Showing papers on "Grid-connected photovoltaic power system published in 1981"
Book•
01 Oct 1981
TL;DR: In this paper, the solar source of light energy is described and quantified, along with a review of semiconductor properties and the generation, recombination, and the basic equations of photovoltaic device physics.
Abstract: Solar cell theory, materials, fabrication, design, modules, and systems are discussed. The solar source of light energy is described and quantified, along with a review of semiconductor properties and the generation, recombination, and the basic equations of photovoltaic device physics. Particular attention is given to p-n junction diodes, including efficiency limits, losses, and measurements. Si solar cell technology is described for the production of solar-quality crystals and wafers, and design, improvements, and device structures are examined. Consideration is given to alternate semiconductor materials and applications in concentrating systems, storage, and the design and construction of standalone systems and systems for residential and centralized power generation. Bibtex entry for this abstract Preferred format for this abstract
1,773 citations
01 Jul 1981
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a power conditioner for residential photovoltaic applications of approximately 5 to 30 kW, where the interface of the inverter and the solar array, as well as the ac utility is investigated including the effects of array input current, utility impedance, and injected harmonic currents.
Abstract: The development of power conditioners for residential photovoltaic applications of approximately 5 to 30 kW is reported. The interface of the inverter and the solar array, as well as the ac utility is investigated including the effects of array input current, utility impedance, and injected harmonic currents. The trade-off study of alternate power conversion schemes are covered which results in a recommended approach. A conceptual design of the recommended approach, including performance results obtained from an inverter simulated is presented. (LEW)
11 citations
01 Mar 1981
TL;DR: The computer simulation code SOLSTOR as mentioned in this paper simulates energy systems in which electricity is generated by either a photovoltaic (PV) system or a wind turbine generator (WTG). Storage may or may not be present.
Abstract: The computer simulation code SOLSTOR is described. The code simulates energy systems in which electricity is generated by either a photovoltaic (PV) system or a wind turbine generator (WTG). Storage may or may not be present. Backup electricity, if needed, is provided either from a utility grid or from a fuel-burning generator. SOLSTOR minimizes the life cycle cost of providing energy by choosing the optimal solar or wind system component sizes. Rates for electricity purchased from the grid can include time-of-day (TOD) energy charges as well as time-of-day peak demand changes. Sell-back to the grid of excess collected energy is also considered.
10 citations
01 Oct 1981
TL;DR: In this article, three types of lead-acid batteries, distinguished by the composition of their grid material, have been tested: lead-antimony grid, lead-calcium grid, and pure-lead grid.
Abstract: : Since 1974, the U.S. Coast Guard has been testing lead-acid batteries in solar photovoltaic-powered systems for aids to navigation. Three types of lead-acid batteries, distinguished by the composition of their grid material, have been tested: lead-antimony grid, lead-calcium grid, and pure-lead grid. This report contains a comparison of the charging characteristics and the charge-discharge cycling behavior of each grid type. All types were remarkably similar qualitatively in their daily as well as annual cycling behavior but the significance of the quantitative differences offer distinctive tradeoffs. This report presents models for water usage, depth-of-discharge, and post-cycle capacity for various levels of voltage regulation. Based on the post-cycle capacity tests, the effect of grid strength, grid thickness, and operating conditions on life expectancy are presented. A final discussion presents the results of a field deployment of solar photovoltaic-powered aids to navigation in the Miami, Florida area. Potential solutions to the battery terminal corrosion and bird guano problems observed are discussed. (Author)
5 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that the energy supplied by solar photovoltaic power devices will displace primarily base-load, and to a lesser extent intermediate, generating plants, even at relatively modest penetrations corresponding to several percent of the utility peak load.
Abstract: From an analysis of the long-run electric generating requirements of several representative utilities, it is concluded that the energy supplied by solar photovoltaic power devices will displace primarily base-load, and to a lesser extent intermediate, generating plants, even at relatively modest penetrations corresponding to several percent of the utility peak load. Attaching photovoltaic devices to the utility grid will not yield significant fuel oil savings over the long run, in which utilities approach the economic optimum generating mix, and will increase peak plant requirements. Utility capacity and fuel savings of photovoltaic devices are reported both for the case without storage and for the case in which the utility has access to load-leveling storage.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the application of field modulated generator systems (FMGS) to dispersed solar-thermal-electric generation from a parabolic dish field with electric transport is discussed, where each solar generation unit is rated at 15 kWe and the power generated by an array of such units is electrically collected for insertion into an existing utility grid.
4 citations
01 May 1981
TL;DR: A stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) power system for the village of Schuchuli (Gunsight), Arizona, on the Papago Indian Reservation is a limited energy, all 120 V (dc) system to which loads cannot be arbitrarily added as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A stand alone photovoltaic (PV) power system for the village of Schuchuli (Gunsight), Arizona, on the Papago Indian Reservation is a limited energy, all 120 V (dc) system to which loads cannot be arbitrarily added and consists of a 35 kW (peak) PV array, 2380 ampere-hours of battery storage, an electrical equipment building, a 120 V (dc) electrical distribution network, and equipment and automatic controls to provide control power for pumping water into an existing water system; operating 15 refrigerators, a clothes washing machine, a sewing machine, and lights for each of the homes and communal buildings A solar hot water heater supplies hot water for the washing machine and communal laundry Automatic control systems provide voltage control by limiting the number of PV strings supplying power during system operation and battery charging, and load management for operating high priority at the expense of low priority loads as the main battery becomes depleted
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a photovoltaic panel combined with a DC-AC converter coupled to the power grid is presented to reduce the fluctuations of the energy from the panels, a storage equivalent to a one day consumption is provided.
