Case Study: Design and Analysis of 5kWp Grid Connected Solar PV Plant

This document presents a study and analysis of a 5kWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plant, hypothetically located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It begins with an introduction to the increasing importance of renewable energy sources, particularly solar PV technology, and highlights the predicted growth in global PV capacity. The study reviews existing research on PV system design, grid integration, and environmental considerations. It then delves into the specifics of a 5kWp grid-connected system, discussing essential components, advantages, disadvantages, and estimated power generation. The analysis includes considerations for the location's weather conditions and solar irradiance. The document also touches upon the cost analysis and payback period for such a system. This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the technical and economic aspects of implementing a small-scale grid-connected solar power plant and is available for students seeking similar solved assignments and past papers on Desklib.

Study & Analysis of 5KWP Grid Connected Solar
Photovoltaic Power Plant
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Table of contents
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...3
2. Background Study………………………………………………………………………………………………..…...4
3. Solar Photovoltaic Technology.………………………………………………………………………………….7
4. 5Kwp Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant…………………………………………….10
5. Cost Analysis Of The 5Kwp Grid Connected Spv Power Plant……………………………….….16
6. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….17
7. References………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..18
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1. Introduction:
Over the last decade, renewable energy resources like photovoltaic (PV) have become popular,
thanks to increasing environmental awareness. Integration of solar power solar collector
(photovoltaic cell) by the utilization of assorted sensible techniques of load management can
enhance the system’s potency by decreasing the usage of electricity. With the increasing demand
for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), PV enhances its quality and unlocks other ways for
people to utilize this low-cost energy during this valuable world. But still, there's a desire to
search for economical and professional ways hat to relish these RES solely [1]. The prediction of
the International Energy Agency (IEA) confirms that by 2050, the accumulative international
photovoltaic cell capability can reach around 3000 GW and meet the demand for international
electricity [2].
It won’t be long until commonly used resources like coal, gas, and fuel will diminish and may
create a crisis for these assets [3]. In this way, proficient utilization of these assets is a key course
to manage the regularly expanding emergency in vitality segment. Natural mindfulness from
internal and external stages has made the perfect power request dynamically critical.
Coordination of sustainable power source assets in the existing framework is going wild;
consequently, appropriate outcomes are not accomplished yet because of the absence of experts.
There are numerous people taking a shot at RES with zero associate of the current best in class;
in any case, legitimate planning and establishment can prompt a more solid framework utilizing
an accurate matrix.
Most of the solar collector (PV Cell) and solar modules created from crystalline Si solar power
materials. In spite of this, within the last two years, skinny films solar power module has gained
a robust outbreak within the world photovoltaic system. The Skinny films solar power module is
comprised of amorphous Si (a-Si), metallic element chemical compound (Ga-As), the metal
compound (Cd-Te), and copper in Selenide (CIS).
The Recent evolution of RES like solar power photovoltaic system gives glorious occasion for
solid execution of sensible grid at an individual level. That is why, principal accomplishment is
that the sensible grid technologies utilization and absorption is mistreatment practical schemes of
load management in the residential region, that gears to reduce energy value and management of
demand a lot of well.
In our effort, we provide a summary on the solar collector (PV Cell) AC-modules, among typical
alternating current photovoltaic system modules that solely manufacture DC output. A unique
approach for coming up with a brand new alternating photovoltaic system module is additionally
mentioned, being associated with the goal of the paper of introducing an innovative AC
photovoltaic system module merely supported a traditional DC photovoltaic system module and
a small and distributed energy storage system. The utilization of an electrical converter
technology introduces several advantages with reference to typical pulse width modulation
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inverters a bigger potency, a bigger responsibility, a lower harmonic pollution on the alternating
current output voltage and then proceed to substantiate the effectiveness of the projected plan,
the circuit configuration of the introduced alternating current photovoltaic system module and its
operative principle is numerically tested and performed under ideal operative conditions of
batteries.
Let us take a hypothetical 5 KWP Grid connected SPV power plant establish in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia with a Postal Code: 11142. Geographically the location is situated at 24.7136° N,
46.6753° E and approximate weather of the selected location is about 23 °C, Wind NW at 14
km/h, 44% Humidity. It is presumed that the modules will be tilted 20 facing south. The
following figure shows the location of the proposed site.
Fig. Location of the proposed site
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2. Background study
Numerous inquiries about the structure and measuring methodologies associated PV frameworks
and power-associated with PV frameworks have been studied.
PrakasitSritakaew et. al. discussed the advantages and enhancements to the distributions systems
by properly utilizing PV grid-connected frameworks. Their paper highlighted issues of
dispersion framework unwavering quality enhancement utilizing photovoltaic (PV) matrix
associated frameworks. The yield qualities of a PV framework were tentatively estimated. The
deliberate information was utilized to explore the impacts of PV framework establishment to
enhance the appropriation framework's reliability. The framework requirements, for example,
focuses on implementing PV systems by recouping power and decreasing the tie/line switch.
