PV Inverters module strings [RE-wrenches]

Fri Mar 30 12:05:59 PST 2001

In general, is this list ok for rough sizing before getting down to the details?
Any changes, additions or corrections? Do any of the "low fill-factor" companies
or other PV manufacturers want to speak up?

24 modules
Siemens SR100
Siemens SP75
BP Solar BP-585UL
Kyocera KC120-1
Astropower APX-75
Astropower AP-120

12 modules
BP Solar BP2150
Photowatt PW1000-95

? modules
ASE Americas ASE-300

Do not use
Energy Photovoltaics EPV-40
Solarex MST-43
Solarex MSX-120
United Solar SSR-128
United Solar US-64

Bill Brooks wrote:

> Joel,
>
> It's a temperature issue so you cannot make a blanket statement for all
> locations. You can say for all of California, except the Sierra's, 24
> crystalline modules in series will generally work. If the open circuit
> voltage of a crystalline module is low enough, we may be able to go to
> 25-modules in series right along the coast of California, or any where it
> never goes below freezing. Solarex MST-43, UniSolar-all products, and any
> other low fill-factor module (CdTe) will likely not work with this inverter
> because the difference between the Voc and Vmp is too great.
>
> The temperature correction factors come from Table 690-7 in the NEC. This
> correction factor table only applies to crystalline modules, but we can rule
> out thin films for the time being because even though their correction
> factors are less--even with no correction factors they will not work.
>
> Bill.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 6:36 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: PV Inverters module strings [RE-wrenches]
>
> Kent - We understand that you can not endorse specific solar modules, but
> (like
> mount manufacturers) you can make a list of modules that work with your
> inverters and the number of modules in series. You can caveat the list
> however
> you feel necessary. Here's a start with the first 2 modules from this
> on-going
> discussion.
> Siemens SR100 - 24 modules
> BP Solar BP2150 - 12 modules
> Siemens SP75 - ? modules
> BP Solar BP-585UL - ? modules
> ASE Americas ASE-300 - ? modules
> Astropower AP-120 - ? modules
> Astropower APX-75 - ? modules
> Kyocera KC120-1 - ? modules
> Photowatt PW1000-95 - ? modules
> Energy Photovoltaics EPV-40 - ? modules
> Solarex MST-43 - ? modules
> Solarex MSX-120 - ? modules
> United Solar SSR-128 - ? modules
> United Solar US-64 - ? modules
> Other modules ?
>
> Kent Sheldon wrote:
>
> > William, yes I work for the former Trace Technologies, now called Xantrex
> > Distributed Industrial and Utility Markets Business Unit. I am the POC for
> > applications questions on the PV series inverter line. Unfortunately,
> being
> > that we manufacture inverters, we do not specify specific PV panels, or
> > arrangements to use with our inverters. This is the job of the system
> > integrator. What we have done is to specify an allowable voltage operating
> > window for the inverter. The type or design of the PV module is not
> > important, as long as the input voltage constraints are met. You must
> decide
> > what configuration of PV works best for your application, orientation,
> > regional location, code requirements, etc. The calculations are rather
> > straightforward, but require much information specific to the site
> > installation. I believe Bill Brooks walked you through a possible
> solution,
> > which may or may not be adequate for your application.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Kent Sheldon
> > Product Manager - Photovoltaic Engineering Group
> > Xantrex/Trace Technologies Inc.
> > 925 245 5463/925 245 1022 Fax
> > kentsheldon at tracetec.com  www.xantrex.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: William Miller [mailto:wrmiller at slonet.org]
> > Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 12:28 PM
> > To: kentsheldon at tracetec.com
> > Cc: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> > Subject: RE: PV Inverters module strings [RE-wrenches]
> >
> > Kent:
> >
> > Thanks for your reply.  I understand you work for Trace Technologies, the
> > designer and builder of the PV series inverters.  If you don't have
> > specific application knowledge, is there someone in your company who does?
> >
> > I need to know how many SR100 panels to use with a PV5 and a PV10 for a
> > given climate.  Please correct me if this is not an appropriate question
> to
> > ask of a manufacturer.
> >
> > I would assume this type of question is fundamental to the support of a
> > product you manufacture and I would be disappointed if Trace Technology
> > could not give me very precise data to allow me to purchase and use a
> > product in their line.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > William Miller
> >
> > At 11:57 AM 3/28/01 -0800, you wrote:
> > >William, sorry to take so long to get back to you. I am inundated right
> > now.
> > >Unfortunately, I rarely get involved in the PV array sizing calculations.
> > >The only advice I can give you is to make sure the peak power voltage
> stays
> > >between 330 to 600. NEC drives most of the voltage window constraints,
> > >however the manufacturer temperature deratings for the specific PV model
> > >will also impact the calculations. A side note, the inverter will not
> power
> > >track below the minimum allowable DC level. So if your PPTV is lower than
> > >minimum, the power tracker will back off and continue power production at
> a
> > >less efficient point on your array curve. Right now the minimum DC
> > operating
> > >voltage is around 328. We are putting some new software through UL which
> > >will allow the minimum bus voltage to be a function of the AC line
> voltage,
> > >allowing for operation below 300Vdc. It will be a few months before this
> is
> > >available.
> > >
> > >Please contact me if you have any further questions.
> > >
> > >Kent Sheldon
> > >Product Manager - Photovoltaic Engineering Group
> > >Xantrex/Trace Technologies Inc.
> > >925 245 5463/925 245 1022 Fax
> > >kentsheldon at tracetec.com  www.xantrex.com
> > >
> >
> > __________________________________________________________________
> > William Miller
> > SLO Communications: Communications and Power Systems Consulting
> > PO Box 50, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
> > Voice :805-438-5600             Fax: 805-438-4607       VMail:
> 805-546-4875
> > email: wrmiller at slonet.org
> > License No. C-10-773985
> > _____________________________________________________________
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> > "I stand by all the misstatements that I've made." Dan Quayle
> > __________________________________________________________________
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