Central Luzon State University

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

ABEN 4420
Renewable Energy for AB
Applications
Solar Energy Sources and Utilization
 Review...

Requirements for Energy Supply

✓Accessibility: Stable supply based on enough
occurrence or availability
✓Applicability: Ease in operation with reliability
✓Acceptability: Safety in use with fewer burdens on
environment

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Review...

▪ Primary energies refer to natural resources prior to modification

for use.
✓ Fossil energies – crude oil, natural gas, coal
✓ Renewable energies – solar, wind, hydro, geothermal
▪ Secondary energies refer to energies converted from primary
sources for use in human social activities such as in industries,
residents, businesses and transportation.
✓ Electricity
✓ Heat
✓ Diesel/Gasoline fuel
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Review...

Forms of Energy
▪ Kinetic energy – as possessed by moving solids and fluids
▪ Potential energy – as possessed by fluids at elevation in
gravitational field
▪ Thermal energy – as internal energy contained in solids and fluids
▪ Chemical energy – as produced through chemical reaction
▪ Electrical energy – as produced by electromagnetic induction
▪ Radiant energy – in the form of electromagnetic wave as solar
radiation
▪ Nuclear energy – as produced through atomic fission
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Review...

Sources of Energy
▪ Solar Energy – the use of the insolation (incoming solar radiation)
in producing electricity with the help of the photovoltaic cells.
▪ Wind Energy – the force as wind moves can result for a mechanical
energy which will then be converted into electricity.
▪ Water Energy – also known as the hydroelectric energy, since it
was the use of the water’s mechanical energy transforming into an
electoral energy.
▪ Biomass Energy – the utilization of various feedstock such
sugarcane bagasse, ricehull, and animal by-products.
- uses fermentation and distillation processes in
extracting the bioethanol which was used as fuel
alternative in IC engines.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Review...

Sources of Energy
▪ Geothermal Energy – earth’s heat energy was derived by the
plants which was them transformed into steam, producing a
mechanical power in turbines that was connected in generator.
▪ OTEC – this is the ocean thermal energy conversion which based
on the ocean water’s temperature differences that will runs into a
heat engine that produces electricity
▪ CHP – the combine heat and power which uses fuel and water as a
source of energy producing mechanical and thermal energy,
respectively. With this two combination, a higher energy efficiency
can achieve.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Solar Energy Potential in the Philippines
Solar Energy has the greatest potential for providing clean, safe, and reliable power.

PHILIPPINES: 4.5 – 5.0

kWh/m2/day

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Solar Pumping Irrigation System in the Philippines

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Solar Pumping Irrigation System in the Philippines
Solar irrigation in Negros
Solar irrigation project in Rizal
Occidental

- PHP 20 million solar pump - PHP 6.9 million integrated

irrigation project (SPIP) of DA-BAR solar-powered irrigation system
- Can irrigate 72 ha of farmlands - Located in a 600m2 farm
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Solar Pumping Irrigation System in the Philippines
Solar Water Pump in Rizal to NIA launches two solar powered
Irrigate 24 hectares of Riceland pump irrigation projects in Nueva
Ecija

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Existing Solar Power Plant in LUZON as of July 2022

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Existing Solar Power Plant in VISAYAS as of July 2022

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Existing Solar Power Plant in MINDANAO as of July 2022

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Existing Solar Power Plant

Calatagan Solar Farm Clark Solar Plant

▪ 63.3 MW ground mounted PV power ▪ 23 MW Solar Power Generation
project ▪ 71,440 Astronergy Modules in 25 ha
▪ Over 200,000 Trina Solar Tall max land
Modules in 160 ha ▪ Commercial operation on March 11,
▪ Commercial operation in March 2016 2016
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Existing Solar Power Plant
Solar Power Plant Isla Sol II
▪ 48 MWp PV Power Plant
▪ 179,036 polycrystalline Modules in 63 ha land
▪ Energized and commissioned on March 5, 2016

