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BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa 1 Standards and guidelines for PV GreenCard in South Africa Dipl.-Ing. Udo Siegfriedt [email protected]
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa1
Standards and guidelines for PV
GreenCard in South Africa
Dipl.-Ing. Udo Siegfriedt
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa2
This presentation will give an overview of International and South African
standards and guidelines for PV installations. The PV GreenCard as a
measure to ensure a high quality installations aims cover standards and best
practices for the following areas
Components
AC Installation (especially Grid Codes)
DC Installation (cable, DC switches, induction loop, fuses)
Lightning Protection
Fire Safety
Rooftop Installation
Safety at work
Commissioning, Operation & Maintenance
The presentation should be seen as a guideline for the PV GreenCard.
Especially for rooftop installations there are questions of regulations covering
other technical areas. This is open for further discussion.
The goal should be for the PV GreenCard to deal with all pertinent topics.
Introduction
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa3
Quality assurance steps along the value chain of PV systems
Along the value chain the installer must consider all applicable standards
De-
Commis-
sioning
Upcoming:- Recycling- removal
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa4
Standards and other technical directives
National standards and guidelines
International standards and guidelines
Directives of grid operators
Regional codes and standards (building regulations)
Manuals and certificates by the manufacturer
South Africa did already take a big step forward with
implementing good standards and guidlines
For South Africa some international standards apply, some
national standards are developed based on international
standards
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa5
Standard/Guideline Content Important for GreenCardElectricity Regulation Act 2006.pdf Licensing of generation and distribution of energy ??
Electricity Regulation Ammendment Act 2007.pdf also but for municipcalities ??
Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989.pdf how to handle with the environment
G83-2 Engineering
_Recommendation_Aug2012.pdf Guideline for generators up to 16A per phase ??
IEC 60068-2-1 (preview).pdf Cold test Implemented in other standards
IEC 60068-2-2 (preview).pdf Dry heat test Implemented in other standards
IEC 60068-2-30 (preview).pdf Damp heat, cycling Implemented in other standards
IEC 60255-1 (preview).pdf
Requirements for measurements on relays and
safety devices Implemented in other standards
IEC 60255-151 (preview).pdf Requeirements under/over current protection
IEC 60255-21-1 (preview).pdf mechanical test for relays Implemented in other standards
IEC 60255-26 (preview).pdf EMC Should be covered e.g. with an inverter certificate
IEC 60364-7-712 (preview).pdf Installation of PV
most important, includes for example if a RCD shall
be mounted on the AC side and that a DC-isolator is
required
IEC 60529 (preview).pdf IP degree of protection
to name the IP of inverter and other relevant
components should be included in the passport
IEC 61000-4-1 Overview of series (preview).pdf EMC measurements compliance necessary
IEC 61727 (preview).pdf PV systems grid interface compliance necessary
IEC 62109-1 (preview).pdf Safety of power converters general requirements compliance necessary
IEC 62109-2 (preview).pdf particular requirements for inverters compliance necessary
IEC 62116 (preview).pdf test procedure anti islanding device Implemented in other standards
IEEE 1547.pdf
Interconnecting distributed resources with electric
power systems compliance necessary
National Building Regulations - R 2378 of 1990.pdf see next
national building regulations and building standards
act (2008).pdf Part T Fire protection
Another standard or guideline for detailes measures
necessary
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
Act No5 of 2008.pdf ??
Standards and other technical directives
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa6
Standard/Guideline Content Important for GreenCard
NEMA National Environmental Management Act No
107 or 1998.pdf ??
NRS 057 Electricity Metering.pdf compliance necessary
NRS048 part 2 Quality of Supply - Voltage
characteristics etc.pdf compliance necessary
NRS048 part 3 Quality of Supply -Procedures for
monitoring and reporting.pdf compliance necessary
NRS048 part 4 Quality of Supply - Application
requirements for utilities.pdf compliance necessary
NRS048-7 Edition 1 WG DRAFT.doc
NRS-097-2-1.pdf
NRS-097-2-3-final-2014.pdf
Maximum individual generation limit in a shared LV
(400 V/230 V) feeder
Occupational Health and Safety 1993
Ammended.pdf
Another standard or guideline for detailes measures
necessary
RSA Distribution Metering Code Ver 6.pdf
To ensure compliance with minimum requirements
for tariff metering and energy trading metering
installations
RSA Distribution Network Code Ver 6.pdf
Operational Responsibilities of Embedded
Generators and Other Customers
APPENDIX B: Embedded Generator Connection
Application Form
SAGC Network Version 7_March 2008.pdf Grid code
SANS 1019-2001.pdf
Standard voltages, currents and insulation levels for
electricity supply
SANS 211 (relevant but not actual standard).pdf EMC
components like inverter must have a certificate,
the whole installation must comply, but a individual
measurement is not done in most cases.
