SLC21/WK5: Introduction to Basic Solar Power
Hello, my beautiful friends and fellow lovely Steemians; it has been great following this class, and I want to believe that we all are doing quite well hooking up with these knowledge-improving lessons. This week is about renewable energy and we are being introduced to Basic Solar Power.
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Hello, my beautiful friends and fellow lovely Steemians; it has been great following this class, and I want to believe that we all are doing quite well hooking up with these knowledge-improving lessons. This week is about renewable energy and we are being introduced to Basic Solar Power.
A. Share your knowledge about solar power with us by reading our lesson. |
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Solar power refers to the transformation of sunlight into electricity, either via solar thermal systems or photovoltaic (PV) panels.
Solar Thermal Systems: solar collectors are used solar thermal systems to heat a fluid, which is then utilized for the generation of electricity via a heat engine or turbine.
Photovoltaic (PV) Panels: PV panels are comprised of numerous small photovoltaic cells, which are built from semiconducting materials such as silicon. Anytime sunlight hits a photovoltaic cell, it causes the electrons to move to a higher-than-normal state in the material, resulting in their flow through the material, thereby generating an electrical current.
B. Write three important differences between AC solar and DC solar systems. (as learned from our lesson) |
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Below are three important differences between AC solar and DC solar systems:
Inverter Location
- DC Solar System: The inverter is situated close to the electrical panel, and DC power is sent to the inverter from the solar panels
- AC Solar System: The inverter is built into every solar panel, and AC power is directly sent to the electrical panel from the solar panels
System Design and Monitoring:
- DC Solar System: Optimization and monitoring are usually executed at the inverter level, which can render it more complicated in identifying underperforming solar panels
- DC Solar System: Every solar panel comes with its own built-in inverter, which permits real-time optimization and monitoring of every individual panel
Efficiency and Reliability:
- DC Solar Systems: can undergo loss of energy resulting from the transformation of DC power to AC power at the inverter
- AC Solar Systems: Completely remove the need for a centralized inverter, which can lower loss of energy and enhance reliability and overall system efficiency
C. Calculate your home's electrical load and share it with us. Follow our lesson as an example. |
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| Ratings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulb/light | 5 Watts | 12 pcs | 60 Watts |
| Chest Freezer | 120 Watts | 1 pcs | 120 Watts |
| LED Plasma TV | 90 Watts | 1 pcs | 90 Watts |
| Washing machine | 440 Watts | 1 pcs | 440 Watts |
| Single pot cooker | 1000 Watts | 1 pcs | 1000 Watts |
| Pressing iron | 1200 Watts | 1 pcs | 1200 Watts |
| Ceiling fan | 80 Watts | 1 pcs | 80 Watts |
| Total load | 2,990 Watts |
From the table above, the accurate total AC load in my house amounts to 2,990 Watts which can be rounded up or approximated to 3,000 Watts. Since 1000 Watts = 1 KW, 3000 W = 3000 ÷ 1000 = 3 KW.
D. Prepare a DC solar project specification for a customer's home to use four 5-watt lamps and three 20-watt fans. |
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First I will calculate the total load to ascertain the suitable or appropriate solar specifications.
Load calculation:
| Ratings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamb | 5 Watts | 4 pcs | 20 Watts |
| Fan | 20 Watts | 3 pcs | 60 Watts |
From the above table, we have a total DC load of 80 Watts, therefore, a solar panel of 100 Watts will be required. The major solar materials will include the following:
• DC Solar panel
• Charge controller
• Battery
Specifications:
| DC Solar panel | 2 pcs | 100 Watts |
| Charge controller | 1 pcs | 10 Watts |
| Battery | 1 pcs | 100 AH |
| DC Lamp | 4 pcs | 20 Watts |
| DC Fan | 3 pcs | 60 Watts |
DC Solar Panel
Solar panels serve for the conversion of sunlight to DC electrical energy through the use of photovoltaic effects. They also produce DC electricity that can be transformed into AC electricity by the use of inverters. Additionally, solar panels provide electricity to electrical loads like homes, businesses, as well as devices.
