Daffodil international University

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

EEE 434: Renewable Energy Laboratory

Experiment 5
Design, construction and performance study of a solar home system (SHS)

Objectives
The objectives of this experiment are-
1. To design a complete Solar Home System.
2. To determine the battery size (their number, capacity, voltage and Ali rating).
3. To determine optimum module arrangement for solar array.
4. To determine sizing of Inverter and Charge controller.

Theory

Consider living in a home without a connection to the energy grid. Without light, it is difficult to
follow any activity after sundown, and you cannot use any electricity-dependent devices (such as
charging your phone). Even though the national government may have pledged to expand the
electricity grid, it will take time. How can this conundrum be resolved? How do you acquire
access to some of the most fundamental features that billions of people currently use? Solar
home systems might be the answer.

The solution is to develop your own off-grid energy source. But how do you go about doing that?
In terms of off-grid energy supply, solar home systems are a fantastic choice. Solar home
systems (SHSs) are becoming increasingly popular among the community, particularly in viral
parts of low-income countries. In terms of rural electricity, Bangladesh is one of the solar home
system pioneers and has achieved great success.

Solar Home System (SHS)

Solar Home Systems are made up of solar panels that are installed on the roof of a home.
Typically used to power small appliances in rural areas without electrification, solar home
systems (SHS) are independent electrical power supply systems for single buildings that use
solar energy.

In general, Solar Home System (SHS) are off-grid small-scale, autonomous electricity supply
system for households. However, SHS can be designed for On-grid system also.
Solar Home System (SHS) converts sunlight into electricity using PV modules. The generated
electricity can be used immediately, stored, sent back into the grid, or combined with one or
more other electricity producers or more renewable energy sources. A solar PV system is a very
dependable and clean source of electricity that can be used for a variety of purposes including
homes, businesses, farms and livestock, among others. Figure 1 shows a typical off-grid Solar
Home System (SHS).

Figure 1: Off-grid Solar Home System (SHS)

How to Design Solar PV 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 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.
Solar Home System Design and Sizing Steps

1. Evaluate power consumption requirements.

The first stage in building a solar PV system is to determine the total power and energy
consumption of all loads that the solar PV system must be able to supply.

1.1 Total the Watt-hours used per day for each appliance.

Add together the Watt-hours required for all appliances to get the total Watt-hours per day that
must be delivered to the appliances.

1.2 Determine the total Watt-hours per day required from the PV modules.

Multiply the total Watt-hours per day of the appliances by 1.3 to get the total Watt-hours per day
that the panels must provide. 1.3 is the energy lost in the system. It is found by the following
equation,

Considering, Wiring loss =2%, Battery loss =20% and Charge Controller loss = 2%, then Wiring
Efficiency =98%, Battery Efficiency=80% and Charge Controller Efficiency = 98%. Putting the
values in the equation we get,

Energy lost = 1/(0.98 * 0.8 * 0.98) = 1.3

Thus,
Total Watt-hours per day consumption = total appliances Watt-hours per day consumption x
Energy lost
Solar panels must produce this daily total consumption of Watt-hours.

2. PV module sizing

A PV module's size will affect how much power it can generate. The total peak watt generated is
required to determine the PV module's size. Size of the PV module and site climate both affect
the peak watt (Wp) produced. A "panel generation factor" that varies depending on the site
location is something we must take into account. A panel generation factor of 3.43 applies to
Thailand. To find out the sizing of PV module, the following equation is used.

Where,
Note: Average sun-shine hours for Bangladesh is 4.5 Hours.

Loss Factor for Bangladesh is considered 1.4.

Loss Factor includes the following losses: Shading, Dust and Dirt, Reflection, Spectral Losses,
Irradiation, Thermal Losses, Array Mismatch, DC Cable Losses, AC Cable Losses, Solar
Module aging loss etc.

Here, Lost factor is 1.4, (40%=0.4, 1+0.4=1.4) which indicates 40% of output energy of the solar
panels are lost from the system.

The output energy of solar panel is reduced due to dust, temperature, irregular solar irradiation
and other factors. For example, a 1000 W solar panel system, will not be able to provide the
required 1000 watt electricity for the electrical appliances. It cannot provide the required
electricity because, the output energy of solar panel is reduced normally 20% - 40%. Thus, due
to this loss solar panel system wattage must be higher. So, normally 20% - 40% higher rated
output is considered for solar panel system. Thus, for a 1 kilowatt solar panel system if we
consider 30% loss, we actually need a 1300 W solar system [that is we have multiplied the
output with 1.3 (30%=0.3, 1+0.3=1.3)) to provide the required 1000 W electricity.

Size of PV unit can be determined by using the derating factor also. Which as follows-

After losses are taken into account, the derating factor (derate factor) for solar panels indicates
how much electricity you can actually expect to produce. A fraction is used to represent the solar
panel derating factor. Consider the case when you have a 350 watt solar panel. A real-world
power generation of 269.5 watts would be achieved using a derate factor of 0.77. (350 watts
multiplied by 0.77).

2.1 Determine the total Watt-peak rating required for PV modules.

To calculate the total peak power of the PV panels required to power the appliances, divide the
total daily Watt-hours required from the PV modules (from item 1.2) by 3.214.
2.2 Determine how many PV panels the system needs.

Divide the answer obtained in section 2.1 by the rated output Watt-peak of the PV modules at
your disposal. The number of PV modules necessary will be determined by rounding up any
fractional part of the result to the next greatest full number. The computation yields the bare
minimum of PV panels. The system will operate more efficiently and the battery life will
increase if additional PV modules are fitted. The system may not function at all during overcast
periods and battery life will be reduced if fewer PV modules are used.

