Pokhara University

Nepal Engineering College

A Report On

SOLAR POWER AND ITS USE IN STEER LAMPS IN

NEPAL

Submitted by: Submitted To:

019-379, 019-380, 019-381 Assit prof

019-382, 019-383, 019-384 Mr. Kishwor Dhunga

 ACKNOWELDGEMENT
It gives us an immense pleasure in bringing out this synopsis of the project
entitled ‘Solar power and its use in street lamps in Nepal’. Firstly, we would
like to thank our teacher assistant professor Kishwor Dhunga who gave us his
valuable suggestions and ideas when we were need of him. He encouraged us to
work on this project. We would also thank to all of them who helped us to
complete this project. We are immensely grateful to all involved in this project as
without their inspirations and valuable suggestions it would not to possible to
develop the project within the prescribed time

With sincere thanks,

Subarna subedi (019-379)

Suraj Rasaili B.K. (019-380)
Anjali Ayer (019-381)

Sandesh Khatiwada (019-382)

Sandip Sharma (019-383)

Sanjib Khatiwada (019-384)

i
 ABSTRACT
This project is based on the idea of maintaining maximum utilization and
minimum loss of available energy. The plenty of solar energy available during
the day time is stored in a solar cell and the stored energy is used to glow the
street lights during the whole night. Also, the system provides a power saving
mode of operation by adapting the method of automation. A dark sensor and a
light sensor provide the automatic “ON”/” OFF” facility to the street lights, so
that it will glow automatically when it is required (i.e. when the surrounding will
be dark) and it will be turned “OFF” automatically if sufficient light is available
in the surrounding. Again, the auto intensity control mechanism has been applied
by the help of a microcontroller to control the light intensity of the luminaries as
per the requirement. Hence the loss of energy due to unnecessary glow of the
street lights can be avoided. Index Terms – PV module, DS1307, intelligent Street
light, LDR (Light depending Resistor), IR Sensor (Infra-red Sensor).

ii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ………………… ……………………………………...i
B. ABSTRACT………………………………………..………......................................ii

CAHPTER 1: …………………………………………………………………………..1-3

1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 BACKGROUND

CHAPTER 2: …………………………………………………………………………..4-6

2.1 POWER SAVING FEATURES OF AUTOMATI STREET LIGHT

2.2 USE OF AUTOMATIC ON/OFF MECHANISM

CHAPTER 3:………………………………………………………………………………7-8

3.1 METHODS AND DATA

3.2 PARAMATERS TO BE CHECKED DURING INSTALLATION

CHAPTER 4:……………………………………………………………………………9

4.1 ECONOMICAL FEASIBILITY

CHAPTER 5:………………………………………………………………………...10-11

5.1 ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS

5.2 ADVANTAGES
5.3 LIMITATION

CHAPTER 6:…………………………………………………………………………...12

6.1 CONCLUSION

REFERENCE…………………………………………………………………………..13

1
 CHAPTER 1

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Nepal has great potential for at least four types of solar energy technology: grid-
connected PV, solar water heaters, solar lanterns and solar home systems. Nepal
receives 3.6 to 6.2 kWh of solar radiation per square meter per day, with roughly
300 days of sun a year, making it ideal for solar energy. The country also has a
large market for solar water heaters, with 185,000 units installed and operating as
of 2009. In the fiscal year 2008/09 total energy consumption in Nepal was 410,000
TJ. The consumption coverage data provided by MOF shows 85% coverage by
traditional resources (i.e., biomass energy resources), 14 % by commercial
sources (petroleum products-9 %, coal-3 % and grid electricity- 2 %) and about
1% by alternative sources (biogas, solar power, wind and micro/pico level
hydropower) .

