1
Handbook for
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Systems
Contents
1 Solar Photovoltaic (“PV”) Systems – An Overview 4
1.1 Introduction 4
1.2 Types of Solar PV System 5
1.3 Solar PV Technology 6
 
 
 
1.4 Technical Information 10
2 Solar PV Systems on a Building 12
2.1 Introduction 12
2.2 Installation Angle 12
  
  
  
2.6 Solar PV Yield 15
  
3 Appointing a Solar PV System Contractor 16
3.1 Introduction 16
3.2 Getting Started 17
  
  
  
  
  
4 Solar PV System Installation Requirements 20
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
5 Operations and Maintenance 
  
  
1
Appendices
APPENDIX A – EXAMPLES OF SOLAR PV SYSTEM ON BUILDINGS IN
SINGAPORE
  32
A.2  
A.3  
A.4  
A.5  
A.6  
A.7  
  
  
A.10  
APPENDIX B
  
APPENDIX C
  
APPENDIX D – INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR PV SYSTEM
  
  
  
  
  

  

2




     
systems in Singapore.
              


              

           
pertaining to the installation of solar PV systems.








David Tan Ang Kian Seng
Deputy Chief Executive Director
 
 
Foreword
2
3
3
Acknowledgements


 
 
 
 
 
 
4
1
Solar Photovoltaic
(“PV”) Systems –
An Overview
Figure 1. The difference between solar thermal and solar PV systems
1.1 Introduction




            



5
Chapter 1
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS – AN OVERVIEW
Figure 2. Grid-connected solar PV system configuration
1.2 Types of Solar PV System




       





dual purpose and offsetting some costs.






              

6
Chapter 1
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS – AN OVERVIEW
Figure 3. Off-grid solar PV system configuration








PV systems.

          


1.3 Solar PV Technology
             
technical terms used.

PV cells are interconnected to form a PV module. This takes the form of a panel for easy
installation.
7
Chapter 1
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS – AN OVERVIEW
Mono-Crystalline Silicon PV Cell
Poly-Crystalline Silicon PV Cell
Figure 5. PV technology family tree
PV Cell Types
Poly-crystalline
Mono-crystalline
Amorphous-Si
(a-Si)
Tandem
a-Si/microcrystalline
CIGS
(Copper Indium Gallium
Selenide)
CdTe
(Cadmium Telluride)
Dye-sensitised (TiO
2
)
Commercially
available product,
suitable for Singapore
R&D or pilot stage, or
unsuitable for
Singapore
Special
Compound semiconductor
eg GaAs-based
Crystalline Silicon
(wafer based)
Thin Film


           



Figure 4. Mono-and Poly-Crystalline Silicon PV Cell
8
Chapter 1
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS – AN OVERVIEW
CIGS thin filmMono-crystalline
silicon
Poly-crystalline
silicon
Flexible amorphous
thin film
Figure 6. Common PV module technologies

             


             
micrometres thick onto glass or stainless steel substrates. As the semiconductor layers

processing costs.

Technology Module Efficiency
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1. Conversion efficiencies of various PV module technologies
          


  

1

1


2
of sunlight

0


9
Chapter 1
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS – AN OVERVIEW







rises.
            








Technology Temperature Coefficient
[%/°C]
 
 
 
 
Table 2. Temperature coefficient of various PV cell technologes

Figure 7. The effects of a negative temperature
coefficient of power on PV module performance
10
Chapter 1
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS – AN OVERVIEW
1.4 Technical Information
         



Figure 8. PV String
Figure 9. PV Array
Figure 10. Junction Box



             

             

systems.


11
Chapter 1
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS – AN OVERVIEW
 
for solar PV system. Arrangement must be made for proper connection of the solar PV
system to the consumer’s electrical installation earthing system.
           

to the lightning earthing system.
             
regularly to ensure safe operation of their solar PV systems and electrical installations.

electrical installation.
Figure 11. Typical PV inverter connected to a
building’s electrical installation
Figure 12. Solar PV system forming part of a consumer’s electrical installation
DC Side AC Side
PV
Inverter
PV DC Main
Cable
PV Supply
Cable
AC Distribution
Board
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2
Solar PV Systems
on a Building
2.1 Introduction






o
to the north or south. Therefore there are optimal


2.2 Installation Angle
            
              

Figure 13. Where to install PV modules on a building in Singapore
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Figure 14. PV module frames trap dirt as water evaporates from a
flat-mounted PV module
Vertical façades and steeply sloped roofs tend to suffer a big loss in the ability to generate


