Photovoltaic Energy
Photovoltaic Energy
Photovoltaic Energy
An essential factor in determining the success of a What is commonly called the “BOS” (Balance of System),
photovoltaic system is the accurate selection of its i.e. protection, control and isolation of electromechanical
components, with particular attention to modules and devices and cables, definitely plays a role in ensuring both
inverters. It should be recalled that for a photovoltaic system an adequate protection of people and of the assets related
to be considered as a good investment, it needs to continue to the system, and an adequate production of energy over
to operate “in good health” for at least 20 years in bad the years. From an economic viewpoint, and even more in
weather and hot sun. comparison with a common electric system, each single
component of a photovoltaic system must be chosen above
all according to the warranties given by the product and by its
manufacturer, because every device must keep its operating
features unchanged throughout the useful life of the system
and of the related investment.
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Feed-in Tariff - Italian experience
The value of “clean energy” is measured in terms of environmental
impact reduction, cost savings and government incentives
In Italy, the feed-in tariffs paid for the systems connected to Due to the “Feed-in Tariff”
the public grid during 2009 will be reduced by 2% starting
from 1st January 2010. The power subject to feed-in tariffs
incentives and to the growing
was established at 1200 MW, with a 14-month extension to public awareness of the need
connect other systems after said limit has been reached. to promote the development
Administrative procedures are divided into 2 different steps:
first of all the photovoltaic system must be connected to the
of “clean” energy sources,
public grid through a special connection procedure set forth photovoltaic systems for electricity
in the AEEG 99/08 resolution. Once the system has been generation are becoming
connected to the grid, there is a 60-day term for submitting
the request for the feed-in tariffs to GSE. This can be done by
increasingly widespread in Italy.
a special online procedure available on the Web site: www.
gse.it.
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ABB experience about solar energy
Products for the photovoltaic industry from a company that has
always offered the best solutions in the field of electric power.
The presence of high direct current voltage values, together range of products specifically dedicated to photovoltaic
with the unique characteristics of photovoltaic systems applications that meets every system engineering need,
(i.e. the system can be powered down only by screening the from the string on direct current side to the alternate current
solar panels and the strings generate short-circuit currents network connection point.
with values very close to the currents generated in standard The ABB offering includes fuse disconnector, circuit breakers,
conditions), make the selection of protection, control and switch-disconnectors, surge protection devices (SPD), and
isolation devices particularly critical. In line with the new watertight consumer units and enclosures for outdoor use, all
market requirements, ABB developed a complete and reliable specifically designed for these types of applications.
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Equipment for the direct current system section
Effectiveness and cost-savings: a complete and reliable range
of products from ABB experience.
Since increasingly higher values tend to be used (to reduce For single string protection in large-sized systems, compact
losses), ABB developed specific products to meet the various modular fuse disconnectors are provided, capable of housing
system engineering needs, reducing the costs for systems 10x38mm fuses with voltage up to 1000 V d.c.
up to 500 V and optimizing performance for higher voltage To guarantee maintenance operators safety, the use of the
values. DC20 fuse disconnector (i.e. that can operate on the circuit
S800 PVs are available both in the switch-disconnector only with no load) must be combined with DC21 switch-
version (S800 PV-M) and in the circuit-breaker version disconnectors.
(S800 PV-S) and are the most compact circuit breakers in the For string and inverter protection, ABB also developed a
market for protecting direct current circuits. This line is now range of products dedicated to the complex protection
complemented by the miniature circuit-breaker S284 UC, Z against surges of atmospheric origin on DC side.
curve, that can reach 500 V d.c. with sizes up to 16A. The OVR PV surge protection devices are specifically targeted
All the accessories typically provided with the standard at this kind of application, with a Y connection for systems up
modular products are available: voltmeter shunt trip or to 1000 V. The Gemini series IP66 switchboards can be
undervoltage releases, auxiliary contacts and fault signal optimally used as string boxes or parallel boxes, i.e. for
contacts. installation outdoors next to the modules. With its unequalled
range, ABB developed a number of “plug & operate”
solutions, that is a number of finished, wired and certified
switchboards to meet the needs of the most varied types of
installations: from the single string for residential applications
to the large solar farms.
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String boxes, 1 string 16 A 500 V
Example 1
E 90 PV fuse
disconnectors
The E 90 PV fuse
disconnectors, designed
to make voltages of up to
1000 V d.c. (cat. DC-20B)
with no load, are ideally
suited for photovoltaic
systems, where they are
used to isolate the single
strings and protect them
against short circuit.
All the ABB string boxes
are provided with fuses for
photovoltaic plants.
Europa 8 modules
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String boxes, 2 strings 16 A 500 V
Example 2
Europa 12 modules
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String boxes, 4 strings 40 A 800 V
Example 3
S800 PV
Available both in switch-
disconnector version
(S800 PV-M) and in
miniature circuit-breaker
version (S800 PV-S), they
provide high performance
in a very small space.
