Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Solar array is a group of similar modules connected in series and parallel to increase
the power delivered by the PV system. As in case of series and parallel connection of
cells, series connection of modules increases the final array voltage. In this case the
current supplied by the array is equal to the current produced by a single module.
Parallel connection of modules increases the output current keeping the voltage level
at par with the voltage produced by the single module. In both cases the total power of
the array will be equal to the product of power of single module times the number of
modules used in connection. The array configuration (i.e. the number of modules
connected in series or parallel) is dictated by the required system voltage. The peak
reverse voltage that a module can withstand also governs the number of series
connected modules in an array.
The parameters of an array are same as that of a single cell or single module. The only
difference is in their magnitudes.
The input to configuring an array is the final required system voltage. For example if
the load is a 24 V DC pumps, only two modules are to be connected in series to
produce 24 V nominal outputs. Strings of two modules connected in series further can
be connected in parallel to obtained required power levels. The figure 4.4.1 below is
the suggestive array configuration for a 24 V DC system.
+ + +
_ _ _
Nominal 24
V DC
+ + +
_ _ _
If the system requirement is 48 V batteries bank charging then four modules are to be
connected in series. Number of these strings can further be connected in parallel to
increase the total power. Suppose 16 modules of 40 Wp capacities are to be
configured in an array to charge the bank of 48 V batteries. The array configuration
can be performed in two distinct ways. In first method (parallel-series) four modules
48
Chapter 4 Fundamentals of Solar Photovoltaics
can be connected in parallel to produce a string, and four of these strings connected in
series to produce 48 V nominal output (fig. 4.4.2a). In second method (series-parallel)
four modules are first connected in series to make a string and finally four of these
strings are further connected in parallel to obtain required power level.
In both cases the system voltage will be 48V and will deliver the same power to the
battery bank.
a b
The first method (figure in the left) has the draw back. If one string is removed for
any reason (e.g. replacement of module), then the array is required to reconfigure or
there will be no power available for the load. In second method (right figure), any
string can be just removed and the array will still be supplying the reduced power at
the same voltage level. Therefore the second method is considered more preferred
method of array configuration.
Isolation Diode
If one string becomes severely shaded, or if there is short circuit in one of the
modules, the diode connected in series with each string (see fig. 4.4.2 b) prevents the
other strings from loosing current backwards down the shaded or damaged string. By
use of these diodes the shaded or damaged string is "isolated" from the others, and
more current is sent to the load. These diodes perform the same function as the
blocking diodes, but because they isolate the damaged or shaded string, they are also
called isolation diodes. Note that in case or parallel-series connection of modules only
one diode at the one end of the output is used as blocking diode (fig. 4.4.2 a).
Large size arrays are also in use in Nepal. The largest is the array installed in Bode,
Bhaktapur for water pumping purpose. It has the total installed power of 40,000 Wp.
49
Chapter 4 Fundamentals of Solar Photovoltaics
The Zero Energy House (ZEH) at the Center for Energy Studies, Institute of
Engineering, uses a 6.5 kWp array to power its facilities.
50
Array (6.5 kWp) installed at the Zero-Energy House, Center for
Energy Studies, Institute of Engineering
Chapter 4 Fundamentals of Solar Photovoltaics
a. very high
b. same as that of copper
c. very low
d. same as that of glass
a. neutral
b. positively charged
c. negatively charged
d. not charged
a. PN junction
b. intrinsic semiconductor
c. N type semiconductor
d. P type semiconductor
a. 98%
b. 99.9999%
c. 99.9999999%
d. 100%
a. less than 1 A
b. less than short circuit current
c. greater than short circuit current
d. equal to short circuit current
6. The maximum power that can be delivered from the module is the product of
51
Chapter 4 Fundamentals of Solar Photovoltaics
a. 36
b. 18
c. 9
d. 2
9. 24 cells with Vmp =0.6 V and Imp = 1.2 A each are connected in series to
form a module. Calculate the Vmp and Imp of the module.
10. The short circuit current of a module at light intensity of 100 mW/sq.m is 4.6
A. Calculate the short circuit current of the module when the light intensity is
600 W/sq.m.
52