How should a PV system be designed & installed?

PV systems should be designed and installed with such possibilities in mind, and measures should have been incorporated such as two-column racks (rather than post-strut), thick or non-glass covers, rigid backsheets, and through-bolted clamps. The designer should specify PV modules with high ratings for both uplift and down-force pressure.

Why is battery energy storage important for PV industry?

It will serve as input to PV industry certification and compliance approaches and practices. Combining PV with storage brings additional financial considerations. Battery energy storage can resolve technical barriers to grid integration of PV and increase total penetration and market for PV.

How much does a PV system cost?

Another estimate approximates O&M of PV systems at $40/kW/year (about 0.5% of initial cost per year for these early systems), about half of which is amortized inverter replacements (Wiser, Barbose, and Peterman 2009).

Which inverter is required for a combined PV and storage system?

Combined PV and storage system topologies will generally require a bi-directional inverter, either as the primary inverter solution (DC-coupled) or in addition to the unidirectional PV inverters (AC-coupled).

How do I backup my solar monitoring system?

Reliable data backup and storage should be provided. A best practice is for data loggers to store 6 months of data and to backup data to cloud storage. A reliable method to “backhaul” the data is required. Most connect to the internet via DSL, but be aware that many site owners will not allow the solar monitoring system to use the site network.

How much of a PV module can be recycled?

Demonstration projects at SolarWorld and commercial-scale recycling operations at First Solar have shown that 84% to 90% by weight of a PV module can be recycled (Larsen 2009). If a system transfers ownership, it is important to consider how warranties are handled.