The average global solar radiation in Nepal varies from 3.6-6.2 kWh/m2day, sun
shines for about 300 days a year, the number of sunshine hours amounts almost
2100 hours per year and average insolation intensity about 4.7 kWhm-2day-
1(=16.92 MJ/m2day)it is greater than 4.38kWh/m2day (15.8 MJ/m2day)
measured by for Lao PDR. Thus, Nepal lies in a favorable insolation zone in the
world even though the data in Nepal was based on one year and few sites but that
of Lao PDR was based on few years and throughout the country. So, a long term
and many sites' solar energy data are required to authenticate this statement.

As to the above consideration the total energy generation potential of the country
with total area 147, 181 square kilometers will be 83,000 GWh/day = 18.36 TW
with the conjecture of 12% efficiency of Photo Voltaic (PV) module. This is more
than present energy demand 13 TW) of the world. Thus, solar energy with a huge
potential to meet many times the present world energy demand is a best
alternative to fossil fuels for more sustainable and reliable energy options.
Readily available solar radiation data is a key to designing and simulation of all
solar energy applications. The installed capacity of power plants connected to the
national grid is 689.3 MW whereas peak demand of power for the year 2011/12
was 1056.90 MW and projection of power demand for 2012/13 and 2013/14 are
1163.20 MW and 1271.70 MW respectively even though its theoretical, technical
and economical feasible hydropower potential has been estimated at about 83000
MW, 45000 MW and 42000 MW respectively.

1
In the real practice the energy sources are limited in one hand and on the other
hand 1.35 % of population growth rate in Nepal creates further pressure on extra
energy demand. The electricity consumption and the number of consumers
increase at a rate of approximately 9 % per year.

Whereas generation of additional power plant is almost in stagnant situation and

immediate and critical management is also not viable. Easily available and
inextinguishable nature of solar energy resource resides in one of the imperative
places among the various possible alternative energy sources [4]. An accurate
data base of solar radiation at particular places and selected sites are required for
the development, simulations and designing of many solar energy
devices/applications and establishment of solar plants as well. Under this
circumstance and knowing the fact that 52 % of the Nepalese households have no
access to electricity [12], flourishing of solar irradiance data are essential for the
development of national rural energy programs in general and for the
establishment of solar energy technology in particular. For an extensive
investment in these technologies from government and private sectors is not only
desirable but it is the ultimate options where there is no viable alternative to the
solar electricity

1.2BACKGROUND
Solar electricity offers a unique opportunity to achieve long-term sustainability
goals, such as development of modern economy, healthy and educated society,
clean environment, and improvement of geopolitical stability. Solar power
technology utilizes local solar resources; it does not require heavy support
infrastructure, it is scalable, and improves electricity services. Important feature
of solar power is that it is also accessible in remote locations that do not have
access to electricity, thus providing development opportunities anywhere. Solar
resource is fuel to solar technology. This fuel is free and is available everywhere,
which makes solar power attractive.

However, detailed understanding of solar resources is needed, especially their

geographical and time variability. The local geographical and climate conditions
determine the operation efficiency of solar power plants. Effective development

2
and operation of solar power plants require detailed, accurate and validated solar
and meteorological data. The requirements for quality data can be met by modern
satellite-based meteorological models and by instruments installed at well-
selected meteorological stations. Professional knowledge and experience in solar
energy assessment supports industry and finance in large-scale development of
solar power technology and its effective integration into the existing energy
infrastructure. Data can be met by modern satellite-based meteorological models
and by instruments installed at well-selected meteorological stations.
Professional knowledge and experience in solar energy assessment supports
industry and finance in large-scale development of solar power technology and
its effective integration into the existing energy infrastructure.

3
 CHAPTER 2

2.1 POWER SAVING FEATURES OF AUTOMATIC STREETS LIGHTS

The solar street light has been designed after too much research work. Its
uniqueness and best features can make it the most preferable choice in rural area.
With gradual development in this research, new features are being added to
increase the efficiency. The proposed model may be considered as the third
generation of street light which is also known as intelligent street light. The
intelligent street light control system uses the latest international intelligent street
light energy-saving control technology [5]. The main aim behind the research of
designing the system is to find a way for maximum utilization of available energy
with minimum wastage or loss. To achieve this, the methodologies adapted in
such a manner and each and every circuit component is so chosen that the
available energy utilization is optimized as per the expectation. The main features
of a solar street light those provide the power saving facility are-
Use of solar energy
Automatic “ON/OFF” mechanism
Auto intensity control
LED Luminary

A brief discussion about each of the above is given below.

