Where is the Power Going

In this episode, Where is the Power Going? . . .

Have you ever wondered where the electricity generated by a PhotoVoltaic (PV) Solar system goes when the system is shut down? Stay tuned for the answer.

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, about 22 attendees from the Cenergy Power staff attended a carport system project tour of a One MegaWatt-DC (1MW-DC) PV solar array at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, in Long Beach, CA. hosted by Eilroma Sarkis, Cenergy's Project Manager. For many, this was the first time visiting a commercial solar installation. As expected, there were a lot of questions from the guests.

To get an idea of the scale of this project, each carport section spans about 45 feet in width and is 200 feet long. There are five such arrays. The tour lasted about one hour; our host explained every aspect of system construction; module layout, system orientation, electrical components, wiring, inverters, shutdown panel boards, interconnection to the hospitals' main electrical service, system monitoring, electrical grounding, and much more. Click the YouTube link to view a few attendees' photos, reactions, and comments.

However, one nagging question kept coming to my mind: "We are standing under a connected 648.72 kW-DC PV Solar Array that is generating DC Power. The system is turned off. Where is the electricity being generated by the modules going?

After discussions with one of our electrical engineers and studying a few physics videos on YouTube, I was reminded that PV solar modules are passive devices. This means the over 1,224 - 530 Watt PV modules only produce a current (electrical flow) when connected to a load. Translation; A load occurs when Power is requested by lighting in the hospital, air conditioning, possible battery storage, or any other on-demand electricity requirements.

Since this system's inverters were turned off, this is considered an open circuit. The 10-50kW string inverters were not fulfilling the demand for a load. Therefore no power (voltage x current) was generated by the system.

However, another fundamental principle applies, the "Conservation of Energy." During a shutdown, the modules will continue to convert sunlight into DC electricity. The electricity generated by the PV modules will dissipate as heat.

The system will simply "idle" until turned on, then the inverters convert the DC electricity into AC electricity that can be used or stored. It's important to note that even when a PV solar system is turned off, there can still be some residual voltage, which can be dangerous. Therefore, it's necessary to follow proper safety procedures when working on or around a PV solar system, even when it is turned off.

Now you know the rest of the story!

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Everything I Need to Know About Christmas

In this episode, Everything I Need to Know About Christmas–I Learned From a Little Golden Book. We are thrilled to present this year's (2024) annual Christmas episode for kids! The story has it: back in 2020, when we first launched On the Fly , one of Santa's helpers whispered a fantastic idea into our ear on Thanksgiving Day. “Wouldn’t it be fun to share children's books by sending an audio file to your nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends so they can enjoy the story with their little ones?” So we did, and here’s the list of books and stories organized chronologically. Feel free to click the links and listen again, or maybe for the first time. Twas the Night Before Christmas Christmas Eve-Day How the Grinch Stole Christmas Frosty the Snowman The Story of Rudolph The 1939–Original Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Tracking Santa Santa’s Toy Shop My listening friends, choosing the right story has always been challenging, but the journey has been rewarding. It's our wish t...

Gobble, Gobble, Let’s All Trot

Oh, a Turkey Trot, a funny sight, A morning stroll, a pure delight. Six forty-five is the time to start, So let’s all run (walk) with all our hearts. While others Turkey hunt today a foolish plight, We’ll run and jog with pure delight. No need for guns, no need for gear, Just happy feet and holiday cheer. New York City is a bustling place, A different trot, a different pace. With Macy’s Parade, a colorful sight, The city’s bright a morning light. But here in Vista, we’ll run our own, A festive race, a joyful tone. So lace up shoes, and let’s all go, To run and walk, row by row. A Turkey Trot, a thankful sight, A perfect way to welcome daylight. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a fantastic day filled with joy and togetherness! I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening, see you in the next episode.

Unexpected Encounter

In this episode, Unexpected Encounter . . . Life presents peculiar twists that make us ponder the universe’s mysteries. Last week, I found an unexpected book : Another Lousy Day in Paradise , A 1996 fly fishing journal by the inspiring humorist and author John Gierach. It may seem strange for a random book selection to inspire such reflection but stay with me. I’ve always been a bookworm, often buying more than I can read—ask my wife. This book had been gathering dust on my shelf for over 28 years. As I delved into Gierach’s witty and insightful writing, I was captivated by his unique perspective on life, fly fishing, and the outdoors. In 1992, while living in Manhattan, I stumbled into a shop on 5th Avenue called The Urban Angler . I purchased my first fly rod, an Orvis eight-and-a-half foot, three-ounce, five-weight beauty! I remember thinking Dad would say, “Why the hell would you buy a fishing rod in New York City?” “Because I want to learn to Flyfish.” “In New Yo...

A Scent of Nostalgia

In this episode, A Scent of Nostalgia: Old Spice . . . Empty! Here’s an odd question: Is there a particular scent that instantly transports you back to childhood? For me, it's the unmistakable aroma of Old Spice Aftershave . It was my dad's go-to, or perhaps the only affordable option at Kroger when Mom did the grocery shopping. T his got me thinking; I wonder when Dad started using Old Spice? I distinctly recall the opaque white glass bottle from the 1960s on his shaving shelf. The front featured a sailing ship illustration; the " Old Spice " branding was in red script below it . The bottle's tapered shape narrowed toward the top, culminating in a small aperture secured with a gray stopper. Did you know that Old Spice has a fascinating history? It all started in 1937 when the Shulton Company, founded by William Lightfoot Schultz, introduced a unique fragrance. Interestingly, this original product was meant for women! Inspired by his mother's deligh...

On The Fly

Search This Blog