UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MEHB503 – RENEWABLE ENERGY

SEMESTER 2 2019/2020

PROJECT REPORT
PROJECT TITLE: FEASIBILITY STUDY ON IMPLEMENTATION
OF SOLAR ENERGY ON A COMMERCIAL SHOPPING CENTER
Study Area: Tesco Mergong, Alor Star

Section : 01
Group : 10
Group members Kartikeyan A/L Yogeswaran [ME0100636]
Muhammad Asyraf Bin Rusli [ME0102716]
Nur Sabrina Binti Muda [ME0100753]
Thiruhselvam A/L Shanmugham [ME0100692]
Ashviin A/L Kumar [ME098430]

Lecturer : Mr. Mohd Eqwan bin Mohd Roslan

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................1
1.1 ABOUT COMPANY.......................................................................................................1
1.2 ABOUT PROJECT..........................................................................................................3
1.3 MOTIVATION................................................................................................................4
1.4 OBJECTIVES..................................................................................................................4
2.0 SITE SELECTION...............................................................................................................5
3.0 Engineering Analysis...........................................................................................................6
3.1 Components Selection......................................................................................................6
3.2 Estimate Energy Demand of Tesco Mergong................................................................11
3.3 Design Solar PV.............................................................................................................12
3.4 Power Output, Efficiency, Capacity...............................................................................13
4.0 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS.............................................................................................16
4.1 Capital Investment Cost.................................................................................................16
4.2 Annual Revenue.............................................................................................................18
4.3 Return of Investment (ROI)...........................................................................................19
4.4 Payback Period...............................................................................................................19
5. DISCUSSION ON SUSTAINABILITY..............................................................................20
5.1 Impact on Environment..................................................................................................20
5.2 Impact on Economic.......................................................................................................21
5.3 Impact on Social.............................................................................................................22
6. CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................23
References................................................................................................................................24
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 ABOUT COMPANY

Figure 1.1: Solar Zone Logo

Solar Zone is a renewable energy company based in Shah Alam Selangor. Figure 1.1
shows the logo of the company. The company focusses on generating electricity using solar
energy and supplying it for either domestic or industrial use. This company comprises of five
graduates from Universiti Tenaga Nasional with Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. As
mechanical engineers with the knowledge of renewable energy, we have taken a decision to
serve the nation by providing a better and cleaner environment by the installation and
supplying of solar panels for the generation of electricity. We are well trained for applying
engineering related knowledge and able to solve problems in engineering aspects. Figure 1.2
shows the vision and mission of the company and Figure 1.3 shows the organization chart of
the company

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 VISION MISSION
TO BE MALAYSIA’S LEADING
RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANY BY
PROVIDNG CLEAN SOLAR ENERGY
TO PROVIDE HIGH SOLUTIONS
QUALITY COST TO OPERATE PROJECTS EFFCIENTLY
EFFECTIVE AND PROVIDE PRODUCTS WITH
HIGHEST STANDARD OF QUALITY TO
RENEWABLE CLIENTS
ENERGY POWER
PRODUCTS AND TO ENHANCE AWARENESS ON
CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY IN
SERVICES
ORDER TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

Figure 1.2: Vision and Mission of the company

Project Manager
MUHAMMAD
ASYRAF BIN RUSLI

Assistant Project
Manager
NUR SABRINA
BINTI MUDA

Planning Engineer Design Engineer

Process Engineer
THIRUHSELVAM A/L KARTIKEYAN A/L
ASHVIIN A/L KUMAR
SHANMUGHAM YOGESWARAN

Figure 1.3: Company Organization Chart

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1.2 ABOUT PROJECT
For this project, our company have decided to study on the possibility of the implementation
of solar energy at Alor Setar city. For this project, we have chosen a location which is the
Tesco Mergong at Alor Setar. Figure 1.4 below shows the satellite view of Tesco Mergong
located in Alor Setar.