Digos Solar Power Plant

▪ 28.6 MW Solar Power Plant
▪ 179,036 polycrystalline Modules
in 30 ha land
▪ The project is 100% completed
as of October 2016.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Solar Energy
▪ Solar Energy is most abundant among renewable sources;
however, solar irradiance is quite variable depending on:
✓ time of the day
✓ regional geographic position
✓ season
✓ typical/local weather conditions
▪ For photovoltaic generation, unit output is in the range of 0.1
to 0.3 kW/m2
▪ Its thin energy density requires large area to be collected.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Solar Energy
▪ Sun is the source from which
almost all energy on the Earth is
derived.
▪ Sun is also the driving force behind
photosynthesis, which is
responsible for the formation of
fossil fuels.
▪ The sun provides energy that can
be captured in the form of solar
power, hydropower, and wind
power.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Solar Energy
Global map showing practical
solar energy potential (Worldbank,
2020)

▪ The potential for clean, carbon-free electricity generation from solar photovoltaic (PV)
sources in most countries seem small in comparison to their current electricity
demand.
▪ Around 20% of the global population lives in 70 countries boasting excellent conditions
for solar PV.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Features of the Solar Energy
1. Clean
Solar energy utilization produces very little exhaust gas and
is extremely clean.
2. Infinite
Solar energy will exist virtually forever.
3. Wide fluctuation
Solar energy varies greatly according to climate and day-to-
day weather conditions.
4. Low density
Although the amount of energy falling on the Earth is vast,
its density is 1kW/m2.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Utilization of Solar Energy
A. Direct Utilization B. Indirect Utilization
A.1 Light B.1 Wind
A.1.1 Photovoltaic Generation B.1.1 Wind Power Generation
A.1.2 Photochemical Hydrogen B.2 Water
A.2 Heat B.2.1 Wave Power
A.2.1 Water Heater B.2.2 Hydroelectric Power
A.2.2 Solar Thermal Application B.3 Photosynthesis
A.2.3 Heat Distillation B.3.1 Biomass

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Photovoltaic Power Generation
▪ One of the most promising renewable energy sources in the
world.
▪ This photovoltaic generation is the quite essential energy
source, creating electricity with no pollution, no noise, and
often no moving parts.
▪ This system needs minimal maintenance and no water and so
are well suited to remote or arid regions.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Limitations of Photovoltaic Power Generation System
1. Sun dependent
This system won’t run without sunlight. Applications which
use power at night require batteries, increasing the system
cost and complexity.
2. High initial cost
3. System maintenance
Although photovoltaics require relatively little maintenance,
batteries need regular maintenance and replacement.
Further, the photovoltaic modules produce direct current
(DC) electricity only, an inverter must be added to the
system to run alternating current (AC) devices.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Limitations of Photovoltaic Power Generation System
1. Sun dependent
2. High initial cost
3. System maintenance
4. Disposal of batteries
Although most commercial photovoltaic materials pose no
toxic problem to human or the environment, most batteries
do contain hazardous materials like lead, lithium, cadmium,
and various acids, and a means for careful recycling or
disposal should be considered.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Cells, Modules, Panels and Arrays
▪ Photovoltaic cells are connected electrically
in series and/or parallel circuits to produce
higher voltages, currents and power levels.
▪ Photovoltaic modules consist of PV cell
circuits sealed in an environmentally
protective laminate and are the
fundamental building blocks of PV systems.
▪ Photovoltaic panels include one or more PV
modules assembled as a pre-wired, field-
installable unit
▪ A photovoltaic array is the complete power-
https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/consumer/solar-technologies/solar-electricity- generating unit, consisting of any number of
basics/cells-modules-panels-and-arrays/
PV modules and panels.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Solar Cell
▪ It is also known as Photovoltaic cell (PV cell)
▪ “Photo” means produced by light, and “voltaic” is electricity
produced by a chemical reaction.
▪ A device that converts light energy (solar energy) directly to
electricity.
▪ It is like a battery because it supplies DC power.
▪ It is not like a battery because the voltage supplied by the cell
changes with changes in the resistance of the load
The “Photovoltaic effect” is the basic physical process through
which a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Classification of Solar Cell
A. Silicon
A.1 Crystalline group
A.1.1 Single/Mono Crystal
A.1.2 Poly Crystal
A.2 Amorphous group
B. Compound Semiconductor
B.1 III – V group (GaAS)
B.2 II – VI group (CdS/CdTe)
B.3 I – III group (CuInSe2)

