ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the design process for several complete self-contained photovoltaic (PV) systems. There are many similarities between stand-alone PV systems and grid-connected, battery-backup systems. Stand-alone systems may have the option of being designed for dc only, for a mix of dc and ac loads, or for ac loads only. A parking lot lighting system, a cathodic protection system, and a highway sign will also be designed as dc systems. In stand-alone systems, it is common to have several days of backup, again, since the PV system is the only source of electrical power year-around. The system operation point is determined by the intersection of the performance characteristics. The common stand-alone PV application is water pumping, especially when the water to be pumped is a long distance from a utility grid. The control for a hybrid system is somewhat more complicated than the control for a conventional PV system.
