This technical report provides an analysis of a proposed 5 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in Charanka, Gujarat, India. It describes the site location and solar resource, gives an overview of the plant design including the modules, mounting structure, inverters and layout, and analyzes the expected plant performance and yearly energy generation. The analysis finds that the plant is expected to generate over 7,000 MWh in the first year with some losses accounted for, and provides conclusions on the viability and expected output of the project.

1. Technical
Project
Report
Prepared
for:
AVATAR
SOLAR
Private
Limited
152.
Sahakar
Colony,
Sector
25,
Gandhinagar,
Gujarat
382024
India
Phone:
+91-­‐
9537545046
+91
–
9898046488
079
-­‐
23288549
+1
(805)
813
9946
Web:
www.avatarsolar.net
16-­‐05-­‐2013
TECHNICAL
DESIGN
ANALYSIS
OF
AVATAR
SOLAR’S
5
MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
SOLAR
PHOTOVOLTAIC
POWER
PLANT
AT
CHARANKA,
GUJARAT
Prepared
by:
DR.
OMKAR
JANI
PRINCIPAL
RESEARCH
SCIENTIST
(SOLAR)
GUJARAT
ENERGY
RESEARCH
&
MANAGEMENT
INSTITUTE
(GERMI)
NEHAL
DIXIT
SENIOR
TECHNICAL
ENGINEER
AVATAR
SOLAR
PVT
LTD

2. Contact
Information
Dr.
Omkar
Jani
Principal
Research
Scientist
(Solar)
Gujarat
Energy
Research
&
Management
Institute
Research,
Innovation
&
Incubation
Centre
(GERMI
-­‐
RIIC)
1st
Floor,
Energy
Building
Pandit
Deendayal
Petroleum
University
Campus
Gandhinagar,
Gujarat
–
382
007
INDIA
M:
+91-­‐96240
00
264
P:
+91-­‐79-­‐2327
5357
F:
+91-­‐79-­‐2327
5370
Omkar.J@germi.res.in
Nehal
Dixit
Senior
Technical
Engineer
8
Nevil
Park
Society,
Opp
china
Town
Soc,
B/h
Gayatri
Temple,
New
City
Light
Road,
Surat,
Gujarat
–
395
017
INDIA
M:
+91-­‐99040
98
987
nehal@avatarsolar.net
Disclaimer
This
Technical
Design
Analysis
document
is
prepared
for
Avatar
Solar,
Inc.
as
a
third-­‐party
analysis
for
the
5
MW
solar
photovoltaic
power
plant
planned
for
commissioning
at
Charanka
(District:
Patan,
State:
Gujarat).
The
analysis
is
based
on
the
data
provided
by
Avatar
Solar
Private
All
assumptions
taken
in
this
analysis
have
been
clearly
indicated.
Neither
Dr.
Omkar
Jani
nor
GERMI
assume
any
liability,
financial
or
otherwise,
resulting
from
any
information
in
this
report.

3. Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
1

4. Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
2
Table
of
Contents
Contact
Information
.........................................................................................................
...............................................
1
Disclaimer
..................................................................................................................
..........................................................
1
Terminology
.......................................................................................................................................................................
3
Executive
Summary
...........................................................................................................
..............................................
4
1.
Introduction
.............................................................................................................
......................................................
6
1.1
Solar
Energy
in
India...........................................................................................................................................
6
1.2
About
Avatar
Solar,
Inc.
................................................................................................
.....................................
7
1.3
About
GERMI
.............................................................................................................
.............................................
8
2.
Site
Details
.......................................................................................................................................................
............
10
2.1
Site
Location
..............................................................................................
..........................................................
10
2.2
Solar
Resource
..........................................................................................................
..........................................
11
2.3
Local
Weather
Conditions...................................................................................................................
...........
12
2.4
Geology
and
Seismic
Zone
...................................................................................
..........................................
12
2.5
Soil
....................................................................................................................
.......................................................
12
3.
Plant
Overview...................................................................................................................................
........................
14
3.1
Photovoltaic
Modules
...........................................................................
...........................................................
14
3.2
Module
Mounting
.........................................................................................................
.....................................
14
3.3
Strings
and
Combiner
Boxes
...................................................................................................................
......
15
3.4
Photovoltaic
Inverters............................................................................................
.........................................
15
3.5
LT
and
HT
Transformers
..................................................................................................
..............................
16
3.6
Plant
Layout.........................................................................................................................................................
1
6
4.
Plant
Performance
Parameters
.............................................................................................
..............................
19
4.1
Loss
parameters..........................................................................................................
.......................................
19
4.2
Weather
Data
......................................................................................................................................................
19
5.
Results
..................................................................................................................
.........................................................
21
5.1
First
Year
Energy
Output
and
Performance
................................................................................
...........
21
5.2
Energy
Losses
...........................................................................................................
..........................................
22
5.3
Yearly
Energy
Generation
..................................................
............................................................................
23
5.4
Conclusion
..............................................................................................................
..............................................
23
Appendix
A:
PV
Module
Datasheet
–
WAAREE
ENERGIES
PVT
LTD
|
LDK
SOLAR
Appendix
B:
Combiner
Box
Datasheet
–
L&T
G-­‐Ray
String
monitoring
Box.
Appendix
C:
PV
Inverter
Datasheet
–
ABB
57~630
KW
PS
700.

