun

•Material: MS GI, Aluminum is commonly used

•More expensive than fixed‐tiltInverter p

•More land requirement per MWp than fixed‐tiltInverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Tracking System

Single‐axisPV Modules g

•Tracks daily motion of sun (east‐west)

(Azimuth tracking)

N tilt (El ti ) i ti•No tilt (Elevation) variation

•More energy yield (>20%) than fixed‐tilt

•More land requirement per MWp

Mounting System

•More expensive than fixed and seasonal systems

InverterInverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Tracking System

Dual‐axisPV Modules•Tracks daily motion of sun (east‐west)

(Azimuth tracking) and also tilt (Elevation) 

i ti hi h h llvariation which changes seasonally

•More energy yield than single‐axis tracker

•More land requirement per MWp than

Mounting System

single‐axis

•Relevance of dual‐axis tracker diminishes

as we move towards equator and vice‐Inverter q

versa

Inverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Central Inverter

String InverterPV Modules g

Mounting System

InverterInverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

Central Inverter

•Large power rating (30 kW to 1.5 MW)PV Modules•Higher efficiency than string inverter

•Requires enclosure (room/container)

•Requires DC junction boxes for DC paralleling•Requires DC junction boxes for DC paralleling

•Less cost per Wp than string inverter

•Easier operation and maintenance for largeMounting System

scale PV plants

InverterInverter

PV Technology OptionsPV Technology Options

Component Summaryp y

PV Modules

String Inverter

•Small power rating (1 kW to 15 kW)PV Modules•Better MPP tracking than central inverter

•No dedicated enclosure required

•Reduces DC cabling•Reduces DC cabling

•Used widely for small  kWp size systemsMounting System

InverterInverter

PV Value ChainPV Value Chain

• The global PV value chain is made up of the following major• The global PV value chain is made up of the following major

members:

• DevelopersDevelopers

• System integrators

• PV module manufacturers

• Inverter manufacturers

• Manufacturers of balance of system (BoS) components

C lt t• Consultants

• Media (Electronic, Print, Exhibitions etc.)

Recent PV Industry TrendsRecent PV Industry Trends

• Feed‐in tariffs slashed in major European PV markets like Germany• Feed‐in tariffs slashed in major European PV markets like Germany,

Spain.

• South east Asian countries like China Taiwan have taken the lead in• South‐east Asian countries like China, Taiwan have taken the lead in

setting up large‐scale (GWs) production units of PV modules.

• Germany still remains world leader as PV technology supplier• Germany still remains world leader as PV technology supplier.

• Major policy thrusts for utility‐scale PV projects in India; e.g.

G j t S l P li d N ti l S l Mi i I ti ffGujarat Solar Policy and National Solar Mission. Incentives on offer

also for rooftop systems.

AboutElectrotherm Immodo Renewables Ltd.

A JV between Electrotherm (India)A JV between Electrotherm (India) Ltd. and Immodo Solar S.A., Spain.

Services Offered by E.I.R.LServices Offered by E.I.R.L

1. Turnkey EPC for Grid‐connect utility‐scale photovoltaic based solar power plants and Off‐grid photovoltaic systems

Site survey– Site survey

– Energy estimation

– Feasibility study

– Engineering and design 

– Procurement

I t ll ti d i i i– Installation and commissioning

– Support for liaison for clearances and permits 

– Other value‐added services

Services Offered by E.I.R.LServices Offered by E.I.R.L

2. Long‐term O&M, which includes:‐

– Monitoring and control of complete plant

– Total maintenance based on preventive systems

S– Spares management

– Other value‐added services

3. Financial services to client

Project ReferencesProject References

2008 20092010*

2005 2006 2007

2008

0,5 MWp

2 MWp

8 MWp8 MWp

40 MWp

(*) 2010 Provisional information

Total PV power installed up to 30th

49 MWp

69 MWp

(*) 2010 Provisional information

of July, 2010. 

