ASK THE EXPERT SESSION

Michael Ziloudis

Solar PV Specialist

Michael Ziloudis

Involved in PV since 2001

MSc in Renewable Energy & Environment

Design Engineer and Project Manager - Solarcentury

Advisor to large multinationals UK, Europe and SA

From small Domestic to 90MWp Commercial

Building-Integrated and Ground-Mounted

A FEW ISSUES TO PROVOKE QUESTIONS

ORIENTATION

MODULE POWER RATING!

SIMULATION SOFTWARE

•SAM

•GOOGLE EARTH

•SKETCH UP

•SOLID EDGE

FREE SOFTWARE

Case study – Domestic House Retrofit

CORRECTLY MATCH THE INVERTER TO THE MODULES

•Often done incorrectly

•Understand inverter types

•Use software that allows you to view the best fit

•Understand the inverter limitations

•Check under voltages as well as over voltages

•Make sure inverter operates at highest efficiency

CALCULATE SHADING LOSSES

•Unmanaged shading can have a dramatic effect on yield

•Regular shading can lead to hot spots and diode failure

•Orientation of modules is important

AVOID MISMATCH LOSSES

•Module mismatch can come from orientation, shading and from a range of power levels or voltages

•Inverter choice can mitigate

SITE THE INVERTER IN A SUITABLE PLACE

•Loft spaces suffer from swings in temperature

•Garages often require DC cable runs through house

ALWAYS CHECK WIND LOADING

•Know your wind-loading calculations and work-out required roof fixings and edge constraints

•Understand differences for topography and roof height

It doesn’t happen very often but when it does it can be serious!

Wind Loading Course

Modules in Edge zones in dark blue and corner zones in beige

Roof Zones pitched roofs with gable ends

PRk = characteristic load bearing capacity in kN

Hangar Bolt Use

Slate Roof Solution

What else is out there?

Thank You

First UK UKAS Accredited Test Centre for PV

Consultancy and Training