Figure 1.2: Satellite view of Tesco Mergong, Alor Setar

Project Location: Tesco Mergong No. 1, Sultanah Bahiyah Highway, Bandar Baru Mergong,

05150 Alor Setar, Kedah

Latitude : 6.1288° N

Longitude : 100.3425° E

The reason we choose this location is because supermarkets such as Tesco needs
sufficient amount of electricity which needs to be supplied. Tesco supermarket consists of
utilities which needs high demand of electricity such as the freezers, refrigerators and air-
conditioners. Hence, in order to help the supermarket management to reduce the cost needed
for electricity monthly we decided to install solar panels on the rooftop of Tesco to generate
electricity and supply it. Furthermore, Alor Setar has a high resource of sunlight energy
compared to other cities and the rooftop of Tesco supermarket is a suitable wide location for
the installation of solar panels. Subsequently, this location has high potential to utilize solar
as extra power vitality sources to decrease the electricity charge of the supermarket. [1]

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1.3 MOTIVATION
Solar energy is the most promising energy which is reliable compared to other renewable
energies because it has many advantages for its own [2]. Solar energy may be a naturally
available and clean vitality source determined from the sun that can be exploited directly to
produce power. The most commonly known facts about solar energy is that it is not able to
pollute the Mother Nature and it is also an energy which will not end because it is directly
from the sunlight. Hence, solar power is also an energy which is capable of reducing the
carbon footprints. Next, solar energy also helps in sustainable development of the country
because there is no way for it to finish and there will be still same amount of energy supplied
for the future generation. We decided to install the solar panels on the roofs of the
supermarket because it is the place for great contact with sunlight directly and the place is
wide. Since the surrounding of Tesco supermarket is utilizing solar vitality to create
electricity, it tends to have lesser contamination compared to other regions and this will
significantly decrease the sum of health issues.

1.4 OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of this installation and study is:

1. To diminish government use by decreasing power charge.
2. To advance green vitality generation.

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2.0 SITE SELECTION
In order to select an appropriate location for the implementation of the project, several
important things are needed to be considered. First of all is to make sure that the chosen
project and types of resources are not capable of causing any damage to the surrounding
environment. For our project, a wide and open area is required for the installation of solar
panels to generate electricity from direct sunlight. Procedures which are taken for the
installation is firstly, a suitable location was chosen according to the climate condition in that
area. Rooftop of Tesco Mergong, Alor Setar was chosen to install the solar panels. This is
because Kedah is one of the states in Malaysia which has high average of sun exposure
throughout the year [3]. The arrangement of the panels and the angles of it facing the sunlight
is also important for 100% efficiency of the solar panels. The solar panels should face the
sunlight and must be tilted to a certain angle in which the zenith angle is relative to the
position of the solar panel in order for it to receive optimum amount of sunlight source. In
conjunction with that, the rooftop of Tesco Mergong at Kedah is the most reasonable site
location for the project.

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3.0 Engineering Analysis

3.1 Components Selection

Solar Panel Selection

For this project, we picked 4 solar panel, each with different specifications that are
available in the market and had them compared with one another to decide which solar panel
is suitable for our project. To get an even better perspective of the final outcome of our
project, we used ‘HelioScope’ which provide us with detail simulation run of the annual
reports on the roof of Tesco Mergong and to design our layout of solar panels.

Dimensions of the selected Solar panel

Mitsubishi Electric
 PV-MLT250HC and PV-MLT255HC

Figure 3.1: Solar panel dimension for both Mitsubishi solar panels.

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SolarSol
 310W SSM31

Figure 3.2: Solar panel dimension for 310W SSM31

DA Solar
 DHM72X-375W

Figure 3.3: Solar panel dimension for DHM72X-375W

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Inverter Selection
For the inverter, the clear-cut benefits of being grid-tied appeals to majority of commercial
centre. An on-grid connection will allow us to save more money with the solar panels
through better efficiency rates, net metering, plus lower equipment and installation costs.
Feed-in tariff play an important role in how solar power is incentivized. [4] Without it,
residential solar panels systems would be much less feasible from a financial point of view.
That being said we choose Sun-160TL-EN by Ingecon Sun as our grid tie inverter as show in
figure 3.