3 citations
Proceedings Article•
19 May 1981
TL;DR: The Lorain Products Corporation, Division of Reliance Electric, has designed, built and installed a photovoltaic energy conversion system as the prime source of power for a microwave terminal site in Appleton City, Missouri, U.S.A as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Lorain Products Corporation, Division of Reliance Electric, has designed, built and installed a photovoltaic energy conversion system as the prime source of power for a microwave terminal site in Appleton City, Missouri, U.S.A. The basic components of the system are the solar array, the power board, and the battery plant. The raw DC voltage and current generated by the solar array is conditioned by high-efficiency, high-frequency voltage regulators and stored in the battery plant. During periods of darkness or low insolation the battery plant provides power for the microwave equipment load. Peculiar to this solar power system is a special battery charging scheme which very efficiently transfers solar energy to the battery plant and the load, while preventing overcharging and excessive gassing of the batteries. During the charging cycle, digital control circuitry monitors battery response to system charging techniques and adjusts charge voltage and current according to battery requirements and available solar energy. The three controlled voltage regulators, one per sub-array, are capable of applying either an equalize or float voltage to the batteries, and capable of restricting battery charging current, in response to commands from the digital control circuitry. System metering includes an instantaneous indication of battery state-of-charge and provides for the automatic activation of commercially powered standby rectifiers in the event that battery state-of-charge decreases to a predetermined low level. Extended alarms and status indicators are provided for remote monitoring of system operation.
2 citations
TL;DR: A relatively comprehensive overview of solar energy as a U.S. and worldwide resource and of solar technology as the means of implementing its usage broadly is presented in this article, where the effects of diurnal and weather interruptible characteristics are discussed relative to the design of power systems to meet user requirements.
Abstract: A relatively comprehensive overview is presented of solar energy as a U.S. and worldwide resource and of solar technology as the means of implementing its usage broadly. The various direct and indirect forms of solar energy resources are described. To show the flexibility in the use of solar energy resources, the various technologies and applications are described for converting those resources to a wide range of useful power products to match requirements of potential users. As a consequence of the relatively small, modular collector field components or power units making up many solar system approaches, it is practical to combine an appropriate number of modular units to obtain either small (decentralized), medium, or large (centralized) power systems. Also, the effects of diurnal and weather interruptible characteristics are discussed relative to the design of power systems to meet user requirements. The general thesis of the overview is that many solar‐based (renewable) energy systems have already bee...
01 Feb 1981
TL;DR: In this paper, an evaluation of 11 types of secondary batteries for energy storage in photovoltaic electric power systems is given, based on six specific application scenarios which were selected to represent the diverse requirements of various photiovoltaic systems.
Abstract: An evaluation of 11 types of secondary batteries for energy storage in photovoltaic electric power systems is given. The evaluation was based on six specific application scenarios which were selected to represent the diverse requirements of various photovoltaic systems. Electrical load characteristics and solar insulation data were first obtained for each application scenario. A computer-based simulation program, SOLSIM, was then developed to determine optimal sizes for battery, solar array, and power conditioning systems. Projected service lives and battery costs were used to estimate life-cycle costs for each candidate battery type. The evaluation considered battery life-cycle cost, safety and health effects associated with battery operation, and reliability/maintainability. The 11 battery types were: lead-acid, nickel-zinc, nickel-iron, nickel-hydrogen, lithium-iron sulfide, calcium-iron sulfide, sodium-sulfur, zinc-chlorine, zinc-bromine, Redox, and zinc-ferricyanide. The six application scenarios were: (1) a single-family house in Denver, Colorado (photovoltaic system connected to the utility line); (2) a remote village in equatorial Africa (stand-alone power system); (3) a dairy farm in Howard County, Maryland (onsite generator for backup power); (4) a 50,000 square foot office building in Washington, DC (onsite generator backup); (5) a community in central Arizona with a population of 10,000 (battery to be used for dedicated energy storage formore » a utility grid-connected photovoltaic power plant); and (6) a military field telephone office with a constant 300 W load (trailer-mounted auxiliary generator backup). Recommendations for a research and development program on battery energy storage for photovoltaic applications are given, and a discussion of electrical interfacing problems for utility line-connected photovoltaic power systems is included. (WHK)« less
TL;DR: In this paper, the power switching section of a series capacitor-commutated (SCC) inverter was analyzed in conjunction with a 1-kW concentrating solar cell array developed by Sandia Laboratories.
Abstract: Effective integration of solar photovoltaic systems with the electric power grid will require the design of special inverters and electric energy storage systems. This paper presents the analysis of the power switching section of a series capacitor-commutated (SCC) inverter specifically designed for this type of application. This inverter unit was designed to operate in conjunction with a 1-kW concentrating solar cell array developed by Sandia Laboratories.