Deployment of Rooftop Photovoltaic ProjectsFeasibility, Challenges and Business

This course will provide a first-hand comprehensive discussion of the most relevant topics of the different stages across the value chain of a roof top grid-connected solar PV project. Topics like installation standards, commissioning practices, assessment of rooftop suitability, benefits and challenges of PV development, building integrated PV or the various business models in roof top deployment will be highlighted, focusing specifically on the challenges and best practices in order to ensure a clear understanding of what leads to a good or a poor result. The content of the course not only focuses on technical aspects, it illustrates also the interface between technical concepts and commercial consequences bringing utilities, developers and system integrators to a common ground. This course contains the knowhow of PV expertise acquired over almost one decade of intensive activities in mature and nascent markets in the Americas, Asia and Europe.

"Introduction • What will you learn?
• Structure of the capacity building program"

Overview of project phases from feasibility study to O&M
· Overview of project phases · Project Organigram of a SPV project
Overview of rooftop systems
· Components and functionality of the system
· Types of buildings where rooftop PV is installed
· Types of rooftop PV systems


Challenges for rooftop PV deployment
· Space challenge
· Shading challenge
· Tropical climate challenge
· Weather fluctuation and grid integration challenge
· Other challenges

Benefits of rooftop deployment
· Added value to the building
· Decentralized generation
· Multi-orientation as a grid support

Rooftop specific installation standards and commissioning practices
· Health & safety
· Lighting protection
· Fire protection
· Protection against indirect contact
· Commissioning according to the IEC 62446

Energy storage in rooftop systems
· Main principles
· Technologies
· Monitoring
· Energy consumption profiles
· Optimum of a battery energy storage system

Financing rooftop PV installation
· Subsidies and incentives
· Self-owned solar rooftop
· Third-party owned solar rooftop
· Utility-based business models
· Cost trend
· Taxation issues
· Contracts

Utilities and rooftop management
· Grid connected-solar rooftop: network requirements
· PV Grid Integration challenge
· Grid stability
· Metering business models and tariffs
· Forecasting of PV generation and consumption
· Remote monitoring

Case studies
· Cottbus, Germany 4 MW - Financial close
· Ukraine BIPV - 15.8 kWp
· 695 kWp roof top PV plant in Andhra Pradesh (India)
· Integration of distributed PV in the German grid