Design and Installation of a 3.5KVA Solar Photovoltaic Power System

Abstract

Exploitation of solar energy to power electric appliances starts by converting the energy coming from the sun to electricity. Photovoltaic is the direct conversion of the solar energy into electricity. Photovoltaic systems can be used to exploit the solar energy in almost all kinds of applications. Exploiting of solar energy for domestic use is one avenue where the energy emitted from the sun is converted into electricity to power most, if not all the appliances available at our offices, homes and residences. In Aerospace Engineering Department (AED) in Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), there are other reasons why the use of solar energy is so necessary; firstly, appropriate climatic conditions, secondly, inadequate electricity supply during working hours in the Department. Installing a photovoltaic system is the process of designing, selecting and calculating the ratings of the equipment’s employed in the system. This process depends on a variety of factors such as geographical location, solar irradiation, and load requirements. In this Research, the components required for the design of a stand-alone photovoltaic system that will power most of the electric appliances at a medium-energy-consumption for the offices in AED in AFIT is being studied as presented herein. The result shows that for a daily energy consumption of 6,640kwh and a load of 1,790W, as required from the energy audit in the Department. The suitable rating is a 3.5kva inverter, 4 pieces of 200Ah, 12 V batteries, 1 charge controller and 5 modules 250W panels are required for sufficient supply of power.