5. Terminology
3φ
CdTe
FiT
GUVNL
Hz
IAM
Imp
Isc
JNNSM
kW
kWh
m
MPP
MPPT
MW
NOCT
Pmax
PPA
PV
sq.
m
STC
THD
Vmp
Voc
W
:
Three-­‐phase
(indicative
of
type
of
AC
electricity)
:
ium
Telluride
:
Feed-­‐in
Tariff
:
Gujarat
Urja
Vikas
Nigam
Limited
:
Hertz
(unit
of
frequency)
:
Incidence
Angle
Modifier
(indicates
an
optical
reflection
loss
corresponding
to
the
weakening
of
irradiation
reaching
the
PV
cell
through
the
front
glass,
with
respect
to
irradiation
under
normal
incidence.
:
Current
at
maximum
power
point
(in
Ampere)
:
Short-­‐circuit
current
(in
Ampere)
:
Jawaharlal
Nehru
National
Solar
Mission
:
kilowatt
:
Kilowatt-­‐hour
:
Metre
:
Maximum
Power
Point
:
Maximum
Power
Point
Tracking
:
megawatt
:
Nominal
Operating
Cell
Temperature
(at
800W/m2,
20C,
wind
velocity
of
1m/s,
mounting
with
back
side
open
:
Maximum
power
(in
Watt;
also
the
rating
of
the
PV
module
at
STC)
:
Power
Purchase
Agreement
:
Photovoltaic
:
Square
metre
:
Standard
Testing
Condition
(1000W/m2,
25°C,
AM1.5)
:
Total
Harmonic
Distortion
:
Voltage
at
maximum
power
point
(in
Volt)
:
Open-­‐circuit
voltage
(in
Volt)
:
Watt
Page
3

6. Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
4
Executive
Summary
India
is
endowed
with
its
attractive
solar
energy
resource
averaging
more
than
200
MW
per
sq.km
per
year.
The
Gujarat
Solar
Power
Policy
–
2009
aggressively
is
trying
to
take
advantage
ofits
enormous
solar
resource
through
its
attractive
feed-­‐in
tariffs
and
economic
benefits.
AvatarSolar,
Inc.
,
a
California-­‐based
alternate
energy
service
provider,
has
signed
a
Power
Purchase
Agreement
(PPA)
for
a
5
MW
PV
power
plant
with
Gujarat
Urja
Vikas
Nigam
Limited
(GUVNL),
a
state
utility
company,
under
this
policy,.
Gujarat
Energy
Research
and
Management
Institute
(GERMI)
is
a
centre
for
excellence
in
renewable
energy
with
substantial
experience
in
solar
energy
education,
R&D,training
and
consultancy,
and
is
technically
analysing
Avatar
Solar’s
5
MW
plant.
The
PV
power
plant
shall
be
commissioned
at
the
Solar
Park
–
Phase
II
located
at
Charanka
Village,
Patan
District,
Gujarat
State
in
India.
Most
of
the
infrastructure
as
well
as
clearances
for
the
plant
shall
be
obtained
directly
through
the
Solar
Park.
The
site
has
a
very
attractive
solar
resource,
classified
in
the
5.8
–
6
kWh/
m2/
day
zone,
and
an
average
of
340
clear
days
per
year.
The
site
has
convenient
connectivity
by
roads,
ports,
railway
stations
and
airports.
The
site
is
classified
as
seismic
zone
V,
and
hence,
adequate
earthquake
protection
should
be
taken
for
the
civil
structures.
Based
on
geotechnical
investigations,
the
site
is
suitable
for
solar
plants.
An
allowable
bearing
pressure
of
16
t/m2
is
recommended.
Shallow
spread
foundations
are
recommended
for
the
civil
structures.
A
total
of
21,744
Poly
Crystalline
based
modules
by
WAAREE
Energies
|
LDK
Solar,
with
a
rating
of
240
Wp
|
225
Wp
respectively
used
in
the
PV
power
plant.
24
modules
shall
be
mounted
on
one
module
mounting
structure
at
an
azimuth
of
0°
with
respect
to
south
and
an
inclination
of
26°
due
south.
24
modules
shall
be
connected
to
a
string,
24
strings
shall
be
connected
to
a
combiner
box,
and
6
combiner
boxes
shall
be
connected
to
a
PV
inverter.
ABB
PVS800-­‐57
Central
Inverter,
each
of
nominal
AC
power
output
of
630kW
shall
be
used.7
such
inverters
shall
be
installed
in
the
plant.
Two
inverters
shall
be
connected
to
a
single
low-­‐tension
(LT)
transformer
CSS
in
three
sets
and
last
inverter
will
be
connected
to
750
KVA
CSS
–Transformer,
which
has
set-­‐up
the
inverter
outputs
to
11
kV.
All
LT
transformer
outputs
shall
be
connected
to
the
high-­‐tension
transformer
at
the
5-­‐6
MVA
transformer
switchyards
to
step-­‐up
the
voltage
to
66
kV
in
order
to
feed
the
power
into
the
electricity
grid.
The
total
area
of
the
PV
power
plant
is
80,120
sq.
m.
around
3990
number
of
foundations
and
with
specialized
Technical
formulae
to
analyse
shadow
and
determining
of
distance
between
two
successive
rows
of
panels
at
same
and
different
heights
were
simulated
during
designing
phase
of
this
project.
Weather
data
from
a
number
of
sources
is
considered,
and
NASA
data,
which
is
comparatively
conservative,
is
used
for
calculations.
Compared
to
the
1,884
kW/m2
of
global
radiation
on
horizontal,
optimally
oriented
PV
modules
can
collect
as
high
as
2,009
kW/m2
of
global
radiation.
The
plant
is
expected
to
generate
7.8
million
kWh
during
the
first
year
with
a
performance-­‐ratio
of
71.2%.
A
major
loss
of
13.5%
arises
due
to
the
high
temperatures
at
site.
Module
quality
loss,
array
soiling
loss,
module
mismatch
loss,
and
Ohmic
loss
add
up
to
net
15.8%.
Inverter
efficiency
are
approximately
1.6%
based
on
ambient
weather
conditions.

