general Flashcards
During the summer solstice, the solar altitude at solar noon will be _____
69.5 degrees (due to 90-44 = 46, 46 + 23.5 = 69.5) this example uses Lat = 44
All inverters used in PV systems must be listed to what standard?
UL 1741 standard
What is the power performance ratio?
ratio of what the system is actually producing divided by what it should be producing with the given environmental conditions
Ohm’s law
V = A x R
What can function as both a load-break disconnecting means and overcurrent protection?
circuit breaker
what do overcurrent protection devices do?
protect a conductor from current exceeding its ampacity
What is the best option when structural members are not located in the area required to install a roof attachment?
install wood blocking between the rafters/trusses
The point of connection may be located
where?
supply side or the load side
The 2017 NEC states a ___ degree C adder for conduit less than 7/8” off roof top
33
List other wire options
- RHW-2
- USE-2
- PV wire
IFR and IRC requirements for roof access pathways
36” upslope and 18” ridge
Measured voltage will differ from the nameplate value based on _______?
cell temp
stand alone inverters convert DC from ______ to AC power
Batteries
Describe pitch
rise over run, for every x” horizontal, you move x” vertical
when is a rapid shutdown device required?
If the PV system has circuits on or in a house or building
What has a strong effect on average and peak operating temperature of all equipment in array set up/
Mounting system design
What is the primary purpose of Solar Pathfinder or Solmetric Suneye
evaluate shading
what must a PV source circuit fuse have?
- properly sized
- rated for max system V
- DC rated
- UL listed (or equivalent)
Pre-operational tests include
- Continuity of grounding and bonding.
- AC circuit voltage and phasing.
- Insulation resistance for PV array source and output circuits.
- PV circuit open-circuit voltage and polarity.
- PV source circuit short circuit current.
(Other tests for systems with energy storage) - Voltage and polarity between solar controller and battery banks.
- Voltage and polarity between battery bank and inverters.
- Battery voltage (individual cells and battery banks).
- Specific gravity of flooded lead acid batteries.
dual axis tracker
daily movement (E to W) AND seasonal variation (azimuth, sun’s altitude change)
What conduit should be used in dessert environments?
Steel (EMT or IMC), due to high temp difference and low corrosion requirements
List some types of DC divisionary loads
- resistive water heating elements
- dc water pumps
- other loads that can utilize or store the energy in some other form
What can cause a hotspot?
When cells that are unshaded attempt to pass current through cells in the same series string that are shaded
Calculation for system performance
ac kWh / (dc kWp x PSH) = 0.7 to 0.85
What are requirements for load side connections?
1. Dedicated Overcurrent and Disconnect. The interconnection of one or more inverters in a system must have a dedicated disconnecting means and overcurrent protection [705.12(B)(1)] 2. Bus or Conductor Ampere Rating (3) Marking (4) Suitable for Backfeed. (5) Fastening (6) Wire Harness and Exposed Cable Arc-Fault Protection
List advantages for larger systems using multiple inverters
- Distributed at different subarray locations (avoids long DC circuits)
- Provides redundancy (multiple options in case of failure and more tracking)
- Aids in finding faults
- Aids in optimizig the output of individual subarrays which have different size, type, orientation and partially shaded
What factors are used to calculate the expected AC energy production?
- wiring losses
- module mismatch
- module soiling
- inverter efficiency
- orientation
- tilt angle
Voltage drop _____ as wire length / current increases
increases
When is max. solar irradiation?
solar noon
What is used to measure Voc?
Voltmeter
what can temperature compensation help with?
to fully charge a battery during colder conditions, and helps protect it from overcharge and excessive electrolyte loss during warmer conditions
VRLA battery characteristics
- Immobilized electrolyte ( gel or absorbed in fiber glass separator mats between plates)
- Spill proof
- No electrolyte main.
