Difference between revisions of "Stand-alone system configurations"

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[[Category:System design]]
 
[[Category:System design]]
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[[File:DConlysystem.png|thumb|Wiring diagram of a DC-only stand-alone PV system with a charge controller with DC lighting control for lighting and small DC loads.]]
 
There are many different possible designs and configurations for stand-alone off-grid PV systems. The focus of this design project is on small-scale systems, which will serve to constrain the number of designs that will be explored here. It is worth noting that the possible designs increases greatly as system size and complexity increases. Small-scale stand-alone systems can be divided into three main categories based upon the loads that they power: DC only, AC and DC, and AC only. The most appropriate out of these designs will be determined by the energy needs and particular loads of the project.
 
There are many different possible designs and configurations for stand-alone off-grid PV systems. The focus of this design project is on small-scale systems, which will serve to constrain the number of designs that will be explored here. It is worth noting that the possible designs increases greatly as system size and complexity increases. Small-scale stand-alone systems can be divided into three main categories based upon the loads that they power: DC only, AC and DC, and AC only. The most appropriate out of these designs will be determined by the energy needs and particular loads of the project.
  
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==DC only system==
 
==DC only system==
[[File:DConlysystem.png|thumb|Wiring diagram of a DC-only stand-alone PV system with a charge controller with DC lighting control for lighting and small DC loads.]]
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[[File:ACDCsystem.png|thumb|Wiring diagram of a stand-alone AC/DC PV system with a charge controller with DC lighting control for lighting/DC loads and an inverter for AC loads.]]
An ideal system for systems that have limited load requirements like [[Lighting|lighting]], cell phone charging, a radio, [[Energy efficient loads|an energy efficient DC TV]], and [[Energy efficient loads|an energy efficient DC fan]]. DC appliances do not suffer from the efficiency losses of an [[Inverter|inverter]], the stand-by consumption of an inverter, nor from downtime resulting from issues from an inverter.
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An ideal system for systems that have limited load requirements like [[Lighting|lighting]], cell phone charging, a radio, [[Energy efficient loads|an energy efficient DC TV]], and [[Energy efficient loads|an energy efficient DC fan]]. DC appliances do not suffer from the efficiency losses of an [[Inverter|inverter]], the standby consumption of an inverter, nor from downtime resulting from an inverter failure.
  
 
Considerations:
 
Considerations:
 +
*Safe for users, very low likelihood of an accident occuring.
 
*A system voltage of 12 V is typical for these systems in order to ensure compatability with DC appliances, although a [[DC-DC converter]] is an option for larger 24V or 48V designs in order to ensure compatability with 12 V appliances. DC appliances are not common in many areas of the world and may also be higher in price - this must be considered when designing a system.  
 
*A system voltage of 12 V is typical for these systems in order to ensure compatability with DC appliances, although a [[DC-DC converter]] is an option for larger 24V or 48V designs in order to ensure compatability with 12 V appliances. DC appliances are not common in many areas of the world and may also be higher in price - this must be considered when designing a system.  
 
*If the current requirement of the loads exceeds the lighting/load output of the charge controller, then a seperate connection to the battery with a [[Low voltage disconnect|low voltage disconnect]] should be made.
 
*If the current requirement of the loads exceeds the lighting/load output of the charge controller, then a seperate connection to the battery with a [[Low voltage disconnect|low voltage disconnect]] should be made.
*The low operating voltage of 12 V DC systems can make them susceptible to [[Voltage drop|voltage drop]] problems with longer circuit runs.
+
*The low operating voltage of 12 V DC systems can make them susceptible to [[Voltage drop|voltage drop]] problems with long circuit runs for lighting/loads.
  
 
==AC/DC system==
 
==AC/DC system==
[[File:ACDCsystem.png|thumb|Wiring diagram of a stand-alone AC/DC PV system with a charge controller with DC lighting control for lighting/DC loads and an inverter for AC loads.]]
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[[File:AConlysystem.png|thumb|Wiring diagram of a stand-alone AC-only PV system with a charge controller with an inverter that supplies power to both lighting and loads.]]
A system that incorporates an inverter to create a more flexible system that can power both DC and AC loads. Retaining DC lighting allows the user to turn off the inverter when not in use in order to avoid stand-by consumption losses and to still have light in the event of inverter issues.  
+
A system that incorporates an inverter to create a more flexible system that can power both DC and AC loads. Retaining DC lighting allows the user to turn off the inverter when not in use in order to avoid standby consumption losses and to still have light in the event of an inverter failure.
  