7. The
PV
power
plant
is
expected
to
generate
172.9
million
kWh
over
the
first
25
years
with
a
steady
annual
degradation
of
1%
over
the
previous
year.
It
can
be
speculated
that
the
performance
ration
of
the
plant
can
be
increased
by
up
to
2%
by
selecting
better-­‐matched
modules
at
the
time
of
installation,
and
cleaning
the
PV
modules
at
a
frequent
interval
to
reduce
the
soiling
losses.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Ply
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
5

8. Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
6
1.
Introduction
1.1
Solar
Energy
in
India
India
is
endowed
with
very
attractive
solar
energy
resource.
The
average
intensity
of
solar
radiation
received
by
India
is
200
MW
per
sq.
km,
and
an
average
of
over
300
sunny
days
a
year.
Owing
to
the
development
of
the
country,
electrification
of
remote
areas,
depleting
fossil
energy
sources
and
the
concern
to
conserve
the
environment,
India
is
now
determined
at
both
the
central
as
well
as
local
levels
to
deploy
solar
energy
system
at
a
mass
scale.
Figure
1.1.
Solar
resource
in
India.
The
Jawaharlal
Nehru
National
Solar
Mission
(JNNSM)
was
launched
by
the
Prime
Minister
of
India
in
January,
2010,
as
a
major
initiative
to
promote
an
ecological
and
sustainable
growth
of

