Performance and reliability analysis in the UK photovoltaic domestic systems field trial

The UK PV domestic field trial involves the installation and monitoring of PV systems on domestic houses across the country. This paper discusses the analysis of some of the performance issues, particularly relating to inverter operation, and the methods in which comparative values are used to identify these issues. Examples are provided for both summer and winter losses, relating to grid voltage and system design aspects. The analysis results in guidelines for the design and operation of small domestic PV systems in the UK and similar climates.