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Welcome to SM Design tool

On-grid Designer Tool

Let's start by adding your client info.

    ---------------- Customer details ----------------

    Choose your inverter

    SMA Sunny Tripower-5000TL datasheet

    Max. Total power (AC) o/p (W)
    5000
    Rated PV Generator power (W)

    9000

    Voc Max. (V)

    1000

    V min (V)

    188

    # of MPPT

    2

    Max. I/P(DC) / MPPT(W)

    MPPT min (V)

    245

    MPPT Max. (V)

    800

    Max Isc MPPT (A) #1

    17

    strings /MPPT #1
    2
    Max Isc MPPT (A) #2

    15

    strings /MPPT #2
    2

    Choose your module

    --- Module #1 ---

    AEG AS-P727-300 datasheet

    Type
    Poly
    Maximum Power (Pmax) - (Wp)

    300

    Maximum Voltage (Vmp) - (V)

    36.7

    Open-circuit Voltage (Voc) - (V)

    45.3

    Maximum current (Imp) - (A)
    8.18
    Short-Circuit Current (Isc) - (A)

    8.68

    Temperature Coefficient of Pmax (%/°C)

    -0.41

    Temperature Coefficient of Voc (%/°C)

    -0.31

    Temperature Coefficient of isc (%/°C)

    0.05

    Results

    If the results don't match your needs, return back and change your inputs.

    Maximum input per MPPT (W) of inverter
    Minimum MPPT Voltage of inverter
    Minimum MPPT Voltage at (°C)
    Maximum MPPT Voltage of inverter
    Maximum MPPT Voltage at (°C)
    Maximum open circuit voltage of inverter
    Maximum open circuit voltage of pv generator at (°C)
    Maximum short circuit current per MPPT of inverter
    Maximum short circuit current of pv generator at (°C)
    Maximum DC input power of Inverter (W)

      SM On-Grid Design Tool

      Introduction

      SM On-Grid Design Tool is a software tool developed by Solar Market Egypt to help you as A PV system designer and installer, to size the optimal number of solar modules & strings to be matched with an On-Grid inverter.

      How it works?

      After evaluating energy production and consumption of the client, you need to size the Array to Meet Your Client’s Energy Consumption; you need to calculate power values and temperature-adjusted voltages & to check the maximum current input of PV on-grid systems.
      SM On-Grid Design tool will help you to do that, easily!

      Why you need SM On-Grid Design Tool?

      On the inverter’s DC side (which is connected to the array), there’s a minimum voltage required to allow the inverter to produce the maximum amount of power from the array -as the client expects their arrays to produce the maximum amount of energy possible- and a maximum voltage that can be applied without damaging the inverter.
      SM On-Grid Design tool will help you to do that, easily!

      Matching Power Values for an Array and an Inverter:

      All inverters are rated by their maximum continuous power output, which is measured in watts or kilowatts. This value is the AC power output.
      Inverters actually limit their power output, so you can use this value to figure out the maximum power input coming into the inverter from the PV array.

      When you look at PV module ratings, you find that the power output ratings are based on standard test conditions (STC) where the cell temperature is 25 degree Celsius and the intensity of the sun is equal to 1,000 W/m2.
      PV modules rarely operate in these conditions due to the motion of the sun across the sky and increased PV operating temperatures.

      • The power input coming into the inverter is typically considerably less than the rated values.
      • Both the inverter and the array (along with all the other equipment in a grid-direct system) have efficiency losses that must be taken into account.

      You can quickly estimate all of these system inefficiencies by adopting the industry standard that any PV system will operate at approximately 80 percent of overall system efficiency.

      VIP: It’s recommended to oversize modules power by (10~20%) more than Inverter Rated Power.

      The inverter’s DC voltage window:

      Inverter’s voltage window consists of a maximum input voltage that you must stay under if you want to avoid damaging the inverter and a minimum voltage you must stay above to keep the inverter operating at the array’s maximum Power Point. As a PV system designer, you need to identify these values from a spec sheet and make sure the array can operate within this window throughout the year. If you allow the array to move outside this window, you risk damaging the inverter or shutting down the system for the day.

