Example A for Unit 1

A solar panel of 5m by 8 m surface area is installed horizontally at the top roof of a building in Hong Kong.
i. Estimate the total solar power falling on the panel at 2:00 p.m. local time in a clear sky day on 26/Feb.
ii. Repeat the calculation of (i) but the panel is not mounted horizontally, now vertically and facing true South
directly.
iii. Repeat the calculation of (i) mounted horizontally, but not clear sky, now in a typical HK weather on
26/Feb.
iv. Repeat the calculation of (iii) but the panel is not mounted horizontally, now vertically and facing true South
directly.

v. Repeat the calculation (i) for the other hours of 26/Feb, finally find out the total solar energy falling on that
panel on the day, under clear sky and horizontally mounted case.
vi. Repeat the calculation (ii) for the other hours of 26/Feb, finally find out the total solar energy falling on that
panel on the day, under clear sky and vertically south-facing mounted case.
vii. Repeat the calculation (iii) for the other hours of 26/Feb, finally find out the total solar energy falling on
that panel on the day, under typical HK weather and horizontally mounted case.
viii. Repeat the calculation (iv) for the other hours of 26/Feb, finally find out the total solar energy falling on
that panel on the day, under typical HK weather and vertically south-facing mounted case.

ix. Recalculating case (vii), if by using the fish-eye photo + sun path diagram techniques, we find that the panel
is block away from direct sun light before 8:15am and after 4:30 pm (both in HK Standard time.)

Given:
The solar constant is 1353 W/m2
The location of the building is Latitude: 22.3° North and Longitude: 114.15° East.

Step A0: Find the solar time for that moment of local time on that day:
Solar Time = Standard Time + E + 4 (Lst – Lloc)
= 14:00 + E + 4 (Lst – Lloc)
(Note: Hong Kong is in the local time zone of GMT+8, 15 degree for every hour,
therefore the Lst = = - (8 * 15°) = - 120°, -ve is used for East Longitude)
Hence 4 (Lst – Lloc) =4 * ((-120°) – (-114.15°)) = -23.4 (minutes)

B = 360 *(DoY – 81)/364 = 360*(57-81)/364 = -23.736 (Since DoY for 26/Feb is 57)
E (in minutes) = 9.87 sin (2B) – 7.53 cos B – 1.5 sin B
2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 1
 = 9.87 sin (2*(-23.736°)) – 7.53 cos(-23.736°) – 1.5 sin(-23.736°)
= -13.56 minutes.

Finally, Solar Time =14:00 – 13.56 minutes – 23.4 minutes = 14:00 – 36.96 = 13:23.04

(Note:: that means on that day, HK Standard Time 13:36.96 = HK Solar time 12:00:00 noon, at this moment the
sun is at exactly the true South direction.)
Step A1: Find the elevation angel β and azimuth angle Z of the sun at that solar time on that day
First, find the declination of the sun on that day
δ = 23.45° sin [(360/365)(DoY – 80)]
= 23.45° sin [(360/365)(57 – 80)] = 23.45° sin (-22.63°)
= -9.044° (the –ve sign indicating that it is winter time)

φ is the latitude = 22.3° (+ve for North Latitude)

ω is the hour angle for that solar time:

for 13:23.04 solar time, it is 1 hour and 23.4 minutes (or 1.384 hours) past the true solar noon.
15° for 1 hours (360° for 24 hours)
Therefore, the hour angle, ω = 1.384*15° = 20.76° (+ve for hours after solar noon time)
sin β = sin δ sin φ + cos δ cos φ cos ω
= sin(-9.044°)* sin (22.3°) + cos (-9.044°) *cos (22.3°) *cos (20.76°)= 0.795
then, β = 52.63°°
((ote: when taking the arcsin, there are 2 possible value, one is between -90° to 90°, and the other is less than -
90° or larger than +90V. We will only select the answer of β to be between -90° to 90°)
For Z, cos Z = (sin β sin φ – sin δ) / (cos β cos φ)
= (sin 52.63° sin 22.3° – sin (-9.044°)) / (cos 52.63° cos 22.3°)
= 0.817
Then Z = arccos (0.817) = - 35.21°°
((ote when taking the arcos, both positive and negative angle is possible, take the reasonable answer, the
convention used in this set of notes, is +ve for Z to East, and –ve for Z to West. In this case the solar time is
after noon, hence the angle Z must be to the West, hence taking the negative value.)

