Components of Grid-Connected PV System

Grid-Connected PV Systems consists of solar panels that provide most of their power needs during the daytime, while still being connected to the local electrical grid network during the night time. A grid-connected photovoltaic power system, or grid-connected PV power system is an electricity generating solar PV power system that is connected to the utility grid. A grid-connected PV system consists of one or several inverters, a power conditioning unit and grid connection equipment along with solar panels. They range from small residential and commercial rooftop systems to large utility-scale solar power stations. Unlike stand-alone power systems, a grid-connected system rarely includes an integrated battery solution, as they are still very expensive. When conditions are right, the grid-connected PV system supplies the excess power, beyond consumption by the connected load, to the utility grid.

In a grid-connected PV system, also known as a “grid-tied”, or “on-grid” solar system, the PV solar panels or array are electrically connected or “tied” to the local mains electricity grid which feeds electrical energy back into the grid. The main advantage of a grid-connected PV system is its simplicity, relatively low operating and maintenance costs as well as reduced electricity bills. The disadvantage, however, is that a sufficient number of solar panels need to be installed to generate the required amount of excess power.

Since grid-tied systems feed their solar energy directly back into the grid, expensive backup batteries are not necessary and can be omitted from most grid-connected designs. Also, as this type of PV system is permanently connected to the grid, solar energy consumption and solar panel sizing calculations are not required, giving a large range of options allowing for a system as small as 1.0kWh on the roof to help reduce your electricity bills, or a much larger floor mounted array that is large enough to virtually eliminate your electricity bills completely.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are devices that convert light into electricity. A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Lots of small solar cells spread over a large area can work together to provide enough power to be useful. The more light that hits a cell, the more electricity it produces.  The most common application of solar panels is solar water heating systems. 

Inverters

The basic function of an inverter is to “invert” the direct current (DC) output into alternating current (AC). AC is the standard used by all commercial appliances, which is why many view inverters as the “gateway” between the photovoltaic (PV) system and the energy off-taker. There are three types of inverters:

• Stand-alone inverters,
• Grid-tie inverters
• Battery backup inverters

Bi-directional Meter

Bi-Directional meter senses the direction of flow of current and stores the data in a separate register. In the daytime, most of the loads are in off-stage and excess energy generating by solar system will send back to the grid (Export). At this point, the direction of flow of current is backward and meter saves the data in the export register. In night time, there is no solar generation and electricity is imported from the grid to run the load. Now, the direction of flow of current is forward and meter saves the data in import register.

ACDB

A distribution board (also known as panel board or breaker panel) is a component of an electricity supply system which divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit. The ACDB receives the AC power from the solar inverter and directs it to AC loads through the distribution board. 

DCDB

A distribution board (also known as panel board or breaker panel) is a component of an electricity supply system which divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit. The solar power generated is fed to the DCDB.

For more details: Soura Natural Energy Solutions