Solar Engineering

Syllabus Outline of Solar Power Plant Design Course (Online and Offline)

• Preparation of PV module data sheet
• Preparation cable sizing and selection
• Preparation OD ESE and Lighting Protection (NFC-17102)
• Preparation of Specifications of Various Plant Components
• Selection of Inverter for Optimum Generation
• Design of Strings/ Arrays
• Designing SLDs from PV Modules to Combiner Boxes to Inverters till the excavation point
• Earthing of PV Module Mounting Structure
• Lightning protection Calculations of PV area Preparation of PV Array and other Layouts (lightning, earthing, equipment etc.)
• DC / AC Cable, Combiner Box, fuse and other Sizing Calculations.
• Technical Evaluations and Selection of different live Plant Components
• Technical Evaluations and Selection of Different Solar PV Module Technologies
• Preparation of Detailed Project Reports on 1-500 kw rooftop and 20 MW
• Preparation of BOQ of Solar PV Plants (MW Scale, Roof-top, Grid Interactive and Off-Grid)
• Preparation of shadow analysis

Preparation of PV Module Data Sheet

* Understanding PV module parameters (Voc, Isc, Pmax, Vmpp, Impp, temperature coefficients).
* Collecting and interpreting manufacturer datasheets.
* Efficiency calculation and performance ratios.
* Testing standards (IEC 61215, IEC 61730).
* Preparing customized datasheets for project documentation.

Preparation of Cable Sizing and Selection

* Overview of DC and AC cable types used in PV systems.
* Criteria for cable selection: voltage drop, current carrying capacity, insulation type, ambient temperature, and installation method.
* Voltage drop and power loss calculations.
* Cable derating factors and safety margins.
* Standards: IS 694, IEC 60228, NEC 310.
* Preparation of cable schedule and datasheets.

Preparation of OD ESE and Lightning Protection (NFC 17-102)

* Basics of external lightning protection systems.
* Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection principle as per NFC 17-102.
* Determining protection radius and placement of ESE terminals.
* Down conductor and earthing requirements.
* Integration of lightning protection with PV structures.
* Safety standards and installation best practices.

Preparation of Specifications of Various Plant Components

* Standard technical specifications for:
* PV modules
* Inverters (string/central)
* Combiner boxes (DCDBs/ACDBs)
* Junction boxes, fuses, surge protection devices
* Cables, connectors, mounting structures, earthing systems.
* Preparation of specification sheets for tendering and procurement.

Selection of Inverter for Optimum Generation

* Types of inverters: central, string, hybrid, micro.
* Inverter sizing criteria: DC/AC ratio, MPPT range, voltage window.
* Inverter efficiency and total harmonic distortion (THD).
* Comparison of manufacturers and performance parameters.
* String configuration and inverter matching for optimum yield.

Design of Strings/Arrays

* Module string configuration (series-parallel combinations).
* Maximum system voltage and current considerations.
* Temperature corrections for Voc and Vmp.
* Array layout planning based on inverter input characteristics.
* String sizing and mismatch loss minimization.

Designing SLDs (Single Line Diagrams)

* Preparation of electrical SLDs from PV modules to grid connection point.
* Representation of combiner boxes, inverters, protection devices, metering, and ACDBs.
* Symbols and conventions as per IEC/IS standards.
* Software tools for SLD preparation (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, ETAP).

Earthing of PV Module Mounting Structure

* Importance of earthing for safety and performance.
* Types of earthing: equipment earthing, lightning earthing, neutral earthing.
* Design of earthing pits and grid systems.
* Calculation of earth resistance and testing procedures.
* Standards: IS 3043, IEEE 80.

Lightning Protection Calculations and Layouts

* Risk assessment and protection level selection.
* Determining protection zones and rolling sphere method.
* Calculation of protection radius for ESE terminals.
* Preparation of lightning and earthing layout drawings.
* Integration with overall plant layout.

DC/AC Cable, Combiner Box, Fuse, and Other Sizing Calculations

* Sizing of DC cables (modules to combiner boxes) and AC cables (inverter to PCC).
* Selection of fuses, breakers, and surge protection devices (SPDs).
* Protection coordination and fault current analysis.
* Preparation of protection device list and schedule.

Technical Evaluations and Selection of Different Plant Components

* Comparative analysis of available equipment (modules, inverters, structures).
* Vendor evaluation based on technical, commercial, and warranty parameters.
* Performance benchmarking and compliance to standards.
* Preparing evaluation reports for procurement teams.

Technical Evaluations and Selection of Different Solar PV Module Technologies

* Overview of PV technologies: Mono PERC, Polycrystalline, Bifacial, Thin Film, HJT, TOPCon.
* Efficiency, degradation rate, and performance comparison.
* Cost-benefit analysis and suitability for different climates.
* Long-term energy yield estimation and LCOE analysis.

Preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)

* DPR preparation for rooftop (1–500 kW) and utility-scale (up to 20 MW) projects.
* Inclusion of technical design, energy yield analysis, cost estimation, and financial modeling.
* Simulation using PVsyst or Helioscope.
* Payback, IRR, and performance ratio (PR) calculations.

Preparation of BOQ (Bill of Quantities)

* Listing of all plant components (modules, inverters, cables, structures, etc.).
* Quantity estimation based on design layouts.
* Preparation of itemized BOQ for MW-scale, rooftop, grid-connected, and off-grid systems.
* Cost estimation and budgeting guidelines.

Preparation of Shadow Analysis

* Importance of shading analysis in PV design.
* Use of tools: PVsyst, SketchUp, Helioscope, AutoCAD 3D.
* Determining optimal tilt, azimuth, and row spacing.
* Seasonal shading and performance impact calculations.
* Preparation of shadow-free layout and report.