VAAGDEVI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

(AUTONOMOUS)
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

Solar PV System
Fundamentals

Dr. K. Ranjith Kumar

Assistant Professor, EEE Department
Vaagdevi College of Engineering
Have you ever used solar
energy in your life?
 We are big user of solar energy

Food, water, air and all other we are

using is because of solar energy
 What will be covered…

• Solar cell/module

• Issues affects the maximum power

• Battery

• Inverter

• Charge controller
 What is 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 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 clean source of electricity that can suit a

wide range of applications such as residence, industry,

agriculture, livestock, etc.

 Which material can be used for solar

cells?

Metals, semiconductors or insulators?

 What solar Cell Should Do?
• Solar cell should generate voltage or potential

-which can drive current through a load

• The potential is said to be developed when a positive charge is

separated by negative charge in space

V
+ -

• A solar cell first must generate positive and negative charge

carriers and then it must separate them

 Energy Gap

Eg>5 eV Eg=0.3 eV to 2.5 eV Eg=0 eV

Si-1.12 eV
Ge-0.78 eV
Photon energy range in solar spectrum:0.3 eV to 3.5 eV
 Semiconductors
• Elemental Semiconductors

Part of Periodic Table

II III IV V VI
B C (6)
Al Si (14) P S
Zn Ga Ge (32) As Se
Cd In Sb Te
 Compound Semiconductors
• Elemental Semiconductors: Si, Ge

• Compound Semiconductors: GaAs, InP

• Ternary Semiconductors: AlGaAs, HgCdTe

• Quaternary Semiconductors: InGaAsP, InGaAIp

Elemental IV Binary Binary

Compounds III-V II-VI
Si SiGe AlP CdTe
Ge SiC GaAs CdS
As InP ZnS
GaP CdSe
GaAs: Space Applications
Cell to Module
Cell Busbar and Finger
 Solar Cell Working Principle
• A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that
converts the energy of photons that are incident on it to
electrical energy.

is based on Photovoltaic Effect

Equivalent Circuit of a P-N Junction Solar Cell

• An ideal solar cell can be considered as a current source wherein the current
produced by the solar cell is proportional to the solar irradiation intensity falling on
it.
• Practical behavior of a solar cell is deviated from ideal due to the optical and
electrical losses.
• The optical losses represented by the current source itself.
• The recombination losses represented by the diode connected anti-parallel to the
current source.
• The ohmic losses occur in the cell represented by Rs and Rsh.
 Series resistance Rs is the resistance offered by the solar cell in the path of current
flow.
 Shunt resistance Rsh is referred as the leakage path of the current in a solar cell.
Effect of Irradiation and Temperature on I-V
Curve

Solar irradiance is the power per unit

area received from the sun in the form

of electromagnetic radiation

-25oC
0oC
+25oC
+50oC
+75oC
 Types of Solar Cells
Solar Cell Technology Characteristics

Structure formed from single crystal of silicon

Typical module efficiency: 17-20%
Monocrystalline Typical module price: 75-100 Rs

Structure formed from multiple crystals of

silicon
Typical module efficiency: 15-17%

Polycrystalline Typical module price: 50-75 Rs

Structure formed from amorphous silicon

Typical module efficiency: 8-12%
Typical module price: 40-55 Rs
Thin Film
 Types of Solar Modules

Monocrystalline Polycrystalline Thin Film

 Advantages and Disadvantages
Types of Solar Cells Advantages Disadvantages
Monocrystalline 1. Highest efficiency 1. Most expensive
2. Area-space efficient 2. Due to the octagonal
3. Durability is highest shape, not all of the
4. Tend to perform incident light is
better at low-light captured
conditions
Polycrystalline 1. Manufacturing 1. low-space efficiency
process is simpler
and less cost. The
amount of waste
silicon is less.
2. Efficiency is typically
(15-17%)
3. Due to rectangular
shape, most of the
incident light is
captured
Thin film 1. Mass production is 1. Least efficient(7-13%)
simple. 2. Least space efficiency
2. Least cost. 3. Tend to degrade
3. Can be made flexible. faster and have
shorter warranty.
 Solar Cell, Module and Array

• A separate cell unit can be connected to a frame

module, also known as a solar panel.