2.2 USE OF SOLAR ENERGY

Photovoltaic (PV) is the method of generating electrical energy from solar

radiation. Photovoltaic energy generation involves a PV module which is
constructed from the semiconductor material showing photovoltaic effect. These
modules become more and more attractive for obtaining “green” electricity
because of their flexibility, ease of installation, constant reduction of production
costs, and continuous increase of performance.

Solar radiation is the most important and major renewable energy source. During
the whole day plenty of solar energy is radiating being unused. If this energy can
be stored in a battery in form of electrical energy by using these PV modules and

4
later can be used to run the electrical appliances (such as street light) then no
doubt this is the best utilization of the available solar energy .

Fig: Flow of solar energy in a solar PV system

The above diagram represents the entire energy flow process carried out within a
solar street light system. Energy conversion is done by the PV panel. During the
day time the solar PV module absorbs the solar radiation of high intensity to
convert it into electrical energy. Energy inversion and conditioning is done to
achieve the requirement of the load. The direct current coming from the solar
panel can be used to charge the battery or to drive any DC load but if there is any
AC load is to be driven then an inverter is used to supply AC. The energy storage
indicates the battery backup. The light energy converted into electrical energy by
the PV module is stored in a battery and supplied to the load when it is needed.
When the stored energy in the battery will be used to drive a load, obviously it
will be discharged, but again it can be charged by solar energy which is available
free of cost. No need of supplying electricity. Hence electricity is saved, solar
energy is utilized properly and the maintenance cost is reduced.

5
2.3AUTOMATIC ON/OFF MECHANISM

The street lights should be illuminating when there is darkness & in presence of
day light these should remain off. In case of manually operated street lights,
people can realize easily when to turn it “ON” as soon as the darkness spreads
from the evening, but usually they forget to turn it “OFF” even if the day light
rises sufficiently. No doubt, this is the unnecessary wastage of power. So the best
solution to this problem is automation.

Fig: Automatic switching circuit

The above diagram represents the automatic switching circuit. Initially, the relay
switch connects to N0. The two transistors T1 and T2 are in bistable state; means
when one of them is in “ON” state the other will be “OFF”. During the day time
when the solar light of sufficient intensity falls on the LDR, its resistance falls
down and it provides a conducting path for the incoming current. This current
enters to the base of T1, making the base-emitter junction forward bias. So no
current flows through the coil. As the relay switch is open, no current will pass
through LED. So the LED will not glow.
Gradually, when the intensity of the sun light decreases the resistance of the LDR
increases. So during the night time no current will pass through the LDR, hence
transistor T1 will be “OFF”. So the circuit current will pass through the coil and
also some current will flow through the transistor T2, so it will be “ON”. When
current passes through the coil, magnetic flux is generated that attracts the relay
switch and the switch connects to Nc . Hence the LED will glow.
Thus the above circuit provides automatic switching scheme to the solar light.

