Solar Photovoltaic Power System: Evaluation and Applications in Developing Countries

Mashauri Adam Kusekwa  © by the authors

ISBN: 978-1-940366-61-6
Published Date: December, 2016
Pages: 300
Paperback: $150
E-book: $35
Publisher: Science Publishing Group
To purchase hard copies of this book, please email: book@sciencepublishinggroup.com
Book Description

Electricity generated from solar energy has been widely applied worldwide. In the majority of rural areas in developing countries, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, there are reasons why the use of solar energy is so necessary; firstly, appropriate climatic conditions in these countries; secondly, delayed electricity supply projects in these rural areas.

Producing electricity from the sun using photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a major industry worldwide. But designing, installing and maintaining such systems requires knowledge and training. And there have been few easily accessible, comprehensive guides to the subject particularly in developing countries. Hence, this book will fill this existing gap.

The book contains a detailed description of Solar PV power system. It includes chapters on designing and sizing photovoltaic systems that can be used for water pumping for irrigation, drinking and livestock watering.

Author Introduction

Engineer Dr. Mashauri Adam Kusekwa was born on 27th October, 1962 in Tanzania. He is a lecturer in electrical engineering department at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) in Dar es Salaam. He received his PhD in Power System Engineering (Power System State Estimation) from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in September, 2010, and his M.Sc. degree in Electrical Machines and Apparatus from Higher Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Sofia, Bulgaria in July, 1991. He teaches electrical machines at undergraduate level, and energy management and research methodology at postgraduate level. In addition to teaching, Dr. Kusekwa is an electrical consulting engineer and a researcher. His area of research interest is renewable energy technologies, particularly the solar energy technology and power system state estimation. He has published widely in renewable energy, electrical load flow and power system state estimation.

Table of Contents
  • The Whole Book

  • Front Matter

  • Chapter 1 Renewable Energy Resources

    1. 1.1 Introduction
    2. 1.2 Renewable Energy Sources
    3. 1.3 Renewable Energy Resources Categories
    4. 1.4 Renewable Energy Benefits
    5. 1.4.1 Renewable Resources, Promote Energy Diversification
    6. 1.4.2 Renewable Resources Are Sustainable
    7. 1.4.3 Renewable Energy Is Cost Effective
    8. 1.4.4 Renewable Energy Is Important to Environment and Economy
    9. 1.5 Renewable Energy Technologies Available for Use
    10. 1.6 Available Renewable Technologies
    11. 1.6.1 Biomass Convention Technology
    12. 1.6.2 Biofuel Technology
    13. 1.6.3 Geothermal Energy Technology
    14. 1.6.4 Wind Energy Technology
    15. 1.6.5 Solar Photovoltaic Technology
    16. 1.7 Solar Technology Trends in the World
    17. 1.8 End-Use Sectors
    18. 1.9 A Possible Vision
    19. 1.10 Policy Needs
    20. 1.11 Rationale for Harnessing the Solar Resource
    21. 1.12 Drivers and Incentives
    22. 1.13 Application Barriers of Renewable Energy Resources
    23. 1.14 The Growing Role of RETs in Energy System
    24. 1.15 Technical and Barriers in Developing Countries
    25. 1.15.1 Design and Installation
    26. 1.15.2 Quality Control and Warranties
    27. 1.15.3 Maintenance
    28. 1.15.4 Training
    29. 1.15.5 Local Infrastructure Development
    30. 1.16 Nontechnical Issues
    31. 1.16.1 Awareness
    32. 1.16.2 Institutional Capacity-Building for Micro Finance
    33. 1.16.3 Community Participation
  • Chapter 2 Solar Energy Applications

    1. 2.1 Introduction
    2. 2.2 The Solar Resource
    3. 2.2.1 Passive Solar for Buildings
    4. 2.2.2 Solar Heat Collectors
    5. 2.2.3 Solar Thermal Concentrating Systems
    6. 2.2.4 Photovoltaics Technology
    7. 2.3 Applications of Solar Energy
    8. 2.3.1 A Basic Heat Exchanger
    9. 2.3.2 Parabolic Solar Collectors
    10. 2.4 Solar PV Use
    11. 2.4.1 Underground Water Pumping
    12. 2.4.2 Solar Cooking
    13. 2.4.3 Solar Water Purification
    14. 2.4.4 Solar Powered Irrigation System
    15. 2.5 Advantages of Solar Energy Resources
    16. 2.6 Solar Energy Utilization Limitation
  • Chapter 3 Computation of Solar Parameters and Equipment Used in Solar PV System