9. the
solar
energy
industry
in
India.
This
initiative
is
one
of
the
several
initiatives
under
the
National
Action
Plan
on
Climate
Change.
JNNSM
targets
are:
o To
create
an
enabling
policy
framework
for
the
deployment
of
20,000
MW
of
solar
power
by
2022.
o To
ramp
up
capacity
of
grid-­‐connected
solar
power
generation
to
1000
MW
within
three
years
–
by
2013;
an
additional
3000
MW
by
2017;
and
additional
10,000
MW
installed
power
by
2022.
o To
create
favourable
conditions
for
solar
manufacturing
capability.
o To
promote
programmes
for
off
grid
applications,
reaching
1000
MW
by
2017
and
2000
MW
by
2022.
o To
achieve
15
million
sq.
meters
solar
thermal
collector
area
by
2017
and
20
million
by
2022.
o To
deploy
20
million
solar
lighting
systems
for
rural
areas
by
2022.
The
Gujarat
Solar
Power
Policy
–
2009,
which
is
applicable
to
this
report,
is
a
state-­‐level
policy
that
was
launched
in
January
2009
to
promote
solar
energy
in
the
state
of
Gujarat.
This
policy
enables
an
attractive
feed-­‐in
tariff
(FiT)
of
INR
9.98
per
kWh
for
the
first
12
years,
and
INR
7
per
kWh
for
the
next
13
years
after
getting
extension
to
complete
this
project
on
or
before
31st
March
2013.
Additionally,
this
policy
also
provides
added
benefits
to
developers
of
power
projects
such
as
ability
to
claim
accelerated
depreciation
and
provisions
for
wheeling
of
power.
Power
Purchase
Agreements
(PPAs)
of
more
than
965
MW
of
net
installed
solar
power
plantcapacity,
most
of
which
are
for
photovoltaic
technologies,
have
been
signed
between
various
private
and
government
organizations
with
GUVNL,
the
state
utility
company.
1.2
About
Avatar
Solar,
Inc.
Avatar
Solar
is
a
progressive
alternative
energy
service
provider
that
specializes
in
solar
electric
systems
and
the
sale
of
Power
Purchase
Agreements
(PPA).
For
well
over
10
years,
Avatar
Solar
has
designed
and
implemented
cost-­‐effective
solar
electricity
solutions
for
large
scale
commercial
properties
in
both
California
and
Hawaii.
Avatar
Solar’s
primary
goal
is
to
partner
with
companies
to
provide
efficient
and
effective
power
solutions
through
the
use
of
renewable
and
clean
energy
alternatives.
The
company
offers
a
full
suite
of
alternative
energy
services,
including:
o energy
efficiency
consulting
o site
analysis
o design
and
implementation
o financing
o maintenance
and
support
o billing
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
7

10. Avatar
Solar
has
signed
a
PPA
with
GUVNL
for
a
5
MW
solar
PV
power
plant,
and
shall
avail
the
benefits
including
the
tariff
outlined
in
the
Gujarat
Solar
Power
Policy
–
2009.
1.3
About
GERMI
Gujarat
Energy
Research
&
Management
Institute
(GERMI)
is
a
centre
of
excellence
in
industry
learning
and
has
set
up
to
develop
human
resource
assets
to
cater
to
renewable
and
non-­‐
renewable
energy
sectors,
improve
knowledge
base
of
policy
makers
and
technologists
and
provide
a
competitive
edge
to
leaders
to
compete
in
the
global
arena.
GERMI
is
registered
as
society
and
a
trust
under
the
Societies
Registration
Act,
1860
and
the
Bombay
Public
Trust
Act,
1950.
GERMI
has
already
established
a
specialised
technology
&
management
institute
focusing
on
the
Oil
&
Gas
Sector
and
is
actively
pursuing
initiatives
in
the
areas
of
research
and
alternative
energy
resources.
GERMI
promoted
by
Gujarat
State
Petroleum
Corporation
(GSPC)
Ltd.
(A
Govt.
of
GujaratUndertaking).
GSPC
is
a
fully
integrated
energy
company
having
a
presence
in
variousoperations
like
Exploration
&
Production,
Transportation
of
Gas,
and
Power
Generation,
IT
services.
It
is
one
of
the
fastest
growing
state
owned
companies
and
has
excellent
support
from
Gujarat
Govt.
as
well
as
from
Central
Govt.
GERMI
fulfils
its
solar
energy-­‐related
mandates
through
its
various
initiatives:
o The
School
of
Solar
Energy
at
Pandit
Deendayal
Petroleum
University
caters
to
post-­‐graduate
studies
in
fundamental
and
applied
R&D
through
its
Master’s
and
Doctorate
programmes.
o The
Solar
Energy
Research
Wing
at
GERMI
Research,
Innovation
and
Incubation
Centre
heads
applied
research,
energy
programmes
as
well
as
consulting
activities.
o GERMI’s
Training
and
Development
Centre
conducts
various
professional
and
technical
training
programmes
to
build
human
resource
capital
directly
for
the
solar
industry.
Some
of
GERMI’s
consulting
activities
include:
o Consultancy
for
5
MW
PV
power
plant
for
Gujarat
Power
Corporation
Limited
through
an
EPC
route.
o Consultancy
for
5
MW
PV
power
plant
for
Gujarat
Industries
Power
Corporation
Limited
through
a
package
route.
o Consultancy
for
1
MW
multi-­‐technology
demonstration
PV
power
plant
for
Gujarat
Energy
Development
Agency.
o Consultancy
for
structuring
and
implementation
of
5
MW
Gandhinagar
Photovoltaic
Rooftop
Programme.
GERMI
has
already
been
involved
in
establishing
its
own
1
MW
solar
PV
power
plant
on
the
campus
of
Pandit
Deendayal
Petroleum
University.
This
plant
consists
of
750
kW
of
crystalline
silicon
modules,
250
kW
of
thin-­‐film
silicon
modules,
and
15
kW
of
single-­‐axis
tracker
technology.
The
plant
was
inaugurated
by
the
Chief
Minister
of
Gujarat
on
22nd
January,
2011.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
8