3. Inverter sizing

In a system where AC power output is required, an inverter is used. The inverter's input rating
should never be less than the combined wattage of all the AC appliances. The nominal voltage of
the inverter and your battery must match.

The inverter for stand-alone systems needs to be big enough to handle all the Watts you'll ever
use at once. The inverter size needs to be 25-30% larger than the overall Wattage of the
appliances. If the type of appliance is a motor or compressor, the inverter size should be at least
three times that capacity. It must also have additional capacity to manage surge current at startup.

The input rating of the inverter for grid-tied or grid-connected systems should match the rating of
the PV array to enable for safe and effective operation.

4. Battery sizing

Deep cycle batteries are the kind that are advised for use in solar PV systems. Deep cycle
batteries are created specifically to be rapidly recharged or to cycle charged and discharged
repeatedly every day for years. The battery needs to be big enough to hold enough power to run
the appliances at night and on overcast days. To determine the battery's size, use the following
calculation:

4.1 Determine the total daily Watt-hours consumed by appliances.

4.2 To account for battery loss, divide the daily amount of Watt-hours consumed by 0.85.

4.3 To determine the depth of discharge, divide the result from section 4.2 by 0.6.

4.4 Divide the result from section 4.3 by the nominal battery voltage.

4.5 To calculate the required "Ampere-hour capacity" of deep-cycle battery, multiply the
value from section 4.4 by the number of days of autonomy (the number of days the system
must function without PV panel power).
According to IEEE 485 table, Derating factor is 1 for temperatures above 25 °C.

Derating factor of 1 is considered throughout the whole process.

Task: A house has the following electrical Loads.

Load Estimation:

1. Determine power consumption demands

Total appliance use = (3W x 2 x 8 hrs.) + (10W x 8 hrs.) + (60W x 4 hrs.) = 368 Wh/day

Total PV module energy needed = 368 x 1.3 (the energy lost in the system 30%)

= 478.4 Wh/day. x 480Wh/day

2. Sizing of the PV Module / Array

Total Electricity Demand = 480 Wh/day

50W PV Module is selected. Where, per watt of the module cost is 50 BDT. The specification of
50W PV Module is -

• Open circuit voltage, Voc = 21.4 V

• Short circuit current, Isc = 3.4 A
• Maximum Voltage, Vm = 16.6 V
• Maximum Current, Im = 3.05 A
• Maximum Power, Pm = 50 W
As, average sun-shine hours for Bangladesh is 4.5 Hours. Loss Factor for Bangladesh is
considered as 1.4.

Number of 50W modules required, N = 150/50 = 3 Modules.

Three, 50W Modules are required or one 200W/250 W module required.

When three 50W PV modules are used, the wiring of the solar panels is parallel, which results in
an increase in amperage but no change in voltage.

Here, Series Connection Module, Ns =1, Parallel Connection Module, Np

3. Sizing of Inverter

Total Watt of all AC appliances = 60W

For safety, the inverter should be considered 25-30% bigger size. As Interverter efficiency is
around 85%.

The inverter size should be = 60 +60 X 25%= 75 W ~100W or greater.

4. Battery sizing
Total appliances use and with 30% energy lost in the system = (3 W X 2 X 8 hours) + (10 W
x 8 hours) + (60 W x 4 hours) X 1.3 = 478.4

Nominal Battery Voltage = 12V

Days of autonomy = 3 days
Battery efficiency = 0.85
For depth of discharge = 0.6

Battery capacity = 480 x 3________ = 235.294 Ah

(0.85 x 0.6 x 12)

Total Ampere-hours required 240 Ah

So the battery should be rated 12 V 240 Ah for 3 day autonomy.
5. Solar charge controller sizing

PV module specification
Open circuit voltage, Voc = 21.4 V
Short circuit current, Isc = 3.4 A
Maximum Voltage, Vm = 16.6 V
Maximum Current, Im = 3.05 A
Maximum Power, Pm = 50 W

Solar charge controller rating = (3 strings of PV module x 3.4 A) x 1.3 = 13.26 A = 15 A

So the solar charge controller should be rated 15 A at 12 V or greater.

Conductor Sizing

At low voltages, the length of the wire and the resulting voltage drop are more important when
determining the proper wire size than the current carried by the wire.

We know, Wire's current capacity is known as `Ampacity'.

For grid electricity, Ampacity= 1.25 x Total number of PV module string x Isc
or 1.56 x Total number of PV module string x Isc [According to NEC code]

For solar electricity, Ampacity=1.25 x 1.25 x Total Isc =1.56 x Total Isc [According to NEC
code]
The solar radiation is 1000 W/m2 at STC but sometimes radiation increases due to weather.
When connecting an array to a controller, a controller to a battery, or a controller to a load, the
wire size should be increased to carry 125 percent of the maximum current expected. Thus in the
equation 1.25 is multiplied with short circuit current and total number of PV module string. The
first 125% is to account for the possibility that in extreme conditions the cells could output more
than their nameplate short circuit current at STC. The second 125% that is (1.25 x 1.25) in the
equation is to make it 156%. Because it is needed for continuous load factor.

Wire sizes are chosen to limit voltage drops to 2%.

Total voltage drops= 2% of 12 V= 0.24 V
Wire Resistance= Voltage/Current = (0.24/ (Total number of PV module string *Ise)) Ohm
Wire Resistance= Voltage/Current = (0.24/ (5*Isc)) Ohm= (0.24/ (5*12)) Ohm =0.004 Ohm
Resistance of Wire/Meter= Total Resistance/Distance =0.004 Ohm/d (m)
 Figure 2: Circuit Diagram of the system

Report Task:
Design a Solar Home System for AC load for residential building.