    1. 3.1 Introduction
    2. 3.2 Solar Radiation
    3. 3.3 Fundamentals of Solar Energy
    4. 3.3.1 Electromagnetic Radiation
    5. 3.3.2 Electromagnetic Spectrum
    6. 3.3.3 Solar Radiation
    7. 3.3.4 Parameters Relating to Solar Radiation
    8. 3.4 Sunshine Hours
    9. 3.5 Generalized Regression Empirical Models
    10. 3.6 Model Evaluation Schemes
    11. 3.7 Equipment Used in a Solar PV System
    12. 3.7.1 Solar Cells
    13. 3.7.2 Materials of Solar Cells
    14. 3.7.3 Type of Solar Cells
    15. 3.7.4 Equivalent Circuit of a Solar Cell
    16. 3.8 Solar Panel
    17. 3.9 Charger Controller
    18. 3.9.1 Function of Charge Controller
    19. 3.9.2 Selection of Charge Controller
    20. 3.10 Solar Battery
    21. 3.11 Balance of System (BOS)
  • Chapter 4 Sizing of a Solar Home Systems (SHS)

    1. 4.1 Introduction
    2. 4.1.1 Solar Radiation
    3. 4.1.2 Atmospheric Effect on Solar Radiation
    4. 4.1.3 Air Mass
    5. 4.1.4 Daily and Seasonal Temperature Variations
    6. 4.1.5 Physical Parameters
    7. 4.2 Solar Energy
    8. 4.3 Deployment Challenges
    9. 4.4 Solar Home Systems
    10. 4.5 Sizing of an SHS System
    11. 4.6 Steps in Sizing an SHS System
    12. 4.6.1 Load Estimation
    13. 4.6.2 Selection of System Voltage
    14. 4.6.3 Selection of Solar PV Module
    15. 4.6.4 Determine Solar PV Array Size
    16. 4.6.5 Determine Number of Modules in Series
    17. 4.6.6 Determine Number of Modules in Parallel
    18. 4.6.7 Determine Battery Bank Capacity
    19. 4.6.8 Determine Inverter Size
    20. 4.6.9 Determine Voltage of a Regulator
    21. 4.6.10 Determine Cable Sizes
    22. 4.7 Deployment Barriers of SHS
    23. 4.7.1 Solar Energy Requires High Cost to Implement
    24. 4.7.2 The Failure of People to Fully Understand the Technology
    25. 4.7.3 Government Lethargy to SHS Initiatives
    26. 4.7.4 Inadequate Financing Plan for SHS Projects
    27. 4.7.5 Inadequate Workforce Skills and Training
    28. 4.7.6 The Difficulty of Overcoming the Financial Convenience
    29. 4.8 General Deployment Challenges
    30. 4.8.1 Promotion and Adoption of Solar Technology
    31. 4.8.2 Accessibility
    32. 4.8.3 Lack of External Aids
  • Chapter 5 Sizing of Solar PV Water Pumping System

