Introduction to Photovoltaic System

In general photovoltaic system is divided into two broad categories:


1. Off-grid PV System or standalone

• Independent of grid supply
• Usually install at remote area
• Classified further into two types which are standalone PV battery and hybrid.
• PV battery is a small size and consist of PV and battery
• Hybrid is a medium size and consist of PV and generator set or other power generators.

2. On-grid PV system

• Tie to the grid supply. Grid supply must be present at all time.
• The PV grid connected system is also called grid-interactive, grid-intertie, utility connected are built onto your building that transfers DC power from the PV array to the utility supply through grid inveter.
• There are five major component involves namely PV array, array junction box (AJB), DC and AC cables, inverter and export/import energy meters.

A typical block diagram of PV-grid connected system

Some of the advantages of photovoltaic system are:

• Photovoltaic technology make use of the abundant energy in the sun.
• It has little impact on our environment.
• Photovoltaic can be used in a wide range of product, from small consumer items to large commercial solar electric system.
• Very low maintaince.

Disadvantages:

• Works during daytime with sunlight
• Works with present of grid voltage
• High cost