[Tutorial] Polystring Connections & Power Optimizers in PV*SOL premium (SolarEdge, Tigo, Maxim.. )

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http://www.valentin-software.com/services/fw/yt-val-en/dl-pvsolprem-en

This tutorial shows you how to connect multiple module areas with non-uniform orientation to one MPP tracker.
Note that also the number of modules per module area is different
We will start with a prepared 3D project, where the building and the module areas are already defined.
First, we configure the system only with polystring connections, where we connect both module areas on the roof (right side) to one MPP tracker and the mounted modules on the left to another MPP tracker.
Then we configure the system with power optimizers, connecting all modules in one string
For each configuration we look at the results and see how the I-V characteristics look like.
Let’s open the prepared project in PV*SOL premium 2018
Then we go to the 3D page and open the 3D environment
We have already defined a building with dormers and a small garage
There are four module areas:
Two mounted systems on the garage roof
one on the roof of the main building
and one on the dormer
Now, let’s configure the module areas
We go to ‘Module Configuration’
and select ‘Configure all unconfigured modules’
Here, we select all module areas by holding "Ctrl"
Then we click on ‘Configure module areas together’
Now, we enable the ‘Polystring Configuration’
and select the inverter model we want.
In this example we take the SMA 5.0-1AV-40
It has two MPP trackers where we want to connect our module areas to
We add a row to both MPP trackers
Then we type in the number of modules of the module areas
From the list here we select the right module area.
We repeat this for the other module areas.
Now we have configured all the modules in our system.
Let’s check it.
The current is too high
and the voltage could be higher
So, let’s connect the strings in series.
Now, current and voltage are good for this MPP tracker
For MPP tracker 1, the voltage is slightly too high, but that’s ok for now.
Also, the sizing factor is very high.
Usually we would have to take a bigger inverter, but we’ll leave it for now.
By clicking ‘OK’ we close the configuration.
Now we have a polystring system with 4 module areas on 2 MPP trackers
Now, let’s go back to PV*SOL and simulate the system.
Quick check of the module areas
OK, let’s see the circuit diagram
4 module areas, connected to 2 MPP trackers
Before we simulate we check if the recording of i-v characteristics is enabled.
Now we start the simulation
Let’s have a look at the results
Yield reduction due to shading is 8%
PV energy is 6263 kWh/a
The energy balance gives more information on the system losses
We have high losses due to partial shading and configuration mismatch
Let’s see how the i-v characteristics look like.
First, we select both MPP trackers.
Then we select the date we want to analyse
Checking ‘P-V’ also shows the power-voltage curves
Here we see the i-v and p-v characteristics of our polystring system.
You can see the typical ‘bumps’of polystring connections
On the left you also see the diffuse and direct shading ratios for each module.
See how varying shading conditions affect the i-v characteristics
Now, let’s add power optimizers to the system.
We go to ‘Module configuration’ again
and select the configuration
The ‘Edit’ button is just above
Here we can check the ‘Power Optimizer’ option
The inverter is undersized, so we have to choose a bigger one.
Then, we choose SolarEdge as inverter manufacturer
and select the right model.
This inverter has only one MPP tracker
So we add two more rows to it and set module numbers and areas accordingly
We want to connect all to one string, so we choose ‘String 1’
Now we can click ‘OK’ and leave the 3D environment.
All modules in one string!
Let’s simulate this
The PV energy is slightly higher.
The shading losses are still there
but the mismatch losses are 0%
But we now have power optimizer losses
Let’s see the i-v characteristics
There is only 1 MPP tracker, so we add the unshaded curves as well
The curves show the typical hyperbolic character
If plotted as power-voltage curve, the constant power output becomes apparent.
Thanks a lot for your attention.

Видео [Tutorial] Polystring Connections & Power Optimizers in PV*SOL premium (SolarEdge, Tigo, Maxim.. ) канала Valentin Software GmbH