P.G. Vidal

Lightning and Surge Protection in Photovoltaic Installations

The aim of this paper is to give scientific background and essential assumptions to be introduced into the design of lightning and surge protection in photovoltaic installations (PVIs), with particular emphasis on the aspects of standardization to be covered. For this purpose, the relevant protective measures given in the standards for conventional low-voltage power distribution systems (CLVPDSs) are adapted in part. This revision is required because the peculiar characteristics of PVIs are different from those of CLVPDSs. The resulting protection approach that determines the advisable protective measures by a risk management has been applied to an actual grid-connected PVI (GCPVI), Univer Project. The extra cost of this protection in this PVI (approximately 3.6% of the system cost) is of secondary importance because of the increase of safety and availability. Furthermore, in order to fulfill with this protection, the surge withstand capability (SWC) of PV modules has been investigated as well.

Guidelines for Protection Against Electric Shock in PV Generators

This paper assesses the protection against electric shock in a photovoltaic generator (PVG), the DC side of a PV installation. Within this context, we discuss the applicability of the protection requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission 60364, the international standard that provides guidelines for wiring in low-voltage (LV) electrical installations. The unique operational characteristics of a PVG, which differ from those of a conventional AC LV system, made it necessary to revise and adapt these requirements. With a view to discovering the effectiveness of electric shock protection in ungrounded PVGs, we carried out both a theoretical and practical study in a real PVG in order to analyze its electrical behavior. As part of our study, the feasibility of applying an ldquoactiverdquo means of protection was experimentally tested in this same PVG.

Quantifying the effect of air temperature in CPV modules under outdoor conditions

CPV modules are influenced by incident irradiance, air temperature and incident spectrum. However, the study of these effects and the ability to quantify them individually is not easy and it is still under study. The aim of this paper is describe a procedure to study the influence of air temperature in the maximum power point independently of the incident irradiance and spectrum. Two different CPV modules have been studied during one year, the main conclusions and the differences in the behaviour of CPV modules under study will be given.

Photovoltaic in grid-connected buildings, sizing and economic analysis

The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology that allows to know a optimal size of a photovoltaic (PV) generator in a building (dwellings, commercial buildings, etc.). The adopted design criterion is to optimize the profitability and the amortization of PV installations. There is an optimal maximum size for each building, the profitability of the PV installation decreases strongly for sizes higher than the optimal one. This size minimizes the photovoltaic electricity fed into the grid and covers part of the building electricity consumption.

Guidelines to requirements for protection against electric shock in PV generators

This paper is focused on the personal safety on the dc side of PV generators. It deals with the adaptation and application in PV generators of proposed protective measures of the international standard IEC 60364. Different operational properties of PV generators in comparison to conventional ac low-voltage systems require this revision.

Proposal Of A Spanish CPV Feed‐in Tariff

The recent research and field experiences in CPV systems have proved that this technology has present and potential advantages when compared with other sources of energy. Despite of that, if this technology wants to initiate its learning curve with the increment of the production and the consequent price reduction, it is necessary an institutional support that allows this technology to compete against other sources of energy through the creation of a favourable and attractive economic environment for potential investors to get interested in this new technology. Nowadays, Spain is a world CPV referent. The research developed by some of its organism and the industrial experience obtained in the past years through the installation of thousands of MW, is a guarantee of its scientific and industrial potential.The intention of this report is to justify the reasons to set aside a power cap of 10 MW in the Spanish PV regulatory framework dedicated exclusively to CPV systems, and the increment of the feed‐in tarif...

Location of Fraudulent Branch Lines or Faults in Short-Length Low Voltage Lines

The detection of irregularities such as a fraudulent branch line or a fault in short-length low voltage (LV) lines is of great interest for electricity supply companies as well as for o ...