assembly of components that produce and supply electricity by the conversion of solar energy
NOTE 1 The PV component list and PV system configuration varies according to the application, and could also include the following sub-systems: power conditioning, storage, system monitoring and control and utility grid interface
The following terms describe common system configurations
a) centralized photovoltaic system
grid-connected PV system that generates bulk electricity
b) dispersed photovoltaic system
PV system that consists of multiple dispersed PV generators or PV systems operating as if they were a single PV generator or system
Dispersed photovoltaic systems can be classified as follows:
– dispersed-array photovoltaic system
PV system that connects multiple dispersed PV arrays in parallel to feed centrally located inverters
– multi-dispersed photovoltaic system
PV system that operates multiple, parallel, dispersed PV systems through distribution lines with a common control system
c) distributed generation PV system
PV system that is also a distributed generation system
d) domestic photovoltaic system
PV system that electrifies household loads
NOTE 2 See also "solar home system", 3.3.68
e) grid backed-up photovoltaic system
PV system that switches over to a utility electricity source when the PV output is less than load requirements
Grid backed-up photovoltaic systems can be classified as follows:
– AC side switchover
PV system in which the utility grid is connected to the AC side of the system
– DC side switchover
PV system in which the utility grid is connected through a rectifier into the DC side of the system
f) grid-connected photovoltaic system
PV system that functions only in a grid-connected mode of operation
NOTE 3 Also known as "utility intertied", "utility interconnected", or "grid-tied"
g) hybrid photovoltaic system
see "multi-source photovoltaic system", 3.3.62i)
h) isolated photovoltaic system
PV system that functions only in an isolated mode of operation
NOTE 4 Also known as a "stand-alone photovoltaic system"
i) multi-source photovoltaic system
PV system operating in parallel with other electricity generators
NOTE 5 Also called a "PV-hybrid" system
j) non-domestic photovoltaic system
PV system used for a purpose that is not a domestic purpose (e.g., providing electricity for a telecommunication relay, water pumping, remote communication, safety and protection devices, etc.)
k) off-grid photovoltaic system
PV system that functions only in an off-grid mode of operation
NOTE 6 Also known as a "stand-alone photovoltaic system"
l) off-grid domestic photovoltaic system
stand-alone PV system installed so as to electrify households
NOTE 7 Also referred to as a solar home system
m) off-grid non-domestic photovoltaic system
stand-alone PV system used for a variety of applications such as water pumping, remote communications, telecommunication relays, safety and protection devices, etc
n) stand-alone photovoltaic system
PV system that functions only in a stand-alone mode of operation
NOTE 8 See "operation/stand-alone operation", 3.3.52i)
o) utility interactive photovoltaic system
grid-connected PV system that is able to function in an isolated mode or in a parallel mode of operation
p) off-grid village photovoltaic system
stand-alone PV system electrifying a village |