College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
KIDANGOOR

DEPARTMENT OF
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
ENGINEERING

MINI PROJECT
EEL 332- POWER SYSTEM LAB

SUBMITTED BY
DEVIKA RAJESH

MANIKANDAN CJ

JESAL SANI

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Department of EEE 2021 - 2025
College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

PROJECT
Design a solar power plant. Conduct site inspection and feasibility study.
Design the components to be used for. Prepare a concise project report giving
justification to the choice made and the economic analysis.

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Department of EEE 2021 - 2025
 College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

THE BASICS OF SOLAR POWER SYSTEM

A typical solar power supply device is comprised of solar panel (also known as photovoltaic or
PV panels), a charge controller, a power inverter having a meter or monitoring system which is
capable of monitoring voltages and system condition and the electrical distribution system

PRINCIPLE OF SOLAR PANEL

A solar panel is a device that is able to absorb sun rays and convert it into electrical energy
precisely DC. The photovoltaic panel comprised of silicon crystals, which reacts with sun ray
and under this process, converts the sun rays into electricity. They supply the electricity for
charging the batteries and for use by the appliances either directly or through an inverter.
Multiple modules where used to produce more electricity and then any excess energy that was
produced was stored in the batteries for use during the cloudy/ rainy weather. The panels are
available in different sizes, voltages and amperage. They can be wired in series or in parallel
depending on how the system is designed

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College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

Estimating solar panel output

This PV system produced power in proportion to the intensity of sunlight striking the solar
array surface and this varied throughout the day, so the actual power of the solar power system
varied substantially. There were other factors that affected the output of the solar panel. These
factors needed to be understood so that there will be realistic expectation of overall system
output and its economic benefits under variable weather conditions over time.

Factors affecting output:

Standard test conditions
The Solar modules produced DC electricity. The DC output of the solar modules was rated by
the manufacturers under standard test conditions (STC). These conditions were easily recreated
in the factory, and allowed for constant comparisons of products, under common outdoor
operating conditions. Solar cell temperature = 25o c, solar irradiance (intensity) = 1000W/m2
often referred to as peak sunlight intensity, comparable to clear summer noon time intensity

Temperature
Module output power reduces as module temperature increases. When operated on the roof, a
solar module will be heated up substantially, reaching temperatures of 50-75o c. For
crystalline modules, the typical temperature reduction factor, recommended by the STC was
89% or 0.89.

Dirt and Dust

Dirt and dust would accumulate on the solar module surface, blocking some of the sunlight
and reducing output. Although typical dirt and dust would cleaned off during every rainy
season. The typical annual dust reduction factor was 93% or 0.93.

Mismatch and Wiring losses

The maximum power output of the total PV array was less than the sum of the maximum
output of the individual modules. This difference was the result of slight inconsistency in the
performance of one module to the next and was called module mismatch and amounts to at
least 2% loss in system power. Power was also lost to resistance in system wiring. These

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College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

losses were kept to 8 minimum but it was difficult to keep these losses below 3% for the
system. A reasonable reduction factor for these losses was 95% or 0.95.

SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER

The charge controller is an electronic voltage regulator that was used to limit the rate at
which electric current was being drawn in or out of the batteries. This charge controller turns
off the charge when the battery reaches the optimum charging point and turns on when it goes

below certain level. It fully charges the battery without permitting overcharge while
preventing reverse current flow. Over voltage may reduce the battery performance or
lifespan, and may pose a safety risk. This charge controller shows system operation
parameters, battery status and protection from over discharge. The charge controller is the
brain behind the system. It monitors the electricity produced by 9 the solar panel and then
regulates the electricity that was used to charge the batteries and prevent them from becoming
over charged. Proper charging was considered to prevent any damage to the batteries and
thereby increasing the battery life and performance. Different technologies were available for
selecting pulse width modulation and other charge controllers.

INVERTERS
The inverter convert the DC voltage produced by the solar panels (and from the energy
stored in the batteries) into A C voltage. The inverter could also charge the batteries by using
an alternative source such as the mains or generator connected to the inverter when they are
available. 10 Choosing the right inverter for the load demand and power requirements of the
system was critical for the components to function properly.

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College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

Inverter Sizing
An inverter uses the (DC) direct current power supply and creates an alternating current
(AC) supply usually at the voltage similar to that of a normal mains power supply. In other
words, it enabled the running household appliances from a low voltage DC supply such as a
solar battery as the heart of the system. Inverter sizing was considered before purchasing the
inverter, while sizing the inverter, two figures were looked at

1. The continuous wattage output

2. The surge capacity.

The inverter was selected observing the largest load to be operated at one time

DC to AC Conversion Losses
The DC power generated by the solar module was converted into common household AC
power using an inverter. Some power was lost in the conversion process, and there were
additional losses in the wires from the rooftop, from the panel down to the inverter and out to
the house cut-out. The inverter used with the PV power systems have peak efficiencies of 92-
94% indicated by the manufacturer, but these again were measured under well- controlled
conditions. 11 Actual field conditions that usually resulted in the overall dc-to ac conversion
efficiencies was about 88-92% as a reasonable compromise.

