First 3-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system in Mexico

High levels of solar irradiance falling on Mexico are a good motivation for the installation of grid-connected photovoltaic systems (GPVS) to produce electricity on site. Given the potential benefits of such systems, both for the electricity company and the user, electricity consumers are becoming interested in purchasing and installing them. In this work the first privately owned, 3-phase 30.6 kW GPVS installed in Mexico City is presented. In this application the photovoltaic (PV) generator also constitutes the roof of the building, which represents an additional benefit from this kind of systems. Technical characteristics of the GPVS are presented along with the results from the first few weeks of system operation. It is concluded that due to the particular consumption pattern of electricity in the building, an excess of PV electricity is generated during the morning and midday hours of operation. This excess electricity is fed to the grid in the modality of net metering, as a means to study the flow patterns in such interconnection scheme.