Comparactive Analysis Of Standalone And Hybrid Solar System

ABSTRACT

Global environmental concerns, increasing energy demands and developments in renewable energy technologies present a new possibility to implement renewable energy sources. Solar energy is the most prominent among renewable sources, as it is an inexhaustible resource and its exploitation has thus far been ecologically friendly. The potential amount of solar energy is considerably greater than current worldwide energy demands. Solar energy has been developing more rapidly than the other renewable energy sources for the last few decades. The best way to harvest the sun’s power is photovoltaic (PV) technology. This paper presents a study on solar energy in the form of a stand-alone and hybrid power generation system used to electrify off-grid locations. The stand-alone solar-PV system developed here is intended to be used to power a single house or a small community and it also functions as a mini-grid, generating power in places where adequate solar radiation is available throughout the year. However, many places throughout the world experience unsteady amounts of solar radiation and in those places, a hybrid solar-PV system is the most efficient solution for electrification. The main benefit of the hybrid system is that the weakness of one source is covered by the other source. This paper also presents some comparative case studies, project examples and demonstrations of stand-alone solar and hybrid solar systems implemented at various locations throughout the world over the last twelve years.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

• OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
• SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• HISTORITICAL BACKGROUND OF PHOTOVOTAIC CELL
• THEORETICAL REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL
• REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL EFFICIENCY
• REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL MATERIALS
• MAIN COMPONENTS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

• STANDALONE SOLAR SYSTEMS
• EQUIPMENT FOR STANDALONE SOLAR SYSTEMS
• LAYOUT DIAGRAM OF STANDALONE SOLAR
• HYBRID SOLAR SYSTEMS
• LAYOUT DIAGRAM OF HYBRID SOLAR SYSTEMS
• ADVANTAGES OF HYBRID SOLAR SYSTEMS
• EQUIPMENT FOR HYBRID SOLAR SYSTEMS

CHAPTER FOUR

• BASICS OF SOLAR PANEL
• THE LAYERS OF A SOLAR MODULE
• SOLAR CELL DESIGN PRINCIPLES
• SYSTEM DESIGN
• SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING SYSTEMS
• GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS OF SOLAR PANEL
• TYPES OF SOLAR PANELS

 CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.1                                                        INTRODUCTION

Solar photovoltaic power systems convert sunlight into DC electricity. A solar inverter then converts the DC power into AC power which can then be used to run home appliances. Depending on the type of system and metering additional or excess solar energy can be fed into the electricity grid or stored in a battery system.

However, energy demand across the globe has increased in many folds due to technological advancement, rapid growth in industries and increase in household energy demand. This led the engineers and planners to think and find the means to harvest the alternative energy sources other than the fossil fuel. Solar, wind, biomass, mini hydro are some of the resources used worldwide to generate energy as per the availability of resources. This paper presents a comparative performances of various stand alone solar photovoltaic (PV), grid connected PV and hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) studied across the globe. The standalone PV system is used to supply electricity to a small habitats/hamlets or to a single household. Hybrid energy system consists of two or more energy sources for generation of power for rural electrification in off grid locations and in grid connected PV systems, excess electricity produced is injected to the grid thereby generating additional income. The research works carried out by various researchers around the globe on renewable energy sources particularly for rural electrification is discussed in this paper.

1.2                                             OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

There are three different types of solar system, that is, Grid Tied System (also called On Grid or Utility Interactive System), Off Grid System (also called a Stand Alone System) and Solar Hybrid System. The objective of this study is to analyzed the difference between Stand Alone System and Solar Hybrid System.

1.3                                         SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Standalone systems are not connected to the grid. The solar panels produce electricity, which is stored in the battery banks. During nights this electricity is used to provide power while Modern hybrid systems combine solar and battery storage in one and are now available in many different forms and configurations. Due to the decreasing cost of battery storage, systems that are already connected to the electricity grid can start taking advantage of battery storage as well. This means being able to store solar energy that is generated during the day and using it at night.

1.4                                                 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Renewable Energy Solutions in Nigeria are constantly providing uninterrupted source of electricity. Hybrid solar systems generate power in the same way as a common grid-tie solar system but use batteries to store energy for later use. This ability to store energy enables most hybrid systems to also operate as a backup power supply during a blackout, similar to a UPS system. Customarily the term hybrid referred to two generation sources, wind and solar but more recently the term ‘hybrid solar’ alludes to a blend of solar and battery storage which unlike off-network frameworks is associated to the power grid,  we provide solar power in Lagos.

The capacity to store and use your solar energy when wanted is referred to as self-utilize or self-consumption. It works in the same way as an off-grid power system but the battery limit required is far less, usually it is sufficient to cover peak consumption (8 hours or less) instead of 3-5 days with a common off-grid system. Through these hybrid inverter power is collected from different energy sources such as solar panels, Grid and Diesel Genset and is converted in to electricity availing power to various commercial and industrial sectors.