A Guide to PV Array BESS Components-Distributed Generation

Hi Reader, This article is an abbreviated version. For a more detailed version, please click here.

If you want to know what configurations are contained in the PV Array BESS, it is enough to read this article. PVMARS has been focusing on photovoltaic energy storage technology for 16 years.

With the development and popularization of new energy sources such as photovoltaics, wind energy, and energy storage.

More and more people hope to combine them together to exert more than 100% power generation efficiency.

For example, the 2MW case also uses photovoltaics and energy storage to achieve a reliable and stable power supply.

So how is this power supply achieved? — Different configurations must cooperate to achieve this.

After 16 years of solar energy storage technology research by PVMARS, the following PV Array BESS configuration list is obtained.

• Solar panels
• Ground support/PV bracket
• PV combiner
• Power conversion system (PCS)
• Lithium battery system
• Battery management system (BMS)
• Power management system (PMS)
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Dynamic environment monitoring system (controller cabinet)
• Fire suppression system
• Supervisory Control and data acquisition (SCADA)
• Energy management system (EMS)
• Ancillary equipment — Junction boxes, cabling, lighting, sensors, breakers
• Enclosure as container

This is the most complete solar panel array BESS configuration. If part of it is missing, the whole system may become unsafe or impossible to work with.

Next, let’s dive into what each configuration does and why you need them.

Photovoltaic matrix (Solar panels）

Since it is a power supply mode of photovoltaic + energy storage, solar panels must be the shining star.

PVMARS configures junction boxes and MC4 equally for different types of solar panels (PERC type, Half-cell type, and others).

Please refer to the figure below for the connection of solar panels through MC4. Pay attention to the positive and negative poles.

Ground support/PV bracket

If you want solar panels strong enough to absorb sunlight and generate electricity, you need PV brackets to support each solar panel.

For large-scale PV energy storage systems, there are generally hundreds or thousands of photovoltaic panels. Engineers will design the series-parallel connection of solar panels according to system parameters.

At the same time, the PV bracket is also used to separate and plan the distance between each group of photovoltaic arrays. This is to achieve the maximum power generation efficiency of each group of solar panels.

PV combiner/DC lightning protection cabinet

In small solar energy storage systems, it is called a PV combiner.

In large-scale photovoltaic energy storage systems, its name varies, but its main function remains the same. It acts as a staging point for thousands of solar panels to find their homes.

It will be found in every group of the PV array. The PV combiner connects each group of solar panels in series.

It finally outputs 2 or even 4 groups of positive and negative wires, which follow a fixed route and travel straight to BESS.

In addition to stably transmitting solar direct current to BESS, the PV combiner also has built-in high voltage and lightning protection devices.

When thunderstorm season rolls around, it protects the panels at the expense of built-in lightning protection.

You only need to replace the new lightning protection device, and you can maintain the solar panel from lightning impact at a low cost.

Power conversion system (PCS)

As mentioned earlier, the PV combiner transmits photovoltaic direct current to the BESS, then power passes through the PCS.

PCS includes bi-directional power control and an inverter with multiple charging/discharging modes. In a PV energy storage system, this inverter can be set to prioritize power supply to the load.

It can also supply solar power to the lithium battery.

If the local public utility grid is connected, PCS will also integrate the urban grid into the BESS to become a third power source (photovoltaic, lithium battery, urban grid).

Lithium battery system

Lithium batteries are currently the most popular type of rechargeable battery in the energy storage industry.

In the future, PVMARS will also provide flow batteries for BESS in addition to traditional gel batteries and lithium battery products.

Lithium batteries belong to the 9th category of dangerous goods. When transporting BESS, we must apply for UN3536 to allow import and export. For more information about lithium batteries, please click here.

Battery management system (BMS)

………………………….

Power management system (PMS)

…………………………….

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

……………………………….

Dynamic environment monitoring system（Controller cabinet）

………………………………..

Fire suppression system

……………………………….

Supervisory Control and data acquisition (SCADA) Energy management system (EMS)

………………………………

Ancillary equipment — Junction boxes, cabling, lighting, sensors, breakers

The enclosure as a container

In conclusion

Any inconspicuous small part may cause immeasurable losses.

PVMARS has been deeply involved in solar energy storage technology for 16 years.

It always cares about users’ feelings, and constantly seeks to develop new technologies to meet your needs for renewable energy PV arrays BESS.