SolarPV - Sizing

SOLAR PV Design
System Sizing
System Requirements
Steps for sizing the system
Step 1. Solar Panel Load Sizing
• Determine the power consumption demands

Calculate the Total Watt hours per day :
• This is calculated by measuring the average watt

hours consumed by different appliances per day.
• Then Calculate the Total Watt hours per day to be
output by the Solar modules :
• Multiply the Total Watt hours per day by 1.3 (the

energy lost in the system). This gives the Total
power that needs to be supplied by the Solar
Panels.
Step 2. Solar PV Array sizing
Different size of PV modules will produce different
amount of power.
• Sizing a Solar PV module:
• Calculate the average daily peak sun hours in
your location.
• Divide the total output to be delivered by the Solar
PV system by the daily peak sun hours.
• This gives approximate array size in KWh.
• Divide this value by the efficiency factor of the
solar panels to get the power output of the Solar
panels.
Sun Hours
• To calculate the number of panels needed

• Divide the Total Watt hours to be produced by the rated
power output of the PV modules.
• This provides the number of PV modules needed.

Step 3 Solar Inverter Sizing
• Solar Inverter converts The DC output from the Solar

Panels to usable Ac power. Hence sizing the Solar Inverter
is important so that the conversion happens properly.
• The inverter is rated in Watts. The inverter watt rating

should be same or more than the Solar PV systems watt
rating.
• In case of appliances like motors the Inverter size
should be a minimum 3 times the capacity of those
appliances. This is to handle the surge current during
starting those type of appliances.
• For grid tied system, the input rating should be same

as PV array rating to allow for safe and efficient
operation.
Step 4 Solar Charge Controller Sizing
• The Solar Charge controller is rated with Amps and

Volt capacities.
• Choose a Solar Charge controller to match the voltage of

the PV Array and Batteries.
• Ensure that the solar charge controller has the capacity to

handle the current supplied from the Solar PV system.
Step 5 Battery Sizing
A battery is not needed in case of Solar On-grid system.

It is needed in case of Solar Off-grid system or Hybrid
Solar system( a mix of Solar On-grid or Solar Off-grid).
• Choose a battery with a capacity equal to or more

than that of the Solar panels.
• Battery capacity is measured in Ampere hours.

Step 5 Battery Sizing
• Find out the Watt hours by multiplying Ampere hours

and voltage of the battery.
• Ex: For a 40AH, 10V battery the Watt Hours figure is 40(X)
x 10(Y) = 400 WH (Z)
• This means the battery should supply 400 Watts for

1hr or 200 Watts for 2hrs i.e the more energy you
take more faster the battery is discharged.
Example
A house has the following electrical appliance usage:
• One 18 Watt fluorescent lamp with electronic ballast

used 4 hours per day.
• One 60 Watt fan used for 2 hours per day.

• One 75 Watt refrigerator that runs 24 hours per day
with compressor run 12 hours and off 12 hours.
The system will be powered by 12 Vdc, 110 Wp PV

module.
1. Determine power consumption
demands
Total appliance use = (18w x 4 hours) + (60 W x 2 hours) +
(75 W x 24 x 0.5 hours)
= 1,092 Wh/day
Total PV panels energy

= 1,092 x 1.3
needed
= 1,419.6 Wh/day.
2. Size the PV panel
2.1 Total Wp of PV panel = 1,419.6 / 3.4
capacity needed
= 413.9 Wp
2.2 Number of PV panels
= 413.9 / 110
needed
= 3.76 modules
Actual requirement = 4 modules
So this system should be powered by at least 4 modules of 110 Wp PV

module
3. Inverter sizing
• Total Watt of all appliances = 18 + 60 + 75 = 153 W
For safety, the inverter should be considered 25-30% bigger

size.
Inverter size = 153W x 1.3 = 198W
The inverter size should be about 190 W or greater.

4. Battery sizing
• Nominal battery voltage = 12 V

Days of autonomy = 3 days
• Battery Capacity = x days of Autonomy
=
Total Ampere-hours required 535.29 Ah
So the battery should be rated 12 V 600 Ah for 3 day autonomy.
5. Solar charge controller sizing
• PV module specification
= 110 Wp
= 16.7 Vdc
= 6.6 A
= 20.7 A
= 7.5 A
Solar charge controller rating = (4 strings x 7.5 A) x 1.3 = 39 A

So the solar charge controller should be rated 40 A at 12 V or greater.
Assignment
• The components (appliances) that the system will power are:
i. 5 lights (30w each, combined rated wattage 150, used 2 hours/day.
ii. Refrigerator, rated wattage 500, used 5 hours/day.
iii. 3 ceiling fans (45w each, combined rated wattage 135, used 8
hours/day.
iv. Washer, rated wattage, 1500, used 6 hours/week or 0.86 hours/day.
v. Television, rated wattage 200, used 4 hours/day.
vi. Toaster, rated wattage 1500, used 0.25 hours/day
Assignment
• Determine:
• PV panel size and Number
• Charge controller
• Inverter
• Battery
Load analysis

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SOLAR PV Design

Step 1. Solar Panel Load Sizing

• Determine the power consumption demands

• This is calculated by measuring the average watt

• Multiply the Total Watt hours per day by 1.3 (the

• To calculate the number of panels needed

• This provides the number of PV modules needed.

• Solar Inverter converts The DC output from the Solar

• The inverter is rated in Watts. The inverter watt rating

• For grid tied system, the input rating should be same

• The Solar Charge controller is rated with Amps and

• Choose a Solar Charge controller to match the voltage of

• Ensure that the solar charge controller has the capacity to

A battery is not needed in case of Solar On-grid system.

• Choose a battery with a capacity equal to or more

• Battery capacity is measured in Ampere hours.

• Find out the Watt hours by multiplying Ampere hours

• This means the battery should supply 400 Watts for

• One 18 Watt fluorescent lamp with electronic ballast

• One 60 Watt fan used for 2 hours per day.

The system will be powered by 12 Vdc, 110 Wp PV

Total PV panels energy

Actual requirement = 4 modules

So this system should be powered by at least 4 modules of 110 Wp PV

• Total Watt of all appliances = 18 + 60 + 75 = 153 W

For safety, the inverter should be considered 25-30% bigger

Inverter size = 153W x 1.3 = 198W

The inverter size should be about 190 W or greater.

• Nominal battery voltage = 12 V

Solar charge controller rating = (4 strings x 7.5 A) x 1.3 = 39 A

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