North Eastern Mindanao State University

Bislig Campus
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
College of Engineering
Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

COURSE REQUIREMENT

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Subject

ME 321L (Power Plant Design with Renewable Energy Laboratory)

DAGUPAN CITY 20MW MONOCRYSTALLINE

SOLAR POWER PLANT

Presented to:
Engr. Alberto E. Lastimado Jr.
COURSE INTRUCTOR

Presented by:
Cel John D. Soberano
BSME 3A

March 2024
 Chapter I: Introduction

1.1 Background of the study:

Technology has been rising exponentially the past few years up until now. Even the extraction of
energy was influenced to make use of technological advancement as a way of gaining new and clean
resources. One example of this, is the breakthrough of solar power plants in the year 1860's, led by
Augustin Mouchot to make up to the scarcity of the coal industry.
According to the Solar Energy Technologies office, solar technologies use mirrors to focus solar
radiation or photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight into electrical energy. This energy can be stored
thermally or in batteries, or it can be used to create electricity. Taking note that the sunlight that strikes
the earth is enough to handle the world's energy consumption for a year if harnessed properly.
With the abundance of energy waiting to be utilized, this may lead to a cleaner and better energy
source for humans. Leaving the negative impacts caused by fossil fuel extraction, carbon emissions or
greenhouse gases, and water processing power plants.
The aim of this study is to minimize or at most eliminate the use of toxic and hazardous energy
sources. By taking up the time to learn about solar powerplants, the study also clings to the possibility of
improving current power stations that operates on solar power.

1.2 Statement of the problem:

The study focuses on controlling the energy humans get from the sun and making use of it as a
new energy source. The researcher strives to answer the questions to be pondered upon, such as;
1. Why do solar power plants have fewer negative impacts on the environment compared to other energy
sources?
2. What are the elements to be considered in making a solar power plant?
3. Does the advantages of a solar power plant to the environment enough to go through the high price in
making one?

1.3 Objectives of the study:

The researchers are to satisfy the following objectives at the end of the study;
•Design a 20MW solar power plant in Dagupan city,
•Identify the cost of each material to be used
•Present a step-by-step process in the making of the project

1.4 Significance of the study:

The economic status of the Philippines will improve drastically, since a new source of income has
come into fruition. Taxes will have a fair share. The opening of new job opportunities will definitely
increase even the economic status even of the local city.
The results of this study and project will also benefit mostly the nearby areas of the power plant
station. Both government and private sectors correlated to energy supply will have a new business partner
which will most probably have a lower price per watt, compared to power plants that are situated in
farther areas.
Lastly, future researchers and project managers may benefit to the findings of the study as a
reference for future endeavors. The budgeting and step-by-step process in making the power plant will
surely be a large stepping stone for the improvement of the solar power plant industry.
1.5 Definition of key terms:

Photovoltaic – relating to the production of electric current at the junction of two substances exposed to
light.

Solar irradiance – Solar irradiance is the power per unit area (surface power density) received from the
Sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range
Monocrystalline solar panel – A monocrystalline solar panel is a solar panel comprising
monocrystalline solar cells. These cells are made from a cylindrical silicon ingot grown from a single
crystal of silicon of high purity in the same way as a semiconductor.

Performance ratio – PR is an index that measures the performance of a solar system after considering
environmental factors such as temperature, radiation, and climate change.

Albedo - the proportion of the incident light or radiation that is reflected by a surface

Delineate - describe or portray (something) precisely.

Chapter 2: Theoretical framework

2.1 Solar energy

Solar energy is a remarkable and sustainable resource derived from the Sun. It plays a crucial role
in our quest for cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Using photovoltaic panels, converting the
energy coming from the sun, humans are able to power residential homes, and in a larger scale, even
industrial and commercial companies.

2.2 Solar energy potential

Dagupan City, Philippines recognized as one of the highest heat indexes recorded since March 31,
2023. Based on the solar radiance data acquired from the pre-installed Grid – linked PV systems of the
five Dagupan residents, the gathered solar radiance is 4.3KWH per square meter. Therefore, such high
index record proves the potential of a power plant in Dagupan City located in Luzon, Philippines.

2.3 Solar Radiation Profile

Dagupan City, located in the province of Pangasinan, is exposed mainly to sunlight due to the fact
that it is part of a tropical region. The city experiences high solar irradiance, making it have a high
potential for solar energy utilization. On average, Dagupan City receives approximately 5 to 6 hours of
direct sunlight per day. The annual solar radiation ranges from 1,800 to 2,200 kilowatts-hour per square
meter (kWh/m²). Such high level of heat indexes is conducive for photovoltaic projects.

