My Report
My Report
TOPIC:
PRESENTED BY:
SUBMITTED TO
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING, ENGNIEERING
FACULTY, LAGOS STATE POLYTECHNIC
DECEMBER 2022
CERTIFICATION
I
TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENTS PAGES
TITLE PAGE
CERTIFICATION…………………………………………..… I
TABLE OF CONTENT…………………………….………… II
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………… III
CHAPTER 1 1-9
1.0 BACKGROUND STUDY……………………………… 1-3
1.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ……………………………… 3-4
1.0 INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR ENERGY ……..…… 4-8
1.1 USES OF SOLAR ENERGY …..………………..…….. 8-9
CHAPTER 2 10-16
2.0 SOLAR INVERTERS …………………………………… 10
2.1 TYPES OF SOLAR INVERTER ………………………… 11
2.2 SOLAR INVERTER PARTS …………………………… 13
2.3 NEED FOR SOLAR INVERTERS ……………………… 14
2.4 DESIGN APPROACHES OF SOLAR INVERTER……… 15
2.5 SELECTION OF TOPOLOGY …………………………… 16
CHAPTER 3 16-19
3.0 COST ESTIMATION AND APPLICATION……………. 16
3.1 APPLICATION OF SOLAR INVERTERS……………… 17
3.2 ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR INVERTER………………. 18
3.3 DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR INVERTER …………. 19
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………. 20
RECOMMENDATION…………………………………………. 21
REFERENCES ………………………………………………… 22-23
II
ABSTRACT
III
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND STUDY
Electricity is a form of energy that comes in positive and negative forms, that occur
use to power machines and electrical devices. When the charges are not moving,
electricity is called static electricity. When the charges are not moving they are an
Electricity is created through the friction between two materials for instance a wool cap
and a plastic ruler. This may make a spark (Merriam, 2016). Solar inverter, or
photovoltaic (pv) inverter, convents that variable direct current (DC) output of a
photovoltaic (pv) solar panel into a utility frequency alternating current (AC) that can
be fed into a commercial electrical grid or used by a local, of grid electrical network.
the use of ordinary al-power equipment solar power inverter have special functions
adapted for use with photovoltaic arrays, including Maximum Power Point Tracking
David prince coined the termed inverter. It is unlikely that any living person and now
establish with certainly that prince or anyone else was the originator of the commonly
used engineering term. However, in 1925 Prince did published an article in the G.E
Review (vol. 28, no. 10, P. 676-81) cited ―the inverter‖. This article contains nearly all
1
important element required by modern inverters and is the earliest literature. Prince
explained that an inverter is used to convert direct current into single or polyphase
An inverter is a device which converts a D.C (Direct current) voltage source into an AC
(Alternating Current) voltage source. It is useful when you want to run an appliance
designed to be operated from AC mains 120 or 240 Vac, 50 or 60 H2) from a battery
(often 12 or 24 Vdc). Typical application maybe when you are off grid with solar panel
and storage battery, when you want to operate main appliances like TV, Fan, Desktop
Computers and Refrigerator. They are also used for backup power for critical load
Solar energy has advanced at a rate that is astonishing even to experts in the field and
now promises to have a prominent role in the ongoing energy transition. According to
the Solar Energy Industry Data (SEIA) for the last decade, the global PV industry has
been growing at an average compound annual rate greater than 35%. It is for sure that
PV deployment will continue to grow as the global energy portfolio transitions more
The increase in the module power of the panels from 250 W to 500 W in the last decade
resulted in the decrease of the relative contribution of the module cost to the total PV
system cost.
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Silicon solar cells still dominate the market and it will take some time for other
One of the key challenges is to reduce cost and improve efficiency, this can be
addressed by coming up with new market competitive silicon wafer solar module
technology, this standardized industry has a steep learning curve and is well-positioned
to meet the challenge of producing many terawatts of power. We are also reaching the
significant research is still required to enable this at low costs for the mass market.
Given the fact that this technology is more than fifty years old, more research and
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to IAU (2006), the solar system is the gravitationally bound system of the
planets and the sun plus other object that orbit it, either directly or indirectly.