SANS10142-1(Amdt7) LV wiring of premises.pdf´ Same as next, older version? see next
SANS10142-1Amdt8 Wiring of Premises LV.pdf Part 1: Low-voltage installations. compliance necessary
Part 2: Medium-voltage installations above 1 kV
a.c. not exceeding 22 kV a.c. and up to and
including 3 000 kW installed capacity
SANS60947-2 IEC60947-2 (preview).pdf Circuit breakers
Standards and other technical directives
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa7
Standard/Guideline Content Important for GreenCard
South African Grid Code Requirements for
Renewable Power Plants - Version 2 8.pdf (i) Category A1: 0 - 13.8 kVA
Should be covered e.g. with an inverter certificate,
some of the content is comparable to VDE AR N
4105
This sub-category includes RPPs of Category A with
rated power in the range of 0 to 13.8 kVA.
(ii) Category A2: 13.8 kVA – 100 kVA
This sub-category includes RPPs of Category A with
rated power in the range greater than 13.8 kVA but
less than 100 kVA.
(iii) Category A3: 100 kVA – 1 MVA
This sub-category includes RPPs of Category A with
rated power in the range 100 kVA but less than 1
MVA.
This category also includes RPPs of Category A1
and A2 with a rated power less than 100kVA that are
directly connected to a MV-LV transformer.
Note: RPPs with a rated power greater than 4.6 kVA
must be balanced three-phase.
Appendix 2: No special requirements for PV,
Appendix 8: Documentation
Standard for Interconnection of Embedded
Generation (Eskom doc).pdf Medium voltage, high voltage…, not for low voltage
Shall the greencard also cover a medium voltage
installation?
VDE-AR-N_4105 (contents).pdf compliance necessary
Standards and other technical directives
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa8
KfW Toolbox: Standards for PV systems
Inverter
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa9
KfW Toolbox: Standards for PV-systems
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa10
KfW Toolbox: Standards for PV-systems
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa11
Most relevant German grid connection standards for a later
assessment of a South African selection
Standards and guidelines:
DIN EN 61727: PV systems – Characteristics of the grid operator interface
DIN VDE 0126-1: Automatic isolation unit between a private power generator and
the public grid (incl. anti islanding)
VDEW-“Guideline for connecting and parallel operating of a private power generator
to the public grid
TAB 2007 Technical requirements by the grid companies for connecting to the
public grid
Grid connection point (German Renewable Energy Law EEG)
Technical and economically most suitable connecting point
Power generator < 30 kW: existing grid connection point = most suitable
Larger generator: : Assignation / in consultation with the grid company
In case of dispute: - EEG-Arbitration Office: www.clearingstelle-eeg.de
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa12
Requirements EEG 2014 Part 2
FNN (Committee on the elaboration of VDE guidelines)- guideline VDE-
AR-N 4105 for connecting and operating of private power generators at
the low voltage grid (VDE: German Electrical Engineering Association)
BDEW guideline „Erzeugungsanlagen am Mittelspannungsnetz” (10 to
35 kV) – for connecting an operating of private power generators at the
medium voltage grid 06/2008
„European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity“
(entsoe) “ENTSO-E Draft Requirements for Grid Connection Applicable
to all Generators”. Not valid yet. Regulations close to VDE-AR-N 4105
and BDEW guidelines
Technical requirements for connecting to the public low voltage and
medium voltage grid of the BDEW (BDEW: German Utilities Association)
Requirements for PV grid integration as implemented in Germany
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa13
Criteria for connection:
Max unbalanced load: 4,6 kVA
Power > 13,8 kVA :
use of three phase inverters or
single phase inverter using a communication
to avoid unbalanced load behavior
Large three phase systems can be enlarged
on one phase up to 4,6 kVA without adding a
communication
Increase in voltage at the feed in point:
max. 3% (until 2011: 2%)
Limit values for flicker, odd and even
harmonics
=> Declaration of conformity
of the inverter manufacturer
German electricity grid - rules of application (VDE AR 4105)
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa14
Grid stability
Feed-in management
Renewable Energy Law
(EEG)
Grid stability control
(reactive power) VDE 4105
Dynamic grid support
(fault ride through)
BDEW Guideline
Inverter
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa15
Generator power Necessary measures
≤ 3,68 kVA
Active
pow
er
reduction if fr
equency >
50,2
Hz
and s
hut dow
nif fre
quency <
47,5
Hz
• Reactive power cos φ = +/- 0,95 according EN 50438
• Remote feed in reduction / shut down or feed in reduction to max. active power of 70%
≤ 13,8 kVA
max 4
,6 k
VA
unbala
nced load
• Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,95
• Central or inverter integrated grid protection
• Remote feed in reduction / shut down or feed in reduction to
max. active power of 70%
≤ 30 kVA • Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,9
• Central or inverter integrated grid protection
• 3 phase inverter or 1 phase inverter and communication
• Remote feed in reduction / shut down or feed in reduction to
max. active power of 70%
≤ 100 kVA • Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,9
• Central grid protection, anti islanding protection integrated in inverter possible
• 3 phase inverter or 1 phase inverter and communication
• Remote feed in reduction
> 100 kVA • Reactive power according given characteristic with cos φ = +/- 0,9
• Central grid protection, anti islanding protection integrated in inverter possible
• 3 phase inverter or 1 phase inverter and communication
• Remote feed in reduction in several steps (mostly done with centralized telecontrol
signal 100%, 60%, 30%, 0%) and transmission of actual feed in power to the grid
company
Requirements to the grid connection of
PV-systems according §6 EEG and VDE 4105
Bold: same generator power as in <SA Grid Code Requirements for Renewable Power Plants Version 2.8>
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa16
Components : Inverter
The installation and therefore the
inverter must fulfil the grid codes of
South Africa
Conformity to grid codes must be
certified by an accredited institute.