2.4 Components of Photovoltaic power plants

Transformer
String connector
Sun Solar panel
box Inverter
 Storing devices

Utility grid Energy meter Switchyard Switchgear

2.4.1 Solar Panels – convert solar energy into electrical energy. In this solar power plant, a
monocrystalline panel shall be used. A monocrystalline panel with 96 cells has a watt capacity of
500 watts.

2.4.2 Inverters – converts direct current (DC) generated by the PV cells into alternating current
(AC), which is suitable for use in homes and businesses.

2.4.3 Energy storage devices – stores energy which will be used during cloudy or at night. With
a total average of 20mw per day being produced by the solar panels, the project will use a 60mw
energy storing battery.

2.4.4 Mounting structure – Solar Mounting Structures are critical components that ensure the
efficiency of a solar power system in both utility and rooftop applications. These frameworks
allow panels to rest comfortably at the right angle which helps in maximizing energy generation.

2.4.5 Wires – connect all of the components of the systems.

2.4.6 Switching equipment – a solar automatic transfer switch allows you to use a PV system
alongside a backup power source

2.4.7 Transformers – Transformers are used in photovoltaic projects, mainly to increase the
voltage output by the inverter.

2.4.8 Energy meter – A solar energy meter also called renewable energy meter, is a device that
measures the amount of energy generated by solar panels.

2.4.9 String connector box - String Combiner Box is abbreviated to SCB, which is placed in the
PV array field which combines multiple DC inputs coming from different strings and combines
them into one DC output.

2.5 Type of design

Ground-based solar power plant – Ground mounted solar panels are solar panels that are installed at the
ground level. Ground-mounted systems function very similarly to rooftop solar systems – panels are
exposed to sunlight which is converted to electricity by solar cells in order to power a single building or,
in the case of solar farms, communities.

2.6 Site selection

2.6.1 Area – Pangasinan, including Dagupan City, enjoys a substantial amount of sunlight
throughout the year. The region’s tropical climate ensures consistent solar irradiance, making it an
ideal place for harnessing solar energy.
2.6.2 Climate - Tropical Monsoon Climate (Am): Dagupan City falls under the tropical monsoon
climate zone, characterized by two distinct seasons: the dry season (from November to May) and
the wet season (from June to October). During the dry season, abundant sunlight is available,
making it an advantage for solar energy production.

2.6.3 Direction – According to geographical location of the area, the city falls with latitude 160
01' to 160 07' north and longitude 1200 18' to 1200 23' east. Since it is situated in the north
hemisphere, the solar panels will be facing true south.

2.6.4 Land cost – Barangay Mangin, Dagupan City, province of Pangasinan is considered a rural
land area. According to research a rural land’s price in the Philippines ranges from PhP 100 to
PhP 450. The project will be needing an approximate area of 55,000 square meter of land, leading
to a maximum total price of PhP 24,750,000.
 2.6.5 Tilt angle - This angle ensures that the solar panels can capture the maximum amount of
sunlight throughout the year

2.6.6 Distance – Distancing the panels further, the amount of ground-reflected irradiance on a
solar module increases and the incidence of modules casting shade on each other decreases. The
increased spacing also allows greater wind flow, which can result in lower module temperatures
and higher energy output.

2.7 Solar recourse assessment

2.7.1 Site Location – Barangay Mangin, Dagupan City, Province of Pangasinan. The following are
the geographical data of the area;

 Luzon, Philippines
 Latitude and Longitude: Mangin is situated at approximately 16.0361N, 120.3678E.
 Altitude: Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 3.8 meters or 12.5 feet above mean sea
level.
 Time Zone (TZ): Asia/Manila
 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): UTC+8
 Albedo: Light-colored soil ranges from 0.4-0.5

2.7.2 Meteorological data

In Dagupan, the precipitation during summers is significantly higher in comparison to winters.

According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Aw. In Dagupan, the mean yearly
temperature amounts to 26.9 °C | 80.4 °F. Approximately 1960 mm | 77.2 inch of rainfall occurs on a
yearly basis. Due to its proximity to the equator, it is quite challenging to precisely delineate summers
in Dagupan. The period of January, February, March, April, November, December is widely regarded
as the peak season for visitation (climate data, n.d)
2.7.2.1 Climate by month in Dagupan City

2.7.2.2 Average temperature per month

 2.7.2.3 Hours of sunshine per month

Chapter 3: Methodology
3.1 Choosing technology

3.2 Module selection

Monocrystalline solar panels, widely used in rooftop solar installations, offer several advantages over
other types of solar panels. According to research, monocrystalline panels have the highest efficiency
rating compared to other solar panels. Their uniform crystalline structure facilitates a higher level of
electron flow, resulting in better overall performance.