Step A2: Determine the AM# of that location for that moment
2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 2
 AM# ≈ 1 / cos (90° -β ) = 1 / cos (90° – 52.63°) = 1.258
Attenuation in % = 100% ×[1- exp(–AM#/3.826)] = 28%
Step A3: Find out the sun irradiance (W/m2) on that location at that moment based on the AM#, β and Z
(assume clear sky and the panel is directly facing the sun)
Estimated sun irradiance (facing directly to the sun) at sea level in clear sky case with AM 1.258
is = Solar Constant * (1-28%) = 1353*0.72 = 974 W/m2
Step A4: Correct, by geometric method, the above calculated sun irradiance (W/m2) based on the know tilt
angle (θ) and orientation angle (p) of the panel.
For case (i) – horizontal panel, now the tilt angle of the panel is zero, and the orientation angle of the panel is
irrelevant.
By simple Cosine Law of lighting: the solar irradiance on the panel
= solar irradiance perpendicular to the sun beam * cos(angle of incidence)

Now, for this horizontal panel, the angle of incidence on the panel surface is (90° -β ) = 37.33°
Angle of incidence Sun
Normal of the panel

β
The Horizontal panel

Solar irradiance incident on the panel = 974 W/m2 * cos (90° -β) = 774 W/m2

For case (ii) – vertical south facing panel, now the tilt angle of the panel is 90°, and the orientation angle of the
panel is 0°.
By geometry knowledge, we see that the Angle of incidence of the sun beams on the panel surface is
arccos (cosβ * cosZ) = 60.27°
Solar irradiance incident on the panel = 974 * cos (60.27°) = 483 W/m2

[(ote: Say for example if the panel is vertically but facing East, obviously the Angle of incidence of the sun
beams on the panel surface will be larger than 90°, then the solar irradiance incident on the panel should be
zero, but (OT =974 * cos (angle of incidence)]

Step A6(a): Correct the solar irradiance based on the long term data of % of sunshine of the site on that
particular date of a year from the local Meteorological Office.

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 3

From the table of “Daily Normals of Meteorological Elements for Hong Kong, February 1971-2000”
(http://www.hko.gov.hk/cis/normal/1971_2000/dnormal02_e.htm), it is found that the long term (30 years)
normal number of bright sun shine hour on 26/Feb is 2.6 hours.

However, the sunrise and sunset time for 26/Feb are 06:15 and 17:45 solar time, that means day light duration
on that date should be 11.5 hours, hence the estimated % of sunshine = 2.6/11.5=22.6 percent.

[One of the ways to find out sunrise and sunset time:

setting β =0 in the equation: sin β = sin δ sin φ + cos δ cos φ cos ω and then solve for ω
Remember on that date δ= -9.044°, and for HK φ=22.3°, one can find ω = arcos(0.06528)=±86.26°, that means
solar time of =±86.26/15=±5.75hours that means: 06:15 and 17:45 solar time, or about 06:52 and 18:22
for HK Standard Time]

[(ote: In the above way of estimating the % of sunshine, we assume the following:
• Our calculated clear sky sun irradiance all are direct, no diffuse component.
• We make use of only the data on “bright sun shine hour”, this implies we assume the output of the
system is small in cloudy/rainy hours, hence we neglect these cloudy/rainy hours in our energy input
calculations.
There may be other ways to estimate this value of % of sunshine, it depends on the data available from the local
Meteorological Office and the assumptions we like to made.
For example, if local global (direct + diffused) solar irradiance on a horizontal surface on that date in a typical
year is known from measurements of local Meteorological Office, then a more accurate estimation on % of sun
shine
= measured local global solar irradiance on a horizontal surface on that date in a typical year / our calculated
results of part (v) of this example for that date.]

Therefore for case (iii), in a typical HK weather at 14:00 on 26/Feb, horizontally mounted panel has solar
irradiance of 22.6% * 774 W/m2 = 175 W/m2
For case (iv), in a typical HK weather at 14:00 on 26/Feb, south facing vertically mounted panel has solar
irradiance of 22.6% * 483 W/m2 = 109 W/m2

[(ote: In this part of this simple example, we will not repeat the calculations for all the hours of the day, and
all days of the year, hence we don’t have step A7 here.]