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Silicon Solar Cell
1. Single/Mono Crystalline Cell
- The wafers for single-crystalline cells are sliced from a
single crystal of pure silicon to a thickness similar to a
fingernail. (Wafer thickness is approximately 200 μm).
- Have the highest efficiency
- Expensive to manufacture

Cell Conversion Efficiency: 15 ~ 24%

Module Conversion Efficiency: 10 ~ 14%

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Silicon Solar Cell
2. Poly Crystalline Cell
- Poly crystalline cell wafers are made from silicon that has
multiple crystals in it.
- Has some manufacturing advantages
- Not as efficient as single-crystal cells

Cell Conversion Efficiency: 10 ~ 17%

Module Conversion Efficiency: 9 ~ 12%

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Silicon Solar Cell
3. Amorphous / Thin-film Silicon Cell
- Amorphous solids are materials in which the
atoms are not arranged in any particular order.
- Do not form crystalline structure at all
- Require smaller amount of silicon and less energy
in manufacturing
- Can be fabricated into cells with a large surface
area

Cell Conversion Efficiency: 8 ~ 10%

Module Conversion Efficiency: 6 ~ 9%

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Silicon Solar Cell

▪ Pure silicon ▪ Melted silicon crystals ▪ Variety of materials

▪ Moderate cost ▪ Least expensive ▪ Most expensive
▪ Longest lifespan ▪ Moderate lifespan ▪ Shortest lifespan

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications http://bosasiasb.blogspot.com/2012/12/monocrystalline-polycrystalline.html

 Compound Semiconductor Solar Cell
▪ The semiconductor made from chemical compound of GaAs,
CuInSe2, or CdTe are used for Thin Film Solar Cells
▪ The manufacturing technology for these solar cells are under
research and development in laboratory/manufacturer to
improve the energy conversion efficiency, reliability and cost
performance.
1. III – V group (GaAs) – made from Gallium Arsenide
2. II – VI group (CdS/CdTe) – made from Cadmium Sulfide/
Cadmium Telluride
3. I – III group (CuInSe2) – made from Copper Indium Diselenide
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Physics of Solar Cells
▪ Semiconductor material can be p-type (hole carriers) or n-type
(electron carriers)

▪ N-type has impurities with an extra electron (Phosphorus)

▪ P-type has impurities with one fewer electron (Boron)
▪ Put them together: p-n junction
▪ A solar cell is a very large p-n junction (or diode)
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Basic Physics of Solar Cells
▪ The holes from the p-type side diffuse
to the n-type side.
▪ The electrons diffuse to the p-type side.
▪ This leaves behind charged ions
(missing electrons or holes).

▪ The charged atoms (ions) create an

electric field.
▪ This electric field makes it easy for
current to flow in one direction

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Construction of Solar Cells

▪ They are constructed

by layering special
materials called
semiconductors into
thin, flat sandwiches.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Solar Cells Working Principle
▪ Function1: Photogeneration of charge carriers (electrons and
holes) in a light-absorbing material
▪ Function 2: Separation of the charge carriers to a conductive
medium such as a metal contact or a wire in order to transmit
the electricity
✓ It supplies a voltage and a current to a resistive load
(light, battery, motor)
✓ Power = Current x Voltage