Recreation results demonstrate that with the activity of a tie switch, framework misfortunes and
stacking dimension of the tie switch can be lessened with legitimate establishment area.
Nieuwlaar and Alsema (1997) gave us thought regarding ecological parts of PV control
frameworks. Amid ordinary task, photovoltaic (PV) control frameworks don't discharge
substances that may undermine human well-being or the earth. Truth be told, through the reserve
funds in ordinary power generation they can prompt noteworthy emanation decreases. There are,
in any case, a few aberrant ecological effects identified with PV control frameworks that need
more research. Creating PV control frameworks is related to moderate vital escalation, which
includes the utilization of extensive amounts of mass materials and (littler) amounts of
substances that are rare and additionally lethal. During the activity, unfavorable circumstances
may demand the use of unsafe materials. Thus, toward the finish of their helpful lifetime PV
control frameworks must be decommissioned, and coming about waste streams must be
overseen.
A study conducted by M. C. Cavalcanti, G. M. S. Azevedo and colleagues investigated
topological productivity inphotovoltaic vitality transformation frameworks. In extraordinary,
unfavorable results and relevantphilosophieswere extracted to analyze distinctive topologies for
the associated photovoltaic frameworks so that can be picked the alternative of best
effectiveness. The frameworks were tried with photovoltaic age and also current symphonious
and responsive power remuneration at the same time. Utilizing the misfortune models, it is
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conceivable to evaluate productivity and to make a relative investigation of various change
frameworks.
Allen M. Barnett discusses sun-based electricity for a better future. The impact of such energy
power on PV frameworks is noticeable and promising. Why aren’t these frameworks observed
more in their implementation around the world? Customers often indulge in new ideas and
innovations, especially in a country like the United States. The closest answer to this is that
associated rooftop frameworks are difficult to acquire and limits matrix coordination.
Additionally, its expensive makes gauging its vitality difficult. PV frameworks need to be
worked upon to make them easy to understand while reducing the segment and framework costs.
Our exquisite innovation must be diminished to down to earth frameworks that can be utilized by
the normal individual - all over the place.
Kornelakis and Koutroulis (2009) broke down the advancement of framework associated PV
frameworks utilizing a rundown of industrially accessible framework gadgets. The examination
depended on choosing the ideal number and type PV module establishment so that the aggregate
net financial advantage accomplished amid the framework's operational lifetime time frame is
amplified.
Kornelakis and Marinakis (2010) proposed a way to deal with select the ideal PV establishment
utilizing Particle Swarm Optimization. Kornelakis exhibited a multi-target improvement
calculation dependent on PSO connected to the ideal plan of network associated PV frameworks.
The proposed technique plans to recommend the ideal number of framework gadgets and the
ideal PV module establishment points of interest, with the end goal that the monetary and natural
advantages accomplished amid the framework's operational lifetime time frame are both
expanded.
Salaymeh et al. (2010) appraised a structure of PV framework to create vitality for essential
residential necessities. The suggested structure examined the plausibility of using PV
frameworks in a standard private loft in the city of Amman located in Jordan to lead vitality and
monetary counts. It is discovered that the figured compensation high period in an independent
framework, to diminish the recompense period that the network associated PV framework has
recommended. The yield consequences of this examination demonstrate that establishment of PV
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framework in a private level in Jordan may not be monetarily compensating inferable from the
surprising expense of PV framework contrasted with the expense of lattice power.
Muneer et al. (2011) suggested a model advancement to encourage an ideal arrangement for
interest in substantial scale sun-powered PV age extends in Canada Ontario. The ideal
arrangement of choices incorporates the area, estimating, and time of venture that returns the
most elevated benefit. The researcher examines different applicable issues of review related
work related to PV ventures, for example, area particular sunlight based radiation levels, the
nitty-gritty of speculation costs, and a surmised portrayal of the transmission framework. Li et al.
(2012) contemplated a framework associated PV framework introduced in an institutional
working in Hong Kong. The investigation depended on two years estimated information made in
Hong Kong from 2008 to 2009. Specialized information including accessible sun oriented
radiation and yield vitality created were efficiently recorded and investigated. It was discovered
that with Feed-in-levy plans, high power offering cost can abbreviate the restitution time frame
for a network associated PV framework to a sensible day and age that ought to be not exactly the
lifetime (e.g. under 20 years).
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3. Solar Photovoltaic Technology
The photovoltaic impact is concernedwith the age of electric flow by temperance of the vitality
contained in an episode of light waves, the more explicitly in the daylight. Light waves are
otherwise called photons. A photon is nothing but an electromagnetic wave, which is described
by its vitality and wavelength.