• PV modules usually have a glass in front of the panel,

allowing light to pass through, while ensuring that the

semiconductor plate is protected inside the case.

• Solar cells are usually associated, and arranged in

series or parallel module, depending upon the

requirement of the customer.

Solar Cell, Module and Array
Solar Cell to Solar PV Module Why?

_ Cell Rating
+
Im=3 A
Vm=0.5 V
Pm=1.5 W
Single Solar Cell

Is it possible to generate higher wattage using single solar cell?

Not Possible

In order to get larger power many cells are connected

together in series and parallel in the solar PV module

 Solar Cell to Solar PV Module Why?

Series connection Voltage is additive

Single solar cell

power =1.5 W

4 solar cells are connected in series, Therefore Power=6 W

 Series Connection of Cells
• Let us consider a solar cell having Voc=0.5V and Isc=0.8A

• When two identical cells are connected in series then Voc of two cells
will be added

• The Isc will be same as that of a single cell

Current same but voltage double

 Parallel Connection of Cells
• Isc of the two cells will be added

• Voc of the combination will remain same as that of a single cell

Voltage same but current double

Series and Parallel Connection of Cells

1.2
Effect of Series and Parallel Connection on I-V
Curve

When more than one series connected cells are connected in

parallel, more current and voltage will be obtained.

• If you try to reach higher voltage in
the solar module, would you
connect cells in series or in
parallel?

• If you try to reach higher current in

the solar module, would you
connect cells in series or in
parallel?
Solar Module Issues that Affects
Maximum Power
 Solar Module Issues
1. Shading

2. Mismatch in Cell/Module

3. De-Lamination

4. Mounting

5. Cell Cracks, Micro Cracks

& Glass Break

6. Defective MC4 Connector

Obtaining maximum power
7. Effect of Temperature from 250 W panel by
mitigating minor and major
8. Cleaning of Solar Panels
issues
9. Tracking
Shading
Hotspots in the module
Bypass Diode Protection
 Bypass Diode Protection
No cells shaded: Current passes through all the
cells. No current passes through the bypass
diodes.
One cells shaded: Current bypasses through 24
cell series string and passes through the bypass
diode in parallel with that parallel string.
One row of cells shaded: Current bypasses three
24 cell series string and passes through three
bypass diodes.
One column of cells shaded: Current bypasses
three 24 cell series string and passes through the
bypass diode in parallel with that parallel string .
72 Cell PV circuit
Entire module shaded: Current bypasses all the
A bypass diode typically
installed in parallel with cells and passes through three bypass diodes.
every 24 cells
 Mismatch in Cell/Module
• All cells are identical in terms of electrical parameters, while
connecting in series or parallel.
• But, usually there are always some difference:
 Difference in the cell processing
 Cells or modules of same rating but different manufacturer
 Different outside conditions, partial shading of cells or modules
 Cell encapsulating material becoming semitransparent from
being transparent due to damage caused by UV light.
• These non-identical conditions give rise to
 Loss in the output power
 Severe physical damage to the modules
• Mismatch in series (due to Isc, Voc or other parameters)
• Mismatch in parallel (due to Isc, Voc or other parameters)
 Mismatch in Series Connection
• Mismatch is due to difference in Voc and Isc .