6
 CHAPTER 3

3.1METHODS AND DATA

Solar resource (physical term solar radiation) is fuel to solar energy systems. The
solar radiation available for solar energy systems at the ground level depends on
processes in the atmosphere. This leads to a high spatial and temporal variability
of at the Earth’s surface. The interactions of extra-terrestrial solar radiation with
the Earth’s atmosphere, surface and objects are divided into four groups:
1. Solar geometry, trajectory around the sun and Earth's rotation (declination,
latitude, solar angle)
2. Atmospheric attenuation (scattering and absorption) by:
2.1 Atmospheric gases (air molecules, ozone, NO2, CO2 and O2)
2.2 Solid and liquid particles (aerosols) and water vapor
2.3 Clouds (condensed water or ice crystals)
3. Topography (elevation, surface inclination and orientation, horizon)
4. Shadows, reflections from surface or local obstacles (trees, buildings, etc.) and
re-diffusion by atmosphere. The atmosphere attenuates solar radiation
selectively: some wavelengths are associated with high attenuation (e.g. UV) and
others with a good transmission. Solar radiation called "short wavelength" (in
practice, 300 to 4000 nm) is of main interest to solar power technology and is
used as a reference. The component that is neither reflected nor scattered, and
which directly reaches the surface, is called direct radiation; this is the
component that produces shadows. Component scattered by the atmosphere, and
which reaches the ground is called diffuse radiation. Small part of the radiation
reflected by the surface and reaching an inclined plane is called the reflected
radiation. These three components together create global radiation. A proportion
of individual components at any time is given by Sun position and by the actual
state of atmosphere – mainly occurrence of clouds, air pollution and humidity.
According to the generally adopted terminology, in solar radiation two terms are
distinguished:

Solar irradiance indicates power (instant energy) per second incident on

a surface of 1 m2 (unit: W/m2).
• Solar irradiation, expressed in MJ/ m2 or Wh/m2 it indicates the amount of
incident solar energy per unit area during a lapse of time (hour, day,
month, etc.).Often, the term irradiance is used by the authors of
numerous publications in both cases, which can be sometimes
confusing.
In solar energy applications, the following three solar resources are relevant:
• Direct Normal Irradiation/Irradiance (DNI): it is the direct solar radiation
from the solar disk and the region closest to the sun (circumsolar disk of 5°
centred on the sun). DNI is the component that is important to concentrating

7
solar collectors used in Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and high
performance cells in Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) technologies.
• Global Horizontal Irradiation/Irradiance (GHI): sum of direct and diffuse
radiation received on a
horizontal plane. GHI is a reference radiation for the comparison of climatic
zones; it is also the essential parameter for calculation of radiation on a flat plate
collector.
• Global Tilted Irradiation/Irradiance (GTI) or total radiation received on a
surface with defined tilt andazimuth, fixed or sun-tracking. This is the sum of the
scattered radiation, direct and reflected. A term World Bank Group (ESMAP):
Solar Resource and Photovoltaic Power Potential of Nepal 19 of 77 Plan of Array
(POA) irradiation//irradiance is also used. In the case of photovoltaic (PV)
applications, GTI can be occasionally affected by shading from surrounding
terrain or objects, and GTI is then composed only from diffuse and reflected
components. This happens usually for sun at low angles over the horizon. Solar
radiation (GHI, DNI and DIF components) can be measured by two
complementary approaches:
1. Ground-mounted sensors are good in providing high frequency and accurate
data (for well-maintained, high accuracy measuring equipment) for a specific
location.
2. Satellite-based models provide data with lower frequency of measurement,
but representing long history over lager areas. Satellite-models are not capable of
producing instantaneous values at the same accuracy as ground sensors, but can
provide robust aggregated values.

3.2 PARAMATERS TO BE CHECKED DURING INSTALLATION

The following factors are to be considered during the installation.
1. Mounting the system: How the system is mounted?
2. Protective measures taken: What are the protection measures taken for various
components and system? Are they in line with the protection standards?
3. Grounding and Cabling: Weather suitable grounding mechanism has been
adopted or not. Are all the cabling done as per standard techniques?
4. Training to the operator: Has the supplier trained the operator properly to
handle the system carefully
5. Operation & Maintenance manual: Whether the operation & maintenance
manual has been handed over to the operator or not

8
 CHAPTER 4

4.1ECONOMICAL FEASIBILITY

Many Nepal’s street lighting systems are obsolescent, considering the best
available technology. Energy-efficiency improvements of street lighting systems
are possible using Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology, and many cities are
investigating how to effectively implement LEDs in their systems. However, the
initial costs of LED luminaires are considerably higher than the costs of other
technologies, and investment costs may be a barrier to implementation. In this
paper, it is discussed the adoption of LED luminaires to replace the conventional
lamps in public-lighting systems of Nepal, calculating possible savings of energy
and costs. Based on this analysis, despite the cost of LED luminaires, the use of
LED technology is economically advisable.

