International Electrotechnical Commission
Glossary

ENphotovoltaic system 
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


TC/SC:82Terms     Info     Publications
Published in:IEC 61836, ed. 2.0 (2007-12) Terms     Info
Reference number:3.3.62

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