Europa 36 modules
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String boxes, 6 strings 63 A 800 V
Example 4
Gemini 2
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Direct current string boxes
for photovoltaic applications
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Two strings 16 A 500 V
DC string box for string protection and isolation consisting of:
– Europa series IP 65 wall-mounted 12-module consumer unit,
with IP 68 metric cable glands and nuts
– miniature circuit-breaker S284 UC Z16
– surge protection device OVR PV 40 600 P
– screw-clamp terminal blocks from 2.5 to 10 mm2 (57 A) or above,
for voltage up to 1000 V
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Direct current string boxes
for photovoltaic applications
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Four strings 32 A 800 V
DC string box for string protection and isolation consisting of:
– Europa series IP 65 wall-mounted 36-module consumer unit,
with IP 68 metric cable glands and nuts
– S802 PV-M32 switch-disconnector
– surge protection device OVR PV 40 1000 P
– fuse disconnector E 92/32 PV
10.3x38 mm fuses – 1000 V d.c. 10 A
4A gR fuses for OVR surge protection device
– screw-clamp terminal blocks from 2.5 to 10 mm2 (57 A) or above,
for voltage up to 1000 V
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Direct current string boxes
pfor photovoltaic applications
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Six strings 63 A 800 V
DC string box for string protection and isolation consisting of:
– Gemini switchboard size 2 IP 66, with IP 68 metric cable
glands and nuts
– miniature circuit-breaker S802 PV-S63
– surge protection device OVR PV 40 1000 P
– fuse disconnector E 92/32 PV
10.3x38 mm fuses – 1000 V d.c. 10 A
4A gR fuses for OVR surge protection device
– screw-clamp terminal blocks from 2.5 to 10 mm2 (57 A) or above,
for voltage up to 1000 V
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Miniature circuit-breakers
S284 UC Z
16
Miniature circuit-breakers
S800 PV-S
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Modular switch-disconnectors
S800 PV-M
Connection
Poles Rated Description Order code
Photovoltaic panel network current In [A] Type
in earth-insulated systems
2 32 S802PV-M32 2CCP812001R1329
2 63 S802PV-M63 2CCD842001R1590
2 125 S802PV-M125 2CCP812001R1849
4 32 S804PV-M32 2CCP814001R1329
4 63 S804PV-M63 2CCD844001R1590
4 125 S804PV-M125 2CCP814001R1849
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Switch Disconnectors
OT
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Disconnectors
Tmax PV
Circuit diagrams
Valid for T4D PV and T5D PV
load
Circuit diagrams
Valid for all Tmax PV sizes
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Fuse disconnectors
E 90 PV
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Surge protection devices
OVR PV
Rated discharge Rated system Maximum Protection level Signal contact Description Order code
current per voltage system voltage (L-L/L-PE)
pole In
kA V DC V DC kV Type
20 600 700 2,8 / 1,4 - OVR PV 40 600 2CTB803953R5300
20 600 700 2,8 / 1,4 built-in OVR PV 40 600 P TS 2CTB803953R5400
20 1000 1120 3,8 - OVR PV 40 1000 2CTB803953R6400
20 1000 1120 3,8 built-in OVR PV 40 1000 P TS 2CTB803953R6500
* Note: for surge protection devices installed in points of the network where
short-circuit current exceeds 25A d.c. suitable protection must be provided
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Wall-mounted consumer units
Europa Series
Junction boxes The ABB offering also includes IP polycarbonate junction boxes that are
particularly suited for outdoor applications.
The main features of the junction boxes are:
- class II insulation
- manufactured in self-extinguishing polycarbonate resistant to
abnormal heat and to fire up to 960 °C (glow wire test), in conformity
with the IEC 60695-2-11 standard
- installation temperature: -25 °C ÷ +125 °C
- rated isolation voltage: 1000 V a.c.; 1500 V d.c.
- shock resistance: 20 joules (IK 10 class)
- junction boxes in conformity with the IEC 60670 standards
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Switchboards
Gemini IP 66
Size Code for blank Code for drilled Code for blank Code for
metal base metal base plate insulating material inner door
plate base plate
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Uprights and DIN rail
Drilled panel
225
- Supplied with DIN rail complete with supports to snap onto
uprights and adjustable in depth
- Available in two dimensions: 1 module (H 150 mm)
and 1+1/2 module (H 225 mm, sizes 2-6)
150
225 Size Code Code
for drilled panel, for drilled panel,
1 module 1 + 1/2 module
1 1SL0307A00 -
2 1SL0308A00 1SL0313A00
150 3 1SL0308A00 1SL0313A00
4 1SL0309A00 1SL0314A00
5 1SL0309A00 1SL0314A00
225
75
6 1SL0310A00 1SL0315A00
150
Blank panel
150
- Available in three dimensions: 1/2 module (H 75 mm),
300
1 module (H 150 mm) and 2 modules (H 300 mm)
75
Size Code for modular Code for modular
150 plates, plates,
1 module 2 module
150 1 1SL0296A00 -
300
2 1SL0297A00 1SL0302A00
300 3 1SL0297A00 1SL0302A00
4 1SL0298A00 1SL0303A00
5 1SL0298A00 1SL0303A00
6 1SL0299A00 1SL0304A00
150
25
300
Modular terminal blocks
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Cable glands and nuts
Metric pitch
Main technical features of the metric gauge cable glands and nuts:
- IP 68 protection class
- material: 6.6 polyamide, self-extinguishing material according to the
L94 V2 standard, resistant to abnormal heat and to fire up to 750 °C
(glow wire test), in conformity with the IEC 60695-2-11 standard
- usage temperature: from -20 °C to +120 °C (short period)
- neoprene seal
- tightening by lamellar crown on the whole diameter of the cable
(preventing any damage to the cable itself)
- cable glands can be reused without reducing their effectiveness
* M40, M50 and M63 cable glands and nuts are available on request.
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Contact us
ABB SACE The data and illustrations are not binding. We reserve
1SDC007099B0203 - 04/2010
the right to modify the contents of this document on
A division of ABB S.p.A. the basis of technical development of the products,
Via L. Lama, 33 without prior notice.
20099 Sesto S. Giovanni (MI) - Italy Copyright 2010 ABB. All right reserved.
Tel.: +39 02 2414 1
Fax: +39 02 2414 3892
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