• Mismatch in Voc is not a problem, no loss of power →total

power is sum of individual cell power

• When series combination is operated in short circuit mode:

the maximum current in the combination is limited by
current produced by the cell of lower Isc value

Difference in Voc Difference in Isc

 Mismatch in Isc of Series Connected Cells
• When the combination of these two cells operates near short circuit
current condition,

• The cell 1 is forced to go into reverse bias condition

• Power generated by the cell becomes negative

• Cell 1 dissipates the power rather than the generating power

• Operating point of the two cell combination can be obtained by

plotting the reflection or the mirror image with respect to the y-axis
 Mismatch for Cells Connected in Parallel
• Mismatch in parallel connection is not as severe as in series
connection.
• No power loss due to Isc mismatch

Isc mismatch
• The voltage across the cell combination is always the same
and the total current from the combination is the sum of the
currents in the individual cell
 Mismatch for Cells Connected in Parallel
• In small modules the cells are in placed in series so parallel
mismatch is not an issue. Modules are paralleled in large
arrays so the mismatch usually applies at a module level
rather than at a cell level.
Voltage mismatch
 Mismatch Effect in Arrays
One potential problem arises from an
open circuit in one of the series strings.
• The current from the parallel connected
string (called a "block") will then have a
lower current than the remaining blocks
in the module.
• This is electrically identical to the case
of one shaded solar cell in series with
several good cells, and the power from
the entire block of solar cells is lost.
• Although all modules may be identical
and the array does not experience any
shading, mismatch and hot spot effects
may still occur
 Mismatch Effect in Arrays
• In addition to the use of by-pass diodes
to prevent mismatch losses, an
additional diode, called a blocking diode,
may be used to minimize mismatch
losses.
• With parallel connected modules, each
string to be connected in parallel should
have its own blocking diode. This not
only reduces the required current
carrying capability of the blocking diode,
but also prevents current flowing from
one parallel string into a lower-current
string and therefore helps to minimize
mismatch losses arising in parallel
connected arrays.
In order to avoid cell mismatch
problem-cell sorting (binning)
 Delamination
Delamination will occur if
1. Inferior plastics are used
2.If the thermal properties of the plastics
are poorly understood so it doesn’t melt to
exactly the right point or
3.The plastics or the glass are not perfectly
clean and compatible or
4.The laminating machine is inferior and
poorly regulated for pressure and
temperature

Bubbles, creases or imperfections on the plastic rear surface are an

indication of the workmanship in lamination and can be an early sign of
delamination.
Mounting
 Mounting
• The solar panel mounting system is
extremely important as this
connects the system to your roof.
Solar mounting system have to
hold the system to the roof for 25
years or more.
• The system has to be designed to
withstand wind load as well as
withstand extreme heat or cold.
• The mounting system is attached
to a central point in the roof
structure so the solar panel weight
can be transferred to the structure
of building and everything can be
anchored down for safety.

• The main issues for racking systems are whether attaching the panels to the
roof will allow moisture to seep in through the roof penetration as well as if
the racking will be strong enough to be able to handle the weight of the
panels. This is especially important considering that extra weight stress is
added to the panels during periods of high wind
 Mounting

Pitched Roof Flat Roof

Ground Mounted Building Integrated PV

 Mounting

Good Installation Practice

Cell Cracks, Micro Cracks & Glass Break

Cell Damage Glass Damage Glass Break

Defective MC4 Connectors
Effect of Temperature
 Effect of Temperature
435 Watt Solar Panel 435 Watt Solar Panel

435 Watt Solar Panel Temperature rises from Temperature decreases

Temperature 25oC 25oC to 40oC from 25oC to 10oC

25oC

25oC to
T1>T2>T3
40oC

Voc=85.6 V, Isc=6.43 A Voc=75.6 V, Isc=6.50 A Voc=95.6 V, Isc=6.36 A

Effect of Temperature

Voc↓ 𝑎𝑠 𝑇 ↑ -Ve Temp. Coeff.

Isc ↑ as 𝑇 ↑ +Ve Temp. Coeff.

Power P=VI, -Ve Temp. Coeff.