              

     




o

o


2.3 Avoid Shading PV Modules
PV modules should be free from shade. Shading of any single cell of a crystalline silicon

             

Chapter 2
SOLAR PV SYSTEMS ON A BUILDING
14
Chapter 2
SOLAR PV SYSTEMS ON A BUILDING
2.5 Solar PV Output Profile




factor
2

Figure 15. BIPV modules integrated
into a façade
Figure 16. BIPV modules integrated into a
skylight canopy
2.4 Aesthetic and Creative Approaches in Mounting PV Modules
           





[
2
] PV Output capacity factor = Ratio of the actual output of the PV installation at time (t) over its output if it
had operated at full rated output.
15
2.6 Solar PV Yield
The amount of electricity you are able to generate from a solar PV system depends not




2.7 Cost of a Solar PV System



                




   





Figure 17. Varying daily power output profile of PV installation
at a selected test site in Singapore
Chapter 2
SOLAR PV SYSTEMS ON A BUILDING
PV output capacity factor
16
3
Appointing a
Solar PV System
Contractor
3.1 Introduction



       


        




system.




issues.

consultation process.
17
Chapter 3
APPOINTING A SOLAR PV SYSTEM CONTRACTOR
3.2 Getting Started
            




          





             

mounted on the ground against another bid for a rooftop system is like comparing apples
to oranges.
            
             
        

             








 
              

18
 





Chapter 3
APPOINTING A SOLAR PV SYSTEM CONTRACTOR


 
              


of PV modules to make up for the shortfall; or
 






        
accidental breakage or abuse; lightning strikes and other acts of God.
Figure 18. Understanding a manufacturer’s limited power warranty
19
Chapter 3
APPOINTING A SOLAR PV SYSTEM CONTRACTOR


            



contractors usually use remote monitoring data to prepare monthly performance reports
of the installed solar PV system. They should come on site to rectify any problems



     
This means that you may no longer be able to buy an identical PV module to replace






20
4
Solar PV System
Installation
Requirements
4.1 Electrical Installation Licence
            

           



           
residential




    



4.2 Electrical Safety Standards and Requirements


PV system connected is considered as the load.




            


21
Chapter 4
SOLAR PV SYSTEM INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
4.3 Application of Electrical Installation Licence

            
premises of your building.



premises.
              

4.4 Conservation and Development Control Requirements
       
             



          



4.5 Guidelines on Conservation and Development Control

           














22
Chapter 4
SOLAR PV SYSTEM INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS




4.6 Structural Safety and Lightning Protection
Structural Safety
 



structure.









  

           

Structures and PV module frames must be properly grounded.
4.7 Connection to the Power Grid
                

consumer’s needs for electricity.


23
Chapter 4
SOLAR PV SYSTEM INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
4.8 Get Connected to the Power Grid

        

          

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
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

            


4.9 Sale of Solar PV Electricity



         

 


           
           

 



If you are a contestable consumer generating electricity from a solar PV system and

            


24
Chapter 4
INSTALLING A SOLAR PV SYSTEM
Figure 19. Flowchart for Electricity Licences
      


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
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

≥

≥



Yes
Yes Yes



             
generation facility registration are set out in the Market Manual: Market Administration–
Registration and Authorisation






           


to market charges in respect to the gross generation output from your registered PV

25
Chapter 4
INSTALLING A SOLAR PV SYSTEM












          
             

      

      

         
metering scheme.
          


    
and commercial buildings.

                 



26
4.10 Design and Installation Checklist

PV system in your premises.
No. Design and Installation Checklist Check Box
1 Set your budget and select a location.
 
of the system.
 
 

 

 

implementation of the connection of your solar PV system to

5 Select a PV module type and mounting method.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to sunlight; and
 
Chapter 4
SOLAR PV SYSTEM INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
27
No. Design and Installation Checklist Check Box
 
face the same direction.
 


 
cooling purposes.
 
 

 
 

of more than 20 years.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Chapter 4
SOLAR PV SYSTEM INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
28
5
Operations and
Maintenance
Figure 20. Examples of performance monitoring displays (Courtesy of Phoenix Solar)
5.1 Operations of Solar PV Systems
The most practical indicator of the performance of the solar PV systems can be obtained
           
manufacturers.


20 for typical performance monitoring displays.
          
            
continue to perform properly.
               


