Design and Implementation of a PV Solar System for regular Non-Commercial Use

Abstract

Solar energy being renewable and abundant is truly a green energy solution in times when the world is on the verge of exhausting all non renewable energy resources. However as the study on utilisation of solar energy is still ongoing, it’s utility in day to day life despite of being easy isn’t wide spread. Hence it becomes important to set up small systems and analyse the overall impact and then slowly shift the electrical system from the conventional form to this eco-friendly solution. This project is an endeavour of designing a solar based electrical circuit which is capable of running daily appliances. Analysing the electrical parameters of the solar cells and thus setting up a circuit with optimum productivity is focused. Standard Test Conditions are taken into account before installing the panels. Post installation the intensity of light falling on the panel at different times is recorded and the corresponding power is measured. The IV characteristics of the panel is plotted against time and the best time to store current is determined. The design of the circuit is the most crucial and influential part and hence is drawn with utmost details of the loads to be connected and the output to be gained. While installing the panels the latitude of the region is taken into consideration to keep the panels perpendicular to the sun at noon when the intensity peak is the highest. The advantages and disadvantages of different types of PV cells is studied and points of disadvantage of the module used is studied further to improve the overall efficiency. The gain of series and parallel connections is compared and accordingly the design is drawn. Taking into account the electric load requirement, load analysis is done ensuring efficient use of the natural energy alongside not hampering any device. Thus Load estimation, Solar array sizing, Battery Bank sizing, Inverter sizing, Solar charge controller sizing are the major points focused in laying out the PV system. Also throughout the process, safety and security aspects are taken into consideration and accordingly are implemented. Once this prototype shows optimum productivity and profitability it can be enlarged and installed on a larger scale thus moving on the path of shifting from non renewable energy to renewable solar energy. This shall eventually give rise to new fields of study and broaden the electrical sector along with going a step further in protecting the environment. Depletion of recourses, pollution, global warming are the issue which shall be sufficiently tackled with this green energy solution. [1] Thus solar energy is sustainable and is the need of the hour. Especially is running of day to day appliances, solar power is the best resource – specifically in a tropical country like India. Though at present solar is best for DC current and an external inverter is required for AC appliances making the circuit costlier; but if the concept is given greater exposure and utilized on a large scale the disadvantage of cost would gradually strike out. Thus solar energy is a green energy alternative with great potentials and practical implementation.