Step A8(a). Finally multiply the answer to the surface area of the panel to get the solar input power to the
panel at that moment

Panel area is 8*5 = 40 m2

Case (i) = 774 * 40 = 30,960W

Case (ii) = 483 * 40 = 19,320W
Case (iii) = 175* 40 = 7,000W
Case (iv) = 109 * 40 = 4,360W

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 4

 Step A5

Case(v), (vi), (vii) and v(iii)

As mentioned above the sunrise and sunset time of the date at that location are 06:52 and 18:22 Local Standard time respectively, hence when
calculations are repeated, only those time after sunrise but before the sunset are required. Let us repeat the calculations for every 0.5 hour (the
time interval here depends on your required accuracy). Then sum them up and multiply the result by 0.5 hour, finally we will get the total
solar energy falling (unit in Wh (i.e. Watt-hour)) on the panel on 26 Feb in the 4 cases.
Local 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 0.5*
Stand
ard SUM
Time

(v): ~0 35 133 250 370 483 586 674 746 801 835 850 845 819 774 710 629 532 424 306 186 76 6 5535 Wh/m2
2
W/m
(vi): ~0 55 140 217 284 343 394 436 470 495 511 518 516 504 483 453 415 368 313 249 177 95 14 3725 Wh/m2
W/m2
(vii): ~0 8 30 57 84 109 132 152 169 181 189 192 191 185 175 160 142 120 96 69 42 17 1 1250.5 Wh/m2
2
W/m
(vii): ~0 12 32 49 64 78 89 99 106 112 116 117 117 114 109 102 94 83 71 56 40 21 3 842 Wh/m2
W/m2
(v): ~0 1400 5320 10000 14800 19320 23440 26960 29840 32040 33400 34000 33800 32760 30960 28400 25160 21280 16960 12240 7440 3040 240 221,400Wh
W
(vi): ~0 2200 5600 8680 11360 13720 15760 17440 18800 19800 20440 20720 20640 20160 19320 18120 16600 14720 12520 9960 7080 3800 560 149,000Wh
W
(vii): ~0 320 1200 2280 3360 4360 5280 6080 6760 7240 7560 7680 7640 7400 7000 6400 5680 4800 3840 2760 1680 680 40 50,020Wh
W
(vii): ~0 480 1280 1960 2560 3120 3560 3960 4240 4480 4640 4680 4680 4560 4360 4080 3760 3320 2840 2240 1600 840 120 33,680Wh
W

Note, there are time periods involving less than the interval time (in this case = 0.5 hours), we simply neglect them, as the W value is small in
these period.

Case (ix) Recalculating case (vii), By using the fish-eye photo + sun path diagram techniques, we find that that panel is block away from direct
sun light before 8:15am and 4:30 pm (both in HK Standard time.)
We simply now, for case (vii) only sum 8:30am to 4:30pm. During the summation, again we apply a factor of 0.5 hours in each term, but for
4:30pm the factor is 0.25 hour (as we should account for only 4:15-4:30pm, not 4:15-4:45pm) . Then the summation answers are: 1184.25
Wh/m2, 47370 Wh

(ote, if the above calculation is repeated for each day of a year and sum them up (Step A7), we will get the total solar energy falling on the
panel for a typical year.

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 5

The equations for angle β and Z of the sun are also useful in some other situations such as design of sun
shading devices for buildings as shown in the two extended examples (ext a & b) of Example A below.

Example A ext a: Calculations of passive solar design – side-fins projections on a window

For a window directly facing solar north direction with a width of 1m, determine the depth X of the side-fins of
a window such that no direct sunlight can shine on the window during any day of summer period in order to
reduce the thermal loading of the airconditioning system of the room. Location is assumed to be in Hong Kong,
and the window is situated in a tall building with 180 degree unobstructed view. The dimension of the window
is shown: Solar North

Plan
view x

1m

Solution:
The location of HK: Latitude (φ) : 22.3° North and Longitude 114.15° East.

As the window is facing directly the Solar North, the worst case will be the sunrise and sunset situation on the
day of summer solstice (about 21 June). In fact, there is symmetry characteristic; hence the results will be the
same for the sunrise or sunset time.