11. Thus,
GERMI
has
positioned
itself
as
one
of
the
foremost
consulting
and
implementing
organizations
for
solar
power
projects.
(a)
Bird’s
eye
view
of
the
plant.
(b)
View
from
the
plant
entrance.
(c)
750
kW
of
crystalline
silicon
modules.
(d)
250
kW
of
thin-­‐film
modules.
(e)
A
5
kW
single-­‐axis
tracker
assembly.
Figure
1.2.
1
MW
multi-­‐technology
PV
power
plant
at
Pandit
Deendayal
Petroleum
University,
Gandhinagar.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
9

12. Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
1010
2.
Site
Details
2.1
Site
Location
Government
of
Gujarat
has
initiated
a
far-­‐reaching
initiative
for
sustainable
progress
in
solar
power
space
through
development
of
series
of
Solar
Parks
that
are
envisaged
to
have
a
mix
of
solar
power
generation
units,
manufacturing
units
and
R&D
facilities
for
both
private/public
sector
developers.
This
‘Solar
Park’
concept
aims
to
accelerate
the
development
of
solar
power
generation
projects
and
to
de-­‐risk
single
investments,
through
the
availability
of
large
areas
of
suitable
land,
the
provision
of
common
infrastructure,
including
grid
connection
for
evacuation
of
power
and
water
access,
as
well
as
facilitating
the
mandatory
clearances
centrally
–
for
a
number
of
developers.
Figure
2.1.
Gujarat
Solar
Park
at
Village
Charanka,
District
Patan.
The
location
of
the
PV
power
plant
shall
be
at
the
Solar
Park
–
Phase
I
located
in
North
Gujarat
at
Charanka
Village
in
the
Patan
District
of
Gujarat,
India
as
shown
in
Figure
2.1.
The
site
is
located
in
the
North
of
Charanka
village
at
Latitude
23°54’20.24”N
and
Longitude
71°11’54.29”E.
It
is
abutted
by
–
o Rann
of
Kutch
in
the
North

13. o Reserved
forest
in
the
East
o Aluvas
village/
Asphalted
road
connecting
Charanka
and
Fangli
villages
in
the
South
o Agricultural
land/Rann
of
Kutchh
lands
falling
within
the
village
of
Charanka
in
the
West.
The
nearest
urban
area
from
the
site
is
Radhanpur
which
is
located
approximately
at
a
distance
of
25
kms.
The
distance
matrix
is
given
in
Table
2.1.
Table
2.1.
Distance
matrix.
2.2
Solar
Resource
The
weather
data
including
solar
resource
and
temperature
used
for
calculations
for
the
PV
power
plant
is
taken
from
the
NASA
Satellite
Weather
Observatory.
This
data
is
further
compared
with
third-­‐party
sources
and
models
for
comparison,
which
matches
the
NASA
data
to
a
high
level
of
conformity.
The
solar
resource
and
relevant
weather
data
is
summarized
in
Table
2.2.
Table
2.2.
Summary
of
solar
resource
at
site.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
11

14. Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
1212
2.3
Local
Weather
Conditions
Weather
is
predominantly
dry
and
arid.
The
chief
characteristics
of
the
weather
are
given
in
Table
2.3.
These
details
are
of
Deesa
station
of
IMD,
which
is
about
30
km
from
the
site.
Table
2.3.
Climate
and
meteorological
condition.
Parameter
Details
Solar
Zone
5.8
–
6
kWh
per
sq.
m.
per
day
Temperature
Average
daily
maximum
temperature
34.1°C
Average
daily
minimum
temperature
19.4°C
Highest
temperature
47°C
Lowest
temperature
5.2°C
Rainfall
Annual
rainfall
578.8mm
Number
of
rainy
days
26.9
days
(sustained,
torrential
rainfall)
Relative
humidity
64%
Wind
speed
Average
wind
speed
8.5
km
per
hour
Visibility
Number
of
days
with
visibility
more
than
10
km
340
day
2.4
Geology
and
Seismic
Zone
The
site
is
a
part
of
North
Gujarat
alluvial
plain
and
geologically
it
falls
within
the
vast
marshy
,saline
tract
of
Holocene
sedimentation.
The
area
is
formed
of
tidal
mudflats
and
series
of
off-­‐shore
sandbars.
Geologically
the
area
is
covered
with
saline
tract
of
brownish
grey
silt,
clay,
sand,
and
murram
at
depth.
In
the
Patan
district
nearly
90%
of
soil
is
sandy.
The
alluvial
soils
are
found
in
the
talukas
of
Santalpur
and
Radhanpur.
At
the
site,
rocky
outcrops
have
been
witnessed
in
the
south
and
south
west
direction
whereas
alluvial
thickness
increases
towards
the
North.
The
site
falls
in
Seismic
Zone
V,
which
indicates
a
very
high
damage
risk
zone.
Therefore,
adequate
measures
need
to
be
taken
while
installing
the
Solar
Panels
to
ensure
least
damage
during
earthquake.
2.5
Soil
Soil
investigation
indicates
that
surface
geologic
materials
consist
of
clays
and
clayey
sand.
At
a
depth
of
3.0
to
5.0
m,
texture
of
the
soil
is
either
hard
clay
or
clayey
sandy
soil.
From
5.00
to
10.0
m
below
ground
surface,
the
strata
of
the
soil
is
hard
clay
mixed
with
highly
weathered
weak
and
fragmented
rock.
At
places
boulders
formation
and
weak
and
fractured
rock
is
also
found.

