Performance of the 10-kW KFU Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Station9 Al Hasa9 KSA

The aim of this study is to develop a procedure for the design of institutional grid-connected solar PV (Photovoltaic) systems using campus buildings' roofs and car parking shades. This procedure was developed and validated in the design of a single phase 10 kW solar photovoltaic system at King Faisal University, Al Hofuf, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The method consists of 12 steps including resources assessment, site selection; grid access and requirements; supporting structure and roof type, area, orientation, strength and shading. Once the roof and supporting structure are selected, the facility layout, required grounding and lightning protection are finalized according to IEC Standards. The final stage of the design is to testing the facility. The 10 kW facility has been operating since March 2014. The results for 2014 and 2015 indicate that daily energy production were slightly below the rated values and in some months of the years, the station better that the simulated performance using PVSyst software. The lightning protection, system was considered in the study and subsequent modification would be necessary in the near future.