Therefore set DoY = 172 (21/June in non-leap year)

δ = 23.45° sin [(360/365)(DoY – 80)] = 23.45°
(Note: in fact, you can directly jump to this step of “δ = 23.45°” without using DoY=172, since in summer
solstice, obviously δ = 23.45°)

At sunrise or sunset, β=0°,

Using the formula of cos Z = (sin β sin φ – sin δ) / (cos β cos φ)

Or cos Z = -0.47, Z = +118° or - 118°

Therefore x = 1m * tan (118°-90°) = 0.532 m

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 6

 sun

Solar North Plan

x view

118°-90°(

1m

Example A ext b: Calculations of passive solar design – overhang projections on a window

For a window directly facing solar south direction with a height of 1.5 m, determine the depth X of the overhang
of the window, such that no direct sunlight can shine on the window at from around 10:00am to 2:00pm (solar
time) during any day of summer period in order to reduce the thermal loading of the airconditioning system of
the room. Location is assumed to be in Hong Kong, and summer period is assumed to be from Spring Equinox
& Autumn Equinox.

Solution:

The location of HK: Latitude (φ) : 22.3° North and Longitude 114.15° East.

As the window is facing directly the Solar South, the worst case will be just at the two days Spring Equinox &
Autumn Equinox (about 21/22 March/Sept). In fact, there is symmetry characteristic; hence the results will be
the same for using any one of the two days.

Without using the formula of δ, we know that δ=0° at two equinoxes.

ω = −30° at solar time of 10:00am, ω=30° at solar time of 2:00pm

Using the formula: sin β = sin δ sin φ + cos δ cos φ cos ω

sin β = sin 0° sin 22.3° + cos 0° cos 22.3° cos 30° =0.80

β = 53°
For Z, cos Z = (sin β sin φ – sin δ) / (cos β cos φ) =0.544

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 7

 Z = +57° or -57°

1.5m / tan β = 1.5m / tan (53°) =1.12m

x = 1.12m * cos Z = 1.12m * cos (57°) =0.61m

sun x

1.12 x
1.5m
m

Side Z=
view +57°
Plan
view

sun
South

Example A ext c: Calculations of final AC electricity output to the grid

Continue the case (ix) of example A to find out the final AC electrical energy imported into the AC electrical
distribution system of the building for this case on 26 Feb, if now the solar panel used is a kind of PV panel
made of Monocrystalline PV cells with typical efficiency at 25 °C panel temperature is 14%, and the efficiency
is decrease by 0.3% per °C. It is estimated that the PV panel temperature is around 30 °C in most of the day
(note it is panel temperature, not ambient temperature). And an inverter is used to convert the DC into AC
electricity and import into the distribution system of the building. The input rating of the inverter is selected to
be
Case (x): 5kW
Case (xi): 3 kW
Case (xii): 2 kW
(Important note: the above is just for illustration purpose, in a real case, the sizing of the inverter should base on
the calculation of a whole year, not based on only one day.)
The table of efficiency of the inverter is given as:

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 8

Input >100% 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 5% <5%
power
=?% of
input
rated
power
Efficiency 85%, but output 85% 83% 81% 78% 74% 69% 63% 56% 48% 37% 27% The whole system will be
power also in standby mode, not
caped at 85% of output any AC power but
rated input the whole system
power consume 25W power.

In addition to losses in the inverter, assuming there is a 0.6% of DC output power of the PV array is lost in the DC wiring connection of the
system (including by-pass diodes and blocking diodes, if any) and 0.3% of AC output power of the Inverter is lost in the AC wiring connection
of the system.

Solution:
Efficiency of the PV modules will be about 14% - (30°C -25°C) * 0.3 %/°C = 12.5%

Case (x), based on rated input power of 5 kW, now the table of inverter efficiency is transformed into:
Input power >5kW 5kW 4.5kW 4kW 3.5kW 3 kW 2.5kW 2kW 1.5kW 1kW 0.5kW 250W <250W
Efficiency 85%, but output power 85% 83% 81% 78% 74% 69% 63% 56% 48% 37% 27% the whole system consume 25W
caped at 4.25kW power.