- $$$
- Less tolerant of over charging and operating temps
- Do not release gases under normal operating conditions/charging
- Lower ventilation requirements
Autonomy
the number of days that a fully charged battery can meet system loads without any charging
- CAL: 400 Ah battery (nom. Battery cap) has desired allowable depth of discharge of 75% => 300 Ah, if the load is 100 Ah per day, then you would have 3 days of autonomy
What is the switch used in inverters to convert DC to AC?
• Large Thyristors (semiconductive switch) are used in high power apps
Connected in parallel to increase current and power capability of an inverter
Calculated max continuous current, used to size min. overcurrent devices in DC PV circuits
Isc x 1.25 x 1.25
DC to DC converters?
- boost or stabilizes the DC output of module (raise or lower voltage)
- they DO NOT convert DC to AC => still need string inverter
Can irradiance be used to verify Isc?
YES, If irradiance measurements are made simultaneously with short-circuit current measurements, the measured Isc can be compared to the STC Isc adjusted for
irradiance [Measured Isc ≈ STC Isc x (Measured Irradiance / 1000)].
List 3 common, trusted wire management devices?
- metal clips
- nylon 6 wire ties (good for aluminum)
- nylon 12 wire ties (good for galvanized steel)
Describe float charging
The charger now just holds the battery at a lower specified voltage - trickling the lowest number of Amps in to the battery that it can- to maintain the float Voltage
Characteristics of metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs)
- lower voltage operation, high efficiency, low resistance
- Very high speed switch rate
- Used in low to medium-power apps (1 -10 kW)
How to determine the daily energy consumption
all loads power use (DC and AC) x average daily time of operation
If your latitude is 44 degrees north, the solar altitude at solar noon during an equinox will be _____
46 degrees (90-44=46)
What is the distance between the bottom of the PV module and surface they are attached to maximize passive cooling gains?
2 to 6 inches
Wire rated for 90 C but not “W” for wet
THHN
when battery temperature decreases, what happens to the Voltage?
It increases
Calculate the min overcurrent device for an inverter output circuit (AC)
max. circuit current x 1.25
What ratio is required for ladder height and contact to building?
4:1 (every 4 ft of height, 1 ft out)
It is wise to keep 1” space between conduit and roof, why?
- help prevent smaller debris from being trapped under the conduit
- reducing conduit temperature
- eliminating the need for a temp adder
List common pitches
(1/12) =5 degrees
(2/12) = 10 degrees
(5/12) = 23 degrees
what is considered a low slope roof?
pitch of less than 2:12
Insulation resistance testing is used to identify what?
- damage or insulation faults in PV modules and
interconnect wiring - to locate ground faults
- to assess the degradation of array wiring, PV
modules, and other system components.
what is the purpose of an overcurrent device?
to prevent conductors from overheating and possibly causing a fire
Best tilt of 1. winter 2. summer 3. overall average production or spring/ fall
- 15 degree Lat
- 15 degree Lat
- Latitude
What is the PVWatts calculator used for?
calculate the performance and provide an energy estimate for grid-direct PV systems
system grounding
connects a current-carrying conductor
in an electrical system to ground, or earth potential
During the winter solstice, the solar altitude at solar noon will be ______
22.5 degrees (due to 90 - 44 = 46, 46 - 23.5 = 22.5) this example uses lat = 44
Manufacturer testing includes
- Wind or snow loading of module.
* Structural strength testing for array structure components.
Define magnetic declination
the angular difference, measured in degrees, between true N/S and magnetic N/S
Describe Bulk charging (generally)
The charger throws amps in to the battery - as many as it can (while being limited by any specific limits set in the charger). As loads of amps pile in to the battery - the battery voltage rises. When the battery voltage reaches the specified absorption V - bulk stops - and absorption starts. This phase will simply go on as long as it takes - to get to the battery V to the set absorption V
Solidly grounded conductor must be ______
white or grey
what is the acceptable voltage drop?
2% - 5% overall
List the key indicators for system performance in grid-tied PV systems?
ac power output (kW) and energy production (kWh