Pm ↓ as 𝑇 ↑
 Cleaning Solar Panels

Dust and dirt particles accumulating on PV panels decrease the

solar energy reaching the cells, thereby reducing their overall
power output.
Open Circuit Voltage of 260 W panel before and after cleaning

STC Soiling Variation

Condition Condition
37.75 V 23.7 V 14.05 V
37.75 V 26.2 V 11.5 V
37.75 V 28.65 V 9.1 V
Existing Cleaning Methods
Advanced Cleaning Methods
 Tracking of PV Systems

• Tracking: by using solar

tracker
• Solar tracker is a device
used for orienting the PV
panel towards the sun by
using light sensors
connected with motor.
• Efficiency increase by 15%
in winter and 30% in
summer
• Cost also increases
Single-Axis Solar Tracker
Single-Axis Solar Tracker
 Dual-Axis Solar Tracker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIC6237TLRA
 Tilt Angle

row-spacing distance to avoid inter-row shading

• The tilt angle of the PV module is the key to an optimum energy

yield.
• Solar panels are most efficient, when they are perpendicular to
the sun rays
• Self shading occurs due to PV panels so we have to move it to
prevent self shading.
• So distance should be at least =3 w
• Where d is the distance between rows and w is the width of a
module.
For People
Sun mostly appears
Living In
In Southern
Northern
Hemisphere
Hemisphere

SOUTH

SURFACE
 For People Living In
Northern Hemisphere

Panel to face South

SOUTH

SURFACE
 For People
Sun mostly appears
Living In
In Northern
Southern
Hemisphere
Hemisphere

NORTH

SURFACE
 For People Living In
Southern Hemisphere

Panel to face North

NORTH

SURFACE
 Solar Panel Area Requirements
STC: Solar radiation-1000 W/m2
Solar efficiency-15%
Simple Thumb Rule

• If efficiency 15 % then solar panel will produce 150 Watt/m2

i.e., 10 times more than the efficiency.

15 % 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑦 → 15 × 10 → 150 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡/𝑚2

• If efficiency 18 % then solar panel will produce 180 Watt/m2

i.e., 10 times more than the efficiency.

18 % 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑦 → 18 × 10 → 180 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡/𝑚2

 Solar Panel Area Requirements
• Requirement of house=1000 Watt

• 15 % 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑦 → 15 × 10 → 150 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡/𝑚2

1000
• Total solar panel area= = 6.66𝑚2
150

• 1 square meter=10.76 square feet

• 6.66 square meter=71.7 square feet

• 1 kW →72 square feet

• 2 kW →144 square feet

Note: higher efficiency solar panels occupy less area.

 Selection of PV Panel
• Number of modules depends on the area of the panel.

• Space between modules: 6 to 10 mm2

PV type Efficiency Space for 1 kW

Monocrystalline Silicon 17-20 % 5-6 m2
Polycrystalline Silicon 15-17 % 7-10 m2
Thin Film 8-12 % 9-17m2
Hybrid Silicon 16-18 % 6-8 m2
Micro amorphous 7-12 % 8.5-15 m2
Amorphous 4-7 % 15-26 m2
 Question 1

• If your panel requirement is 1500 watt and

panel efficiency is 16% then what will be the

solar panel area?

 Solar Panel Life and Maintenance

• Life of solar panel is 25 years

• Even after 25 years, the output power reduction is 20 % or

panel will produce 80% power than initial value when you

purchased

• Module cleaning is only requirement for panel maintenance

 How much solar radiation in your area?

• Solar irradiance is the power per unit area received from the sun

in the form of electromagnetic radiation

• Units of solar radiation

(1) Power unit → Watt/m2

• Amount of solar radiation falling at a given moment.

(2) Energy unit →kWh/m2

• Amount of solar radiation falling over a period

• In a day→kWh/m2/day

• In a year→kWh/m2/year
• The earth receives 174 peta
watts (1015 W) of solar
radiation at the upper
atmosphere
• Nearly 30% are reflected to
space while the rest is
absorbed by clouds, oceans
and land
• Spectrum of light is divided
mostly across the visible and
near ultra violet range
• Most of world’s population
live in areas with insolation
of 150-300 Watt/m2 or 3.5
to 7 kWh/m2 per day
• Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) is the total amount of
shortwave radiation received from above by a surface
horizontal to the ground.
• This value includes both Direct Normal Irradiance
(DNI) and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DIF).
Solar Radiation Maps
 Classification of solar PV Systems

