Objective
To demonstrate the feasibility of using a photovoltaic generator in a typical Irish house, and to show that the generator can be integrated with the grid electricity supply already in the house without the need for battery storage.
The system has also demonstrated a new maximum power point controller and a mains commutated inverter (single phase).
No cost aims have been identified for this project.
From a technical point of view the installation was a success as this project has shown that grid connected pv systems are technically viable in an irish location.
Economically however the cost of pv generated electricity (4 to 5 ECU/kWh) is not at all competitive with the price of electricity received from the grid.
Numerous difficulties with the data monitoring system were encountered and have been solved. A computer modelling package, ASHLING, has been developed to model the operation of the system.
The system is a grid connected system and the line commutated inverter supplies energy to the utility grid and to all loads in the house.
The solar generator consists of 144 AEG built modules of type PQ 10/40/01 and the array is titled at an angle of 10 degrees to the horizontal. The system has been integrated into the existing structure of the house. The solar module array was located on top of the roof of an open ended shed.
The power conditioning unit is situated in an enclosed cabinet located under the shed.
The inverter is a line commutated single phase 7 kVA inverter. It is controlled by a maximum power point tracker using temperature compensation.
A small weather station records meteorological data: temperature, planar insolation and the array dc energy, array voltage, ac energy to loads and ac energy to the grid. Data monitoring is carried out by a dedicated computer.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
Cork
Ireland