Types of PV Systems

Off-Grid PV System
Stand-alone or off-grid PV systems are designed to operate independent of the electric utility grid, and are generally designed and sized to supply certain DC and/or AC electrical loads. These types of systems may be powered by a PV array only. The simplest type of stand-alone PV system is a direct-coupled system, where the DC output of a PV module or array is directly connected to a DC load (Figure 5). Since there is no electrical energy storage (batteries) in direct-coupled systems, the load only operates during sunlight hours, making these designs suitable for common applications such as ventilation fans, water pumps, and small circulation pumps for solar thermal water heating systems. Matching the impedance of the electrical load to the maximum power output of the PV array is crucial in designing a well-performing directcoupled system. For AC loads an inverter is used to convert the DC current produced by the pv array to AC current.In many off-grid systems, batteries are used to store electricity so it can be used in the absence of sunlight.

Grid-Tied PV System(without battery backup)

The simplest and most cost effective PV design for most sites is the "Grid-Tie" (sometimes referred to as intertied or utility-interactive) system. This system does not provide backup power during a power outage (even if the sun is shining) but since power outages are usually rare, this is usually the system choice.

There are no batteries to store excess power generated--the electric utility essentially stores it for you through a system called "net-metering." DC (direct current) generated by the PV panels is converted into AC (alternating current) power by the inverter (exactly the same high quality AC current delivered to your site by the utility-provided power grid). Output from the inverter is connected to your existing distribution panel (breaker panel) which feeds the rest of your site. While the system is generating electricity, power needs are provided by the PV system (up to its capacity), reducing or eliminating the power you would have drawn from the utility grid at that time. During periods when your grid-tie system is generating even more energy than your site requires, any excess is fed back into the grid for others to use and the electric utility company "buys" it from you at the retail rate. They provide credits to your

account for all the power that is pushed back into the grid through the meter. And your meter will literally run backwards. When your site needs to draw more energy than it is producing (say, during cloudy conditions or at night), electricity is provided by the power grid in the normal manner and is first paid for by your accumulated credits.

Grid Tie PV Systems With Battery Backup

These homes are connected to the utility grid, and work in the same way as the "grid-tied" homes above, but they also have batteries, which allows the lights to stay on when the utility power goes down. On the negative side, the systems are more expensive, and the batteries must be carefully maintained.

Solar PV System Sizing

Solar PV system includes different components that should be selected according to your system type, site location and applications. The major components for solar PV system are solar charge controller, inverter, battery bank, auxiliary energy sources and loads (appliances). PV module converts sunlight into DC electricity. Solar charge controller regulates the voltage and current coming from the PV panels going to battery and prevents battery overcharging and prolongs the battery life. Inverter converts DC output of PV panels or wind turbine into a clean AC current for AC appliances or fed back into grid line. Battery stores energy for supplying to electrical appliances when there is a demand. Load is electrical appliances that connected to solar PV system such as lights, radio, TV, computer, refrigerator, etc. 1. Determine power consumption demands The first step in designing a solar PV system is to find out the total power and energy consumption of all loads that need to be supplied by the solar PV system as follows: 1.1 Calculate total Watt-hours per day for each appliance used. Add the Watt-hours needed for all appliances together to get the total Watt-hours per day which must be delivered to the appliances. 1.2 Calculate total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules. Multiply the total appliances Watt-hours per day times 1.3 (the energy lost in the system) to get the total Watt-hours per day which must be provided by the panels. 2. Size the PV modules Different size of PV modules will produce different amount of power. To find out the sizing of PV module, the total peak watt produced needs. The peak watt (Wp) produced depends on size of the PV module and climate of site location. We have to consider panel generation factor which is different in each site location. For Thailand, the panel generation factor is 3.43. To determine the sizing of PV modules, calculate as follows: 2.1 Calculate the total Watt-peak rating needed for PV modules Divide the total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules (from item 1.2) by 3.43 to get the total Watt-peak rating needed for the PV panels needed to operate the appliances.

2.2 Calculate the number of PV panels for the system Divide the answer obtained in item 2.1 by the rated output Watt-peak of the PV modules available to you. Increase any fractional part of result to the next highest full number and that will be the number of PV modules required. Result of the calculation is the minimum number of PV panels. If more PV modules are installed, the system will perform better and battery life will be improved. If fewer PV modules are used, the system may not work at all during cloudy periods and battery life will be shortened. 3. 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. 4. 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: 4.1 Calculate total Watt-hours per day used by appliances. 4.2 Divide the total Watt-hours per day used by 0.85 for battery loss. 4.3 Divide the answer obtained in item 4.2 by 0.6 for depth of discharge. 4.4 Divide the answer obtained in item 4.3 by the nominal battery voltage. 4.5 Multiply the answer obtained in item 4.4 with days of autonomy (the number of days that you need the system to operate when there is no power produced by PV panels) to get the required Ampere-hour capacity of deep-cycle battery. Battery Capacity (Ah) = Total Watt-hours per day used by appliances x Days of autonomy (0.85 x 0.6 x nominal battery voltage)

