The most important step required for system design in roof solar energy is to make a detailed exploration of the place where the installation will be made. During the exploration, the static and electrical infrastructure of the facility is examined. The roof solar system design is decided in line with the information obtained in the discovery.
The most important step required for system design in roof solar energy is to make a detailed exploration of the place where the installation will be made. During the exploration, the static and electrical infrastructure of the facility is examined. The roof solar system design is decided in line with the information obtained in the discovery.
The first stage of the exploration of the roof solar system is the static examination of the facility to be installed. The exploratory notes that are important for the roof SES design of the static infrastructure are as follows;
Roof Structure
The material of the roof covering and the roof carrier is checked. As a result, it is decided whether there is a need for additional reinforcement or renewal of the roof.
roofing material; sandwich panel, trapezoidal sheet, membrane, concrete etc. Among them, the most suitable for roof solar energy is sandwich panel. If investors are making a new roof, they can be directed to solar roof compatible roof panels.
When it is thought that there is a problem in the bearing capacity of the roof, the investor is directed to a civil engineering firm for static inspection.
Roof structure knowledge is a necessary factor for us to choose the construction on which the panels will be mounted.
For roofs such as sandwich panels and trapezoidal sheets, the pitch spacing is measured. This also plays a role in the choice of construction.
TPO – PVC distinction is important for GES installation on membrane roofs. In addition, it is important whether sheet metal or rock wool or similar soft insulation material is located under the membrane coating.
Roof Slope and Direction Information
Roof slope and direction information is very important for system design. The fact that the roof is sloping in one direction and to the south is the most preferred roof design in terms of efficiency in roof SPP .
On roofs that slope in two directions, such as east-west and north-south, or that slope in one direction, the panels can be placed zero on the roof.
The degree of slope is important for roofs that slope to the north. If the slope is high and it is observed in the analyzes that the efficiency drops too much, it can be mounted on the roof with an angled construction with the panels facing south.
On flat concrete or membrane roofs, the panels are placed in pairs with an angled construction in the east-west direction or horizontally in one direction facing south.
Appropriate shading space must be left between the panels in applications angled in one direction.
Other Factors Affecting Efficiency on Roof
In the discovery made, it is checked whether there are shading elements on the roof. These elements are; chimney, parapet, air conditioning unit etc. There may be factors on the roof, as well as buildings at higher elevations near the roof, or a mountain near the roof that can shade. There may also be external factors. These factors are important for system design as they cause efficiency losses due to shading.
If there is a chimney on the roof, the condition of the wetting is also checked. Because another negative factor that can affect the efficiency of the panels as much as the shade is processing. Care should be taken not to place panels in these areas.
In addition, the heat that may come out of the chimneys or ventilation can cause the panels to overheat, resulting in system losses. Since high temperature is an undesirable situation, such factors should also be considered in panel placement.
In regions where the temperature is high, construction height or angled constructions can be preferred for ventilation of the panels.
Another factor affecting yield is pollination. If there are factors that will increase dusting on the roof and its surroundings, the frequency of washing the panels is determined accordingly after the Solar Power Plant is installed.
The second stage of the exploration of the roof solar system is the electrical examination of the facility to be installed. The exploratory notes that are important for the roof SPP design of the electrical infrastructure are as follows;
Transformer and Distribution Board Information
If the facility to be installed has its own transformer, the switch values should be learned by looking at the transformer label, main distribution panel and, if any, other distribution panels. As a result, it is decided where the SPP panel will be connected.
If the facility is connected to the EDAŞ (Electricity Distribution Joint Stock Company) transformer and does not have its own transformer, the power of the connected transformer is learned. In the discovery, it is decided that it is suitable for the connection of the SPP panel by looking at the switch value of the distribution panel.
In case there is no room in the panels to be connected or the switch value remains low, the investor may be informed, and if the panel is suitable, the switchgear replacement or the construction of an additional connection panel may be in question.
Determining Inverter and GES Panel Location
When the panel to be connected in the facility is determined, the appropriate place for inverters and SPP panel mounting is selected. This is also important for determining the cable quantity.
Since the element of temperature is also an undesirable situation here, inverters and GES panel should be placed in a cool place, away from sunlight, as much as possible.
Installation Capacity
To determine the capacity of rooftop solar, the Contracting Power must be found out by looking at the electricity bill. If it is not written on the invoice, it can be learned from the facility authority or the invoicing organization with the installation number.
Since we will be limited to the contract power while designing the system, if our roof area can meet more than this power, the transformer capacity can be increased in line with the investor’s request and the contract power can be increased accordingly, or an application can be made to the relevant DISCOM to increase the contract power by switching to the double term tariff.
If there is no transformer in the facility, 10% of the capacity of the connected EDAŞ transformer can be used. In this, if necessary, the contract power can be increased.
These factors we have mentioned highlight the importance of design for rooftop solar system efficiency. As the final stage, the designs are AutoCAD etc. done using drawing programs. The roof is drawn together with the details, taking into account the design elements mentioned above through the program. In the analyzes made, the most suitable design for the facility is selected and the studies made on this design are submitted to the approval of the investor. Your Solar Power Plant will continue to earn you for 25 years at an optimal level. For such a long-term investment, we recommend that you work with an EPC company that is an expert in its field.