The PV GreenCard will require the
compliance to the SA Grid codes.
The certificates and declarations have to
be added to the documentation
Special requirements must be
implemented in the GreenCard
(see example next slide)
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa17
Special requirements for shared LV feeder NRS-097-2-3-final-2014
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa18
Arc protecting / safe DC installation
Earth fault and short circuit
safe installation (cable
laying avoiding sharp
edges, tight cable radius,…)
according IEC 60364-4
Protection class II
Fused strings (positive and
negative pole, DC-fuse)
Measurements during
commissioning to ensure
correct installation
Lightning and overvoltage
protection (if appropriate)
• Quality components
• Proper planning
• Good craftsmanship!
• Sufficient O+M
Inverter
DC main cable
Isolators
String fuses
Generator junction box
Isolators
( String diodes )
String fuses
Source: Shell solar
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa19
Earth- and short circuit proof – protection class II
UV- and weatherproof (temperature range approx. -40°C to 120°C).
Exceptionally robust, but flexible
Flame retardant, with little toxicity in case of fire, halogen-free
Dimensioning for voltage and current
Low cable loss < 1 %
Type code PV-1-F
If required: ammonia resistant
If required: water proof, suitable for laying directly in the ground
Question: Does the significantly higher UV irradiation in SA influence the selection?
Are additional measures required (e.g. use of UV resistant conduit for exposed
cables)?
DC Installation: Requirements for solar cable
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa20
Excerpt solar cable datasheet (example)
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa21
PV GreenCard and Cable
The GreenCard shall address the requirements and necessary measures, e.g. if
the cable are to be laid directly in the ground
Most common requirements and the resulting measures should be answered in
check boxes
The certificates and declarations have to be added to the documentation
The installer shall also declare, that the whole installation is earth- and short
circuit proof by avoiding sharp edges, tight bending radiuses etc.
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa22
Mounting of solar-modules on roofs as per VDI 6012 Sheet 1.4
The Installer has to design and is responsible for the following parts of the mechanical
structure:
Mounting of modules
The installation of the mounting structure on the building
Structural integrity of the building (static load, wind etc.)
Support is given by:
User directives (e.g. VDI guidelines)
Software (mounting system manufacturer)
Installation manual (module manufacturer, mounting system manufacturer)
Structural engineer
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa23
So
urc
e: M
an
nh
eim
er A
G
Tilted roof with tiles
Consider roofing standards or guidelines to ensure that a roof remains impermeable
against water after a PV system was installed.
In the GreenCard the installer can only sign off an installation if all appropriate
standards and guidelines were adhered to.
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa24
Load calculations according to European standard series EN 1991 (Eurocode)
Eurocode 1 Part 1: Actions on structures, General actions
Part 1-1: Densities, static weight, imposed loads for buildings
Part 1-3: Snow loads
Part 1-4: Wind actions
Parts 1-2, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7 contain actions like fire, thermal action and others
National annexes for country specifics like wind and snow maps
For South Africa SANS 10160-3:2010 applies
The GreenCard will require information on the mounting situation and all
assumptions using check boxes. Example: Building height in steps (see next
slide)
The results of a structural analysis should be part of the documentation where
applicable
Structural analysis
Wind zones for other regions: http://www.sander-partner.ch; http://www.anemos.de
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa25
Windloads due to DIN EN 1991-1-4
Wind: Load influence on inclined roofs
Windzone Speed pressure q in KN/m² dependent of height
of building
landlocked country
landlocked country
landlocked country
landlocked country
Islands North Sea
Islands Baltic Sea
Islands Baltic Sea
Islands Baltic Sea
BSW-Solar Standards and Guidelines for PV in South Africa26
PV GreenCard approach: Challenge is …
Include as much technical content (standards and
guidelines) as necessary and as few as possible
Keep it substantiated, but also simple and workable!
Conclusion
