This set of building descriptors addresses the overall layout and design of the PV system, including the orientation and slope of the collectors, how they are wired together, and how they are linked to an inverter that converts DC power to AC and synchronizes it with the grid.
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PV System Name |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
A unique identifier that can be used to reference the PV system and associate it with the construction documents |
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Units |
Text, Unique |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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Number of Modules in a String |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
This is the number of modules in a series string. Modules in series increase voltage which is often needed in order to match output voltage with the inverter requirements; modules in parallel increase current. |
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Units |
Numeric: Integer |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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Number of Strings |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
This is the number of strings of modules in parallel. Modules in series increase voltage; modules in parallel increase current. |
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Units |
Numeric: Integer |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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Collector Area |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
The area of the collector module |
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Units |
Square feet (ft2) |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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Tilt |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
The tilt angle is the angle from horizontal of the photovoltaic modules in the array. For a fixed array, the tilt angle is the angle from horizontal of the array where 0° = horizontal, and 90° = vertical. For arrays with one-axis tracking, the tilt angle is the angle from horizontal of the tracking axis. The tilt angle does not apply to arrays with two-axis tracking. |
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Units |
Degrees (°) |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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Azimuth |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
The azimuth angle is the angle clockwise from true north describing the direction that the array faces. An azimuth angle of 180° is for a south-facing array, and an azimuth angle of 0° is for a north-facing array. For an array with one-axis tracking, the azimuth angle is the angle clockwise from true north of the axis of rotation. The azimuth angle does not apply to arrays with two-axis tracking. The default value is an azimuth angle of 180° (south-facing) for locations in the northern hemisphere and 0° (north-facing) for locations in the southern hemisphere. These values typically maximize electricity production over the year, although local weather patterns may cause the optimal azimuth angle to be slightly more or less than the default values. |
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Units |
Degrees (°) |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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PV Mounting Height |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
The height of the collectors above the ground |
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Units |
Feet (ft) |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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PV Array Mounting Type |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
The array type describes whether the PV modules in the array are fixed, or whether they move to track the movement of the sun across the sky with one or two axes of rotation. |
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Units |
List: Fixed, one axis tracking, two axis tracking. |
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Input Restrictions |
As designed. The default value is a fixed, or no tracking. |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |