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VOLTAGE
Voltage (V) is a measure of the amount of pressure, or electromotive force, applied to electrons to
make them move. A Volt is the unit of electromotive force that will force a current of one ampere
through a resistance of one ohm. After we learn about current and resistance, this definition will
make more sense. Voltage is measured in units of Volts (V).
CURRENT
Current (I) is the measure of electron flow in a conductor between two points having a difference in
potential (voltage). Current is measured in units of Amperes or Amps (A).
RESISTANCE
For conducting wires, the resistance of the wire is actually a constant that is dependent on the
conductor material (the wire may be made out of copper, aluminum, silver all have different
resistance properties) and the size of the wire (diameter). Resistance (R) is measured in units of Ohms
().
OHMS LAW
Ohms Law states: V = I * R [Units: Volts = Amps * Ohms or V = I * ] or Voltage = Current x
Resistance From basic Algebra, if we can solve for V by multiplying I and R, we should be able to work
backwards to find R if we know V and I simply by dividing V by I. R = V / I or Resistance = Voltage /
Current
What is Electrical Power?
Electrically, power is the rate at which energy is converted or the rate of doing work. Power (P) is
measured in units of Watts (W). When talking in terms of Watts, we are talking about the rate that
electricity is being produced or consumed.
P= V * I
P= Power
V= Voltage
I=Current
AC vs. DC
The concepts of AC, or Alternating Current, and DC, or Direct Current, are important in the electrical
world, especially with PV. We will not examine them in detail now, but will simply differentiate
between the two. Direct current is produced when current flows constantly in one direction. It's
abbreviated as "DC". Since direct current flows in one direction only, its electrical pressure or voltage
is always oriented in one direction, or "polarity".
Series Wiring
To combine batteries or PV cells in series, connect the positive of one battery to the negative of the
next. The way we normally insert batteries into a flashlight does this the nipple end of one battery
goes into the receptor end of another. When voltage sources are aligned in series, the voltages of
each respective source is added to the others to find the total voltage across the terminals of the
circuit. The Voltage ADDS ( V1 + V2 + V3 + Vx = V Total )
Parallel Wiring
To combine batteries or PV cells in parallel, connect the negative terminal of one battery to the
negative terminal of the next battery and so on. Do the same procedure with the positive terminals.
When a circuit has power sources wired in parallel, the source current adds through the circuit, but
the voltage remains the same. The Current ADDS ( I1 + I2 + I3 +Ix = I Total )
Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV)
The "photovoltaic effect" is the basic physical process through which a PV cell converts sunlight into
electricity. Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy. Imagine that these little
particles of energy are microscopic bullets of light that literally rain on earth wherever sunlight is
shining. Billions upon billions of these light bullets are hitting the earth every second. These photons
contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different colors of the solar spectrum.
Cell Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar cell is determined as the fraction of incident power which is converted to
electricity and is defined as:
where
V
is the open-circuit voltage;
oc
where
I
is the short-circuit current; and
sc
where
FF
is the fill factor
where
is the efficiency.
Fill Factor
V
= Actual Power
m*
I
m
V
* I
oc
sc =
Ideal Power
Effect of Temperature on Solar Module
Temperature has inversely relation with voltage and power=> T 1/V 1/P
1 degree temperature rise= 2.3mV Voltage drop
Energy calculated__________________
Energy calculated__________________
Battery sizing
The battery type recommended for using in solar PV system is deep cycle battery. Deep cycle battery
is specifically designed for to be discharged to low energy level and rapid recharged or cycle charged
and discharged day after day for years. The battery should be large enough to store sufficient energy
to operate the appliances at night and cloudy days. To find out the size of battery, calculate as
follows:
Battery Capacity (Ah) =
Total Watt-hours per day used by appliances
x Days of autonomy
(D.O.D x Inverter x nominal battery voltage)
D.O.D (Depth of discharge = 0.8)
Inverter = 0.9 to 0.95
Inverter sizing
An inverter is used in the system where AC power output is needed. The input rating of the inverter
should never be lower than the total watt of appliances. The inverter must have the same nominal
voltage as your battery.
For stand-alone systems, the inverter must be large enough to handle the total amount of Watts you
will be using at one time. The inverter size should be 25-30% bigger than total Watts of appliances. In
case of appliance type is motor or compressor then inverter size should be minimum 3 times the
capacity of those appliances and must be added to the inverter capacity to handle surge current
during starting.
For grid tie systems or grid connected systems, the input rating of the inverter should be same as PV
array rating to allow for safe and efficient operation.
PV ARRAY SIZING
1. Calculate the energy required (Wh) and capacity required
I
mp =
Max. Current of module (from Module datasheet)
4. No. of modules in series string = Battery voltage required /V
rating (Module)
mp
V
= Max voltage of module (From module datasheet)
mp
5. Total No. of Modules = No. of modules in parallel string x No. of modules in series string
6. Total capacity (Wattage) = Total No. of Modules x Module size
CABLE SIZING
Parameters to know:
1. Conductor size
2. Length of cable
4. No. of cores
S (cross-section)=
_____L*I_______________
The solar charge controller is typically rated against Amperage and Voltage capacities. Select the solar
charge controller to match the voltage of PV array and batteries and then identify which type of solar
charge controller is right for your application. Make sure that solar charge controller has enough
capacity to handle the current from PV array.
For the series type, the sizing of controller depends on the total PV input current which is delivered to
the controller and also depends on PV panel configuration (series or parallel configuration).
According to standard practice, the sizing of solar charge controller is to take the short circuit current
(I
sc)
of the PV array, and multiply it by 1.3
Solar charge controller rating = Total short circuit current of PV array x 1.3
Off-grid system:
Grid-tied system:
(Utility-scale)
Grid-connected:
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Shadows falling on the panels not only reduce power output but also damage the panel
The mounting structure should be designed to handle cyclones where wind speeds can reach
200 kph
Reference Link:
http://www.ezysolare.com/blog/knowledge-center/how-to-calculate-solar-energy-generation/