EVERITT SOLAR PANELS

DESCRIPTION

The project objective is to construct a 1 kW photovotaic (PV) test bed for performing power electronics and power systems research. The project will install eight solar panels left over from the Solar Decathlon. They were located in the north end of room 50 Everitt lab. The setup should make a "best attempt" to include all saftey and distributation components found in a typical PV installation, but it will not need to meet code or pass any inspections.

The solar panels will create the CEME Modular Inverter bus voltage. The PV panels were configured in series to produce 288 V open-circuit voltage. This voltage was compatible with the single-phase MOSFET version of the Modular Inverter (400 V / 10 Arms). The power into the grid can be monitored in two ways. One, is through the graphical user interfaces, programmed at the University, that monitors and controls phase angle, frequency, bus voltage, phase current, and control effort. A digital power meter was also connected for more percise monitoring. Under ideal conditions the solar panel array can send 1.5 kW into the grid, only 500 W were tested in experiments. The modular inverter connects directly to the building's ac electrical outlet. The eight panels will have negligble effect on the building's electrical usage. Its intended purpose was to give students a managable power source for solar experiments.

The project was organized into three teams: power-electronics, solar, and distribution. The project was lead by Grant, a graduate student in the the Power and Energy Reasearch Group, with the assistance of three undergraduates: Mike, Taylor, and Hari.

Some possible research topics inlcude:

Maximum power point tracking
Digital control and monitoring
Solar data anaysis
SIL/HIL/RCP experiments
etc...

Maximum Power Point Tracking Group

link

FUTURE WORK (LAST MODIFIED 12/17/08)

weigh down installation with more sandbags
install a power indicator LED on the DC breaker
install the other set of of base pillars
properly ground the system
Get a longer MC cable so students can manually patch in different configurations.

PROGRESS REPORTS

WEEKLY MEETING MINUTES

October 13th, 2008: Since the begining of the semester we have been picking out parts for the system and getting approvals. Today the parts have been ordered and all approvals have been made.

October 27th, 2008: The parts are starting to trickle in. Most the major parts have arrive so we can begin construction.

October 30th, 2008: We had our first work session today, which turned out to be very productive. The solar panel frame is now being constructed in the hallway (its really cold outside). We plan to move it out in peices.

November 7th, 2008: Breakers S5 and S3 shown in the schematics were mounted to the wall using the pre-existing holes and double sided tape. The experimental setup is now working upstairs and was tested using a 56 V bus voltage. The modular inverter had damaged transmitter/receiver chips they were replaced. Wire was run from the roof down to the lab.

November 17th, 2008: The solar panel frame is full construted. We are building a custom base that will be weighed down with sandbags. Six sandbags were purchased and were placed on the roof.

December 7th, 2008: Solar panels mounted their frames. Indoor dc wiring completed. Junction box mounted to the welded L bracket.

MATERIALS

Bill of Materials: Datasheets, installation manuals, vendor, and prices for all components.
Grainger Center Modular Inverter: Student designed power electronics.

METHODS

Location
- Find optimal angle and orienation for a solar array. (This is optimized for winter)
  - For Urbana, IL
- Orientation
  - For Northern Hemisphere installations, solar panels should always face true south.