Figure 3.4: Sun-160TL model

Model Sun-160TL
Max Rated Power 160kW
Max Rated Voltage 690V +10%, -12%
Rated Frequency 50Hz/ 60Hz (+ 0.5Hz, -0.7Hz)
Rated Power Factor 1
Maximum Voltage 1500 VDC
MPPT Operation range 994-1250 VDC
Ambient Temperature Range -25 to 60°
AC nominal voltage 245V/ 550V
Max efficiency 99.1 %
Dimension 720 x 315 x 905 mm (L x W x H)
Weight <78 kg *Tentative

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 Table 1: Specification of SUN-160TL [5]

Spec Sheet for each panel

 PV-MLT250HC and PV-MLT255HC (Mitsubishi Electric)

Figure 3.5 : Spec Sheet for Mitsubishi panel

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 310W SSM31 (SolarSol)

Figure 3.6: Spec Sheet of 310W SSM31

 DHM72X-375W

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 Figure 3.7: Spec Sheet of DHM 72X-375W

3.2 Estimate Energy Demand of Tesco Mergong

Based on National Energy Efficiency Action Plan done by Ministry of Energy Green
Technology and Water in 2015, it is estimated that average new buildings energy
consumption is about 200-250 kWh/m2/year (Water, 2015). Thus, the max value of 250
kWh/m2/year is used as parameter for this project buildings energy demand at Tesco
Mergong. The real energy demand of the site is shown in the calculation below.
2
Tesco Area=12 873 m

( )
W
250 k
m2 250 k Wh 1 year
Average Power Load = 2 ×12873 m2 ×
year m year 8760 h

( )
W
250 k 2
m
Average Power Load =367.38 k W
year

As the operating hours is from 8:00 am until 11:00 pm, the total operating hour is 15 hours
per day. Then, the energy consumption per year can be calculated as shown.

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Energy per day , Eday =367.38 k W ×15 h=5511 kWh/day

Energy per year , E year =5511k W ×365 day =2.012GWh/ year

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3.3 Design Solar PV
The design for solar PV is done by using HelioScope online software to determine the area
and also the number of panels needed for this project. The software also provided suggestion
of the arrangement of solar panels so that the project area is optimized. The area estimated for
the layout of the solar panels is 12 873m2 which includes 3 631 panels.

Figure 3.8: Area estimated with solar panels based on defined rooftop of Tesco Mergong.

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3.4 Power Output, Efficiency, Capacity

The best option is made based on the power output simulated by using HelioScope that meet
the regulation set by SEDA for Net Energy Metering (NEM) which is 75% from total supply
from the grid supply for Tesco Mergong. The average supply from the grid is 2.012 GWh for
the whole operation of the mall in a year. The 75% energy can be supplied by PV solar
system is shown below.

Energy ¿ PV =2.012GWh ×75 %=1.509 GWh

So, the required energy from solar PV system must be less than 1.509 GWh to full fill the
75% supply from solar PV system for Tesco Mergong.

The whole roof top is used and the variation of the supply from solar PV system are done by
testing multiple brands of panel that varies in power level. The results of the testing from
HelioScope are as shown in the table below.

BRAND POWER ENERGY WITHOUT ENERGY WITH

(W) INVERTER (GWh/year) INVERTER
(GWh/year)
Mitsubishi 250 1.227 1.205
PV-MLT250HC
Mitsubishi 255 1.260 1.237
PV-MLT255HC
Solarsol 310 1.603 1.574
310W SSM31
DA Solar 375 1.613 1.584
DHM72X-375W
Table 2: Energy produced by different type of solar panels

Since PV-MLT255HC energy output is near and below the required value of 0.999MWh, the
brand is chosen to be used in this project. The data from the simulation is further analyse by
using Microsoft Excel in order to consider other factors that will affect the energy output of
the PV solar system. Sample calculation for the panel chosen is shown below.