15. Sub
soil
is
very
corrosive.
Soil
falls
in
class
3;
therefore
OPC
with
C3A
content
less
than
5
-­‐
8
%
shall
be
used.
Concrete
should
be
designed
for
severe
exposure
condition.
Minimum
cement
content
should
not
be
less
than
400
kg/m3
and
maximum
W/C
of
0.40.
Liquefaction
is
a
phenomenon
whereby,
during
periods
of
oscillatory
ground
motion
caused
by
an
event
such
as
an
earthquake,
the
pore-­‐water
pressure
in
a
loose,
saturated
granular
soil
and
some
fine-­‐grained
soils
increases
to
the
point
where
the
effective
stress
in
the
soil
is
zero
and
thus
soil
loses
a
portion
of
its
shear
strength
(initial
liquefaction).
Structures
on
potentially
liquefiable
soils
may
experience
bearing
capacity
failures,
vertical
settlement
(both
total
and
differential)
and
lateral
displacement
(due
to
lateral
spreading
of
the
ground).
The
potential
for
liquefaction
at
the
site
is
considered
to
be
nil
to
insignificantly
low.
This
is
due
to
the
stiff
to
very
stiff,
fine-­‐grained,
cohesive
nature
of
the
subsurface
materials
as
well
as
weathered
rock.
Based
on
the
results
of
geotechnical
investigation,
the
site
appears
suitable,
from
a
geotechnical
standpoint,
for
the
proposed
development
of
a
solar
plant.
Consistent
with
usual
practicelocally,
shallow
spread
footings
may
be
used
to
support
the
transformers;
O&M
Building
and
the
PV
panel
support
structures.
The
allowable
bearing
pressure
of
about
16
t/m2
is
recommended.
Thus,
the
selected
site
at
Charanka
is
extremely
attractive
in
terms
of
solar
resource.
Moreover,the
electricity
grid
and
infrastructure
facilities
make
it
an
ideal
location
for
setting
up
a
PV
power
plant
in
India.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
13

16. Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
1414
3.
Plant
Overview
3.1
Photovoltaic
Modules
Photovoltaic
modules
from
WAAREE
Enrgies
Pvt
Ltd
|
LDK
Solar
have
been
used
for
the
PV
power
plant.
These
modules
are
Poly
Crystalline-­‐based.
The
rated
power
output
of
the
modules
is
240W
|
225
W
at
STC.
Poly
photovoltaic
modules
such
as
those
by
Del
Solar
carry
an
advantage
that
they
provide
a
higher
output
than
crystalline
silicon
modules
of
the
same
STC
rating
proven
as
per
Demo
plant
of
GERMI.
The
photovoltaic
modules
carry
a
5-­‐year
warranty
on
materials
and
workmanship.
Further,these
modules
carry
a
performance
guarantee
for
90%
of
nominal
output
during
first
10
years
and
80%
over
25
years.
The
certifications
carried
by
the
modules
are
IEC
61215
(for
design
qualification
and
type
approval)
and
IEC
61730
(for
safety
qualification).
21744
numbers
of
total
modules
shall
be
used
in
this
plant.
The
technical
datasheet
for
the
photovoltaic
modules
is
provided
in
Appendix
A.
Parameter
PV
module:
Pmax
Voc*
Isc*
Vmp*
Imp*
Temperature
Coeff.
of
Pmax*
Temperature
Coeff.
of
Voc*
Table
3.1.
PV
module
parameters.
Value
WAAREE
EnergiesD6P2D]
240W
37.83
V
DC
8.33A
DC
30.39
V
DC
7.91
A
DC
-­‐0.42
%/°C
-­‐0.352
%/°C
Remarks
See
Appendix
A
for
details.
(at
STC)
(at
STC)
(at
STC)
(at
STC)
(at
STC)
-­‐
-­‐
Temperature
Coeff.
of
Isc*
Type
of
output
terminal
+0.049
%/°C-­‐
#12AWG/
MC4
Connector-­‐
*
Parameters
may
be
derived
for
model
optimization.
3.2
Module
Mounting
24
PV
modules
shall
be
mounted
on
a
single
Module
Mounting
Structure
(MMS).
Each
MMS
shall
be
ground-­‐mounted
each
secured
through
its
own
foundation
of
appropriate
size.
The
azimuth
of
the
PV
modules
shall
be
0°
with
respect
to
south,
while
the
inclination
ofthe
modules
shall
be
at
25°
with
respect
to
horizontal
due
south.

