Grid-connected photovoltaic power system

Many system operators in Europe subsidize to the environmental friendly supply of electricity. PV systems operators receive power from a public utility and provide their own generated from the sun electricity to the national grid. In Germany and Austria there are over one hundred thousand grid-connected PV systems. According to Renewable Energy Act in Germany, local grid operator pays supplier of solar power for every kWh fed into the local power grid.

Grid-connected PV in detail

Grid-connected PV system
A grid-connected photovoltaic system generally include the following items:
  1. PV modules for converting sunlight into electricity;
  2. Mounting system for installing the PV;
  3. Inverter for processing the solar power to meet grid quality standards;
  4. Export meter for processing the power yield;
  5. Import meter for processing the power consumption.

Inverter

The inverter represents the link between the solar module and the public power grid, and must therefore perform several tasks simultaneously. The most important job of the inverter is to transform the direct current from the solar panel into alternating current that is needed by the power grid. In addition, inverter monitors all functions connected with the PV solar panels, ensures that system work at their best, and achieve the highest possible yield.

Data logger

Data loggers may be installed inside the home, some are portable. Many inverters record the most important operational data, evaluate the data automatically and, in the event of a fault, send the operator notifications by text message, email or internet. There are also a lot of software that will provide you with useful data on your system.