Results from ten year's operation of a 4 kW grid-connected residential PV system in Yuma, Arizona

摘要

In 1982, a 4 kW photovoltaic (PV) system was retrofit to an APS customer's home in Yuma, Arizona, USA. This system was one of the first utility grid-connected systems to be installed. It recently completed 10 years of successful operation. During the design phase, a unique low-profile "ramada" design was developed. The design does not require a south-facing roof area; it could be installed on the north side of a home, for example. This may expand the number of homes which may be candidates for PV power systems. One of the most significant results from this project is the demonstration of the long-term reliability of PV systems. The only hardware problems experienced were relatively minor, and they occurred in the balance of system.