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Showing papers on "Grid-connected photovoltaic power system published in 1983"


Journal ArticleDOI
Oleg Wasynczuk1
TL;DR: In this paper, the perturb and observe method of power control migrates considerably from peak power whenever the insolation varies randomly as a result of cloud cover, and an alternate power tracking method is also examined.
Abstract: An important consideration in the operation of grid connected photovoltaic power systems is a means of adjusting the photovoltaic array voltage so that maximum output power is achieved for the given atmospheric conditions. The dynamic behiavior of a specific photovoltaic power system which utilizes the well known perturb and observe method of power tracking is examined. Using measured insolation data, it is demonstrated that the perturb and observe method of control migrates considerably from peak power whenever the insolation varies randomly as a result of cloud cover. An alternate method of power tracking is also examined. It is shown that the photovoltaic power system, utilizing the proposed method of power tracking, is able to track accurately peak power conditions during periods of randomly varying insolation.

350 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the economic viability of long-range applications of photovoltaic (PV) generation in a large eastern electric utility system was evaluated using traditional utility system planning techniques to determine the capacity and energy values of PV generation.
Abstract: This paper describes the methodology used for and the results obtained from a study to assess the economic viability of long-range applications of photovoltaic (PV) generation in a large eastern electric utility system. Amorphous silicon PV technology, which has been under development by RCA Laboratories since 1974 and formed the basis for the conceptual design of a central- station PV power plant, was used in the application study. Traditional utility system planning techniques were applied to determine the capacity and energy values of PV generation. however, the system capacity reliability evaluation and production cost simulation programs; were modified and applied to more accurately account for the time- constrained and intermittent teatures of PV energy output. Statistical and mathematical procedures were developed to utilize the varying daily insolation data and convert them to appropriate patterns of electric energy output. The study results indicate that with respect to a conventional generation alternative, such as combustion turbines of more advanced design, the breakeven capital cost for PV power plants ranges from $1,100 to $1,350 (1982 dollars) per peak kW. The higher the PV capacity penetration, the lower the required breakeven cost.

24 citations


Patent
03 Nov 1983
TL;DR: An apparatus for controlling the charge rate and voltage of storage batteries of a solar power generating system using a single voltage regulator module to monitor and control the state of charge of any number of cells of a battery and a number of solar modules is described in this article.
Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the charge rate and voltage of storage batteries of a solar power generating system using a single voltage regulator module to monitor and control the state of charge of any number of cells of a battery and a number of solar modules.

17 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the status of flat-plate photovoltaic (PV) system technology, performance and cost for applications in developing countries were discussed and a comparison of key electrical service performance factors is made between PV and conventional generating systems.

7 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the power conditioning systems are described and classified in such a way as to highlight the many similarities and differences of approach, and the importance of managing power flows to ensure reliable and efficient power conditioning for a variety of applications in the 30 kWp to 300 kWp range.
Abstract: The fifteen photovoltaic pilot plants in the current EC programme have given system designers a unique opportunity to address the problems of reliable and efficient power conditioning for a variety of applications in the 30 kWp to 300 kWp range. In this article, the power conditioning systems are described and classified in such a way as to highlight the many similarities and differences of approach. With a single exception, all designers have opted for ac systems, employing solid-state inverters. Some, however, have opted for a simple system with one inverter, while others have sought to improve the low-load efficiency by employing multiple switched units in more complicated systems. Some again have used commercially available inverters with minor modifications, while others have developed new designs which are more efficient but as yet unproven. The majority have decided against maximum power point trackers as not being worth the added expense and complication. The importance of managing power flows to ...

3 citations


15 Sep 1983
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive assessment of the value (i.e., break-even cost) of utility-grid connected residential photovoltaic power systems under a variety of technological and economic assumptions is presented.
Abstract: Utility-interactive photovoltaic (PV) arrays on residential rooftops appear to be a potentially attractive, large-scale application of PV technology. Results of a comprehensive assessment of the value (i.e., break-even cost) of utility-grid connected residential photovoltaic power systems under a variety of technological and economic assumptions are presented. A wide range of allowable PV system costs are calculated for small (4.34 kW (p) sub ac) residential PV systems in various locales across the United States. Primary factor in this variation are differences in local weather conditions, utility-specific electric generation capacity, fuel types, and customer-load profiles that effect purchase and sell-back rates, and non-uniform state tax considerations. Additional results from this analysis are: locations having the highest insolation values are not necessary the most economically attractive sites; residential PV systems connected in parallel to the utility demonstrate high percentages of energy sold back to the grid, and owner financial and tax assumptions cause large variations in break-even costs. Significant cost reduction and aggressive resolution of potential institutional impediments (e.g., liability, standards, metering, and technical integration) are required for a residential PV marker to become a major electric-grid-connected energy-generation source.

1 citations



Proceedings ArticleDOI
22 Jun 1983
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report progress toward formulating energy management strategies for stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) systems, developing an analytical tool that can be used to investigate these strategies, applying this tool to determine the proper control algorithms and control variables for a range of applications, and quantifying the relative performance and economics when compared to systems that do not apply energy management.
Abstract: The high cost of energy from stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) systems dictates that the available energy is used in the most efficient manner possible. To do so requires careful attention to the operating characteristics of all the components of the PV system and the operating decisions of system control. By applying an energy management approach to system control, over-all system operating performance may be improved, yielding either more services provided for a given system rating or a smaller system size for the same services. This paper reports progress toward formulating energy management strategies for stand-alone PV systems, developing an analytical tool that can be used to investigate these strategies, applying this tool to determine the proper control algorithms and control variables for a range of applications, and quantifying the relative performance and economics when compared to systems that do not apply energy management. Although the formulation was originally driven by stand-alone PV system needs, the results are also applicable to hybrid or grid connected systems. An example of a load system for which an energy management stategy is usable is a photovoltaic village power system with battery storage, water pumping with a water tank, lighting, and a differable domestic load. In this case there are three "storage" elements; the battery, the water tank and the differable load. The energy management strategy determines how the energy is routed to the water pump and domestic load and in and out of the battery.

1 citations


01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the methodology used for and the results obtained from a study to assess the economic viability of long-range applications of photovoltaic (PV) generation in a large eastern electric utility system.
Abstract: This paper describes the methodologyused for and the results obtained from a study to assess the economicviability of long-range applications of photovoltaic (PV) generation in a large eastern electric utilitysystem. Amorphoussilicon PV tech- nology,which has been under development by RCA Laboratoriessince 1974 and formed the basis for the conceptual design of a central- station PV power plant, was used in the appli- cation study. Traditional utility system planningtechniques were applied to deter- mine the capacityand energy values of PV generation. however, the system capacity reliabilityevaluation and production cost simulationprograms; were modified and applied to more accurately account for the time- constrainedand intermittentteatures of PV energy output. Statisticaland mathematical procedures were developed to utilize the varying daily insolation data and convert them to appropriate patterns of electric energy output. The study results indicate that with respect to a -conventionalgenera- tion alternative,such as combustionturbines of more advanced design, the breakeven capi- tal cost for PV power plants ranges from $1,100 to $1,350 (1982dollars) per peak kW. The higher the PV capacity penetration, the lower the requiredbreakevencost.