1-kW grid connected PV system after 3 years of monitoring

The paper describes the performance of the grid-connected 1-kW PV system installed on a grammar school in Poland after three years of operation. The PV system is fully monitored according to guidelines of standard IEC 61724. Energy production in the first year was about 740 kWh. In the second year the energy production was about 680 kWh and in the third 645 kWh. In good irradiance conditions, the measured efficiency of the PV modules is about 5%, efficiency of the inverter is about 92% and efficiency of entire PV system exceeds 4%. The performance ratio is in the range from 0.5 to 0.8. During the whole period of system working final yield is 63%, capture loses are 31% and system loses are 6% of reference yield. There are no problems in compatibility of the PV system with Polish electrical grid. The project demonstrates and disseminates the concept of PV energy in Poland, as well as assesses the potential of thin-film a-Si photovoltaic modules in Polish climate.