Following the following table of calculations:

The row of “Original Solar input to PV (W)” is directly copied from the Example A Case (vii) above
DC output of PV (W) = Solar input to PV after shading (W) * 12.5%
Losses in DC wiring = 0.6% * DC output of PV (W)
2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 9
 DC power input to Inverter (W) = DC output of PV (W) - Losses in DC wiring
Eff% of inverter is approximately from the above table by interpolation method
Inverter AC Power output = DC power input to Inverter (W) * Eff% of inverter
AC Wiring losses (W) = Inverter AC Power output *0.3%
AC Power to grid (W) = Inverter AC Power output - AC Wiring losses
Local < 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 >18:22
Standard 6.52
Time

Case (vi): ~0 ~0 2200 5600 8680 11360 13720 15760 17440 18800 19800 20440 20720 20640 20160 19320 18120 16600 14720 12520 9960 7080 3800 560 ~0
Original
Solar
input to
PV (W)
Solar ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 8680 11360 13720 15760 17440 18800 19800 20440 20720 20640 20160 19320 18120 16600 14720 12520 9960 > ~0 ~0 ~0
input to ~0 16:30
PV After
shading
(W) ~0
DC ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0
Output of ~0 16:30
PV (W)
1085 1420 1715 1970 2180 2350 2475 2555 2590 2580 2520 2415 2265 2075 1840 1565 1245
~0

Losses in ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0

DC wiring ~0 16:30
(W)
6.51 8.52 10.29 11.82 13.08 14.1 14.85 15.33 15.54 15.48 15.12 14.49 13.59 12.45 11.04 9.39 7.47
~0

DC ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0
power ~0 16:30
input to
Inverter 1078 1411 1705 1958 2167 2336 2460 2540 2574 2565 2505 2401 2251 2063 1829 1556 1238 ~0
(W)
Effi%
of 49.26 54.58 58.87 62.41 65.00 67.03 68.52 69.40 69.74 69.65 69.05 67.81 66.02 63.75 60.61 56.78 51.80
inverter
% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %

Inverter -25 -25 -25 <8:15 > -25 -25 -25

AC -25 16:30
output -25
Power 531 770 1003 1222 1409 1566 1686 1762 1796 1786 1730 1628 1486 1315 1108 883 641
(W)
AC
Wiring
Losses
1.59 2.31 3.01 3.67 4.23 4.70 5.06 5.29 5.39 5.36 5.19 4.88 4.46 3.94 3.33 2.65 1.92
(W)

AC -25 -25 -25 <8:15 > -25 -25 -25

Power -25 16:30
to Grid -25
530 768 1000 1219 1404 1561 1681 1757 1790 1781 1724 1623 1482 1311 1105 881 639
(W)

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 10

Therefore the output power is -25W from 16:30 to 8:15 (i.e. 15.75 hours), finally the energy output to the AC grid of the building on that day is=
(-25)*15.75+530*0.5+768*0.5 + 1000*0.5+1219*0.5+1404*0.5+1561*0.5+1681*0.5+1757*0.5+1790*0.5+1781*0.5+1724*0.5+1623*0.5+
1482*0.5+1311*0.5+1105*0.5+881*0.5+639*0.25
=10574.5Wh

Case (xi), based on rated input power of 3 kW, now the table of inverter efficiency is transformed into:
Input power >3kW 3kW 2.7kW 2.4kW 2.1kW 1.8 kW 1.5kW 1.2kW 0.9kW 0.6kW 0.3kW 150W <150W
Efficiency 85%, but output power 85% 83% 81% 78% 74% 69% 63% 56% 48% 37% 27% the whole system consume 25W
caped at 2.55kW power.

Repeat the table of calculations:

The row of “Original Solar input to PV (W)” is directly copied from the Example A Case (vii) above
DC output of PV (W) = Solar input to PV after shading (W) * 12.5%
Losses in DC wiring = 0.6% * DC output of PV (W)
DC power input to Inverter (W) = DC output of PV (W) - Losses in DC wiring
Eff% of inverter is approximately from the above table by interpolation method
Inverter AC Power output = DC power input to Inverter (W) * Eff% of inverter
AC Wiring losses (W) = Inverter AC Power output *0.3%
AC Power to grid (W) = Inverter AC Power output - AC Wiring losses

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 11

 Local < 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 >18:22
Standard 6.52
Time

