ABSTRACT
This EC funded JOULE project had the objective of developing a novel approach to the electrical integration of photovoltaics into commercial buildings. SEI, an Italian SME with experience in providing photovoltaics systems for the Italian railways, have developed a grid connected inverter in a range of sizes. CREST, a university based renewable energy laboratory in the UK with growing experience and reputation in the area of electrical integration of renewable energy, have developed the grid interface and conducted field testing of a system with an amorphous silicon photovoltaic array. CIEMAT, an independent research laboratory in Spain with experience in the research of photovoltaic systems provided bench testing of a prototype system. The grid connected photovoltaic system developed takes the novel approach of separating the inverter and the grid interfacing transformer. This introduces distinct advantages and challenges in the engineering of large scale grid connected photovoltaic systems for commercial buildings. In addition, special attention is paid to the use of amorphous silicon photovoltaics, in particular the MPP tracking requirements.
