Distributed photovoltaic power stations are generally built on the residential roof, industrial roof and vegetable greenhouses to make full use of space. Centralized photovoltaic power stations to make full use of abandoned land resources, mostly built in desert and Gobi areas .

Similarities between distributed PV power stations and centralized PV power stations:

① Same principle, use solar energy to convert into electricity, and then connect the generated electricity to the grid for production and domestic use.

② Same modules, It is common to use monocrystalline silicon panels or solar films.

③ Use same equipment, which includes inverters, transformer, combiner box etc......

The function of the inverter is to convert the generated direct current into alternating current. The role of the transformer is to convert the inverter to AC voltage boost. The function of combiner box is to gather the DC power of the solar panels and transfer if to the inverter uniformly.

Differences between distributed PV power stations and centralized PV power stations:

Ⅰ.Different installation site: Distributed photovoltaic power stations are mostly installed on roofs and agricultural greenhouses, mainly in the personnel concentration of north and south China. Centralized photovoltaic power stations are mostly built in desert and Gobi areas, mainly installed on relatively remote and desolate, where the land is relatively cheap.

Ⅱ.Different secondary equipment: Distributed photovoltaic power stations are used less primary and secondary equipment because the low voltage grid connection. Inverters are generally wall mounted, It’s easy to install and small in size, transformer are small size as well. Common use of power quality monitoring, anti-island protection devices, etc., equipment requirements and technical parameters are also different according to different regions .

Ⅲ.Different transport distance: Distributed photovoltaic is connected to the local grid, there’s little or no loss of line. Replenishment of local power supply for use by local and nearby users.

As the higher voltage level, Centralized photovoltaic power station usually has its own substation. Inverters with large size are usually installed in the sub-station room. The booster function is completed by the box transformer. There are more equipment in the booster station. The primary equipment includes station transformer, switch cabinet, various transformers, arc suppression coil, main transformer and so on. The secondary equipment includes microcomputer protection, watt-hour meter, dispatching data screen and so on. Dispatching directly implements centralized management of the power station. At the same time, the station also needs a power control system etc., which is much more complicated.