29
Chapter 5
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
5.2 Recommended Preventive Maintenance Works


            
checked for corrosion. This is to ensure that the solar PV system is safely secured.


         


S/N Components/Equipment Description Remedy/Action
   
 
 
 
damage to any PV replacement
module if found damaged
 
 


 
conditions necessary
   
e.g. automatic replacement if
disconnection upon functionality fails

supply
 
 
 
cable terminations
 
operating temperature replacement
30
Chapter 5
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
   
 
and tear
 
 
spots or loose replacement
connections
   
 
or loose connections replacement
 
notices notice if necessary
 
damage replacement
   
replacement
   
conditions replacement
 
earthing connection connection
 
cable to electrical earth recommend
replacement
   
metallic structure of solar conditions replacement
PV system to lightning earth
 
connection
 
the bonding to lightning recommend
earth replacement
31
A
Appendices
31
32
A
Appendix
A.1 ZERO ENERGY BUILDING @ BCA ACADEMY
  
  
  
  
  

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  

2
  
  
  
  
Photographs and information
  
33
Figure A.1.1. Building exterior
Figure A.1.3. PV array view (PV Main Roof)
Figure A.1.2. PV array view (PV Sunshade)
Figure A.1.4. PV array view (PV Staircase
Facade)
Appendix A.1
ZERO ENERGY BUILDING @ BCA ACADEMY
        

          

          
performances.
34
  
  
  
  
  

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
silicon silicon silicon

2
    
    
    
    
Photographs and information
  
A
Appendix
A.2 POH ERN SHIH (TEMPLE OF THANKSGIVING)
35

         

Figure A.2.1. Building exterior Figure A.2.2. Building interior
Figure A.2.3. PV array view Figure A.2.4. PV array view
Appendix A.2
POH ERN SHIH (TEMPLE OF THANKSGIVING)
36
A
Appendix
A.3 313 SOMERSET CENTRAL
  
  
  
  
  

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  

2
  
  
 
  
Photographs and information
  
37
  

              
   

Figure A.3.1. Building exterior
Figure A.3.2. Building exterior
Architect’s Impression of Somerset Central viewed from Orchard Road
Appendix A.3
313 SOMERSET CENTRAL
38
A
Appendix
A.4 SENTOSA COVE
  
  
  
  
  

   
   
   
   
  
   
  
  

2
  
  
  
  
  
 
39





    
2
   

Figure A.4.1.
Twin curved roofs,
green grass and PV
Figure A.4.2.
Lightweight, flexible
laminates follow the
curved roof
Figure A.4.3.
Testing the Uni-Solar
laminates during
installation
Appendix A.4
SENTOSA COVE
40
A
Appendix
A.5 MARINA BARRAGE
  
  
  
  
  

   
   

   
   
   

   
  
  

2
  
  
  
  
Photographs and information
  
41
Figure A.5.2. Marina Barrage Solar Park
           




           






green roof.
The solar panels generate

for lighting and general
    

 
tied solar PV system does
   
eliminating the costs for
battery replacement.
Figure A.5.1. Aerial view of
Marina Barrage
Appendix A.5
MARINA BARRAGE
42
A
Appendix
A.6 LONZA BIOLOGICS
  
  
  
  
  

   
   
   
   
   

  
  

2
  
  
  
  
  
 
43
           

      

          




Figure A.6.3. Installing the REC modules
Figure A.6.1. Building exterior (Rendering by RSP Architects Planners &
Engineers Pte Ltd)
Figure A.6.2. Modules installed on the
6
o
-16
o
slope
Appendix A.6
LONZA BIOLOGICS
44
  
  
  
  
1
2
  

   
   
   
   
   
  
  

2
  
  
  
  
Photographs and information
  
A
Appendix
A.7 ZERO ENERGY HOUSE
45
Figure A.7.2. West roof flank with micromorph PV modules
Figure A.7.1. Building roof with two types of PV module



The PV modules are mounted on rails that are clamped to the seams of the aluminium



Appendix A.7
ZERO ENERGY HOUSE
46
  
  
  
  
  

   
   
   
   
   
  
  

2
  
  
  
  
  
 
A
Appendix
A.8 TAMPINES GRANDE
47
Figure A.8.1. 6kWp BIPV façade on Tower 2
Figure A.8.2. Partially completed PV array
Figure A.8.3. Aerial view of both towers



             

           
collectors.
             

