Sizing the Array
Overview:
Product Description:
Once a site has been chosen and the amount of electricity the array needs to provide is determined, the PV system can be sized. Most appliances run on AC power, while PV arrays produce DC power. A conversion process is required to create useable AC power, which incurs small losses. These will be accounted for in the equations below.
Sunlight is clearly the most important element in photovoltaic systems, but just how much power can a household derive from the sun? This depends entirely on its location, which determines the amount of insolation, or solar energy it is exposed to over a given period of time. To find a value for average yearly insolation at a location near the project site, refer to this table.
At this point in the sizing process, it is necessary to describe grid-tied and stand-alone systems separately. Follow the links below for more information on each system.
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