Development of a low cost integrated 15 kW AC solar tracking subarray for grid connected PV power system applications

Author

Stern, M.J. ; West, R.T.

Author_Institution

Utility Power Group, Chatsworth, CA, USA

fYear

1996

fDate

13-17 May 1996

Firstpage

1369

Lastpage

1372

Abstract

The Utility Power Group has reduced the installation cost of grid connected photovoltaic power systems through a two step approach of integrating and packaging all sub-array power conversion and control functions within a single factory produced enclosure and utilizing large area factory assembled photovoltaic panels. A modular 15 kW AC single axis solar tracking sub-array was designed to meet the requirements of Article 690 of the 1996 National Electrical Code and eight prototype sub-arrays are under construction in Sacramento, California for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. This paper presents general design information and describes the cost savings associated with the utilization of an integrated approach to PV system cost reduction

Keywords

economics; photovoltaic power systems; power conversion; solar cell arrays; solar cells; 15 kW; 1996 National Electrical Code; Article 690; California; PV system cost reduction; Sacramento; Sacramento Municipal Utility District; Utility Power Group; control functions; cost savings; design information; factory assembled photovoltaic panels; grid connected PV power system; installation cost reduction; integrated AC solar tracking subarray; single axis solar tracking sub-array; sub-array power conversion functions; Assembly systems; Control systems; Cost function; Modular construction; Packaging; Photovoltaic systems; Power conversion; Production facilities; Prototypes; Solar power generation;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1996., Conference Record of the Twenty Fifth IEEE

Conference_Location

Washington, DC

ISSN

0160-8371

Print_ISBN

0-7803-3166-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.1996.564387

Filename

564387