Grid-Connected PV Systems Design
Task
There is more than one solution to this design task. The aim of this task is to assess your ability to design a
grid-connected PV system that meets the customer’s needs, according to the principles in this course.
The following pages outline the information you require for designing the systems:
1. Submission Instructions
2. Project Scope
3. Site Information
a Site plans for the property
b Irradiation data
c Temperature data
d Sun path diagram estimates of year-round shading
4. Product Information: you must choose your modules and inverters from this list
5. Design Task Requirements
6. Design Task Marking Criteria
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
2
Submission Instructions
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The design task is a multitude of online Moodle quizzes that cover the stages of a system design. Each quiz
consists of a specific stage in the design process and 100% must be achieved in each quiz before the next
section opens up. There are 8 sections total. The last section (site plan & electrical schematic) are manually
marked sections which require a file submission in PDF form. To upload your schematics, click on the “Add
New Submission” button after clicking on “Site Plan & Electrical Schematic”.
DUE DATE OF ASSESSMENT
Due date is no later than the expiration date of the course. This is typically twelve (12) months from the date
on which enrolment is finalised. If any extensions are required after the course expiry date, this will also affect
the final submission date of the assessment.
MARKING OF ASSESSMENT
We will endeavour to mark your assessment within 2 business days of submission.
Once marked, we will send you written feedback outlining the assessor’s assessment decision: either
Satisfactory (S) or Not Yet Satisfactory (NYS). If you are deemed NYS in any part of the electrical schematic or
site plan, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit your submission for reassessment. Please resubmit by
uploading to the submission box on the online training platform.
At our discretion, students who receive feedback on their submission after their course expiry may be eligible
to receive a 2 week grace period to resubmit their submission.
PLAGIARISM
Students are required to ensure that all responses and/or work they submit is their own work. Any referenced
material should be annotated as to its origin within the designated working areas.
We are interested in answers that are in your own words. A declaration form will be required to be filled out
at the beginning of the quiz before the design task quizzes open up.
IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to ensure you retain a copy (digital or physical) of your submission, just
in case your design task is lost or destroyed in the system before getting to us.
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
3
Design Task Instructions
PROJECT SCOPE System requirements
Ms Architect would like to install a solar PV system on her two-storey house in Sydney, NSW. She has a budget
of $5500. You need to present an appropriate system design in line with the requirements specified on the
following pages.
The roof, which is a pitched tile roof, faces 20° East of North and is sloped at an angle of 20°. Please see the
sketch on Page 4 of this document.
There are a few large trees nearby that shade the roof at various times throughout the day and year. A solar
pathfinder measurement was taken from the roof of the house, and you will need to use this to estimate the
impact of the shading on system yield. Please see a copy of the sun path diagram on Page 8 of this document.
The house has a single-phase grid supply with 24m × 10mm2 consumer mains. Initial enquiries suggest a 5
kVA inverter is the largest that will receive grid connection approval. Ms Architect would like the largest
system that is feasible for her roof size and grid connection requirements.
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
4
SITE INFORMATION
SITE PLAN
The following are sketches of the proposed installation site in Sydney, NSW.
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
5
Daily Irradiation on a Horizontal Plane in PSH (kWh/m2/day)
Sydney, NSW
Latitude 34°S
January 6.4
February 5.6
March 4.7
April 3.8
May 2.9
June 2.4
July 2.7
August 3.6
September 4.7
October 5.5
November 6.0
December 6.4
Average PSH 4.6
Source: Monthly Mean Daily Global Solar Exposure, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, February 2019
(https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/)
Tables on the effect of orientation and tilt angle can be found on your online course under the Design Task
heading for major Australian cities.
Minimum, Maximum and Average Ambient Temperatures
Minimum Cell Average Daytime Maximum Cell
Location Temperature Ambient Temperature Temperature
Sydney 0°C 23°C 70°C
Note: these figures should not be used for actual installations; the designer should verify temperatures for their
particular site
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
6
SUN PATH DIAGRAM MEASUREMENTS
The Sun Path Diagram measurements below were taken while standing on the North-facing roof of the house.
Use these to estimate the shading losses for each month.
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
7
PRODUCT INFORMATION
The installer has specified that the Clenergy PV-ez Rack Solar Roof mounting system will be used and has
provided the manufacturer’s installation guide to help determine exclusion zones. The Clenergy PV ezRack
SolarRoof Installation Guide is available on your online course under “Design Task”, and the information
relating to exclusion zones can be found in Notes 31 and 32. Please note height (h = 4m).
The inverter and PV modules must be chosen from a prescribed list. The datasheets for these components
are provided on your online course under “Design Task”, but you will need to search for and download any
additional documentation required, such as installation manuals.
