SLC21/WK5: Introduction to Basic Solar Power

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After reading the lesson, I actually come to discover that solar power is a very renewable source of energy that makes use of sunlight to generate light or what we call electricity for us. Over the years, solar power has proven to become a major source of alternatives to our fossil fuels as it has a lot of economic and environmental benefit it offers for us.

How Solar Power Works.

There are different ways solar power works as it is made up of some vital components which we don't always pay attention which I want to talk about.

• Photovoltaic (PV) Cells: This is the first. Every solar panel is made up of cells called the photovoltaic cells. Those cells help to convert sunlight to electricity using something called the photovoltaic effect.

• DC and AC Conversion: This is the second form. We have the DC and the AC conversion. DC means direct current and then AC means the Alternating Current. These conversions help to make sure our household appliances work..

• Battery Storage: Then we have the Battery storage as it is called. They help to store those energy for use for us during the night.

Components of a Solar Power System.

There are some vital components of a well established solar power system which I want to talk about below.

• Solar Panels: We need solar panels because they are the one that helps us to trap the sunlight so that it can be converted to electricity.

• Batteries: This is the second component. We will need batteries that will help to store energy in case there is a need for backup.

• Charge Controller: Then we have something called the charge controller. This helps to make sure that the flow of electricity is duly regulated.

• Mounting Systems: There is something called the mounting system. They help to position the solar panel to the favourite position that will help for optimal sunlight.

Advantages of Solar Power.

There are various advantages of solar power that we did not even pay attention to but which is very important.

• Solar Energy been renewable source of energy helps it to be inexhaustible.

• It helps to reduce the electricity bills that we might have. It helps to reduce utility costs massively.

• Solar Power have low maintenance costs and it is durable. Research makes me to understand that it can last upto 20 years.

• Lastly, solar power is environmentally friendly because it helps to prevent the gas emission that might want to come from the non-renewable energy.

Types of Solar Power Systems

When it comes to Solar Power Systems, we have various types which I also want to talk about briefly.

• On-Grid Systems: This is the first. It works in a way whereby it is connected to something called the utility grid. It has no battery storage.

• Off-Grid Systems: we have the second type which is the off grid. This can work without not depending on the utility grid. It also needs battery storage so that there can be a backup energy.

• Hybrid Systems: I will talk about the last one which is the hybrid system. This combines both the on grid and the off grid features together.

These are the three major differences that exist between the AC solar and the DC solar systems below.

For me to be able to calculate this, I will list out some of the home appliances my house has below;

• LED BULBS

• Laptop

• Refrigerator

• Ceiling Fans

• TV

• Washing Machine

• Phone Chargers

• Electric Gas Cooker

These are the list of the appliances that I have in my house and using those lists above, I will calculate the loads averagely.

Then what I will do now is to calculate the overall daily energy consumption which will involve me adding all the energy consumption together.

Total Energy Consumption = 140 + 800 + 4800 + 640 + 300 + 1500 + 4500 + 800 = 13,480 Wh/day ( 13.48 kWh/day )

Then I will calculate the monthly energy consumption also based on the list of the appliances below;

Monthly Consumption = 13.48 kWh/day × 30 = 404.4 kWh / month

Therefore;

• Daily Consumption = 13.48 kWh/day

• Monthly Consumption = 404.4 kWh / month

As you can see above, the total power which is also called the total load is 80 watts. I will then make use of this information to try to get a DC solar system making use of the specification above.

Here’s the table rearranged as per your instructions:

• Additional Accessories: I will make use of the DC cables, make use of connectors and lastly some fuses and solar panel mounting to help in the positioning of the solar panel.

Here’s the information in tabular form:

As you can see, the water pump motor will be around a little bit above the AC power load. I constructed it in a way whereby it is of 1HP of power as you can see in the table above. Let me assume that it will work for 5 hours per day, then the calculation for the daily Consumption will be below;

• 5 × 746 = 3,730 Wh/day

Here’s the information rearranged as per your instructions:

Usefulness Of The Solar Material.

• Charge Controller: The charge controller works in a way whereby it helps to make sure that the voltage are regulated

• Solar Panel: Like I said, they help us to trap those sunlight which Will now be used to convert it to electricity.

• Inverter: This helps to convert the DC to AC electricity.

• Battery: Battery help us to store those electricity that will be gotten during the day so that it can be used in the night.

Thank you for this lecture, looking forward to more interesting and benefiting lectures in the more weeks to come

I invite @josepha , @newekemini5 and @okere-blessing to drop a very constructive comments on this post and also to participate in this contest.