Appendix A.8
TAMPINES GRANDE
48
A
Appendix
A.9 HDB APARTMENT BLOCKS
AT SERANGOON NORTH PRECINCT
  
  
   

  
  

   

   
  
  

2
  
 
  
  
PV Photographs and information
  
49
Figure A.9.1. Typical rooftop PV array layout at Serangoon North Precinct
     
        
nine storey residential apartments and a multi

solar PV panels are mounted at the rooftop
of each residential block and 22 pieces of the

Appendix A.9
HDB APARTMENT BLOCKS
AT SERANGOON NORTH PRECINCT
50
  
  
  
  
  

   

   
  
  

2
  
 
  
  
Photographs and information
  
A
Appendix
A.10 HDB APARTMENT BLOCKS
AT WELLINGTON CIRCLE PRECINCT
51
Figure A.10.1. Typical rooftop PV array layout at Wellington Circle Precinct
    
      
     
of solar PV panels are mounted at the rooftop
of each residential block and 22 pieces of the

Appendix A.10
HDB APARTMENT BLOCKS
AT WELLINGTON CIRCLE PRECINCT
52
B
Appendix
B. ENGAGING A LICENSED
ELECTRICAL WORKER
1. Engaging a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)
 



Class of LEW Approved Load Voltage Level
  
 

 
  
1.2 The Singapore Standard for electrical safety applicable to solar PV Systems is set out in




 

 


53
2 Guide for consumers – Installation of Solar PV Systems
Appendix B.1
ENGAGING A LICENSED ELECTRICAL WORKER
54
C
C.1 CONTACT INFORMATION
Appendix
For enquiries on the following matters pertaining to Solar PV systems, please contact:
  Building And Construction Authority (BCA)


  Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
 


  Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
 


  Energy Market Authority (EMA)



  Energy Market Authority (EMA)
 


  Energy Market Company (EMC)
 
 

  SP Services Ltd (SPS)


  SP PowerGrid Ltd (SPPG)


55
D
Appendix
D.1 SOLAR CAPABILITY SCHEME (SCS)
The Economic Development Board (EDB) unveiled the Solar Capability
Scheme to spur demand and build up expertise for this young but growing
field. The scheme – the latest by Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO) –
seeks to strengthen critical capabilities of companies engaged in activities
such as engineering, architecture and system integration through increased
implementation of solar energy technologies by lead users in Singapore.
  
  
total capital cost of solar technology.
  
Architecture;
System Integration

  



  

56
D
Appendix
D.2 MARKET DEVELOPMENT FUND (MDF)
The MDF seeks to incentivise the use of clean and renewable energy
resources among non-residential consumers and developers by offsetting
the market charges and related costs associated with selling clean and
renewable energy into the power grid. This will help to promote energy
efficiency as well as help in the market integration of innovative clean and
renewable energy resources.
  
  

  


  

57
  
  


  

  
D
Appendix
D.3 GREEN MARK SCHEME
The Green Mark Scheme was launched to promote environmental awareness
in the construction and real estate sectors. It is a benchmarking scheme
that aims to achieve a sustainable built environment by incorporating best
practices in environmental design and construction, and the adoption of
green building technologies.
58
D
Appendix
D.4 GREEN MARK GROSS FLOOR AREA
(GM-GFA) INCENTIVE SCHEME
To encourage the private sector to develop buildings that attain higher tier
Green Mark ratings (i.e. Green Mark Platinum or Green Mark Gold
PLUS
),
BCA and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) have introduced a set
of Gross Floor Area (GFA) incentives on 29 Apr 2009. For developments
attaining Green Mark Platinum or Gold
PLUS
, URA will grant additional floor
area over and above the Master Plan Gross Plot Ratio (GPR) control.
  
  


  
59
D
Appendix
D.5 $100 MILLION GREEN MARK INCENTIVE
SCHEME FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
(GMIS-EB)
The GMIS-EB aims to encourage private building owners of existing
buildings to undertake improvements and/or retrofits to achieve substantial
improvement in energy efficiency. It provides a cash incentive that co-
funds up to 35% (capped at $1.5 million) of the upgrading/retrofitting costs
for energy efficiency improvement in their existing buildings.
  
  




buildings.
  
60
  
  



  
The GMIS-NB is to help accelerate the adoption of environmentally-
friendly green building technologies and building design practices. The
enhanced scheme offers cash incentives.
D
Appendix
D.6 ENHANCED $20 MILLION GREEN
MARK INCENTIVE SCHEME FOR
NEW BUILDINGS (GMIS-NB)
61
Disclaimer
                 







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