PV systems can be broadly divided into the following categories:

• Stand-alone PV systems

• Grid-connected PV systems

• Hybrid PV systems
 Stand-alone PV systems
Solar system with Load

• Solar PV system can be directly connected to load

 Stand-alone PV systems
Stand-alone PV systems
Solar System with Battery Storage

• Voltage and current of solar panel should match with voltage

and current needs of a load
Grid Connected Solar System
Hybrid Solar PV System
 Which PV System Configuration?
The choice of the system configuration mainly depends on the
following parameters:

• Load requirements

• Resource availability

• Performance of the system

• Reliability of the system and

• Cost of the system

PV System Design:

• Approximate Design

• Precise Design
 Batteries

Primary Batteries
-Non rechargeable

Secondary Batteries-Rechargeable
Battery Cycle
 Rechargeable Battery Types

Nickel-Cadmium Nickel-Metal Hydride Lithium-ion Batteries

Batteries Batteries

Lead-acid
Sealed Valve Regulated
Batteries
Maintenance Free Lead-Acid (VRLA) Gel
(SMF) Batteries Batteries
 Lead-Acid Batteries
• The world’s most recycled product.

• Automotive and traction applications

• Standby/back-up/emergency power for electrical applications

• Submarines

• UPS (uninterruptible power supplies

• Lighting

• High current drain applications

• Sealed battery types available for use in

portable equipment
 Construction of Lead-Acid Battery

• Plates
• Rubber Case
• Filter Cap
• Provide access for adding electrolyte.
• Holes allow gases to be vented to the
atmosphere.
• Electrical Links: Connect cells to
withstand heavy current
• Electrolyte formed of H2SO4 with water,
nearly up to 40% H2SO4 rest is regular
water
 Construction of Lead-Acid Battery

• Each cell or plate gives 2 V

• For 24 V we need 12 plates
• All positives are connected together and all negatives also
connected together
• Finally we have one positive terminal and one negative
terminal
 Battery Internal Structure

6 V Battery 12 V Battery
 Charging of Lead-Acid battery

• After filling with ,we charge them.

• +ve terminal with +ve of charger, -ve is with –ve of charger.

• Charge battery with voltage higher than battery voltage but

not too high.

• Example: 14.5 V for 12 V battery

• Use hydrometer to know how much battery is charged

Charging of Lead-Acid battery
Charging of Lead-Acid battery
State of Charge (SoC) Operating Voltage (V)
2V 6V 8V 12 V
100 2.14 6.42 8.56 12.83
90 2.12 6.36 8.48 12.72
80 2.10 6.30 8.40 12.60
70 2.08 6.24 8.32 12.47
60 2.06 6.17 8.23 12.34
50 2.03 6.10 8.14 12.20
40 2.01 6.03 8.04 12.06
30 1.99 5.96 7.94 11.91
20 1.96 5.88 7.84 11.76
10 1.94 5.81 7.74 11.61

Specific Gravity State of Charge (SoC)

1.255-1.275 100%
1.215-1.235 75%
1.180-1.200 50%
1.155-1.165 25%
1.110-1.130 0%
 Charging of Lead-Acid battery for
First Time
• +ve terminal with +ve of charger, -ve is with –ve of charger.
• Remove filler cap to allow gases to go out to atmosphere
• Charge battery with voltage higher than battery voltage but
not too high.
• Example: 14.5 V for 12 V battery
• Use hydrometer to know how much battery is charged
• Leave battery to cold
• Get back cover again
• Clean the battery
 Maintenance of Battery

• Check rubber case from any damage to prevent any leakage

of electrolyte

• Check electrolyte by using hydrometer

• After putting electrolyte, leave battery for 4 hours before

charging

• After charging, check density by hydrometer

• Use a sponge with some soup and putting it on the battery, if

there any bubbles then there is leaking

 Methods of Charging

Constant DC current:

 low charging from 16 to 24 hour

 Very slow but very safe method

Constant DC Voltage:

 fast charging

 not safe and decreases lifetime

 Cycle of Battery
• Number of times we can charge and discharge the batteries

• Discharging from 100% to 20% then charging back again to

100%

• DOD or depth of discharge: means

how much we will discharge the batteries

• DOD available: 10%,20%,50%,80%

• Suggested DOD is 50%

• As DOD increases, battery lifetime

decrease
 Battery Ratings
• Two important ratings of batteries are:

