Design & Build

Commercial rooftops | Innovations in commercial rooftop PV mounting systems are offering new possibilities for installers as they seek to drive down costs. Andy Colthorpe looks at some of the key developments that are helping breathe life into a segment that has so far been slow to take off.

Trackers | The economic argument for trackers is increasingly compelling. Matt Kisber, president and CEO of Silicon Ranch Corporation explains why the technology’s use is increasing and examines the benefits of opting for single axis tracking systems.

Irradiance measurement | Pyranometers play a crucial role in gathering irradiance data for PV yield and performance modelling. Ben Willis explores this sometimes-overlooked piece of technology and efforts by researchers to improve our understanding of its characteristics.

Modelling | First Solar has developed an energy assessment software platform that models the electrical generation of utility-scale PV power plants. This software, called PlantPredict, is an enterprise application that streamlines and fulfils many energy simulation needs throughout the project development life cycle, from the site prospecting, through design and optimisation, and contractual commitments, to power plant monitoring. Bodo Littmann and Alex Panchula of First Solar discuss some unique models required for characterising CdTe power plant performance, and outline the PlantPredict tool’s use throughout the project development phases, with the goal of ultimately lowering the total cost of ownership of PV power plants.

Project name: Jasper solar power project; Location: Near Kimberly; Northern Cape, Province, South Africa; Capacity: 96MWp; Annual Generation: 180,000MWh.

Evidence is emerging that data used in PV yield modelling, an essential element in optimising a plant’s design and profitability, is leading to erroneous results. Ben Willis reports on the solar industry’s data challenge and how it is responding.

As PV expands its global footprint, logistics – transporting goods from factory to project site – is becoming a complicated challenge for manufacturers. Sara Ver Bruggen reports on efforts by the industry to reduce costs arising from equipment damaged in transit.

Large-scale PV contractors must perform tests to verify the correct operation of a new installation. Jorge Coello and Leonardo Perez outline the minimum aspects to consider for the commissioning of large-scale PV plants using a methodology that has been successfully implemented in the commissioning of more than 40 PV facilities worldwide.

As PV systems proliferate it is increasingly important to forecast their energy output in order to ensure a safe and reliable integration of their variable output into electric power grids. Dazhi young, André Nobre, Rupesh Baker and Thomas Reindl of SERIS outline a technique for generating large-scale 2D irradiance using data from pyranometers and plane of array cells.