By this definition, the solar system has eighth planets: mercury, Venus, earth, mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The solar system is a power system designed to
several components, including solar panel to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity,
a solar inverter to change the electric current from DC to AC, as well as mounting,
3
cabling, and other electrical accessories to setup a working system (International
generate electricity. A single solar module can produce only a limited amount of power;
most installation consists of multiple modules. An inverter, a battery packs for storage,
Solar energy is radiates light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using a range of
ever evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaic‘s, solar thermal energy,
solar architecture, molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis (Fraunhofer,
2014).
According to Morgan (2012), the most common application of solar has continued to
fall so that in many countries it is cheaper than ordinary fossil fuel electricity from the
electricity grid, a phenomenon known as grid parity. A solar inverter as a type of
electrical converter which converts the variable direct current (DC) output of a
photovoltaic (pv) solar panel into a utility frequency alternating current (AC) that can
be fed into a commercial electrical network.
According to David (1925) prince explained that an inverter is used to convert direct
current into single or poly phase alternating current the article explains how the author
took the rectifier circuit and the inverter, turning a direct current at one end and drawing
out an alternating current at the other. An inverter is an electronic device that changes
direct current DC to Alternating molecule cloud. An inverter can be entirely electronic
or maybe combination of mechanical effect (such as a rotating apparatus) and electronic
circuitry. (IEEE, 2000).
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1.0 INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR ENEGY
Solar energy, radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical
reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is
vastly in excess of the world‘s current and anticipated energy requirements. If suitably
harnessed, this highly diffused source has the potential to satisfy all future energy needs.
In the 21st century solar energy is expected to become increasingly attractive as
a renewable energy source because of its inexhaustible supply and its nonpolluting
character, in stark contrast to the finite fossil fuels coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
The Sun is an extremely powerful energy source, and sunlight is by far the largest
source of energy received by Earth, but its intensity at Earth‘s surface is actually
quite low. This is essentially because of the enormous radial spreading of radiation from
the distant Sun. A relatively minor additional loss is due to
Earth‘s atmosphere and clouds, which absorb or scatter as much as 54 percent of the
incoming sunlight. The sunlight that reaches the ground consists of nearly 50 percent
visible light, 45 percent infrared radiation, and smaller amounts of ultraviolet and other
forms of electromagnetic radiation.
The potential for solar energy is enormous, since about 200,000 times the
world’s total daily electric-generating capacity is received by Earth every day in
the form of solar energy. Unfortunately, though solar energy itself is free, the
high cost of its collection, conversion, and storage still limits its exploitation in
many places.
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Solar radiation can be converted either into thermal energy (heat) or
into electrical energy, though the former is easier to accomplish.
ELECTRICITY GENERATION
Solar radiation may be converted directly into electricity by solar cells (photovoltaic
cells). In such cells, a small electric voltage is generated when light strikes the junction
between a metal and a semiconductor (such as silicon) or the junction between two
different semiconductors. (See photovoltaic effect.) The power generated by a single
photovoltaic cell is typically only about two watts. By connecting large numbers of
individual cells together, however, as in solar-panel arrays, hundreds or even thousands
of kilowatts of electric power can be generated in a solar electric plant or in a large
household array. The energy efficiency of most present-day photovoltaic cells is only
about 15 to 20 percent, and, since the intensity of solar radiation is low to begin with,
large and costly assemblies of such cells are required to produce even moderate
amounts of power.
https://www.beny.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Solar-inverter-wiring-diagram.jpg
Small photovoltaic cells that operate on sunlight or artificial light have found major use
in low-power applications—as power sources for calculators and watches, for example.
Larger units have been used to provide power for water pumps and communications
systems in remote areas and for weather and communications satellites.
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Classic crystalline silicon panels and emerging technologies using thin-film solar cells,
including building-integrated photovoltaic, can be installed by homeowners and
businesses on their rooftops to replace or augment the conventional electric supply.
THERMAL ENERGY
Among the most common devices used to capture solar energy and convert it to thermal
energy are flat-plate collectors, which are used for solar heating applications. Because
the intensity of solar radiation at Earth‘s surface is so low, these collectors must be
large in area. Even in sunny parts of the world‘s temperate regions, for instance, a
collector must have a surface area of about 40 square metres (430 square feet) to gather
enough energy to serve the energy needs of one person.
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The most widely used flat-plate collectors consist of a blackened metal plate, covered
with one or two sheets of glass that is heated by the sunlight falling on it. This heat is
then transferred to air or water, called carrier fluids that flow past the back of the plate.