 Terminal voltage (V) and

 Battery capacity (Ah)

 Battery’s terminal voltage
• Terminal voltage is potential difference between two
terminals of the battery.
• The batteries available in the market have terminal voltage
of 2V,4V,6V, and 12V
• Some batteries have terminal voltage of 3.2V and 3.7V
 Battery Ratings

Nominal Voltage=12 V Charging Current=10% to 20% of capacity

Capacity=150 Ah =(10/100)*150 Ah=15 A (minimum charging current)
Temperature=27oC =(20/100)*150 Ah=30 A (maximum charging current)
C rating=C10
Battery’s Series & Parallel Connection
How much energy battery can store?
 Battery Ah Efficiency

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 (𝐴ℎ)

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 (𝐴ℎ)

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐴 × 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒(ℎ)

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐴 × 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (ℎ)

10 × 10
= = 83.33%
12 × 10

Charging time for 150 Ah battery= 10 Hour

Charging current for 150 Ah battery=12 A
Discharging time for (load used)=10 Hour
Discharging current (rated load current)=10 A
 Recommendations & Suggestions

12 V 24 V 36 V 48 V
Max Load (AC/DC) <300 W <3 kW <5 kW <10 kW
Current <10 A <40 A <60 A <80 A
Appliances Lights TV, AC, Server, Special
Fridge Machines industrial or
Agricultural
use
 Question 2

• A battery has a rating of 12 V, 200 Ah.

Calculate the energy stored in the battery in

terms of units.

Question 3

• A battery has a rating of 11.1 V, 1500 mAh.

Calculate the energy stored in the battery.

 AC based electronic management
systems-Inverter
Inverter
Converts DC power into AC Power

Role of Inverter:

 Extract maximum power from panel

 Manage battery

 Convert DC power into AC power

 Inverters
• Solar inverters are classified as the below according their
application
1. Standalone inverters (off-grid inverters)
• Battery backup inverter
• Battery less inverter
2. Grid connected inverters
• Central inverter
• String/multi string inverter
• Micro/module inverter
3. Hybrid inverter
• PV-diesel
• PV-wind
Standalone inverters (off-grid inverters)
Battery less inverter

We can use the AC loads only during the day time

Standalone inverters (off-grid inverters)
Battery Backup

We can use AC and DC loads throughout the day

On Grid or Grid-Tie Inverter
 On Grid or Grid-Tie Inverter
• A grid-tie inverter converts direct current (DC) into an
alternating current(AC) suitable for injecting into an electrical
power grid, normally 120 V RMS at 60 HZ or 240 V RMS at 50
Hz.
• No batteries used in this system
• In this system, we use net metering technique in which the
customer is paid according to the difference between generated
and consumed energy.
• In order to inject electrical power efficiently and safely in to the
grid, grid-tie inviters must accurately match the voltage and
phase of the grid.
• In case of fault in utility or grid, the inviter automatically shut
down in order to prevent hazards to maintenance crew in the
grid and public safety
On Grid or Grid-Tie Inverter
Central Inverter
On Grid or Grid-Tie Inverter
String/Multi String Inverter
On Grid or Grid-Tie Inverter
Micro/Module Inverter
Hybrid Inverter
Water Pumping Inverter
Inverter Size and Data Sheet
Inverter Efficiency
 Inverter Power Rating
• We buy inverter for its power rating

• Add power of all appliances at home.