Solar modules
• Hyundai Energy Solutions: VG 400W (HiE-S400VG)
• LG: LG Neon2 335W
Inverters
• Fronius Primo: 5.0-1 (Not the AUS version)
• FIMER: UNO-DM-5.0 TL-PLUS-Q
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
8
DESIGN TASK REQUIREMENTS
The design criteria and the design checklist provide an in-depth list of what is required for the task. Your
design task should be structured in line with the marking criteria provided. E.g. for each system, start with a
heading of 1.a) and list the products chosen, followed by a heading for 1.b), then write your rationale for
each choice followed by worked calculations for matching array and inverter, and so on.
1. Equipment selection and configuration. Specify:
a) The modules and inverter you will use. Please choose from the products specified on this
document.
Note: that you are required to check whether the specified inverters and modules are approved or not
as per the product quality assurance requirements. Upon verification, use only CEC APPROVED
products.
b) The total number of modules you will use. Consider:
i. The maximum DC power permitted by the chosen inverter and SAA/STC requirements.
ii. The available roof area. Use the mounting system manual provided to determine
mounting zone requirements.
c) Using the information provided, include calculations and brief conclusions as to why you chose
each of the major components. Ensure that the minimum and maximum temperatures for each
site are taken into consideration and that the array fits within the usable area.
This should include matching the input characteristics of the inverter with the output
characteristics of the array for:
i. Voltage
ii. Current
iii. Power
d) The chosen array configuration.
Hint: Refer to the calculations from Chapter 12 – Matching Array and Inverter
2. Balance of system components and specifications. Include:
a) Identify the roof zone/s the panels are being installed in, the number of rails per panel, and the
selected spacing between fixing points, based on the mounting system installation guide.
b) DC cable size selection.
i. Minimum cable size allowed for the system due to voltage drop and CCC.
ii. Selection of appropriate cable size based on the calculations above
iii. Calculations of any voltage drops on the DC side of the inverter based on actual cable
sizes.
Hint: The actual voltage drop/rise based on the actual cable size in V and in % for the DC and AC side of
the inverter. You can use the Simple Resistivity Method or AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017 Section 4.2.
c) AC cable size selection based on voltage rise and CCC.
i. Minimum cable size allowed for the system due to voltage rise and CCC.
ii. Selection of appropriate cable size based on the calculations above
iii. Calculations of any voltage rise on the AC side of the inverter based on actual cable
sizes.
Hint: The actual voltage drop/rise based on the actual cable size in V and in % for the DC and AC side of
the inverter. You can use AS/NZS 3000:2018 Appendix C8 or
AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017 Section 4.2.
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
9
d) Protection devices selection:
i. String fuses requirement and sizing (if required)
ii. DC isolator sizing for Ithe, Ie, Ue and I(make) Ic(break). State how many isolators are being used.
Please show calculations or explanation.
iii. AC isolator sizing based on inverter’s maximum output current and AC cable CCC.
e) Earthing requirements for the modules and/or mounting systems with the minimum earth
cable size.
Hint: Refer to Chapter 13: System Protection and Chapter 14: Cable Design
3. Site specific drawings
a) A site plan, showing relevant dimensions and layout of all system components including
edge/exclusion zones, cable run length and other BOS components’ locations, modules,
inverter and switchboard. Top view and side view of the property should be included in the site
plan. (Neat hand drawn or software drawing are both acceptable). Justify your equipment
placement with manufacturer’s installation requirements such as IP ratings and clearance
zones.
HINT: You might need to search online for an installation manual.
b) Electrical schematic, showing all electrical components, ratings, connections and existing
consumer mains supply. (NEAT hand drawn or software drawing are both acceptable)
4. Performance of the system. Include:
a) Calculation of tilt and orientation specific PSH using CEC tables and any shading losses.
b) Estimates of other system losses.
c) Expected average yearly output (please use irradiation and temperature data provided).
Hint: Refer to Chapter 15: System Efficiency and Yield
5. Installation preparation
a) List of safety issues/concerns for each installation site and how to minimise the risk.
6. Documentation requirements for the system
a) Give a list of documentation which you will need to provide to the installer to ensure and safe
and problem free installation, including a list of required signage and their locations.
b) Give a list of documentation which you are required to provide to the customers.
c) List the documents you checked that your design complied with. Make sure to include all
relevant standards, manufacturer’s documents and design brief instructions.
7. Capital cost of the designed system
a) Calculation of how many Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) this system is eligible for, for the
maximum deeming period of the system, and how much this is worth in the current market
(see https://www.recregistry.gov.au/rec-registry/app/calculators/sgu-stc-calculator for more
information).
b) Create a quote for the system, including:
i. Inverter, Modules, BOS costing
ii. Labour
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
10
iii. STC rebate
c) Is this within the customer’s budget?
8. Financial benefit estimate
a) Calculate the expected yearly benefit (savings from self-consumption of energy + any income
from export to grid) of the system.
A-GSEST101 Design Task
Version 10.5
