Design and Fabrication of a Prototype System for Photovoltaic Residences in the Southwest. ARTU Final Report.

摘要

This is the final report for the Applied Research and Technology of Utah, Inc. (ARTU) Prototype System as established at the Southwest Residential Experiment Station (SW RES). The SW RES is operated by the New Mexico Solar Energy Institute (NMSEI) at Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is intended that the SW RES be utilized to gather and disseminate data about the design, construction, and performance of photovoltaic electric power-generating systems for residential application when; connected to the utility grid. This report presents the ARTU solar residence design and details the design of the photovoltaic (PV) prototype System. Section 1 discusses the residence design and includes drawings of the residence and its energy audit. Section 2 describes the Prototype System from the aspects of structural, mechanical, and electrical design. Details are presented regarding the as-built conditions of the prototype, roof-loading considerations, the unique cooling system, a description of the PV modules, the module mounting method, the DC-to-AC inverter, and other power-conditioning equipment. Section 3 includes lessons learned during the project, costs incurred to complete the Prototype, and recommendations for different procedures for the next design. Section 4 presents a summary of the system operating and maintenance procedures. (ERA citation 08:031489)