Pilot Testing for Distributed Generation

We are evaluating and analyzing the incorporation of photovoltaic systems within varying scenarios of consumption, generation and manners of injection into the grid. Analysis is also to include meteorological conditions.

Participating in the project is the Instituto Energís Eléctrica or IEE (Electrical Energy Institute), the National University at San Juan or UNSJ, Distribuidora Eléctrica de Caucete S.A. or DECSA (Caucete Electrical Distribution), and Energía Provincial Sociedad del Estado or EPSE (State-Owned Provincial Energy Company).

The installations studied are in residential and commercial sectors, as well as government buildings. They employ five types of PV generating systems, with power varying between 1.5 kWp and 4 kWp.

DISTRIBUTED PILOT GENERATION TESTS:

Criteria for the selection of homes

Bimonthly average on consumption for residential users (T1R tax)

Atmospheric and climatic conditions for the city of Caucete

Space available to install PV panels

Possible effects from surrounding buildings and shadows

Acceptance from the energy distribution company (DECSA)

Conformity on behalf of users to install equipment in their homes

CATEGORIES OF RESIDENTIAL CONSUMPTION:

T1-R1 TAX: Bimonthly consumption less than 220 kWh

T1-R2 TAX: Bimonthly consumption between 200 kWh and 580 kWh

T1-R3 TAX: Bimonthly consumption above 580 kWh

T1 Tax Comprises of the Following:

Users of small demand

Maximum power on averages of 15 consecutive minutes less than 10 kW

T1-R energy users are exclusively residential

A home in each tax-based consumption category will be selected

Roofs: Photovoltaic systems:

Residential: Dimensions of the components of a PV system

Average bimonthly consumption

Equipment available on the market: PV modules and inverters

Simulations of on-site atmospheric and climate conditions

Extreme working conditions: irradiation above 1200 Wh/m2 and temperature of 10°C. These conditions make the maximum potential of the solar farm around 20% higher than what is established by the standard measured conditioned published by the PV manufacturers. It has been verified that the modules will not go above the limits of the inverters with respect to power and tension input values.

Diagram of the connection of PV system components:

Connection to the distribution grid of the PV system can be direct with an independent input at the home, o made by an already existing connection at the home.

The three aforementioned residences have been connected at a normal power connection point in the homes.

The system has control and security mechanisms such as circuit breakers, thermal-magnetic switches and ground connections.

Obtained results

% Energy from grid % Energy from PV

T1R1 69.55 30.45

T1R2 72.20 27.80

T1R3 65.71 34.29

% Energy taken from grid by home and % taken from PV

% PV to the grid % PV consumed

T1R1 68.30 31.70

T1R2 71.05 28.95

T1R3 56.05 43.95

% energy generated by PV to the grid versus towards consumption