      The minimum and maximum DC voltage values dictate the number of modules that can be placed in any string that’s connected to an inverter.

      Calculating the modules’ maximum DC voltage contribution:

      As the temperature decreases, a PV module’s voltage actually increases (voltage and temperature therefore have an inverse relationship).

      To make sure an array’s voltage never exceeds the inverter’s input value, you need to adjust the modules’ STC open circuit voltage value (Voc) for cold temperatures; this value is reported on spec sheets.

      Applying the adjusted open circuit voltage to come up with the right number of modules in a string

      Figuring out the modules’ minimum DC voltage contribution:

      On the other end of the voltage window is the minimum power point tracking voltage. If the voltage from the array ever drops below this value — usually due to high heat conditions that occur on the sunniest days (as in the days system owners expect their arrays to produce the maximum amount of energy possible) — the inverter won’t be able to continue operating and will shut down. Although this scenario won’t damage the inverter, it may damage your reputation. If your client sees his inverter shut down on a bright, sunny day because the voltage isn’t high enough.

      But increasing Number of Modules per string- by 1~2 Modules- than minimum number of modules calculated, is the best choice due to degradation in Module`s Power(voltage) over its long life. So that to assure you always fit inside the voltage window.

      Picking the temperature to use in your calculation:

      The high temperature Record: By designing with the record high temperature in mind, you ensure that the PV array will operate in all conditions.

      Accounting for mounting in your calculation:

      To estimate a PV module’s temperature at the hottest time of the year, you should add one of the following temperatures to the ambient temperature:

      • 35 degrees Celsius for arrays with fewer than 15 cm between the backs of the modules and the mounting surface
      • 30 degrees Celsius for arrays with more than 15 cm between the backs of the array and the mounting surface
      • 25 degrees Celsius for arrays that are mounted on top of a pole

      By adding these values to the ambient temperature, you can arrive at a best estimate for your array’s operating temperature — the temperature you expect to see at the module level if you were to measure the temperature in the middle of the summer.

      Getting you Ready to Match an Inverter to an Array

      1. Enter your project name, & you can add your customer details to save your project to view later.
      2. Choose an On-Grid inverter using one of these two ways:
        • Choose from a list of different existing brands & Models
        • Add your own Brand & Model of On-Grid Inverters.
      3. Choose a PV Module using one of these two ways:
        • Choose from a list of different existing brands & Models
        • Add your own Brand & Model of PV Modules.
        Note: You can use different Module for different MPPT’s.
      4. Enter your inputs:
        • Number of Modules Per string & Number of strings/MPPT.
        • Panel Max. Temp (C).
        • Panel Min. Temp. (C).
      5. A result sheet will appear with the following data:
        • PV Generator Nominal Output Per MPPT (Wp).
        • Minimum MPPT Voltage at Maximum Temperature.
        • Maximum MPPT Voltage at Minimum Temperature.
        • Maximum open circuit Voltage of PV generator at Minimum Temperature.
        • Maximum short circuit Current of PV generator at Maximum Temperature.
        • Total PV generator Output (Wp).
        • Each result of above is compared with inverters parameters, to show if your selection gives you the right values, it gives you GOOD, else it gives a Warning.
          - The right values are: :
          • PV Generator Nominal Output Per MPPT (Wp) <= Maximum Input Per MPPT of Inverter (W).
          • Minimum MPPT Voltage at Maximum Temperature >= Minimum MPPT Voltage of Inverter.
          • Maximum MPPT Voltage at Minimum Temperature <= Maximum MPPT voltage of inverter.
          • Maximum open circuit Voltage of PV generator at Minimum Temperature <= Maximum input voltage, open circuit of inverter.
          • Maximum short circuit Current of PV generator at Maximum Temperature <= Maximum short circuit current per MPPT.
          • Total PV generator Output(Wp) <= Maximum DC input power of Inverter (W)

      This action will be available on the full version

      Subscribe now for FREE and get benefit of these actions once the full version is released for 3 months
      • Print profissional reports for your customers
      • Save unlimted number of projects
      • Add your Inverter data
      • Add your Module data
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