• Power rating of inverter should be sum of power of all

appliances

• Inverter power rating is given in terms of W or kW or VA or

kVA

• Typical inverter rating available in the market of 1 kVA,2

kVA, 3 kVA, 5kVA
 Inverter Efficiency
• Efficiency of typical inverter: 80-90%

• Efficiency of good inverter: 90-97%

Cost of inverter

 Average inverter: 4 to 8 Rs /W

 Good inverter: 8 to 15 Rs /W
 Question 6

• What is the sum of power ratings of all appliances in your

home? For your home, what would be the power rating of

inverter?

Question 7
• If an inverter can take 2 kW input power, and if

maximum input voltage is 48 V then how much would be

maximum input current?

 DC based electronic management
systems

• DC solar systems and

• DC charge controller

For solar home system

DC power is more efficient

At home we have both AC and DC current based appliances

What happens if we use solar inverter for DC appliance?

 At every conversion of

DC →AC and AC →DC

We lose power

History repeats itself

The shift is again happening towards the use of DC current

Use of DC appliance

&

DC solar system is better

All types of DC based appliances for homes are also available in

the market
 DC Charge Controller
A charge controller or charge regulator or battery regulator limits
the voltage and current preventing from over charging, over
discharging of batteries and other DC loads.

Overcharging leads to explosion and

may reduce battery performance or
life span

overcharging
Charge Controller Set Points
 Need of Charge Controller

Direct???
Solar Battery

Open circuit voltage (Voc)= 21.6 V Nominal voltage=12 V

Short circuit current (Isc)=3.2 A Capacity =2Ah
Maximum power voltage (Vm)=17 V Charging current=0.2 A to 0.4 A
Maximum power current(Im)=2.88A
Maximum power(Pm)=50 W
 Need of Charge Controller
• DC-DC conversion Buck method (17 V-12 V)
• Constant voltage charging (according to battery charging
chart)
• Satisfying the charging current

Maximum power voltage (Vm)=17 V Nominal voltage=12 V

Maximum power current(Im)=2.88A Capacity =2Ah
Maximum power(Pm)=50 W Charging current=0.2 A to 0.4 A
Power rating of Charge controller
• Add power of all DC appliances at your home.
• Power rating of DC charge controller should be sum of power
of all appliances

Role of charge controller:

 Extract maximum power from panel

 Manage battery

 Provides appropriate DC power to appliances

• Charge controller efficiency is higher than inverter. Typically

85 to 95%

• Charge controller cost lower than inverter. It is 3 to 8 Rs/W

 Types of Charge Controller

PWM charge controller MPPT charge controller

 PWM Charge Controller
16.5 V, 6 A, 100 W
12 V, 4 Ah
Solar panel 12 V, 10 A
Battery

16.5 V, 6 A, 99 W What happens inside of PWM 12.7 V, 6 A, 76.2 W

controller?

Buck operation:
16.5 to 12.7 V; 6 A input current

Power loss=99-76.2=22.8 W
 MPPT charge controller
16.5 V, 6 A, 100 W
12 V, 4 Ah
Solar panel 12 V, 10 A
Battery

16.5 V, 6 A, 99 W What happens inside of PWM 12.7 V, 7.795 A, 98.99 W

controller?

Buck operation:
16.5 to 12.7 V; 7.795 A input
current
Power loss=99-98.99=0.01 W
Block Diagram of PWM Charge Controller

PV Array Power
Load
Converter

Voltage PWM Voltage

Sensing Generator Sensing

Duty Cycle Adjustment

Block Diagram of MPPT Charge Controller

PV Array Power
Load
Converter

Voltage& Voltage &

Current PWM
Current
Sensing Generator
Sensing

MPPT + Duty Cycle Adjustment

 Difference Between PWM & MPPT
Charge Controller
PWM Charge Controller MPPT Charge Controller
Low cost High cost
Applicable for smaller systems Applicable for larger systems
Concentrate only on voltage Concentrate both on voltage and
current
No algorithm, depends on duty Algorithm based
cycle
Efficiency is good Efficiency is better than PWM
method
 Question 8

• If input voltage rating of a charge controller is

24 V and current rating is 8 A, then what is its

power rating?

Question 9

• Why DC based solar systems are better for

homes than AC based solar systems?

Applications of Solar Power System