Solar PV is a semiconductor gadget which changes over daylight straightforwardly into power.
The task of light is for power transformation requires a built‐in electric field, ordinarily acquired
by making P‐N intersection or Pi‐ N intersection structures. A sun-oriented PV board or PV
module, when presented to daylight, creates voltage and current at its yield terminal. This
voltage and flow can be utilized for our power necessities. The measure of power a sunlight
based PV module can create relies on the amount of light falling on it during the day. The higher
is the force of the daylight, the more will be the power created from it. At the point when no
daylight falls on a sun-based PV module, no power is created.
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We allude to any gadget or material that can change over the vitality of electromagnetic photons
into power as photovoltaic. The most essential gadget, which is explicitly fabricated to produce
power when lit up by daylight, is a sunlight-based cell or the PV cell.
A PV cell is made so that an electric field sweeps these free electrons in one direction, away
from the holes to make current. If these free electrons re-combine with holes, an EHP is lost as a
current carrier and a photon is released upon the electron-hole recombination. This feature is
used to make LEDs (light-emitting diodes).
3.1 Energy from the Sun
The sun discharges radiation that moves through the climate before achieving the earth.
The range i.e. the scope of the wavelength of the transmitted radiation is aggravated because of
retention, impact, reflection and so on by the constituents in the air as it ventures out sensible.
The earthbound range relies on how much climate the radiation needs to go through before it
reaches the surface of the earth.
The length of the way L2 takes by the beams of the sun as they go through the climate, isolated
by the briefest way length L1, happens when the sun is actually overhead, characterizing the Air
Mass (AM) proportion.
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4. 5Kwp Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant
A 5KWp Grid connected SPV power plant is established at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here in this
section, we will study the basic components required for a grid-connected system, its
advantages,and disadvantages, other various features of this power plant. We had also calculated
the estimated generation of power from this project, Annualize Life Cycle Cost, and the Payback
Period of this project. In this chapter, we have discussed all the technical specifications of this
SPV power plant.
In order to analyze the current solar usage, readings from the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL), Solar Energy Centre and NASA are included in the study. The data taken
from NREL is for an average of 10 years and that of NASA is from 20 years.
Direction of Panel South South-west West-South
IR Radiation
Value(KWh/m2/day)
5.9 5.7 5.2
Table: Daily average IRRADIATION in Riyadh
Tocalculate the energy generated by a 5KWp Solar Plant the average of annual solar insolation is
measured. According to NREL, annual solar insolation in Riyadh= 5.9kWh/m2/day According
to NASA, annual solar insolation = 5.81 kWh/ m2/day
So, average annual solar insolation = (5.9+5.81)/2 = 6.86 KWh/ m2/day
= 6.86/6 = 1143 W/ m2/day
Solar Efficiency = 15%
Average max. output = 1143 * 0.15 = 171.45 W/m2
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Fig. Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) map
Geographic area of Saudi Arabia is very much set for promoting sunlight based vitality with the
normal day by day sun powered radiation level achieving 6 kWh/m 2 and 80-90% of clear sky
days throughout the year. The yearly sunlight based radiation level reaches more than 2400
kWh/m 2 as appeared in the above figure.
Degree days are basically a unit used to decide the warming necessities of structures, speaking to
a fall of one degree beneath a predefined normal open air temperature. The degree days for
RIYADH OBS. (O.A.P.), Saudi Arabia with Lat: 24.70N Long: 46.73E Elev: 620 Std P: 94.1
Time Zone: 3.00 (AFE) are given in the following table
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Table: Temperatures, Degree Days & Degree Hours in Riyadh
4.1 System Sizing, Specifications &Description
The Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant consists of key components like:
 Solar PV Modules
 Module Mounting Structure
 Array Junction Boxes (AJB)
 AC Distribution Box (ACDB)
 Grid Connected Solar Inverter/ Power Conditioning Unit (PCU)
 Metering
 Cables (DC & AC) and other accessories
 Earthing (DC & AC)
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SL. NO. ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Solar Module Poly Crystalline 20pcs each
250 Wp
2 Structure GI, Fixed, Roof mounting-
Single module mounting per
structure pair
3 Array Junction Box 2 Sets x [2x1KV terminal,
1KV/16A Breaker, 600V
SPD,and accessories]
4 Inverter 1 Nos, 5KW Solar Inverter
5 Monitoring System SCADA
6 Cables Suitable Size for both AC &
DC
7 Earthing Salt – Charcoal, 3Nos, pipe
earthing of 3m deep
Table: Description of Different Components
4.2 General features of the plant
 The 5KWp SPV Power Plant generates power and feeds to the existing grid of present in
the University.
