Solar PV facilities are power generating facilities that operate by using solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. At the core of a solar PV facility are several connected solar PV modules, where each module comprises multiple connected solar cells that are responsible for the generation of electricity. These solar PV modules are then connected into large arrays to provide the required power generating capacity of the facility.

In addition to the core solar PV modules, there are other equipment and structures required to complete the whole facility, which we refer it to as a balance of system.

For solar PV facilities with lower installed capacity such as rooftop solar PV facilities, the balance of system includes the following, among others, but not limited to:

• mounting systems
• cabling and wiring
• junction/combiner boxes with switches, fuses, and circuit breaker
• distribution boards
• inverters
• solar logger
• electricity metering devices
• electrical and lightning protection devices
• battery banks and chargers (optional); and
• monitoring system

For solar PV facilities with higher installed capacity such as ground mounted utility scale solar PV facilities, the balance of system includes the above and the following, among others, but not limited to:

• transformers
• switch gears/switch boards
• AC and DC isolators
• sensors including irradiance and wind speed
• SCADA systems
• monitoring and control centre; and
• interconnection to the nearest substation