Grid-connected photovoltaics in the urban environment-an experimental approach to system optimisation

In Europe, grid-connected photovoltaic power systems will in future mainly be installed on buildings. The integration of these systems into the building shape offers a large potential for cost reduction and can further increase the overall value of urban architecture. To avoid setbacks, experience in optimising these installations must be collected and disseminated to architects, officials, and other actors involved in urban planning. The authors describe how, at ELEN, the electrical energy research group of K.U.Leuven, a grid-connected photovoltaic power system has recently been set up. The aim is to collect operational experience with different system approaches and to assess the quality of photovoltaic power system components. The photovoltaic generator with a peak power of 5 kW is situated on the roof of a university building in Leuven-Heverlee in Belgium