Characteristics of chosen PV module:

Parameters Values
Type of technology Monocrystalline panel
Dimensions 194×131×5 cm
Weight 26kg
Maximum open circuit voltage 60.67 Volts
Maximum short circuit current 5.92 amperes
Peak power 500 watts
Module efficiency 24%

3.3 Number of Modules

 A monocrystalline panel with 96 cells and has a module capacity of 500 watts is able to produce
4520kw-hour/day of power in Dagupan city (considering the average hour of direct sunlight which is
9.04hours/day). Calculating all of the given data, the proposed project will need 4425 modules, rounding
up the project will be needing 4500 modules to be able to produce 20MW of power on minimum per day.

3.4 Inverter selection

In this project the inverter type which is named “ABB central inverter” will be selected as the
solar inverter for the solar power plant in Dagupan city. According to research, this product offers high
performance with affordable capital expenditure and has been specifically designed for the fast-growing
Chinese market.

Characteristics of proposed solar inverter

Parameters Value
Type of inverter Central Inverter
Maximum input voltage 1000V
Maximum combined DC input current 1100A
Nominal output power 470 kW@300V / 500kW@320V /
530kW@340V / 560 kW@360V
Nominal AC voltage 300/320/340/360 V
Maximum inverter output current 900A
Maximum efficiency 98.5%
Weighted efficiency 98.2%
Dimensions 2280mm x 2000mm x 800mm / 89.8” x 78.7” x
31.5”
Weight 1200 kg / 2645 lbs.

3.5 Number of inverters

Considering the actual watt capacity of the system which is 2.25MW, the number of inverters also
is equal to its capacity. Having a 500KW solar inverter, the project will be needing a number of 4.5
inverters, rounding up to 5 solar inverters

3.6 Inverter sizing

3.7 Configuration of PV modules

3.7.1 Tilt angle

2-Season tilt of photovoltaic panels twice per year, the most efficient angle is 6.1° in
summer months and 33.2° in winter months.

3.7.2 Spacing

The distance between solar arrays will be 3.10 meters or 10.17 feet away from each other.
The distance between solar panels with regards to the expansion of solar panels while being
subjected to heat is 17.78 cm or 7 inches.
 Data:

Tilt angle: 33.2

Solar elevation angle: 13.32

Solar panel dimension: (194×131×5) cm

3.8 System summary

System Grid-connected system

Orientation PV modules facing true south
Tilt angle Summer: 6.1° / Winter 33.2°
Azimuth Angle 13.32°
Shadings 4.5 m
System total watt capacity 2.25 MW
System daily average capacity 20 MW
Number of PV modules 4500
Number of inverters 5
Type of inverter Central inverter

3.9 Project summary

The monocrystalline solar panel with 96 cells is selected as the PV module for the project since it
has the highest efficiency. Considering the location of the project which is Barangay Mangin, Dagupan
City, Province of Pangasinan the tilt angle is 6.1° in summer months and 33.2° in winter months.

The distance between solar panels to avoid shading, through which the location is considered as
the main proponent for the calculation is thoroughly investigated. The parameters of the solar modules
and inverters are already given. Here below is the project summary:

Geographical site Luzon, Philippines

Latitude 16.0361N
Longitude 120.3678E
Altitude 3.8 meters or 12.5 feet above mean sea level
Time zone Asia/Manila
 Albedo 0.4-0.5

3.10 Software used: Photovoltaic system

The software to be used for the photovoltaic system is helioscope. Not only does it provide
bankable energy estimates, with Google Sketchup integration, and cloud-based collaboration. Helioscope
is also a beginner friendly software, while being on par with other software programs. (Note: This
research proposal is currently using sketch-up for the 3D rendering to present a prompt design.)

Chapter IV: Results and analysis

4.1 Results

4.1.1 Computational results

Using the direct sunlight per month data from the meteorological data, the performance
ratio of the system with 4,500 solar panels per month is shown below:

Performance ratio
50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

4.2 Performance analysis of the plant

4.2.1 Annual performance ratio (PR)

The proposed solar power plant consisting of 4,500 monocrystalline solar panels with 96
cells that is able to produce a capacity of 500watts each is multiplied to the annual average hours of
sunshine which 9.4 hours, having an annual performance ratio of 39.17%.

4.2.2 Specific energy yield

 4.2.3 Shading

4.3 Financial analysis

4.4 Economic analysis

4.4.1 Installation cost

4.4.2 Operating cost

4.5 Analysis of Co2 emissions

Chapter V: Discussion
Chapter VI: Conclusions
Chapter VII: Future Work
Chapter VIII: References