    1. 5.1 Introduction
    2. 5.2 Advantage of Solar Powered Pumps
    3. 5.3 Solar PV and Pump Configuration
    4. 5.3.1 Direct Coupling
    5. 5.3.2 Direct Coupling with Array Configuration
    6. 5.3.3 Direct Coupling with Booster
    7. 5.3.4 Use of DC-to-DC Converter (MPPT)
    8. 5.4 Equipment in Solar Powered Water Pumping System
    9. 5.4.1 Solar Panel
    10. 5.4.2 Solar Pump
    11. 5.4.3 Charge Controller
    12. 5.4.4 Inverter
    13. 5.4.5 Solar Batteries
    14. 5.4.6 Mounting Structure
    15. 5.4.7 Water Storage
    16. 5.4.8 Other Equipment
    17. 5.5 Solar Water Pumping Applications
    18. 5.5.1 Domestic Water Supply
    19. 5.5.2 Irrigation and Livestock Watering
    20. 5.6 Solar Pump Type
    21. 5.6.1 Submersible vs. Surface Pump
    22. 5.6.2 AC Voltage vs. DC Voltage
    23. 5.7 Sizing of Solar PV Water Pumping System
    24. 5.7.1 Advantages of Solar Powered Pumping System
    25. 5.7.2 Solar Water Pumping System Sizing
    26. 5.7.3 Water Storage vs. Battery Storage
    27. 5.8 Solar Water Pumping System Layout
    28. 5.8.1 Structure
    29. 5.8.2 Orientation of Solar Arrays
    30. 5.8.3 Tilt Angle of Solar Arrays
    31. 5.8.4 Solar Array Sun Tracking
    32. 5.8.5 Solar Pump Location
    33. 5.8.6 Other Conditions
    34. 5.8.7 Sizing Methods
    35. 5.8.8 Water Source
    36. 5.8.9 Water Demand
    37. 5.8.10 Total Head
    38. 5.8.11 Solar Resources
    39. 5.8.12 Required Flow Rate
    40. 5.8.13 Solar Pump Size
    41. 5.9 Sizing of a Solar PV System for Small-Scale Irrigation
    42. 5.9.1 Crop Irrigation
    43. 5.9.2 Food Preservation
    44. 5.9.3 Rural Electricity Supply
    45. 5.9.4 Space and Water Heating
    46. 5.9.5 Greenhouse Heating
    47. 5.10 Source of Water Use for Irrigation
    48. 5.11 Solar Water Pumping for Irrigation
    49. 5.12 Brief Description and Applications
    50. 5.13 Main Types of Solar Pumps for Irrigation
    51. 5.14 Sizing Steps
    52. 5.15 Sizing of a Solar PV Water Pumping for Livestock Watering
    53. 5.16 Sizing Process
    54. 5.16.1 Water Requirement
    55. 5.16.2 Water Source
    56. 5.16.3 System Layout
    57. 5.16.4 Water Storage
    58. 5.16.5 Solar Panel Orientation
    59. 5.16.6 Design Flow Rate for the Pump
    60. 5.16.7 Total Dynamic Head (TDH) of the Pump
    61. 5.16.8 Pump Selection
    62. 5.16.9 Solar Panel Selection and Array Layout
    63. 5.16.10 Solar Array Mounting and Foundation Requirement
    64. 5.16.11 Water Flow Rates and Delivery Point Pressure
    65. 5.17 A Case Study
  • Chapter 6 Installation, Commissioning and Testing of Solar PV Systems

    1. 6.1 Introduction
    2. 6.2 Installation
    3. 6.3 Commissioning
    4. 6.4 Label and Markings
    5. 6.5 Testing and System Measurement
    6. 6.5.1 Continuity Testing
    7. 6.5.2 Polarity Testing
    8. 6.5.3 Voltage and Current Testing
    9. 6.5.4 Open-circuit Voltage Testing
    10. 6.5.5 Insulation Resistance Testing
    11. 6.5.6 Equipment Test
    12. 6.5.7 Testing Considerations
    13. 6.5.8 Test Procedures
    14. 6.5.9 System Functional Testing
    15. 6.5.10 System Performance Testing
    16. 6.5.11 Verifying Power and Energy Production
    17. 6.5.12 Verifying AC Power Output
    18. 6.5.13 Verifying AC Energy Production
    19. 6.5.14 Other Tests
    20. 6.5.15 Power Quality Analysis
    21. 6.5.16 Thermal Imaging
    22. 6.5.17 Inverter Efficiency Tests
    23. 6.5.18 Shading Analysis
    24. 6.5.19 Preparation of Test Reports
  • Chapter 7 Troubleshooting and Maintenance of Solar PV Systems

    1. 7.1 Introduction
    2. 7.2 Troubleshooting
    3. 7.3 Solar PV System Maintenance
    4. 7.3.1 Testing During Maintenance
    5. 7.3.2 Solar Pump Maintenance
    6. 7.3.3 Motor Maintenance
    7. 7.4 Solar PV Pumps
  • Chapter 8 Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Solar PV Systems

    1. 8.1 Introduction
    2. 8.2 Objective of LCCA Analysis
    3. 8.3 Components of Life Cycle Cost
    4. 8.4 LCCA Calculations
    5. 8.4.1 Capital Cost
    6. 8.4.2 Maintenance Cost
    7. 8.4.3 Energy Cost
    8. 8.4.4 Salvage Value
    9. 8.5 Techno-Economic Evaluation of Solar PV System
  • Back Matter