Considerations;
+
Considerations:
 +
*Less safe for users, high likelihood of an accident occuring due to the higher voltage of AC ciruits.
 +
*Increases system complexity if both AC and DC circuts need to be run to the same location.
 
*This type of system will still suffer from voltage drop issues on longer circuit runs for lighting.
 
*This type of system will still suffer from voltage drop issues on longer circuit runs for lighting.
*The inverter may need to be turned on/off regularly based upon the needs of users.  
+
*The inverter may need to be turned on/off regularly based upon the needs of users.
  
 
==AC only system==
 
==AC only system==
three line wiring diagram pv solar system stand alone off-grid direct current alternating current inverter charge controller
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A system that incorporates an inverter to power all lighting and loads. The preferred configuration as off-grid system size grows. The system will have steady inverter standby losses that can be substantial and all lighting/loads will become inoperable in the event of an inverter failure.
 +
 
 +
Considerations:
 +
*System must be adequately sized to handle the standby losses of the inverter, which can be substantial.
 +
*System is less likely to have issues with voltage drop on longer lighting/load circuits.
 +
*Less safe for users, high likelihood of an accident occuring due to the higher voltage of AC ciruits.
 +
*Recommended that a DC light is still installed for emergency use in the room/building where the system equipment is installed to provide light for [[Troubleshooting|troubleshooting]] in the event of inverter issues.

Revision as of 13:43, 3 December 2020

Wiring diagram of a DC-only stand-alone PV system with a charge controller with DC lighting control for lighting and small DC loads.

There are many different possible designs and configurations for stand-alone off-grid PV systems. The focus of this design project is on small-scale systems, which will serve to constrain the number of designs that will be explored here. It is worth noting that the possible designs increases greatly as system size and complexity increases. Small-scale stand-alone systems can be divided into three main categories based upon the loads that they power: DC only, AC and DC, and AC only. The most appropriate out of these designs will be determined by the energy needs and particular loads of the project.

The three-line wiring diagrams presented below and in the rest of this design process omit certain components as they are are not installed with all systems and adding them would add additional complexity to the wiring diagram. The following components should be considered for incorporation into any off-grid system:

DC only system

Wiring diagram of a stand-alone AC/DC PV system with a charge controller with DC lighting control for lighting/DC loads and an inverter for AC loads.

An ideal system for systems that have limited load requirements like lighting, cell phone charging, a radio, an energy efficient DC TV, and an energy efficient DC fan. DC appliances do not suffer from the efficiency losses of an inverter, the standby consumption of an inverter, nor from downtime resulting from an inverter failure.

Considerations:

  • Safe for users, very low likelihood of an accident occuring.
  • A system voltage of 12 V is typical for these systems in order to ensure compatability with DC appliances, although a DC-DC converter is an option for larger 24V or 48V designs in order to ensure compatability with 12 V appliances. DC appliances are not common in many areas of the world and may also be higher in price - this must be considered when designing a system.
  • If the current requirement of the loads exceeds the lighting/load output of the charge controller, then a seperate connection to the battery with a low voltage disconnect should be made.
  • The low operating voltage of 12 V DC systems can make them susceptible to voltage drop problems with long circuit runs for lighting/loads.

AC/DC system

Wiring diagram of a stand-alone AC-only PV system with a charge controller with an inverter that supplies power to both lighting and loads.

A system that incorporates an inverter to create a more flexible system that can power both DC and AC loads. Retaining DC lighting allows the user to turn off the inverter when not in use in order to avoid standby consumption losses and to still have light in the event of an inverter failure.

Considerations:

  • Less safe for users, high likelihood of an accident occuring due to the higher voltage of AC ciruits.
  • Increases system complexity if both AC and DC circuts need to be run to the same location.
  • This type of system will still suffer from voltage drop issues on longer circuit runs for lighting.
  • The inverter may need to be turned on/off regularly based upon the needs of users.

AC only system

A system that incorporates an inverter to power all lighting and loads. The preferred configuration as off-grid system size grows. The system will have steady inverter standby losses that can be substantial and all lighting/loads will become inoperable in the event of an inverter failure.

Considerations:

  • System must be adequately sized to handle the standby losses of the inverter, which can be substantial.
  • System is less likely to have issues with voltage drop on longer lighting/load circuits.
  • Less safe for users, high likelihood of an accident occuring due to the higher voltage of AC ciruits.
  • Recommended that a DC light is still installed for emergency use in the room/building where the system equipment is installed to provide light for troubleshooting in the event of inverter issues.