They are used for charging batteries, making provision for a backup source of power during times of low sunlight as well as at night, and also significantly lower energy consumption from the grid, reducing energy bills and reliance on fossil fuels.
Charge Controller
This device regulates energy flowing to the battery from the solar panels, impeding overcharging and over-discharging, which can result in damage to the battery and a reduction of lifespan.
Charge controllers also monitor the state of charge (SOC) of the batteries and accordingly make adjustments to the charging and discharging rates. They also make provision for overload protection, hindering damage to the impairment of the battery and other components of the system.
A good number of charge controllers are designed to display system information like charging current, battery voltage, as well as error messages.
Solar Battery
Batteries store surplus energy from the solar panel generated during the day for usage during the night or periods of low sunlight. Since they store energy, they provision for backup power in time of grid outage or anytime the solar panels aren't generating electricity.
Batteries provide power to DC loads like appliances, lights, and devices. They allow for off-grid operation, enabling users to produce and store their energy without depending on the grid. Batteries also assist in the regulation of system voltage, making certain that the voltage stays within a safe and steady range.
Other materials required include clamps, racks, and trackers for securing and positioning the solar pane; steel or aluminum beams (where necessary) for providing the mounting system with structural support. Wiring and connectors, earthing equipment, bolts and screws, clips and clamps, sealants, and adhesives are required for the installation.
E. Prepare specifications for a customer's AC solar system to drive a water pump motor of 1 HP or 746 W and write the function of each device. |
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| Water pump motor | 746 W | 746 Watts |
Let's take "746 Watts" as the total power load, the AC solar system below is to be constructed to provide "1000 Watts" of AC power for the load.
| AC Solar panel | 2 Pcs/500 W | 1000 Watts |
| Inverter | 1 Pcs | 1.2 kW or 1200 VA |
| Battery | 1 Pcs | 15 kWh or 315 AH |
Solar Panel:
Here, for an AC load of 746 W, a 1000 W AC solar panel is required. In this specification, we are using 2 500 W solar panels. The DC and AC solar panel has the same function. The difference is in their requirements and the electricity they generate.
While the DC solar panel requires a charge controller, the AC solar panel doesn't. While the AC solar panel requires inverter, the DC solar panel dose not except in some occasions.
Inverter
Just as the name implies, AC inverter are designed and used to convert power gotten from the solar or battery to AC power which then is used to power AC loads. It controls the AC power output to meet requirements like voltage, frequency, a well as power factor.
Inverters also monitors and controls the solar system, making provision for real-time production of data on energy, and system performance. Also it provides supports such as frequency regulation, voltage support, as well as compensation of reactive power, ensures safe and effective operation, making provision for overcurrent conditions, over-voltage and faults.
Batteries
Batteries have the same functions regardless of whether it ued in a DC solar system or an AC solar system.
You can do the following for learning, which will help you gain additional knowledge. But not mandatory.
You can go to a solar shop and get the prices and specifications of the following solar products, without having to purchase them.
Solar Panel (100 W)
Charger Controller (10-60)A
Battery (Any Ratings)
Or,
Visit any home or office solar projects near you and share names and photos of solar materials.
Prices of solar materials in my locality
| Solar Panels | 1 KVA | 1,890,000 | 1,114 | 4,350 |
| Inverter | 1000W | 555,000 | 328 | 1,281 |
| Charge Controller | 10A - 60A 12V/24V Dual USB | 47,000 - 75,000 | 27.8 - 42.2 | 108.2 - 127.6 |
| Battery | 12V 220AH | 290,000 | 171 | 667.4 |
Thanks for coming along with me and for your time reading through, I am inviting @ninapenda, @ruthjoe, and @bossj23
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