17. Figure
3.1.
Schematic
of
a
module
mounting
structure.
3.3
Strings
and
Combiner
Boxes
24
modules
shall
be
connected
in
series
to
form
a
‘string’.
Hence,
the
rated
power
capacity
of
each
string
shall
be
5.76
KW
|5.4
KW
respectively
for
240
W|
225
W
respectively.
Multiple
stings
shall
be
connected
in
parallel
through
combiner
boxes.
CSK-­‐24
combiner
boxes
By
L
&
T
G-­‐ray
Boxes
are
used,
which
have
the
capability
of
connecting
24
strings
in
parallel.
3.4
Photovoltaic
Inverters
Photovoltaic
inverters
convert
the
DC
electricity
provided
by
the
photovoltaic
modules
into
synchronized
AC
electricity
to
feed
into
the
electric
grid.
The
inverters
also
ensure
maximum
power
extraction
from
the
photovoltaic
modules
through
its
Maximum
Power
Point
Tracking
(MPPT)
mechanism.
ABB-­‐
PS
700
57~630
KW
Central
Inverter
Solar
Technology
AG
shall
be
used
for
the
PV
power
plant.
ABB
photovoltaic
inverters
are
one
of
the
most
trusted
brands
for
inverterswith
a
leading
market
share
of
37%
in
2010.
Also
ABB
inverters
are
installed
in
4
power
plants
inside
Solar
Park
for
your
reference.
Each
inverter
in
the
plant
shall
cater
to
630
kW
of
PV
modules
(rated
at
STC)
and
7
such
inverters
shall
be
used
in
the
plant.
The
maximum
rated
efficiency
of
each
inverter
is
98.6%,
while
the
rated
Euro
ETA(efficiency)
is
98.4%.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
15

18. -­‐
3.5
LT
and
HT
Transformers
The
Low
Tension
(LT)
transformers
shall
take
inputs
from
two
inverters
and
step-­‐up
thevoltage
to
11kV.
The
LT
transformer
shall
be
physically
situated
very
near
to
the
inverters,
in
order
to
minimize
any
electrical
losses
arising
from
transmission
of
power
at
low
voltages.
5
such
LT
transformers
shall
be
used
in
the
plant.
All
5
LT
transformers
shall
be
connected
to
the
High
Tension
(HT)
transformer
switchyard,
which
shall
further
step-­‐up
the
11kV
input
voltage
to
66kV
output
voltage.
This
power
at
66kV
shall
be
fed
into
the
electricity
grid.
3.6
Plant
Layout
The
PV
power
plant
is
located
at
Plot
Nos.
28
P
of
the
Gujarat
Solar
Park,
Village
Charanka,
District
Patan,
State
Gujarat.
The
total
plot
area
is
150,000
square
meters;
the
areas
taken
up
by
the
major
civil
components
of
the
plant
are
indicated
in
Table
3.3.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
16

19. Plant Layout as per laid by GPCL and allotted to AVSPL on 28th
Jan 2013.
Figure
3.2.
PV
power
plant
layout.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
17

20. Table
3.3.
Bifurcation
of
area
for
the
PV
power
plant.
Sr.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Feature
PV
modules
built-­‐up
area
Transformer
switchyard
Road
Inverter
rooms
Area
35734.08
sq.
M
22184
sq.
M
8,120
Sq.
M.
13,961.92sq.q.
M.
TOTAL:
80,000
Sq.
M.
The
components
of
the
PV
power
plant
include
photovoltaic
modules,
module
mounting
structures,
photovoltaic
inverters,
transformers,
civil
works
and
interconnections.
The
major
components
are
briefly
described
below
and
technical
datasheets
are
provided
as
appendices
in
this
report.
A
summary
of
sizes
of
PV
modules,
strings,
combiner
boxes,
and
inverters
for
the
PV
plant
is
present
in
Table
3.4.
Table
3.4.
PV
power
plant
design
parameters.
Parameter
Value
Equivalent
power
(STC)
Modules
per
string
24
Strings
per
combiner
box
24
Combiner
boxes
per
inverter
6
Inverters
per
PV
plant
7
Power
per
module
Power
per
string
Power
per
combiner
box
Power
per
inverter
Power
per
PV
plant
225W/240w
5400W/5760W
129.6
KW/138.2KW
630
KW
4.986 MW
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
18