Case (vi): ~0 ~0 2200 5600 8680 11360 13720 15760 17440 18800 19800 20440 20720 20640 20160 19320 18120 16600 14720 12520 9960 7080 3800 560 ~0
Original
Solar
input to
PV (W)
Solar ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 8680 11360 13720 15760 17440 18800 19800 20440 20720 20640 20160 19320 18120 16600 14720 12520 9960 > ~0 ~0 ~0
input to ~0 16:30
PV After
shading
(W) ~0
DC ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0
Output of ~0 16:30
PV (W)
1085 1420 1715 1970 2180 2350 2475 2555 2590 2580 2520 2415 2265 2075 1840 1565 1245
~0

Losses in ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0

DC wiring ~0 16:30
(W)
6.51 8.52 10.29 11.82 13.08 14.1 14.85 15.33 15.54 15.48 15.12 14.49 13.59 12.45 11.04 9.39 7.47
~0

DC ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0
power ~0 16:30
input to
Inverter 1078 1411 1705 1958 2167 2336 2460 2540 2574 2565 2505 2401 2251 2063 1829 1556 1238 ~0
(W)
Effi%
of 60.16 67.23 72.41 76.11 78.67 80.36 81.40 81.93 82.16 82.10 81.70 81.00 79.51 77.50 74.39 69.93 63.75
inverter
% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %

Inverter -25 -25 -25 <8:15 > -25 -25 -25

AC -25 16:30
output -25
Power 649 949 1234 1490 1705 1877 2003 2081 2115 2105 2046 1944 1790 1598 1360 1088 789
(W)
AC
Wiring
Losses
1.95 2.85 3.70 4.47 5.11 5.63 6.01 6.24 6.35 6.32 6.14 5.83 5.37 4.80 4.08 3.26 2.37
(W)

AC -25 -25 -25 <8:15 > -25 -25 -25

Power -25 16:30
to Grid -25
647 946 1231 1486 1700 1871 1997 2075 2109 2099 2040 1939 1785 1594 1356 1085 787
(W)

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 12

Therefore the output power is -25W from 16:30 to 8:15 (i.e. 15.75 hours), finally the energy output to the AC grid of the building on that day is=
(-25)*15.75+647*0.5+946*0.5 + 1231*0.5+1486*0.5+1700*0.5+1871*0.5+1997*0.5+2075*0.5+2109*0.5+2099*0.5+2040*0.5+1939*0.5+
1785*0.5+1594*0.5+1356*0.5+1085*0.5+787*0.25
=12782Wh
This is 20.9% higher than Case (x).

Case (xii), based on rated input power of 2 kW, now the table of inverter efficiency is transformed into:
Input power >2kW 2kW 1.8kW 1.6kW 1.4kW 1.2 kW 1.0kW 0.8kW 0.6kW 0.4kW 0.2kW 100W <100W
Efficiency 85%, but output power 85% 83% 81% 78% 74% 69% 63% 56% 48% 37% 27% the whole system consume 25W
caped at 1.7kW power.

Repeat the table of calculations:

The row of “Original Solar input to PV (W)” is directly copied from the Example A Case (vii) above
DC output of PV (W) = Solar input to PV after shading (W) * 12.5%
Losses in DC wiring = 0.6% * DC output of PV (W)
DC power input to Inverter (W) = DC output of PV (W) - Losses in DC wiring
Eff% of inverter is approximately from the above table by interpolation method
Inverter AC Power output = DC power input to Inverter (W) * Eff% of inverter
AC Wiring losses (W) = Inverter AC Power output *0.3%
AC Power to grid (W) = Inverter AC Power output - AC Wiring losses

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 13

 Local < 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 >18:22
Standard 6.52
Time

Case (vi): ~0 ~0 2200 5600 8680 11360 13720 15760 17440 18800 19800 20440 20720 20640 20160 19320 18120 16600 14720 12520 9960 7080 3800 560 ~0
Original
Solar
input to
PV (W)
Solar ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 8680 11360 13720 15760 17440 18800 19800 20440 20720 20640 20160 19320 18120 16600 14720 12520 9960 > ~0 ~0 ~0
input to ~0 16:30
PV After
shading
(W) ~0
DC ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0
Output of ~0 16:30
PV (W)
1085 1420 1715 1970 2180 2350 2475 2555 2590 2580 2520 2415 2265 2075 1840 1565 1245
~0