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Solar Cell Working Principle
1. A solar cell is a sandwich of n-type silicon (blue) and
p-type silicon (red).
2. When sunlight shines on the cell, photons (light
particles) bombard the upper surface.
3. The photons (yellow dot) carry their energy down
through the cell.
4. The photons give up their energy to electron (green
dot in the lower p-type layer.
5. The electrons use this energy to jump across the
barrier into the upper, n-type layer and escape out
into the circuit.
6. Flowing around the circuit, the electrons make the
lamp light up.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications

 Factors affecting Solar Cell Performance
▪ Light intensity (type of light) - The greater the light intensity, the better the
power generation performance of the solar cell.
▪ Light wavelength (color of light) - The larger the wavelength, the small the
voltage would be produced because the wavelengths are getting too large to
power the solar cell.
▪ Angle of incident light - As the angle of the sunlight on a solar panel deviates
from the perpendicular, the solar-panel power output decreases.
▪ Surface condition of solar cells (cleanliness) - Dirt on the surface of the solar
panel, it can reduce how much light is absorbed by that area, reducing
efficiency.
▪ Temperature on solar cells - As the temperature of the solar panel increases,
its output current increases exponentially, while the voltage output is reduced
linearly.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications
 Types of PV Systems

▪ Photovoltaic power
generation systems can
be installed anywhere
where there is sunlight.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications https://www.e-education.psu.edu/ae868/print/book/export/html/872

 Stand-alone PV system

▪ Also known as off-grid system

▪ Generally designed and sized to supply certain DC and/or AC
electrical loads.
Hybrid PV System
Stand-alone PV system with battery
Direct-coupled PV system storage

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/consumer/solar-technologies/solar-electricity-basics/types-of-pv-systems/

 Stand-alone PV system
Direct-coupled PV system
▪ The simplest type of stand-alone
PV system
▪ Matched PV system size and load
requirement
▪ If matched for a single load, the
system is called “Direct-Coupled
PV System”
▪ Without the need for storage
systems.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/consumer/solar-technologies/solar-electricity-basics/types-of-pv-systems/
 Stand-alone PV system
Stand-alone system with battery storage

▪ Requires a storage
system and charge
controller
▪ Can either be
connected directly to
DC loads or to AC loads
through an Inverter

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/consumer/solar-technologies/solar-electricity-basics/types-of-pv-systems/

 Stand-alone PV system
Hybrid PV system
▪ Use other energy sources in
parallel to the PV array to
supply loads.
▪ Other energy sources include:
➢ Wind energy
➢ Hydropower
➢ Diesel generators
▪ Can also use batteries for
energy storage
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/consumer/solar-technologies/solar-electricity-basics/types-of-pv-systems/
 Grid-connected System
Directly connected to utility ▪ Also called “utility-interactive PV
system” or “grid-tied PV system”
▪ Designed to operate in parallel with
and interconnected with the electric
utility grid
▪ The primary component in grid-
connected systems is the inverter, or
power conditioning unit (PCU).
▪ The inverter converts the DC power
produced by the PV array into AC
power consistent with the voltage
and power quality requirements of
the utility grid.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications https://www.e-education.psu.edu/ae868/print/book/export/html/872
 Grid-connected System
Bimodal PV system
▪ This interface is made between the PV
system AC output circuits and the
electric utility network, typically at an
on-site distribution panel or service
entrance.
▪ Allows the AC power produced by the
PV system to either supply on-site
electrical loads, or to back-feed the grid
when the PV system output is greater
than the on-site load demand.
▪ This safety feature is required in all grid-
connected PV systems.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications https://www.e-education.psu.edu/ae868/print/book/export/html/872
 Components of a PV system

▪ Solar photovoltaic (PV)

energy systems are made up
of different components.
▪ The type of component in
the system depends on the
type of system and the
purpose.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Solar Module Mono-crystalline Poly-crystalline
solar PV modules
solar PV modules

▪ Consists of multiple strings of solar cells,

wires in series (positive to negative), and are
mounted in an aluminum frame.
▪ Each solar cell is capable of producing 0.5
volts.
▪ Larger modules will have 60 or 72 cells in a
frame.
▪ The size or area of the cell determines the
amount of amperage. The larger the cell, the
higher the amperage.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Solar Array
▪ Solar array is made up of multiple PV modules
wired together.
▪ Wiring modules in series results in the voltage of
each of the two modules is added together.