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Sample Calculation

Surrounding parameters;

Condition where 2359 W

Irradiance 1573.15 W/m2
T sc 25 ˚C

Panel Specifications;
Panel Capacity 925.9 kW
γ temp -0.45%/˚C
T (average day) 37 ˚C
T (Effective
Cell) 62 ˚C
H tilt 1698.3 kWh/m2
f (mm) 0.95
f (dirt) 0.97

Effective cell temperature , T cell eff .=T average day +25 ˚C

T cell eff . =37 ˚ C+25 ˚ C=72˚ C

Find ftemp,
f temp=1+¿
−0.45
f temp=1+( ×[72−25])
100
f temp =0.8335

Find solar array from panels,

Solar Array , Parray =P stc × f mm × f dirt × f temp

Parray =925.9 kW ×0.95 ×0.97 × 0.8335
Parray =711.156 k W p

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Find energy supplied by solar panels each year, Eyear

E year=P array × H tilt

711.156 k W p 1698.3 kWh
E year= × 2
W m
1000 2
m
E year=1,207,757 kWh/ year

Find energy with inverter (Ingecon Sun 3Play 160TL 150.9kW by Ingeteam), Ereal
Given efficiency of inverter, n¿ =95 %
Assume n pr −inv =98.5 %
Find efficiency of system, n sys ;

n sys=n¿ × nsys =0.95 ×0.985=0.93575

Ereal =E year ×n sys
Ereal =1,207,757 kWh / year ×0.93575
Ereal =1.13 GWh/ year

Find capacity factor, C.F,

E real
C . F= ×100 %
Panel Capacity ×time ( h )
1.13 GWh/ year
C . F= ×100 %
925.9 kW ×8760 h
C . F=13.93 %

In conclusion, the PV system proposed is able to provide 13.93 % of energy, 1.13

GWh/year, from the total maximum energy output of the chosen solar panel on the roof top
of Tesco Mergong.

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4.0 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

4.1 Capital Investment Cost

With the help of Helioscope, the provided components needed for our project is stated below:

Figure 4.1: Components for the PV system

Based on the design configuration above;

i. Installing PV system components cost

COMPONENT PRICE PER QUANTITY PRICE (RM)

UNIT (RM)
Solar PV RM450.00 3631 RM1,633,950
Inverter RM1000.00 5 RM5,000
Wiring (copper) RM15.00/10m 882 RM13,230
SST 6% of Gross Cost RM 99,130.80
TOTAL COST A RM 1,751,310.80

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ii. Additional cost

DETAILS PRICE (RM)

Labor and installation cost RM50 0000
Annual operation and maintenance cost RM1000 X 12 months = RM12000
TOTAL COST B RM62 000

TOTAL INVESTMENT COST = Total A + Total B

= RM 1,813,310.80

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4.2 Annual Revenue

Table 3: Current rates of each tariff category

According to NEM:
1. Annual energy produced from solar = 1,130,159 kWh
2. Monthly energy produced from solar = 94179.9 kWh
3. Annual energy usage = 2,012,000 kWh
4. Monthly energy usage = 167,667 kWh
5. Net billing per month = 167,667 kWh/(15hx30) X RM45.1/kW = RM 16,803.96
6. Percentage of energy of solar per usage = 94,179.9/167,667 X 100% = 56%
Hence, the energy from solar is less than 75% of monthly usage set by SEDA.
7. Bill pay to TNB per month = RM16,803.96 X (1 - 0.56) = RM 7393.74
8. 56% saving from self-consumption per month = RM 9410.22
9. Annual saving = RM 112,922.61

Annual Revenue = (Annual saving - annual maintenance cost)

= (RM 112,922.61 - RM12, 000)
= RM 100,922.61

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4.3 Return of Investment (ROI)

Gain from investment - investment cost

ROI= X 100 %
investment cost
RM 1, 122, 264 . 60−RM1,813,310. 80
= X 100 %
RM1,813,310. 80
=38 %

4.4 Payback Period

Annual Revenue¿
Payback period=Investment cost¿ ¿
¿
RM 1,8133,10 .80
=
RM 1,122,264 .60
=1.6 years

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5. DISCUSSION ON SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable development is the development that meets the wants of the present without
compromising the capacity of the future generations to meet possess needs. There are 3
pillars contributing the development which are the environment, economy and social. Based
on these pillars, the location chosen from our group individuals for the
renewable vitality source would bring lot of advantages.