The heat may be used directly, or it may be transferred to another medium for storage.
Flat-plate collectors are commonly used for solar water heaters and house heating. The
storage of heat for use at night or on cloudy days is commonly accomplished by using
insulated tanks to store the water heated during sunny periods. Such a system can
supply a home with hot water drawn from the storage tank, or, with the warmed water
flowing through tubes in floors and ceilings, it can provide space heating. Flat-plate
collectors typically heat carrier fluids to temperatures ranging from 66 to 93 °C (150 to
200 °F). The efficiency of such collectors (i.e., the proportion of the energy received
that they convert into usable energy) ranges from 20 to 80 percent, depending on the
design of the collector.
Another method of thermal energy conversion is found in solar ponds, which are bodies
of salt water designed to collect and store solar energy. The heat extracted from such
ponds enables the production of chemicals, food, textiles, and other industrial products
and can also be used to warm greenhouses, swimming pools, and livestock buildings.
Solar ponds are sometimes used to produce electricity through the use of the
organic Rankine cycle engine, a relatively efficient and economical means of solar
energy conversion, which is especially useful in remote locations. Solar ponds are fairly
expensive to install and maintain and are generally limited to warm rural areas.
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CHAPTER TWO
Solar inverters may be classified into four broad types. Solar inverters may be classified
into four broad types.
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1. Stand-alone inverters: used in stand-alone power systems where the inverter draws
its DC energy from batteries charged by photovoltaic arrays. Many stand-alone
inverters also incorporate integral battery chargers to replenish the battery from an,
A.C source when available. Normally these do not interface in any way with the
utility grid, and as such are not required to have anti-islanding protection.
Stand-Alone power system: Mikiemike (talk) 15:58, 11 December 2010 (UTC) – Original
text : http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diode.svg
Solar Cells and their Applications Second Edition, Lewis Fraas, Larry Partain, Wiley,
2010, ISBN 978-0-470-44633-1 , Figure 10.2
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3. Battery backup inverters: are special inverters which are designed to draw
energy from a battery, manage the battery charge via an onboard charger, and
export excess energy to the utility grid. These inverters are capable of supplying
AC energy to select loads during a utility outage, and they are required to have
anti-islanding protection.
5. Micro inverters: These inverters are a good choice for commercial as well as
residential purposes. Same as power optimizers, these are also module-level
electronics because one inverter is mounted on every panel. Micro inverters alter
power from DC to AC exact at the panel, so they don‘t need a string type
inverter. Also, due to the conversion of panel-level, if the performance of panels
is shaded then the residual panels won‘t be exposed.
6. String Inverter: This kind of solar panel is arranged in the form of a string and
many strings are allied to a single string inverter. Every string holds the DC
power where it is altered into AC power used like electricity.
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Based on the installation size, you may have many string inverters where each
string gets DC power from some strings. These inverters are good for
installations where the panels are arranged on a single plane to avoid facing in
different directions.
7. Central Inverters: These are related to string inverters however they are larger
& support additional strings of solar panels. Rather than running strings openly to
the inverter, the strings are allied together in a general combiner box so that the
DC power runs toward the middle inverter wherever it is transformed to AC
power. These inverters needless connections of components, however, they need
a pad as well as combiner box as they are suitable for huge installations through
reliable production across the array.
SOLAR PANEL
The solar panel is usually the part of a solar inverter system that is the most visible
because it is usually placed on roofs or mounted in open spaces. Solar panels are
responsible for the conversion of sunlight to electricity in the form of a DC (direct
current) and also to charge deep cycle batteries. DC currents are usually not usable by
the majority of the appliances we have in our houses, hence the need for an inverter.
INVERTER
Inverters are usually kept in a secure but well-ventilated area. The function of an
inverter is to convert DC to AC and vice versa. Inverters are the brain of a solar system
because they are responsible for current (A) conversion which is a very important task
in utilizing solar power.
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SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER
The function of a solar charge controller is to regulate the charging of the battery by the
solar panels so the batteries do not get overcharged and vice versa. They are usually
between the panels and the battery. There are two types of solar charge controllers;
PWM solar charge controllers and MPPT solar charge controllers.
BATTERY
Batteries are very important in a solar inverter system because they determine the
backup times of the solar power system. The battery is responsible for the storage of
power that is being generated by the solar panels. There are various types of batteries;
wet cell batteries and dry cells or SMF batteries.