Solar Battery
The battery that was used in this project is a solar battery. Without the battery, the system
could only power when the sun is shining. The power would interrupt each time the cloud
passes, the system would become very frustrating. The solar battery provided constant
electricity and the load discharges 80% of its charge. The batteries are the heart of the system

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and were available in different voltages and various amp-hour ratings depending on the
requirement of the system

Temperature effect
The speed of the chemical reaction occurring in the lead-acid battery was determined by its
temperature, the colder the temperature the slower the reaction and the warmer the
temperature the faster the reaction and the more quickly the charge could be drawn from the
battery. The optimum operating temperature of a lead acid battery is around 77o Fahrenheit.
An example of temperature effect on a battery could be seen when starting a car on a cold
morning; the engine just does not turn over quickly.

Battery voltage
Voltage meters are used to indicate battery state of charge, they are relatively inexpensive
and easy to use. In this PV system it was usually charging or discharging or doing the both at
the same time. As the battery was charged the indicator lit up and while it discharges, another
lit to show the level of its discharge. A good, accurate digital meter with a tenth of a voltage
calibration was used with success.

Battery power conversion efficiency

Energy can never be created or destroyed, but it merely changes form. The efficiency of
conversion was never 100% and in the case of new batteries they ranged from 80% to 90%.
That means that to discharge 100 watts power battery, it would be charged with 100 to 120
watts of power.

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College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

Battery Monitoring and Maintenance

Monitoring battery state of charge was the single largest responsibility of the system charge
controller. The battery voltage was kept at above 50% state of charge for maximum battery
life. Should the battery is contain wet cells then it would be good to keep the battery’s
electrolyte level to the indicated level and never let the plates be exposed above the
electrolyte. Only distilled water could be used to refill the batteries, over watering dilutes the
acid excessively and electrolytes would be expelled when charging.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

Basic steps that were followed while installing the PV system

1. It was ensured that the roof area for installation was capable of handling the system
area or size.

2. It was ensured that there were no roof penetrations that needed roofing industry
approved sealing methods.

3. The PV system was installed according to the manufacturer specifications, using

installation requirements such as the right wire gauge, nuts and bolts from the
manufacturers’ specification.

4. The PV system was properly grounded with the system parts to reduce the threat of
shock hazard induced surges.

5. It was ensured that the right wire with the right polarity was observed while connecting
the solar panel to the charge controller.

6. It was ensured that the design met local utility interconnection requirement.

7. It was finally inspected for completion by the HOD of electrical electronics department.

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College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

Calculating Power Consumption

Project Details:
Project Site: Canteen in College of Engineering Kidangoor

Load Details: Canteen have following electrical appliances

1. 30 tube light having 20w

2. 20 fan of 60w
3. Ice cream deep freezer of 350w
4. Refrigerator of 400w

Steps For Design:

STEP 1: Total power consumption
Total usage = (20*30)+(20*60)+350+400
= 600+350+400+1500
= 2850W
Total consumption of power in 1hr is 2850W for the whole canteen
STEP 2: Inverter and Battery Selection
INVERTER
Total load = 2850W
Required inverter = 5KVAor Above
DC volt = 12*20=240V
As we know that P = V*I

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College of Engineering Kidangoor Mini Project

DC current: I =2850/240 =12A

BATTERY
Current =12A
For 1hr use 12A discharge
Consider 6hr backup
Ah = (W*h)/V
= (2850*6)/240
= 72Ah
STEP 3: Size of the PV panel needed
Charging current = 7.2A
Load current = 12A
Total current I= 7.2 +12 =19.2~20A
Total power = V*I
= 240*20 = 4800W
Take panel of 550W
No of panel needed = 4800/550 = 8.7~9 panels

Estimation of Project

SL.NO ITEM QUANTITY PRICE RATING

1 Solar panel 9 1,30,000 550W, 9 panels

2 Inverter 1 16,399 5kVA , 240V
3 Battery 4 8,500 72Ah
4 Charge controller 1 7,399 72Ah
5 4 sqmm wire 7 yards 2,800 4 sqmm ,1.8 kv
6 6 sqmm wire 2 yards 1000 6mm
TOTAL 1,65,198

CONCLUSION:
 Inverter size: 5KVA
 Battery size : 72Ah
 No of modules: 9 panels

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