For example, a 20-watt module rated at 17.2 volts

and 1.2 amps is wired in series to second similar
module.
17.2V +17.2V = 34.4V
➢ The current each module produces, stays
the same.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Solar Array
▪ A series string represents the summed voltages of
each individual module.
▪ Each module should be the same voltage and
current.
For example, if an array is made up of a string of 10
modules, each rated at 30 volts and 4 amps.
10 x 30V = 300V; 4 amps; a total of 1200 watts
➢ The current each module produces, stays the
same.
▪ The goal is to wire modules in series to build voltage

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Combiner Box
▪ Serves to “combine” multiple series strings into
one parallel circuit.

For example, an array with three strings of 10

modules wired in series would produce 300 volts (10
modules x 30 volts) per string and 4 amps per string.
- When the leads are landed in the combiner
box, the circuit would produce 300 volts at 12
amps (3 strings x 4 amps/string).
- Once the circuits are combined, leaving the
box it is referred to as the “output circuit”.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
PV Disconnect

▪ A direct current (DC)

disconnect switch is installed
between the inverter load and
the solar array.
▪ The disconnect switch is used
to safely de-energize the array
and isolate the inverter from
the power source.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Charge Controller

▪ A charge controller
regulates the amount of
charge going into the
battery from the module
to keep from overcharging
the battery.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Battery
▪ It is used when solar energy is to be stored for use
when the sun is not shining.
▪ The most commonly used battery for residential
PV applications is the lead-acid battery.
▪ There are two types of lead-acid batteries:
➢ flooded lead-acid (FLA)
➢ sealed absorbed glass mat (AGM).
▪ The battery voltage can vary from 2, 6, and 12
volts.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Battery Banks
▪ It is a number of batteries connected together to
increase the total voltage.
For example, two 12-volt batteries wired in series, produces
a battery bank capable of providing up to 24 volts of DC
energy, and four batteries wired in series produces 48 volts.
▪ A battery life cycle consists of discharging a battery
and recharging it to full capacity.
▪ The life cycle of a battery can be lengthened if the
battery is not discharged all the way to 0% charge.
▪ A reasonable design is to have batteries discharge to
50% then recharge to full.
ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
Inverters

▪ The inverter changes DC energy to AC energy.

For example, a 4000 watt inverter can be connected
to a 12 volt battery and used for energizing small AC
appliances.
▪ A string inverter is used to convert DC power
from a solar array to AC power and can be
connected to an AC distribution power panel
(service panel) in a residence or facility.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
AC Disconnect Switch

▪ Safety disconnect switch are required by the

National Electric Code (NEC) on the AC-side of the
inverter to safely disconnect and isolate the
inverter from the AC circuit.
▪ This is for troubleshooting and performing
maintenance on the system.
▪ For grid-connected systems, this component may
be required by the local utility.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
AC Breaker Panel
▪ The panel consists of circuit breakers and divides the
service into separate branch circuits.
▪ The size of the circuit depends on the size of the loads.
▪ Household circuits are sized at 15 amps of current.
▪ Larger circuits of 20 amps, 30 amps, or 50 amps, are
found where larger appliances or electrical equipment
are used.
▪ A grid-connected PV system will have a circuit connecting
the AC-side of the inverter to the AC service panel.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Components of a PV system
System Metering

▪ The battery meter is used to measure the

energy coming in and going out of the
battery bank.
▪ Charging and discharging of batteries, and
proper functioning of the charging system
is important to alert the user to
incomplete charging, battery decline, or
possible system shutdown.

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications Franklin, Ed, 2018, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components
 Thank You!

ABEN 4420 – Renewable Energy for AB Applications