 Solar panels are kept in an open area with other electrical systems and equipment in a
closed area or room, also known as the Solar Project Lab.
 A 50 sq. m.shadow-free area is used for setting the plant with no obstacles in the south.
This is done so that we can get maximum generation.
 The array structures of PV yard and all electrical equipment like inverters and junction
boxes are placed on the ground by using an earthing kit.
 The junction box receives DC output generated from the modules and the strings become
parallel at this point.
 When the junction box receives the DC output, the same is converted into AC power
energy by the inverter. This AC output then passes through the LT panel to the main grid.
 The inverter used is an isolated solar inverter. Whenever the grid supply is cut off the
inverter goes into an isolated state and will send power to the grid. The inverter also
synchronizes the output efficiency of the solar power plant with the help of the existing
grid by keeping the voltage and frequency same as that of the grid.
4.3 Parameters Specifications
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Nominal Power 5 KWP
Nominal Voltage (Vmpp) ~ 35 V
Nominal Current (Impp) ~ 10 Amp
Open Circuit Voltage (VOC) ~ 40 V
Short Circuit Current (ISC) ~ 9 Amp
Module Efficiency ~ 15%
The temperatureof Nominal Operating Cell (NOCT) 50°C
Dimensions 1600mm X 880mm X 30mm
Weight ~ 25 kg (approx)
No of cell required = 60 nos which arePolycrystalline, (150mm X 150mm)
4.4 Construction Schedule:
The construction time required is estimated to 5 months. A construction schedule for the
installation of 5 KWp Power Plant at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia indicating the various
activities is as shown following
5. Cost Analysis Of The 5Kwp Grid Connected SPV Power Plant
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In a perfect world, a power plant ought to have the capacity to deliver power all the time with
consistency.
There are different confinements on numerous sustainable power source innovations that force a
limit on the measure of power that they may create over a given interim of time, normally this is
taken as a year.
The contextual investigation utilized for the cost estimations here is of a 5 kW Grid Connected
SPV Power Plant.
It has a capital expense of £1500/kW. It has a structured life of 25 years and a limit factor of
28%. Its development time is short, and there are, obviously, zero fuel costs.
Need to figure a general cost for the power in pence per kilowatt hour
Electricity per year (Kwh) = Ratings of the plants * Capacity Factors * 365 (Days) * 24 (Hours)
In this case study Eg = 5 * 0.28 * 365* 24
= 12264 Kwh/year
Total Capital cost =£ (5*1500) = £7500
5.1 Simple Payback Analysis
A rearranged type of cost/advantage investigation is the basic restitution method. In this strategy,
the aggregate of the previous framework cost differs from the primary vitality cost reserve funds
delivered by the framework. This strategy requires a longer time to yield expected returns and
handle relative costs on its own. As a development, it may be utilized to assess customary
development to vitality proficient structure choices. In basic compensation investigation, it is
expected that the administration life of the vitality productivity measure will rise to or even cross
the basic recompense time. Straightforward compensation investigation gives a generally simple
approach to look at the general expenses and reserve funds possibilities for an assortment of
venture options.
The contextual analysis utilized for the cost figuring’s here is of a 5 kWGrid-Connected SPV
Power Plant.
It has a capital expense of £1500/kW. It has a structured life of 25 years and a limit factor of
28%. Its development time is short, and there are, obviously, zero fuel costs.
We expect plant produces power at a cost of 6p kWh-1. Ascertain the restitution year.
6. Conclusion
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The aggregate load of the Riyadh is roughly 300KW. In this manner, we can't give the pinnacle
stack through our 5KW SPV framework. Yet, at the same time, the power produced by this SPV
plant is remunerating a little piece of the pinnacle stack. The greater part of the task happens
during thedaytime, which is synchronous with the accessibility of daylight. Along these lines, the
power created by this SPV plant is specifically encouraged into a solitary period of the current
network of the college. The intensity of the SPV framework is kept at the main stage while
infusing it to the principal matrix. On the off chance of an occurrence where the heap at this
stage is 100KW and control delivered by the SPV framework is 4KW, then the heap is
expending 96KW from the standard matrix and the remaining 4KW is provided by the SPV
framework.
Considering the current support received from experts, organizations, and adequate help from the
government, PV framework can easily and effortlessly resolve the nation’s usage and capacity
requirements at a quick rate in the next two decades. It can assert a more efficient and promising
way of generating power through the vital use of sun around the year. Without a doubt, the Grid-
Connected SPV framework can meet future power needs and demands with great ease. The
strategy discussed seems to be appropriate and desirable with respect to directional and territorial
limits. Additionally, a point by point cost investigation was initiated to demonstrate its financial
feasibility, along with the consideration of carbon credit and carbon charge funds.
References:
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