5. Solar charge controller sizing 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 charge controller 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 (Isc) of the PV array, and multiply it by 1.3 Solar charge controller rating = Total short circuit current of PV array x 1.3

INTRDUCTION
Solar radiation is radiant energy emitted by the sun from a nuclear fusion reaction that creates electromagnetic energy. The spectrum of solar radiation is close to that of a black body with a temperature of about 5800 K. About half of the radiation is in the visible short-wave part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The other half is mostly in the near-infrared part, with some in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.Solar radiation has many applications and is a free source of renewable energy.Solar energy after hydro and wind energy is the third most important renewable energy and one of its most usefull applications is the photovoltaic cell where sunlight is converted in to electricity.

How Solar Cells Work A solar cell, sometimes called a photovoltaic cell, is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy. A single solar cell creates a very small amount of energy (about .6 volts DC) so they are usually grouped together in an integrated electrical panel called a solar panel. Sunlight is a somewhat diffuse form of energy and only a portion of the light captured by a solar cell is converted into electricity. The current generation of solar cells convert only 12 to 15 per cent of the sun's light into electricity. However in recent years there have been significant advances in their design. Some new cells on the market now are around 20% efficient and some laboratory prototypes are reaching as high as 30 per cent. Given this it is likely that their efficiency will continue to improve over time.

Theory Behind Solar Cells A solar cell is based upon the "photovoltaic effect" discovered in 1839 by Edmund Becquerel, a French physicist. In his experiments he found that certain materials would produce small amounts of electric current when exposed to sunlight. Sunlight is made up of packets of energy called photons. When the photons strike the semi-conductor layer (usually silicon) of a solar cell a portion of the photons are absorbed by the material rather than bouncing off of it or going through the material. When a photon is absorbed the energy of that photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the cell causing the electron to escape from its normal position. This creates, in essence, a hole in the atom. This hole will attract another electron from a nearby atom now creating yet another whole, which in turn is again filled by an electron from another atom. This hole filling process is repeated a few zillion times and an electric current is formed.

Solar Photovoltaic System Photovoltaic cells connected in series called a module forms a photovoltaic system. Solar photovoltaic system or Solar power system is one of renewable energy system which uses PV modules to convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity generated can be either stored or used directly, fed back into grid line or combined with one or more other electricity generators or more renewable energy source. Solar PV system is very reliable and clean source of electricity that can suit a wide range of applications such as residence, industry, agriculture, livestock, etc. Advantages of solar power The energy and heat from the sun is free and unlimited. Solar power is non-polluting. Solar power usage does not emit any greenhouse gases or harmful waste. Solar power is perfect and saving for power generation in remote areas or where the cost of expansion utility grid is high. Solar power is versatile. It can be used for low-power purpose as well as larger ones - from hand-held calculators, watches, and solar powered garden lights to water heaters, cars, buildings and satellites. Solar power system requires very little maintenance and last for many years. In this research project the sizing of a photovoltaic system for a typical household will be emphasized.The cost of the system and the paybacks for the system in its lifetime will also be determined based on various calculations.The various types of photovoltaic systems will be detailed and an analysis will be done to see if the implementation of photovoltaics in Trinidad and Tobago can be utilized and can be considered a great source of renewable energy for the country.

Weather Averages
Average MinimumT emperatu res inTrini dad And Tobago ( C) Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in January Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in February Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in March Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in April Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in May Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in June Average Maximum Temperat ure inTrinidad And Tobago ( C) Trinidad And Average TobagoAv Sea Temp erage (C ) Temperat ure(C ) AverageP Wet Days recipitatio (>0.1 n/ Rainfall mm) (mm) Average Sunlight Hours/ Day AverageW ind Relative Speedin T Humidity( rinidad %) And Tobago(B eaufort) Average Number of Days with Frost

20

30

25

77

13

7.4

82

20

30

25

61

7.8

80

20

31

26

27

8.1

77

21

31

26

71

77

22

31

27

129

15

7.5

79

23

30

27

269

22

6.3

85

Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin January Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin February Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin March Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin April Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin May Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin June Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin July Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin August Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin Septembe r Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin October Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin November Average Temperat urein Trini dad And Tobagoin December

Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in July Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in August Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in Septembe r Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in October Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in November

23

30

27

243

21

85

22

31

26.5

213

20

7.1

85

23

31

27

144

14

6.7

85

22

31

27

151

15

6.7

85

21

31

26

212

15

6.5

87

Weather inTrinidad And Tobago in December

21

30

25.5

153

15

6.5

86