Project ReferencesProject References

INSTALLATION NAMEPOWER (kWn)

PEAK POWER (kWp)

SOLAR MODULES FIXED OR TRACKING INVERTERS

CASAS DE HARO ESPERANZA 149,00 188,36 SHOTT SOLAR (283Wp) ESAUME ROTATIVE AXIS INGECON SUN 3.3POZOAMARGO 1 160 00 1 400 29 IBC 225 Wp ST 220 REC220 ERCAM eléctrico FRONIUS IG 30 40 60 Y 500POZOAMARGO 1.160,00 1.400,29 IBC 225 Wp, ST 220, REC220 ERCAM eléctrico FRONIUS IG 30, 40, 60 Y 500CASA CARACOLES 499,00 595,66 REC 220W, SMC210 ERCAM eléctrico INGETEAM 3,3KW and 80KWEDUARDO 998,00 1.186,29 REC 220W ERCAM hidráulico FRONIUS 3,3CASAS 1.584,00 1.927,20 LUXOR 175Wp ERCAM hidraulicos OMROM 3,3kw monofasicos

LA HERRERA 2.498,00 3.127,95 TRINA 175Wp ERCAM & Fixed OMRON 3,3KW

PRADEJON 2.900,00 3.497,40 TRINA 175Wp ERCAM SMA 5000A, 2

HUEDO 990 00 1 237 53 ST SOLAR 220W TITAN 220W POLAR SUN SMA 5000A 2HUEDO 990,00 1.237,53 ST SOLAR 220Wp, TITAN 220Wp POLAR SUN SMA 5000A, 2

SARA 1.010,00 1.247,77 TITAN 220Wp POLAR SUN SMA 5000A, 2

GARCIA 1.000,00 1.207,36 TITAN 220WP ERCAM SMC5000ABALAZOTE 996,00 1.201,06 REC 220W SALIX SOLAR SALIX 8300 TOPAS 350,00 419,30 REC 220W SALIX SOLAR SALIX 8300

CARBAJOSA LA SAGRADA 2.000,00 2.388,00 SILIKEN ERCAM SOLARMAX 100C 100KWCARBAJOSA LA SAGRADA 2.000,00 2.388,00 SILIKEN ERCAM SOLARMAX 100C 100KW

LAS TIESAS O CASA CAPITAN 2.000,00 2.558,65 260Wp. SUNTECH, SOLARFUNK 175W, NIMBO SOLAR 175W GINERER Y ERCAM SMC 5000ª

CAMPOLLANO 5.000,00 6.031,55 TITAN 220W FIXED SMA8000TL 8KW y SMC5000

CALZADILLA - EL CARRASCAL 554,40 665,28 TITAN 220W, 210, 230 ERCAM hidraulicos INGETEAM 3,3KW, monofasicos

ARÉVALO 1.890,00 2.369,97 SUNTECH 260W GIRENER SMA5000A

OLMEDA DE LA CUESTA 6 000 00 6 874 56 REC 220W FIXED SMA 8000TL 8KW (40 96)OLMEDA DE LA CUESTA 6.000,00 6.874,56 REC 220W FIXED SMA 8000TL, 8KWn(40x96)TORREMOCHA 255,00 304,74 REC 220W GIRENER DANFOS 10KWMANJARRES 1.728,00 2.029,61 SILIKEN ERCAM SMC 5000A & FRONIUS IG 31SANTO DOMINGO 1.886,00 2.173,89 SILIKEN ERCAM SMC 5000A, SB 3000, SB 3800CUESTA BLANCA 3.000,00 3.648,15 TRINA 225-230 Wp FIXED SOLARMAX 100C 100KWCAÑAMERO 5.500,00 6.177,00 GADIR CADMOS 80Wp FIXED SOLARMAX 100C 100KWZAMORA 9.900,00 11.979,00 TRINA SOLAR ERCAM & Fixed SOLARMAX 100C 100KW, ,

CUBIERTAS 4.325,00 5.033,11 TRINA SOLAR, REC, SUNTECH, SOLAR FUN, LUXOR, NINGBO FIXED SMA, SOLARMAX, INGETEAM

TOTAL: 58.172,40 69.469,68

Project ReferencesProject References

6 MWp, Thin‐film with Fixed‐tilt System

Project ReferencesProject References

4 MWp, Polycrystalline with 2‐Axis Tracker

Project ReferencesProject References

3 MWp, Polycrystalline with 2‐Axis Tracker

Project ReferencesProject References

7 MWp, Polycrystalline with Fixed‐tilt System

Thank You