Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- About the Author
- Foreword
- Preface
- Disclaimer Note
- Acknowledgments
- Peer Review of Solar Power Generation Problems, Solutions, and Monitoring
- 1 Types of Energy Sources and Energy Production and Use
- 2 Significance of Large-Scale Photovoltaic Solar Power Energy Production
- 3 Concentrator Photovoltaic Technology
- 4 Issues and Problems Associated with Large-Scale Solar Power Systems
- 5 How to Design and Specify Large-Scale Solar Power Systems
- 6 Solar Power Construction and Project Management
- 7 Solar Power Financing
- 8 Large-Scale Solar Power System Legal Issues
- 9 Proposed Advanced Photovoltaic Solar Power System Technology Requirements
- 10 Microinverters and Peak Power Tracking (PPT) Technologies
- 11 Advanced Solar Power Generation and Integration with Smart Grid
- 12 Large-Scale Energy Storage Systems
- Appendix A Glossary: Solar Energy Power Terms
- Appendix B Feasibility Study and Example
- Appendix C Solar Power System Tests
- Appendix D Bakersfield, California, Solar Power Fire
- Appendix E U.S. Statewide Solar Initiative Programs and International Tariffs
- Appendix F Alternative and Solar Power Engineering Studies Program
- Appendix G Historical Timeline of Solar Power Energy
- Index
Appendix B - Feasibility Study and Example
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 March 2016
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- About the Author
- Foreword
- Preface
- Disclaimer Note
- Acknowledgments
- Peer Review of Solar Power Generation Problems, Solutions, and Monitoring
- 1 Types of Energy Sources and Energy Production and Use
- 2 Significance of Large-Scale Photovoltaic Solar Power Energy Production
- 3 Concentrator Photovoltaic Technology
- 4 Issues and Problems Associated with Large-Scale Solar Power Systems
- 5 How to Design and Specify Large-Scale Solar Power Systems
- 6 Solar Power Construction and Project Management
- 7 Solar Power Financing
- 8 Large-Scale Solar Power System Legal Issues
- 9 Proposed Advanced Photovoltaic Solar Power System Technology Requirements
- 10 Microinverters and Peak Power Tracking (PPT) Technologies
- 11 Advanced Solar Power Generation and Integration with Smart Grid
- 12 Large-Scale Energy Storage Systems
- Appendix A Glossary: Solar Energy Power Terms
- Appendix B Feasibility Study and Example
- Appendix C Solar Power System Tests
- Appendix D Bakersfield, California, Solar Power Fire
- Appendix E U.S. Statewide Solar Initiative Programs and International Tariffs
- Appendix F Alternative and Solar Power Engineering Studies Program
- Appendix G Historical Timeline of Solar Power Energy
- Index
Summary
Feasibility Study
As mentioned in Chapter 5, the solar power feasibility study is the foremost fundamental engineering effort required for assessing and planning any type of solar power system design. The feasibility study is the cornerstone of solar power design since it provides an in-depth, meaningful assessment of the energy potential of solar project platforms such as roof-top, carport, or ground-mount solar power systems.
The solar feasibility study is also of paramount importance to any investment in solar power systems, since it provides detailed assessments of solar energy production potential as well as establishing a fundamental platform for future engineering design.
The following are fundamental tasks involved in conducting site solar power platform evaluations and assessments of potential issues that must be considered during the feasibility study phase:
• Roof-top, carport, and ground-mount systems platform topology study
• Shading analysis
• Study and evaluation of the site electrical system and grid-connectivity Configuration
• Electrical power demand loading analysis for the entire site
• Solar platform topology mapping design and infrastructure study, which includes the following:
• Preparation of solar platform topology diagrams
• Study of alternative technologies that will be most suited for each type of solar Platform
• Study of PV module support structures for each platform, including carport Structures
• Preliminary study of underground conduit runs and solar platform Interconnectivity
• Econometric analysis of the solar power project, which may include projected construction cost estimate for each type of solar power platform by use of analytical software modelling methods
• Preparation of comprehensive feasibility study, which will incorporate results of all of the above engineering studies.
To conduct a solar feasibility study, the engineer or the designer must obtain the following customer-supplied documentation:
• Complete electrical engineering documents, which will include as-built single line diagrams, switchgear riser diagrams, panel schedules, and the location of all electrical and power distribution rooms and enclosures
• Electrical bills for the last 12 months
• Site plan
• Roof plans (preferably showing roof-mount mechanical equipment and vents)
• Site underground conduit plans
• Any recent energy audit documentation and report
Solar power feasibility studies usually involve several site visits and a close collaborative effort with the owners:
Solar Power Site Survey Guide and Logs
Fundamentally, medium- and large-scale solar photovoltaic systems fall into three main categories: roof or trellis mounts, […]
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- Solar Power Generation Problems, Solutions, and Monitoring , pp. 339 - 374Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2016