Losses in ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0

DC wiring ~0 16:30
(W)
6.51 8.52 10.29 11.82 13.08 14.1 14.85 15.33 15.54 15.48 15.12 14.49 13.59 12.45 11.04 9.39 7.47
~0

DC ~0 ~0 ~0 <8:15 > ~0 ~0 ~0
power ~0 16:30
input to
Inverter 1078 1411 1705 1958 2167 2336 2460 2540 2574 2565 2505 2401 2251 2063 1829 1556 1238 ~0
(W)
Effi%
of 70.96 78.17 82.05 84.58 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 83.29 80.33 74.75
inverter
% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %

Inverter -25 -25 -25 <8:15 > -25 -25 -25

AC -25 16:30
output -25
Power 765 1103 1399 1656 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1523 1250 925
(W)
AC
Wiring
Losses
2.30 3.31 4.20 4.97 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 4.57 3.75 2.78
(W)

AC -25 -25 -25 <8:15 > -25 -25 -25

Power -25 16:30
to Grid -25
763 1100 1394 1651 1695 1695 1695 1695 1695 1695 1695 1695 1695 1695 1519 1246 922
(W)

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 14

Therefore the output power is -25W from 16:30 to 8:15 (i.e. 15.75 hours), finally the energy output to the AC grid of the building on that day is=
(-25)*15.75+763*0.5+1100*0.5 + 1394*0.5+1651*0.5+1695*0.5+1695*0.5+1695*0.5+1695*0.5+1695*0.5+1695*0.5+1695*0.5+1695*0.5+
1695*0.5+1695*0.5+1519*0.5+1246*0.5+922*0.25
=12148Wh

This is ~5% less than Case (xi).

(ote 1: From the above three case, one can see the effect of inverter efficiency curve on AC energy into the grid. Therefore one should select an
inverter which can maintain at high efficiency in most of the input power range.
(ote 2: From the above three case, one can see the effect of selecting a suitable rating for the inverter on AC energy into the grid. Therefore, for
PV system designed with an inverter to match its maximum peak output, then in most of the time the inverter will work at its low efficiency
range. This problem will become more serious, if there is a large variation in the monthly solar irradiation in the system throughout a year. This
is typical the case for vertical installed BIPV systems in sub-tropical locations, like HK.
(ote 3: In the above example 2kW inverter may also be a good choice if the cost of 2kW inverter is much less than that of 3 kW, although it
gives 5 % less energy at final output.
(ote 4: The above calculation is for one day. If one repeats the calculation for 365 days of a day, one can find out the annual AC energy into
the grid from the PV system. Then one can find out the annual saving of energy cost of the building, and hence can estimate the pay-back period
on the capital money spent on the PV project.

Example A ext d: Calculations of PR and OSE

Continue the case (x), (xi) and (xii) of example A ext c to find out the Performance Ratio and Overall System efficiency of the PV system in
the three cases for 26 Feb. ((ote: usually one should find PR and OSE of a PV system for a month or a year, here just for illustration purpose on
the way of calculation, hence PR and OSE of a day is carried out. In addition, actual measurement data should be used instead of calculated or
simulated data. Again, here for illustration calculation purpose, simulation data is used.).
Case (x): 5kW inverter
The PV modules has 14% rated efficiency at STC (i.e. 1kW/m2 solar irradiance, 25°C and 1.5AM# solar spectrum) and with area of 40m2, hence
the reference rated total peak DC power of the whole PV system is 40 m2*1kW/ m2*0.14=5.6kW
Final Yield=Net total AC energy to the grid (in kWh) / Reference rated total peak DC power of the PV modules(in kW).
2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 15
 = 10.5745kWh /5.6kW=1.888 hours

Reference Yield= Total in-plane irradiation (in kWh/m2) / Module’s reference in-plane irradiance (in kW/ m2)
(Here data in the row “solar input to PV after shading (W) is used)
=
{[(8.68+11.36+13.72+15.76+17.44+18.8+19.8+20.44+20.72+20.64+20.16+19.32+18.12+16.6+14.72+12.52)*0.5+9.96*0.25]/40}/[1 kW/ m2]
={136.89kWh/40m2}/[1 kW/ m2]= 3.42hours

