On-Grid Solar System or Grid-Connected PV Systems

 The solar power sector in India has emerged as an upcoming section in the last few years. It supports the government’s agenda of sustainable growth, while, emerging as an integral part of the solution to meet the nation’s energy needs and an essential player in energy security.

• A grid-connected photovoltaic power system is an electricity-generating solar PV system that is connected to the utility grid.
• This system requires No energy storing system like battery bank arrangements.
• The grid-connected PV system is also called an On-grid PV system OR Grid-Tied PV System.
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How a Grid-connected Solar PV system works

• The sun shines on the solar panels generating DC electricity.
• The DC electricity is fed into a solar inverter that converts it to AC electricity.
• The AC electricity is used for appliances at home.
• Surplus electricity is fed back into the main grid with a track record of Net-Metering devices.
• It consists of solar panels, one or several inverters, a power-conditioning unit, and grid connection equipment.
• If a grid-connected system is producing more power than the home consumes, the surplus is fed into the power grid.
• The electricity fed into the grid by our system provides a credit on our bill which is determined by the feed-in tariff.
• When the solar cells do not produce power, for example at night, power comes from the mains power grid as usual. The energy retailer charges the usual rate for the power used.
• As all components in a system have no moving parts, we can expect a long hassle-free life from our solar power system! Generous government solar rebates and incentives mean we can also save thousands on a grid-connect system in a limited time.

Installing a grid-connected PV system

• • • Most customers choose a roof-mounted solar power system.
    • For most of India, panel installation facing South is in order to take full advantage of the sun.
    • However, East and West-facing installations may also be desirable.
    • This positioning may provide power at the time of the day when there is most demand.
    • The installer aims to install the modules at an angle that ensures that the glass face of the module is positioned at 90 degrees to the sun for most of the day.
    • For example, in Gujarat, India, this angle would be approximately 23-24 degrees horizontally.
    • This provides a close proximation to the position in which a solar array produces its maximum output.
    • For installations on flat roofs, an elevated array frame allows the installation of the solar modules at an angle of elevation of approximately 23 degrees from the horizontal.

Basic Notable Points :

1. This system is Integrated with a Grid
   
2. Does not require a battery bank
   
3. Surplus power generated by the system would be supplied to the grid
   
4. The system-generated power is supplied to the loads during the day while grid power is supplied during the night.
   
5. Generally, grid power is supplied during the night.
   
6. No backup power facility during a blackout/power cut.
   
7. Cheapest mode.

Equipment required for a grid-connected PV system

• Apart from the major, small renewable energy system components, we will need to purchase some additional equipment called Balance-of-System, in order to safely transmit electricity to our loads and comply with our power provider's grid-connection requirements.
• We may need the following items:
• Inverter (or Power conditioning equipment)
• Safety equipment (DCDB & ACDB, Lightening arrestor, Earthing)
• Meters (Generation meter to count solar power generated, and A Net meter to count power given and taken from grid i.e Import and Export )

As the grid-connected PV system requirements vary, our system installer should contact our power provider to learn about its specific grid-connection requirements before purchasing any part of the renewable energy system. 

Comparison among PV System Types