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PVUSA US-2, Kerman, California
The PVUSA US-2 system in Kerman, California is a landmark demonstration of the PV grid support concept developed at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). This concept entails the use of PV systems for the support of overloaded portions of summer daytime peaking electric utility distribution networks.

Following extensive modeling and analyses of the local load patterns and predicted PV system contribution, a contract to construct a 500 kWac grid connected single axis tracking PV plant was awarded to Siemens Solar Industries in April 1992. Construction on the plant began in September 1992, and was completed in March 1993.

The Kerman installation comprises 12,240 M55VJ monocrystalline silicon modules mounted on eight rows of single axis trackers. The 650 kWpeak (DC) array occupies approximately four acres, and is tied into PG&E Kerman feeder # 1104 through a pair of Omnion three phase inverters which convert the DC power of the array into 12.5 kV alternating current.

Fact Sheet: PVUSA US-2, Kerman, CA

Customer:

PVUSA (PG&E/DOE/EPRI/CEC, others)

General Contractor:

Bechtel Construction Co.

System Type:

Horizontal (N-S) 1-Axis Tracking Array
Utility Interactive System

Site Area:

Four Acres (Approximately)

System Size:

502 kWac (@ PVUSA Test Conditions)

Total PV Array Area:

57,460 Foot2 (5,338 meters2)

Number of Panels:

1,224 (10-55 Watt Laminates per Panel)

Panel Size:

10.9' x 4.2' (3.3 by 1.3 meters)

Panel Power:

550 Watts

Number of Modules:

12,240 M55VJ

Inverter:

(2) 275 kVA, Omnion

Utility Intertie:

12.5 kV, 3 Phase, 60 HZ

Structure:

Galvanized Structural Steel, Robbins Trackers

Array Circuit Configuration:

144 Modules in Series by 85 in Parallel

Design AC Energy Output:

 1,200,000 kWh/year