Objetivo To demonstrate a 5 KWp photovoltaic generator feeding power to the mains electricity grid at low voltage (48 V). The size of the system would be suitable for a typical residential application. The project therefore included technical, economic, and safety studies, related to potential applications in the residential sector.As the first project of its kind in Belgium, the inverters had to be made in the University.The performance of the PCR inverter has been monitored in two modes; one with the inverter operating continuously and one with disconnection at low irradiance. Continuous operation was found to be wasteful because of standing losses and led to mean efficiencies of less than 50%. With disconnection at low irradiance the PCR inverter efficiency was always above 75% and did exceed 82%, but it remained low in comparison with modern PWM inverters. The PWM inverter developed for this project was found to have a mean efficiency of 90 +- 2% despite the fact that it operates at 48 V DC thereby fulfilling the requirements for modern PV inverters.The Belgian Ministery of Science is the owner of the technology used in certain parts of the high-efficiency independent PWM inverter and it is willing to sell our technology on a royalty basis.This project was the first grid connected PV generator to be developed in Belgium. Much of the work carried out during the project was associated with the development of the inverters, the system control gear and the instrumentation.The PV array consisted of 152 Belgosolar 33 Wp 12 V modules, mounted on a metal framework facing south at an angle of 45 deg to the horizontal. The Varta batteries (25 KWh) were installed in weatherproof wooden boxes underneath the array. The generator was installed on a terrace in the town centre of Gent, adjacent to the Tourist Information Bureau and the offices of the Electrical Utility. The generator was initially connected to the grid through a dc/ac inverter (phase-controlled rectifier type), embodying a maximum power point tracker. An instrument board was displayed in a room on the ground floor.Later the PCR inverter was replaced by a pulse width modulated (PWM) type, which had a better waveform and provided single phase supply. Both inverterswere developed and manufactured by the University. When the PWM inverter was installed, a microprocessor was used to control energy flows from the array to the battery and inverter. The ac output was switchable from the grid to a simulated consumer load. AC power is controlled by a monitoring system.The module price was approximately 11 Ecu/Wp and the battery price approximately 155 Ecu/KWh. The costs of the inverters were strongly influenced by development expenses. The contractor estimates the system costs at approximately 14 Ecu/Wp assuming a mass produced inverter price.A VEKTOR micro-computer is used both to control the system and to receive data from the solar radiation and system component performance monitoring transducers. The data are put on a floppy disc file every 30 minutes in the format recommended by JRC, Ispra. Programa(s) ENG-ENALT 1C - Programme (EEC) of financial support for projects to exploit alternative energy sources, 1979-1984 Tema(s) 3.5 - PHOTOVOLTAIC Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinador UNIVERSITEIT GENT Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección GEOLOGISCHE INSTITUUT KRIJGSLAAN 281 - S8 9000 Gent Bélgica Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos
