The
ECN PV-Privé project has been set up in order to investigate the application
of small-scale grid-connected PV-systems in the existing built environment.
Employees
of ECN and NRG have got a possibility to purchase SunPower® PV-systems
with an attractive financial regulation. In exchange for that offer,
they co-operate in a monitoring project and report regularly yields
of their PV-systems.
The
ECN task within this project is the monitoring and dissemination of
experience gained in the preparation period, during installation, follow-up
care, maintenance and exploitation of PV-systems, as well as providing
service to project participants. The monitoring of yields and quality
of PV-systems has served as a basis for follow-up research projects.
Within
the PV-Privé project, 48 employees of ECN or NRG had let a PV-system
installed. After more than three and a half years, up to and including
June 2004, this group has shrunk to 36 participants. This is due to
the fact that a number of participants has left the company or sold
their house together with the PV-system.
If
a permit to place the PV-system is granted or not, depends strongly
on the interpretation of the regulations and the Building Code by the
given municipality authorities. Mostly, they draw a parallel with solar
thermal collectors.
The
Internet is used to disseminate information on the project to participants
as well as to provide a possibility to report electricity yields, fill
the questionnaires, etc.
During
the whole duration of the project there has been a helpdesk available
for the participants. They can ask for any information regarding the
project and report the defects and failures. The service has been used
rather intensively up till now.
The
report focuses on various components of the SunPower® PV-system as well
as on occurred failures and experience with the installation.
An
important objective of the project has been monitoring and analysis
of the yields. Monitoring will continue at least for a period of five
years. For this purpose, ECN has developed its own monitoring software.
This software has also been used within other projects.
The
report treats the issue of compensation for the electricity supplied
to the grid and the issue of electricity meters with registers turning
backwards.
Within
the period of four years, a lot valuable knowledge has been gathered.
This has been reached through continuous monitoring of practical experience
since the beginning of the project as well as gaining information on
non-technical aspects and operation of PV-systems by means of a questionnaire.
The helpdesk and the service that shall stay available for five years
have certainly contributed to this. Looking
at all this experience it is clear that the project may be evaluated
as successful.