A Solar inverter is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a solar energy
system. It‘s a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar
panel generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses.
In DC, electricity is maintained at constant voltage in one direction. In AC, electricity
flows in both directions in the circuit as the voltage changes from positive to negative.
Inverters are just one example of a class of devices called power electronics that
regulate the flow of electrical power.
An inverter is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a solar energy system.
It‘s a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel
generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses. In DC,
electricity is maintained at constant voltage in one direction. In AC, electricity flows in
both directions in the circuit as the voltage changes from positive to negative.
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2.4 DESIGN APPROACHES OF SOLAR INVERTER
Solar inverter is said to be the opposite of rectifier, therefore in many cases the design
circuit use for inverter is considered to be opposite of rectifier circuit such as
oscilloscope circuit.
Considering the circuit diagram, we are able to observe that it essentially includes three
main phases, viz. the oscillator phase comprised of the adaptable IC 555, the output
period comprise of several high voltage power mosfets and the power providing phase
which uses the solar panel bank, which can be fed at B1 and B2.
• Micro inverters
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CENTRAL STRING INVERTERS: A central string inverter is a large inverter,
which is used to convert the DC voltage from a string of solar panels, connected in
series, into 240V AC for use by standard domestic and commercial electrical
appliances.
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CHAPTER THREE
Solar panels have become a more convenient source of electricity for Nigerians. The
sunlight doesn‘t have to be paid for and the weather condition in Nigeria is also
favorable. The cost of solar inverter installation can be minimalized or maximized to
the level the load that is been design for to supply power to.
Solar Energy System main components that decide the working of a solar energy
system:
Solar Panel
Solar Inverter
Solar Battery
Panel Stand, and
Solar charger control and
Solar Panel Installation Accessories (such as: earthling kit, wire thimbles,MC4
connector, AC and DC wires, Lighting Arrester, DCDB and ACDB Board )
Solar Energy Systems are of different types and can be used as per your needs and
location. The 2 types of Solar Energy System are:
This is the seven most common applications of where and how we can use solar energy
in our lives.
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Water Heating:
Solar energy is commonly used to heat water in our homes, industries, hotels and even
hospitals. Homeowners use rooftop photovoltaic cells (PV) to absorb heat from the sun
and heat the water in an insulated water tank, which stores the hot water for a
considerable time for use in our homes. Solar systems can also heat swimming pools by
circulating water through a solar collector and warmed by the sunlight, before using it
again in swimming pools.
Solar Heating
You can use solar energy for space heating of homes and businesses. Devices like Flat
plate collectors convert solar radiation into heat (thermal energy). The Flat plate
collectors consist of a blackened metal plate with a top transparent sheet of glass cover
and a thermal insulation layer underneath it that is heated by the sunlight..
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3.2 ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR INVERTER
Solar energy decreases the greenhouse effect as well as abnormal weather change.
By using solar products, we can save money by reducing electricity bills
The solar inverter is used to change DC to AC and this is a reliable source of energy.
These inverters empower small businesses by reducing their energy needs &
requirements.
These are multifunctional devices as they preprogrammed to alter DC to AC which
assists large energy consumers.
Easy to set up & more reasonable compared with generators.
Maintenance is easy as they work well even with usual maintenance.
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CONCLUSION
Solar power is an immense source of directly useable energy and ultimately creates
other energy resources: biomass, wind, Hydro-power and wave energy.
Most of the Earth's surface receives sufficient solar energy to permit low-grade heating
of water and buildings, although there are large variations with latitude and season. At
low latitudes, simple mirror devices can concentrate solar energy sufficiently for
cooking and even for driving steam turbines.
Direct use of solar energy is the only renewable means capable of ultimately
supplanting current global energy supply from non-renewable sources, but at the
expense of a land area of at least half a million km2.
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RECOMMENDATION
And the engineer should make sure the inverter is not placed near any
hazardous or flammable materials. It must also not be exposed to moisture or
water. The location you select must be away from direct sunlight and is a dry
area. It must be placed in an area which has free space around it.
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Design of Solar Thermal Power Plants Zhifeng Wang 2019
The Performance of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Systems Editor-in-Chief:
Peter Heller2017
Solar Energy Engineering Soteris A. Kalogirou Second Edition • 2014
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