21. 4.
Plant
Performance
Parameters
4.1
Loss
parameters
The
performance
of
the
plant
is
theoretically
analyzed
based
on
the
various
inputs
relating
tothe
site
as
well
as
the
PV
power
plant.
The
site
details
are
already
indicated
in
Chapter
2.
Plant
loss
parameters
indicated
in
Table
4.1
are
considered
for
the
analysis.
Table.
4.1
Key
assumptions
for
performance
analysis.
Parameter
Thermal
Parameter
Value
55°C
Remarks
As
per
NOCT
measurement
under
working
condition.
Ohmic
losses
1.5%
Loss
fraction
at
STC.
Module
efficiency
losses
6%
Addresses
current
module
performance.
Power
loss
at
MPP
4%
Due
to
module
standard
deviation.
Loss
running
at
fixed
voltage
2%
Due
to
module
standard
deviation.
Soiling
losses
4%
Average
as
per
preliminary
soiling
studies.
IAM
losses
0.05%
As
per
ASHARE
model.
4.2
Weather
Data
The
weather
data
source
is
NASA
Satellite
Weather
Observatory.
This
data
is
further
compared
to
third
party
interpolation
models
as
well
as
the
Deesa
Station
of
the
Indian
Meteorological
Department
(IMD),
which
is
30
kilometres
away
from
the
site.
The
most
conservative
data
isused
for
analysis.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
19

22. Figure
4.1.
Radiation
on
horizontal
and
collector
plane
(0°
azimuth;
25°
inclination)
at
site.
Figure
4.2.
Average
ambient
temperature
at
site.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
20

23. 5.
Results
5.1
First
Year
Energy
Output
and
Performance
The
calculated
output
of
the
PV
power
plant
is
7,783,099
kWh
(approx.
7.8
million
units)
for
the
first
year,
and
the
average
performance-­‐ratio
of
the
plant
for
the
first
year
is
71.2%.
The
monthly
outputs
and
performance-­‐ratios
are
summarized
in
Tables
5.1
and
5.2,
respectively.
Figure
5.1.
Monthly
output
of
plant
for
the
first
year.
Figure
5.2.
Monthly
average
performance-­‐ratios
of
plant
for
the
first
year.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
21
.

24. 5.2
Energy
Losses
Figure
5.3
indicates
the
various
losses
in
the
plant
over
the
entire
first
year.
Figure
5.3.
Loss
diagram
over
first
year.
The
inverter
loss,
wiring
Ohmic
loss,
module
mismatch
loss,
module
quality
loss
and
soiling
loss
is
indicated
in
Figure
5.4.
Figure
5.4.
Various
losses
within
the
plant.
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
22

25. 5.3
Yearly
Energy
Generation
Based
on
the
warranty
provided
by
the
module
manufacturer,
an
annual
degradation
in
module
performance
of
1%
over
previous
year’s
performance
is
taken.
The
yearly
generation
over
the
first
25
years
of
the
plant
is
shown
in
Figure
5.5.
Figure
5.5.
Yearly
energy
generation
over
25
years.
5.4
Conclusion
Compared
to
the
1,884
kW/m2
of
global
radiation
on
horizontal,
optimally
oriented
PV
modules
can
collect
as
high
as
2,009
kW/m2
of
global
radiation.
The
plant
is
expected
to
generate
7.8
million
kWh
during
the
first
year
with
a
performance-­‐ratio
of
71.2%.
A
major
loss
of
13.5%
arises
due
to
the
high
temperatures
at
site.
Module
quality
loss,
array
soiling
loss,
module
mismatch
loss,
and
Ohmic
loss
add
up
to
net
15.8%.
Inverter
efficiency
losses
range
from
1.5%
to
1.7%
based
on
ambient
weather
conditions.
The
PV
power
plant
is
expected
to
generate
172.9
million
kWh
over
the
first
25
years
with
a
steady
annual
degradation
of
1%
over
the
previous
year.
It
can
be
speculated
that
the
performance
ration
of
the
plant
can
be
increased
by
up
to
2%
by
selecting
better-­‐matched
modules
at
the
time
of
installation,
and
cleaning
the
PV
modules
at
a
frequent
interval
to
reduce
the
soiling
losses.
Page
23

26. Notes:
Technical
Design
Analysis
of
Avatar
Solar’s
5MW
Poly
Crystalline
based
Solar
Photovoltaic
Power
Plant
at
Charanka,
Gujarat.
Page
24