Strategic options and flexibility are introduced in the project. Specifically, it is

considered the possibility of splitting LED investment into five stages, deciding
whether each part should be implemented. Real options are used to evaluate the
economic cost-saving of such a project, considering uncertainty of the electricity
price and multi-stage investment. The economic value obtained from real option
analysis is higher of that obtained from net present value because the latter does
not consider some flexibilities of the project. Taking into account the sources of
uncertainty, real options provide results that are more realistic.

9
 CHAPTER 5

5.1ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATION

Advantages and Limitations of Solar Energy Renewable energy sources in

general, and Solar Energy source in particular, has the potential to provide energy
services with zero or almost zero emission. The solar energy is abundant and no
other source in renewable energy is like solar energy. Every technology has its
own advantages and disadvantages. As the solar insolation and atmospheric
conditions vary significantly from place to place, efficiency of solar energy also
differs accordingly.

5.2. Advantages

• It is an abundant Renewable Energy

• This technology is Omnipresent and it can be captured for conversion on a daily

basis

• It is a Non-polluting technology, which means that it does not release

greenhouse gases

• It is a Noiseless technology as there are no moving parts involved in energy

generation

• This technology requires Low-maintenance because of lack of moving parts

• It can be installed on modular basis and expanded over a period of time

• Most viable alternative for providing electricity in remote rural areas as it can
be installed where the energy demand is high and can be expanded on modular
basis.

5.3. Limitations

• As the technology is in an evolving stage, the efficiency levels of conversion

from light to electricity is in the range of 10 to 17%, depending on the technology
used.

• The initial investment cost of this technology is high. At present the technology
is basically surviving because of subsidy schemes available by the government.

• Solar energy is available only during daytime. Most load profiles indicate peak
load in the evening/night time. This necessitates expensive storage devices like
battery, which need to be replaced every 3 to 5 years. Generally, the cost of the
Battery is 30 to 40% of the system cost.

10
• As the efficiency levels are low, the space required is relatively high. For
instance, with the existing levels of technologies, the land required for putting up
a 1 MW solar PV power plant

is between 6 to 9 acres. However, research is going on to increase the efficiency

levels of the cell.

• Solar energy is heavily dependent on atmospheric conditions.

• Solar insolation varies from location to location, so there are certain geographic
limitations in generating solar power

11
 CHAPTER 6

6.1CONCLUSION

➢ “SOLAR STREETS LIGHTINING” is a cost effective, practical, eco-

friendly and the safest way to save energy.
➢ It clearly tackles the problems that world is facing today, saving of energy
and also disposal of incandescent lamp, very efficiently.
➢ We can save more electrical energy that is now consumed in highway.
➢ The solar energy is one of the most important and major renewable sources
of energy and has also proven it use full in functioning of application like
street lamps.
➢ The initial cost and maintenance can be the drawbacks of this project.with
the advances in technology and good resource planning the cost of the
project can be cut down and also with the use of good equipment the
maintenance can also be reduced in terms of periodic check.

12
 REFERENCE

1. Bhandari R., Stadler I., Electrification using solar photovoltaic systems in

Nepal, Applied Energy 88 (2011)
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_street_light
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652617329980
4. Poudyal K. N., ( (2013))_ et al., Estimation of the daily global solar
radiation; Nepal experience, Measurement 46
5. Surendra K. C., Khanal S. K., Shrestha P., Lamsal B., (2011)Current status
of renewable energy in Nepal:Opportunities and challenges, Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews 15
6. Tiwari GN. (2002) Solar energy: fundamentals, design, modeling and
applications. Narosa Publishing House;
7. www.nepalrenewableenergy.com
8. www.rids-nepal.org

13
14