Basic stand-alone PV system components/es

Los sistemas fotovoltaicos autónomos, independientemente de dónde se encuentre en el mundo, comparten los mismos componentes básicos. Este artículo ofrece una descripción general de cada componente con enlaces a información más detallada. Para comprender cómo fluye la energía entre los componentes claves, consulte Flujo de energía entre componentes.

Componentes de un sistema FV con inversor:
(1) Fuente FV (2) Controlador de carga (3) Almacenamiento de energía(4) Inversor (5) Distribucíon de energía (6) Sistema de montaje (7) Conductores (cables) (8) Protección contra sobrecorrientes/medios de desconexión (9) Sistema de puesta a tierra (10) Protección físico de cables (11) Cargas/aparatos

Fuente FV

Un sistema fotovoltaico (FV) tiene un FV source - uno o más módulos fotovoltaicos - que convierte la energía del sol en corriente eléctrica. Los módulos solares FV utilizan el efecto fotovoltaico para generar corriente eléctrica al exponerse a la luz. Si hay varios módulos en el sistema, normlamente se montan juntos y se conectan en una "matriz".

Almacenamiento de energía

A stand-alone PV system requires some type of energy storage system in order to provide energy at night or during periods of bad weather. The most common form of energy storage for stand-alone PV systems is batteries. There are many different kinds of batteries that each carries advantages and disadvantages. If there are multiple batteries in a system, they are arranged together into what is referred to as a battery bank. The term battery bank may be used for simplicity even if there is only one battery in the system.

Un sistema fotovoltaico autónomo requiere algún tipo de sistema de almacenamiento de energía para proporcionar energía por la noche o durante períodos de mal tiempo. La forma más común de almacenamiento de energía para sistemas fotovoltaicos autónomos son las baterías. Hay muchos tipos diferentes de baterías y cada uno tiene ventajas y desventajas. Si hay varias baterías en un sistema, se conectan juntas en lo que se conoce como un "banco de baterías".

Controlador de carga

A charge controller or inverter-charger is essential as batteries have specific charging requirements and proper charging is essential to ensuring that they have a long life. A system may have multiple parallel solar charge controllers or even incorporate other power sources.

Inverter

In order to power alternating current loads, it is necessary to have an inverter in a stand-alone system. The battery bank provides a stable voltage and current to the inverter, which it can then convert into stable alternating current to supply AC loads.

Power distribution

A stand-alone PV system requires some way to safely distribute power to loads such as a distribution panel or busbars.

Mounting system

PV modules must be anchored to some type of mounting system to ensure that their production is maximized with the correct orientation and angle relative to the sun, but also to ensure that they are not damaged by weather.

Conductors

All of the different electrical components of a system are connected together with conductors - wire and cable - that must be appropriate for the voltage, current and conditions to which they will be subjected.

Overcurrent protection/disconnects

All equipment in a PV system - conductors and all components - have a maximum amount of current that they can handle and should therefore be protected from currents that could exceed their maximum rated current. Otherwise, an electrical fire can result. Devices that protect equipment from excess current are called overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs), the most common of which are breakers and fuses. Additionally, in any system it is necessary to isolate all components of a PV system from all potential power sources in order to be able to work safely for maintenance or troubleshooting. Both of these functions can be often be performed by an overcurrent protection device, but a seperate means of disconnection may be necessary for various components.

Grounding system

A properly built grounding system ensures safety for users and protections the system equipment against damage from lightning. Small PV systems often do not incorporate a grounding system due to cost, but the benefit of proper grounding increases as system size and cost increases.

Physical conductor protection

If a conductor could potentially be damaged by the conditions in which it is installed, weather, rodents, building occupants or any other source, it is necessary to provide physical wire protection

Loads

The purpose of an off-grid PV system is to be able to provide power for loads, which covers anything that consumes energy like appliances and lighting. There are important considerations that go into choosing lighting and appliances for use with an off-grid system.