Development of a Low-Cost Integrated 20-kW AC Solar Tracking Sub-Array for Grid-Connected PV Power Sytem Applications: Phase I Annual Technical Report, 11 July 1995 - 31 July 1996

This report describes work done in the first year of this 2-year Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) Phase 4A1 project, in which Utility Power Group (UPG) successfully completed the design, fabrication, testing, and demonstration of a modular and integrated 20-kW ac solar-tracking PV power system sub-array. The two key components developed are a modular panel that optimizes factoryassembly of PV modules into a large-area, field-deployable, structurally integrated PV panel, and an integrated power-processing system that combines all dc and ac power collection, conversion, and control functions within a single field- deployable, structurally integrated electrical enclosure. UPG exceeded its goal of providing a 40% reduction in area-related balance- of-systems (BOS) costsand a 50% reduction in power-related BOS costs by achieving cost reductions of 43% and 51%, respectively. The net reduction in the total cost of single-axis, solar-tracking, grid-connected PV power systems achieved by UPG was 21.3%. This result changes the previous typical allocation of total system cost from 60% PV modules and 40% BOS to a new allocation of 72% PV modules and 28% BOS.Notwithstanding required improvements in reliability and performance, UPG concludes that BOS costs are no longer an obstacle to the widespread commercialization of PV technology in grid-connected applications when the UPG system approach is applied.