Solar Mini Grid
A mini-grid is an aggregation of loads and one or more energy sources operating as a single system providing electric power and possibly heat isolated from a main power grid. A modern mini-grid may include renewable and fossil fuel-based generation, energy storage, and load control.A mini grid can be fully isolated from the main grid (wide area synchronous grid) or interconnected to it. If it is interconnected to the main grid, it must also be able to isolate (âislandâ) from the main grid and continue to serve its customers while operating in an island or autonomous mode. Mini-grids are used as a cost-effective solution for electrifying rural communities where a grid connection is challenging in terms of transmission and cost for the end user population density, with mini grids often used to electrify rural communities of a hundred or more households that are 10 km or more from the main grid.
Generally, PV arrays for a solar minigrid system are installed on the ground as there is ample space available in rural areas. Foundation for an array mounting structure may be different for different sites, depending on the type and load bearing capacity of soil, wind velocity, potential waterlogging and type of mounting structure.