5.1 Impact on Environment

These days, environmental contamination such as air contamination, corrosive rain, ozone
depletion, forest devastation and radioactive emission. These events are caused by abuse of
proper energy supply supplier. These issues must be taken into major consideration from all
parties in Malaysia. Otherwise, the issues would keep unsolved and imperilled for the future
generation.

Numerous nations as of now executing the renewable energy and energy efficiency in

order to decrease the world contamination. A few solutions to the current natural matters
have been found counting renewable energy usage, energy conservation and efficiency as
well as energy storage.

The main purpose of this project is to decide the ideal solar panel azimuth heading
that will get the biggest measure of occurrence sun base radiation at Tesco Mergong, Alor
Setar. Tesco Mergong, Alor Setar is chosen because it has a flat and wide rooftop which is
suitable for the installation of solar PV system. It is also one of the hottest places in Malaysia
which makes it an ideal place for the solar PV system to absorb sunlight and convert into
energy. The energy produced can be used to power the Tesco Mergong, Alor Setar and can
reduce and minimize the energy wastage.

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5.2 Impact on Economic
The usage of renewable energy alternative strategies that shown within the project
planning accurately the solar energy method, the basic aspect to be considered is the
economic concern which the foremost vital to be aware. The proposed venture in Tesco
Mergong, Alor Setar including installation of solar PV system would be productive to the
mall as well as the supporter of the project.

Furthermore, solar PV system sustain low cost of maintenance due to no moving

mechanical parts and no complex mechanism used. Thus, the payback period of the project
would be critical economic analysis near Tesco Mergong, Alor Setar be able to provide
impressive payback within

5.3 Impact on Social

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 The solar technology will diminish power charge of the mall by utilizing sun based panel
to capture the warm from the sun and utilize it to create control and power to run its facilities.
This technology encompasses a part of benefits to the economy and environment as well as to
the nearby society in terms of work manifestations, welfare, instruction and health.

By executing solar energy at this mall, a lot of new jobs will be created to plan, develop
and implement the project, operation of the system and maintenance of equipment.
Therefore, these new jobs can be fulfilled by qualified people and reduce unemployment rate
in the local areas.

Other than that, by implementing solar energy at the mall, the mall can save a huge amount
of money that are spend on electricity bill to operate the mall. Over a long period of time, a
lot of money can be saved from the implementation of solar energy in the rooftop of the mall
and also can be spend for welfare purposes to help less fortunate people in this country.

 Generally, implementation of solar energy can benefits human wellbeing due to minimum

emission of contamination into the air compared to routine strategy of generating electricity
with fossil fuels. Subsequently, society will appreciate a cleaner quality of air and
become healthier. Other than that, burning fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse effect,
global warming and harming the atmosphere which can also damage human’s health.

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6. CONCLUSION

In can be concluded that execution of solar energy at Tesco Mergong, Kedah which is a

supermarket can supply enough electricity to fulfil their high demand of electricity to reduce
the cost needed for electricity monthly. The execution of grid tied sun based PV framework
can produce a colossal 1200kWh of power yearly and return of investment (ROI) of 16.1 %
per year. Hence, it is anticipated that not as it were this extend can contributes
towards economic advancement, but can also pull in numerous financial
specialists to bolster the implementation of renewable vitality in this nation.

References

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[1] Rosli Mohammad Zin “Building Energy Consumption in Malaysia” Journal
Technology, pp. 3-14, 2014

[2] S.Mekhilef,A.Safari, W.E.S.Mustaffa “Renewable energy: Solar energy in Malaysia:

Current state and prospects” Article review, pp.385-395, 2011

[3]

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