Development of a Fully Integrated PV System for Residential Applications: Phase I Annual Technical Report, 27 February 1998 - 31 August 1999

    Research output: NRELSubcontract Report

    Abstract

    This report describes Utility Power Group's (UPG's) technical progress for Phase I of a two-phase effort to focus on the design, assembly, and testing of a fully-integrated residential PV power system, including storage. In the PV Array Task, UPG significantly improved the conventional means and methods required to structurally interface PV modules to the roofs of single-family residential housesand to electrically interconnect these PV modules to a power conversion unit. UPG focused on the design and test of a PV array based on the highly efficient use of materials and labor. Design criteria included cost, structural integrity, electrical safety, reliability, conformance with applicable standards and building and seismic codes, and adaptability to a wide range of roof materials forboth existing and retrofit roof applications. In the Power Unit Task, UPG designed and tested a high-efficiency, low-cost, high-reliability prototype power conversion unit that included all materials, components, equipment, and software required to perform all DC-AC/AC-DC power collection, conversion, and control functions between the output of the PV array and the interconnection to theelectrical grid service of single-family residences. In the Energy Storage Unit Task, UPG designed and tested a low-cost, modular, self-contained, low-maintenance, all-weather, battery-based Energy Storage Unit designed to interface with the Power Unit to provide back-up electricity to supply critical household loads in the event of utility-grid failure. The Energy Storage Unit includesbatteries and all structural, mechanical, and electrical equipment required to provide a source of stored DC energy for input of the Power Unit. UPG designed the storage unit as a 'plug and play' option, where multiple units can be easily paralleled for additional energy storage capacity.
    Original languageAmerican English
    Number of pages58
    StatePublished - 2000

    Bibliographical note

    Work performed by Utility Power Group, Inc., Woodland Hills, California

    NREL Publication Number

    • NREL/SR-520-27993

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