Performance Ratio = Final Yield / Reference Yield = 1.888/3.42 = 0.55

Overall System Efficiency = Net total AC Energy to the Grid of the Day /
Total Daily In-plane Irradiation
= 10.5745 kWh / 136.89 kWh = 7.725%

Case (xi): 3 kW inverter

The reference rated total peak DC power of the whole PV system is the same as above = 5.6kW
Final Yield=Net total AC energy to the grid (in kWh) / Reference rated total peak DC power of the PV modules(in kW).
= 12.782kWh /5.6kW=2.28 hours

Reference Yield should be the same as above = 3.42hours

Performance Ratio = Final Yield / Reference Yield = 2.28/3.42 = 0.66

The Total Daily In-plane Irradiation should be the same as above = 136.89 kWh

Overall System Efficiency = Net total AC Energy to the Grid of the Day /
Total Daily In-plane Irradiation
= 12.782 kWh / 136.89 kWh = 9.34%

2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 16

Case (xii): 2 kW inverter
The reference rated total peak DC power of the whole PV system is the same as above = 5.6kW
Final Yield=Net total AC energy to the grid (in kWh) / Reference rated total peak DC power of the PV modules(in kW).
= 12.148kWh /5.6kW=2.17 hours

Reference Yield should be the same as above = 3.42hours

Performance Ratio = Final Yield / Reference Yield = 2.17/3.42 = 0.63

The Total Daily In-plane Irradiation should be the same as above = 136.89 kWh

Overall System Efficiency = Net total AC Energy to the Grid of the Day /
Total Daily In-plane Irradiation
= 12.148 kWh / 136.89 kWh = 8.87%

Proof of Cosine Law in general lighting, which is:

Light power density falling on the plane = Light power density in the direction of the light * cos(angle of incidence)

Normal of the plane

Angle of incidence, α w Light beam of power P in certain width w and depth d

The Plane Power density in the direction of light beam= P/(w*d)

(w/cosα) Area on the plane receiving the same light power P in width (w/cosα
α) and depth d

Power density on the plane= P/((w/cosα

α)*d) = [P/(w*d)]* cosα
α
2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 17
= Power density in the direction of light beam* cosαα
Find the angle of incidence α of the sun beams on a PV panel with an arbitrary tilt angle θ and orientation angle p while the sun position
at β and Z:

cos α = sinθ cosp cosβ cosZ + sinθ sinp cosβ sinZ + cosθ sinβ
Normal to the PV Panel
are lines on a horizontal plane through
Sun beam α the base of the PV panel.

PV Panel
β θ

p 90°°
90
South Ζ
is the projection of the sun beam on the horizontal plane.
is the projection of the panel normal on the horizontal plane.

θ is the tile angle of the panel w.r.t. horizontal, θ is between 0° and 90°, θ=0° when the panel is horizontal, θ=90° when the panel is vertical.
p is the orientation angle of the panel w.r.t. the true south, p is between -180° and 180°, p =0° when the panel is facing south, p =180° when the
panel is facing north, p =90° when the panel is facing east, p =-90° when the panel is west.
β is the elevation angle of the sun w.r.t. horizontal, β is between -90° and 90°, β =0° when sunrise/sunset, β =90° when the sun is at the top of the
head, β <0° when before sunrise or after sunset.
Z is the azimuth angle of the panel w.r.t. the true south, Z is between -180° and 180°, Z =0° when the sun is at the south direction, Z =180° when
the sun is at the north direction, Z =90° when the sun is at the east direction, Z =-90° when the sun is west direction.

α is the angle of incidence of the sun beams on a PV panel (i.e. the angle between the normal of the panel and the sun beam), α is between 0°
and 180°, α=0° when the sun beam is perpendicular to the panel and at the front of the panel, α=180° when the sun beam is perpendicular to the
panel and at the back of the panel, α=90° when the sun beam is parallel to the surface of the panel.

When the answer of the above equation gives a negative value of cos α, this implies α>90°, hence the sunbeams are shining on the back side of
the panel, therefore the sun power density on the panel should be zero.
--- The End of Example A ----
2011-12 Sem.2 EE530 Example A page 18