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How to design a solar power plant, from start to finish
In Step-by-Step Design of Large-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plants, a team of distinguished engineers delivers a comprehensive reference on PV power plants--and their design--for specialists, experts, and academics. Written in three parts, the book covers the detailed theoretical knowledge required to properly design a PV power plant. It goes on to explore the step-by-step requirements for creating a real-world PV power plant, including parts and components design, mathematical formulations and calculations, analyses, evaluations, and planning.
The book concludes with a discussion of a sample solar plant design, as well as tips on how to avoid common design mistakes, and how to handle the operation and maintenance of PV power plants.
Step-by-Step Design of Large-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plants also includes:
* Thorough introductions to the basic requirements of design, economic analyses, and investment revenue
* Comprehensive explorations of the requirements for feasibility study and grid connection study
* Introducing solar resource, and determining optimum tilt angle and module inter-row spacing
* Presenting methodology for design of large-scale PV plant, requirements of engineering document, and optimal design algorithm
* In-depth examinations for selecting PV module, inverter, string, and DC side equipment
* Practical discussions of system losses, as well as estimation of yearly electrical energy production, capacity factor, and performance ratio of large-scale PV plant
Perfect for professionals in the solar power industry, Step-by-Step Design of Large-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plants will also earn a place in the libraries of equipment manufacturers and university professors seeking a one-stop resource for the design of PV power plants.
List of contents
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ACRONYMS
SYMBOLS
1 Introduction
1.1 Solar Energy 1
1.2 Diverse Solar Energy Applications 1
1.2.1 Solar Thermal Power Plant 2
1.2.2 PV Thermal Hybrid Power Plants 4
1.2.3 PV Power Plant 4
1.3 Global PV Power Plants 9
1.4 Perspective of PV Power Plants 11
1.5 A Review on the Design of Large-Scale PV Power Plant 13
1.6 Outline of the Book 14
References 15
2 Design Requirements 19
2.1 Overview 19
2.2 Development Phases 19
2.2.1 Concept Development and Site Identification 20
2.2.2 Prefeasibility Study 20
2.2.3 Feasibility Study 20
2.2.4 Permitting, Financing and Contracts 20
2.2.5 Detailed Design and Engineering 21
2.2.6 Construction 21
2.2.7 Commercial Operation 21
2.3 Project Predesign 21
2.4 Project Detailed Design 21
2.5 The Main Components Required for Realizing an LS-PVPP 22
2.5.1 PV Panels (PV Module) 22
2.5.2 Solar Inverter 22
2.5.3 Photovoltaic Mounting Systems (Solar Module Racking) 26
2.5.4 DC Cable 26
2.5.5 DC Combiner Box 26
2.5.6 DC Protection System 26
2.5.7 AC Combiner Box 26
2.5.8 Low-Voltage Switchgear 26
2.5.9 Transformers 27
2.5.10 Medium-Voltage Switchgear 27
2.5.11 LV and MV AC Cables 27
2.5.12 AC Protection Devices 27
2.6 An Overview of PV Technologies 27
2.6.1 Background on Solar Cell 27
2.6.2 Types and Classifications 28
2.7 Solar Inverter Topologies Overview 28
2.7.1 Central Inverter 28
2.7.2 String Inverter 29
2.7.3 Multi-string Inverter29
2.7.4 Micro-Inverter 29
2.8 Solar Panel Mounting 30
2.9 Solar Panel Tilt 30
2.10 Solar Tracking System 31
2.10.1 One-Axis Tracker 31
2.10.1.1 North-South Horizontal-Axis Tracking 31
2.10.1.2 Polar Tracking 31
2.10.1.3 East-West Horizontal-Axis Tracking 31
2.10.1.4 Azimuthal-Axis Tracking 32
2.10.2 Two-Axis Tracker 32
2.10.3 Driving Motor 32
2.10.4 Solar Tracker Control 33
References 34
3 Feasibility Studies 35
3.1 Introduction 35
3.2 Preliminary Feasibility Studies 35
3.3 Technical Feasibility Study 36
3.3.1 Site Selection 36
3.3.1.1 Amount of Sunlight 36
3.3.1.2 Land Area and Geometry 36
3.3.1.3 Climate Conditions 37
3.3.1.4 Site Access to Power Grid 38
3.3.1.5 Site Road Access 38
3.3.1.6 Site Topography 38
3.3.1.7 Land Geotechnics and Seismicity 40
3.3.1.8 Drainage, Seasonal Flooding 41
3.3.1.9 Land Use and Legal Permits 41
3.3.1.10 Air Pollution and Suspended Solid Particles 42
3.3.1.11 Geopolitical Risk 43
3.3.1.12 Financial Incentives 43
3.3.2 Annual Electricity Production 43
3.3.3 Equipment Technical Specifications 43
3.3.4 Execution and Construction Processes 43
3.3.5 Site Plan 43
3.4 Environmental Feasibility 44
3.5 Social Feasibility 45
3.6 Economic Feasibility 45
3.6.1 Financial Model Inputs 45
3.6.2 Financial Model Results 47
3.6.3 Financial and Economic Indicators 48
3.6.4 Financial Indicators 48
3.6.4.1 Net Present Value 48
3.6.4.2 Internal Rate of Return 48
3.6.4.3 Investment Return Period 49
About the author
Davood Naghaviha is Chief Engineer and Renewable Energy Expert at Isfahan Electric Power Company, Iran.
Hassan Nikkhajoei, PhD, is Director of United Globe Engineering Inc., Canada.
Houshang Karimi, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Polytechnique Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
