Since the return on investment of solar system by the original construction subsidy to subsidize the degree of electricity, how to enhance the solar system power generation has become more and more concerned about the subject. In the solar system, we often see the orientation of the modules to be landscape, while some others choose to put the panels in a portrait way. It is very simple to array in two ways. It seems to be the same, but after in-depth study, We find that the impact of landscape and portrait rows of modules on solar system is different.
Does arranging modules in landscape require more space and brackets than arranging them in portrait?
1. Comparison of floor space between landscape and portrait rows
Let’s first talk about the issue of floor space. Some people say that landscape arranged modules take up more space than portrait arranged modules. Let’s study it. The module occupied by a certain inclination angle requires that the front row of modules does not block the back row. So as long as the module capacity is constant and the inclination angle is certain, the landscape arrangement of the modules takes up the same amount of space as the portrait arrangement, which can be calculated using a simple parallelogram. The so-called bracket becomes taller and the array spacing increases after the components are arranged in landscape. This is just an intermediate visual process, and the actual area is almost the same.
Therefore, the components occupy almost the same space in landscape and portrait rows. These are the the floor space impact of landscape and portrait rows of modules on solar system
2. Amount of steel used for landscape and portrait brackets
The amount of steel used for the bracket is theoretically the same. The bracket is a structure that fixes the components on it and supports the component’s own weight, wind and snow load resistance, etc. Under the condition that the wind and snow load is fixed in the same area, the inclination angle of the components is the same, and the number of components supported by the bracket is certain, the amount of steel used in the bracket is the same. In the actual design, 4 rows of modules require 5 beams. The landscape rows may use slightly more steel, but the purlins in the north and south directions will be less. After optimization by experts from some design institutes, in actual applications, we arrange the modules in landscape and portrait. The amount of steel used in the row is almost the same.
3. Difficulty of landscape and portrait installation
Landscape installation is slightly more difficult. After arranging the components in landscape, the height of the bracket is usually slightly higher than that of the portrait arrangement, and four rows of components need to be installed in the north-south direction, which is slightly more difficult. However, with the development of the photovoltaic industry in recent years, the module installation team has become more and more experienced, and has produced various module installation auxiliary mechanisms that can adapt to various bracket heights and forms.
The difficulty of bracket installation does not hinder the popularization of landscape arrangement of modules. Constraints. The component installation cost accounts for about 1‰ of the total investment of a photovoltaic power station. Even if the cost of landscape installation is 10% higher than that of portrait installation, it will only increase the cost by one ten thousandth. Compared with the increase in power generation, the difference is at least an order of magnitude.
1. Increased array spacing makes operation easier
We mentioned above that the height of the landscape bracket makes installation slightly more difficult, and now its advantages are reflected. In areas with smaller latitudes or smaller bracket inclination angles, we will find that the array spacing is smaller and it is difficult for slightly larger vehicles to pass through when cleaning components. In addition, in power stations that combine photovoltaics with other forms of agriculture, the array spacing is small, which is very inconvenient during agricultural operations or other operations.
Under the same shadow magnification condition, the higher the bracket, the larger the array spacing. When the bracket is arranged in landscape, the bracket is slightly higher, the array spacing also increases accordingly, and the spacing can be applied.
2. The amount of special photovoltaic cables is reduced
In addition, two strings can be installed when the modules are arranged in four landscape rows. After the U-shaped stringing of photovoltaic special cables, the DC side is more concentrated. The cables of each string can be completed by using the positive and negative wires provided by the module. , the amount of 1×4mm2 cable will be reduced, and the line loss will be reduced accordingly. When the components are arranged in portrait, two additional cables need to be connected to the combiner box. The amount of cables used increases and the line loss also increases.
Do horizontally arranged modules generate more electricity than vertically arranged modules?
1. Battery Module Circuit Principle
Now, we take the commonly used 255Wp crystalline silicon battery panel as an example, each battery panel consists of 60 small pieces, of which every 20 pieces constitute a small string, and each string has a bypass diode. When the battery components appear localized shading or damage, it is easy to appear hot spot effect can not generate electricity. At this time, the bypass diode conducts, allowing the current generated by other normal battery cells to pass through the diode, so that the solar power system continues to generate electricity.
2. Shading effects on landscape/portrait panels
When it comes to the theoretical basis of component arrangement, it is first determined by the component composition. Let’s first take a look at the assembly principle of the module. Taking the usual 60-cell module as an example, it is composed of 60 cells connected in series. A bypass diode is installed for every 20 cells, and the series connection direction of the cells is basically east-west. U-shaped loop.
The characteristics of the component circuit structure determine the difference in the component’s ability to resist shading. Because most of the obstructions are close to the ground. We take the two rows of cells near the ground that are blocked as an example to illustrate the impact of obstruction on power generation performance. When we arrange modules in landscape, the lowermost bypass diode is turned on. And the upper two rows of cells continue to output power.
When we arrange modules in portrait, each cell in the module is blocked, the circuit is broken. And all three rows of cells have no power output. Because the sun rises and sets from the horizon every day, when the bracket cannot be deployed at an infinite distance, at least when the sun rises and sets, module shading will exist. This also theoretically proves that the module’s in landscape rows resistance Stronger blocking ability.
So when should we use landscape arrangement and when should we use portrait arrangement?
i. Flat ground power station phase
ii. Mountain and slope photovoltaic power station
iii. Distributed roof
iv. Multi-channel MPPT tracking of string and distributed inverters ( 2 strings installed in landscape, 1 string installed in portrait)
Above all, these are the impact of landscape and portrait rows of modules on solar system. If you are interested in knowing or discussing more, please feel free to contact and share.