Design And Construction Of A 2KVA Solar Inverter

ABSTRACT

This work is on design and construction of a 2KVA solar inverter. Solar inverter 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 grid or used by a local, off-grid electrical network. It is a critical component in a photovoltaic system, allowing the use of ordinary AC-powered equipment.

In solar inverter, Solar panels produce direct electricity with the help of electrons that are moving from negative to positive direction. Most of the appliances that we use at home work on alternative current. This AC is created by the constant back and forth of the electrons from negative to positive. In AC electricity the voltage can be adjusted according to the use of the appliance.  As solar panels only produce Direct current the solar inverter is used to convert the DC to AC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Approval Page

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Content

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      Introduction

1.1      Background of the project

1.2      Problem statement

1.3      Objective of the project

1.4      Scope of the project

1.5      Purpose of the project

1.6     Significance of the project

1.7      Problem of the project

1.8      Limitation of the project

1.9      Project organisation

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     Literature review

2.1      Historical background of photovoltaic cell

2.2      Theoretical review of solar cell

2.3      Review of solar cell efficiency

2.4      Review of solar cell materials

2.5      Review of early inverters

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     Construction

3.1      Basic designs of a solar inverter

3.2      block diagram of the system

3.3      Description of solar inverter units

3.4      Modified sine wave power solar inverter circuit using ic 4093

3.5      Circuit operation

3.6      Description of components used

3.7      How to choose the best inverter battery

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT ANALYSIS

4.0      Construction Procedure and Testing

4.1      Casing and Packaging

4.2      Assembling of Sections

4.3      Testing of System Operation

4.4      Cost Analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0      Conclusion

5.1      Recommendation

5.2      References

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1                                          BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The solar inverter is a vital component in a solar energy system. It performs the conversion of the variable DC output of the Photovoltaic (PV) module(s) into a clean sinusoidal 50 or 60 Hz AC current that is then applied directly to the commercial electrical grid or to a local, off-grid electrical network. A solar cell (also called photovoltaic cell) is the smallest solid-state device that converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. A Photovoltaic (PV) module is an assembly of cells in series or parallel to increase voltage and/or current. A Panel is an assembly of modules on a structure. An Array is an assembly of panels at a site. Typically, communication support scheme is included so users can monitor the inverter and report on power and operating conditions, provide firmware updates and control the inverter grid connection.

At the heart of the inverter is a real-time microcontroller. The controller executes the very precise algorithms required to invert the DC voltage generated by the solar module into AC. This controller is programmed to perform the control loops necessary for all the power management functions necessary including DC/DC and DC/AC. The controller also maximizes the power output from the PV through complex algorithms called maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The PV maximum output power is dependent on the operating conditions and varies from moment to moment due to temperature, shading, cloud cover, and time of day so adjusting for this maximum power point is a continuous process. For systems with battery energy storage, the two controller can control the charging as well as switch over to battery power once the sun sets or cloud cover reduces the PV output power (Aditee et al, 2013).

1.2 Statement of Problem

If there is one factor that has perpetually maintained the status of Nigeria as a less developed country, it is its electricity sector. Till date, many households and industrial businesses cannot be guaranteed of 24 hours supply of electricity from the National grid. At this stage of Nigeria’s social and economic development, the country cannot deliver sufficient energy to the citizens despite huge financial resources that have been expended in the sector.

Rather, Nigerians have continued to rely on electricity generators for their power supply, fuel marketers are taking significant portion of households’ institutions of learning and businesses’ incomes to supply power, noise pollution from regular humming generators have become integral part of living for many Nigerians with imaginable consequences on their health. Because of these problems, there is a need to build a 2kva  solar inverter for home use, to complement or augment the electricity supply from the National grid, reduce cost of energy consumed and eliminate noise/environmental pollution that is associated with running of generator.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The aim of this project is to design and construct an efficient and economical 2.5kw solar inverter that will utilize the appropriate use of office electrical appliances.

The objectives are as follows: –

• (i) To provide efficiency, steadiness in the use of power appliances, by ensuring continuous availability of power supply in the cause of main outage during an execution of an important or urgent assignment. Thereby enabling the department meet up with its office duties even when central power is not available.
• (ii) Reduce load on the National grid that turn to be reduce the overall energy consumption dependency on the main energy supply in the country
• Decrease customer utility bill on energy utilization because of its non-fuel consumption, low price and maintenance cost as compared to the convectional sources of power supplies within International and Local market.
• Again, reduce carbon discharges and subsequently reduce global warming particularly in a period when poor climatic change has become a threat to human survival and life in general to all living creatures hence an ever increasing concern to control it.

1.4 Scope of Study

Basically, solar power source makes it possible to provide a clean reliable and quality supply of alternative electricity free of surges or sags which could be found in the line voltage frequency (50Hz). This project design aims at creating a 2kw power source which can be utilized as a regular power source for private individuals in the office or at home. This project involves the design and construction of a 2kw solar inverter system which involves a solar panel, car battery and an inverter. Furthermore, as a consumer is generating his or her own electricity they also will benefit from a reduction in their electricity bills.

1.5 Significance of the Project

The solar inverter is the second most significant (and second most expensive) component of a solar PV system. It’s important because it converts the raw Direct Current (DC) solar power that is produced by the solar panels into Alternating Current (AC) power that comes out of the wall sockets outlet. Inverters also have technology that maximizes the power output of that DC energy.

The use of solar power has many advantages. Firstly, the energy from the sun is free and readily accessible in most parts of the world. Moreover, the sun will keep shining until the world’s end. Also, silicon from which most photovoltaic cells are made is an abundant and nontoxic element (the second most abundant material in the earth’s crust).

Secondly, the whole energy conversion process is environmentally friendly. It produces no noise, harmful emissions or polluting gases. The burning of natural resources for energy can create smoke, cause acid rain and pollute water and air. Carbon dioxide, CO2, a leading greenhouse gas, is also produced in the case of burning fuels. Solar power uses only the power of the sun as its fuel. It creates no harmful by-product and contributes actively to the reduction of global warming.

1.6                                                 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The scope of this work covers the building of a solar generator of 2kw that consist of  it includes solar panels, charger controller, batteries and inverter. This system will store the solar power into the batteries, batteries energy will be converted the electricity power to supply the appliances working through the inverter. When the solar power is off, the power grid will replenish the electricity power to appliances working.

1.7                                              PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purpose of this work is to provide an alternative and renewable means of power supply.

1.8                                        PROBLEM OF THE PROJECT

• Initially you need to shell out a lot of money for buying a 2kw solar inverter
• It will work effectively and produce direct current only when the Sunlight is strong.
• The solar panels that are used to attract sunlight requires lots of space

1.8                                           LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT

• This device is rated 2KVA
• The intensity of the Sun varies throughout the day. This creates an over-charging problem if the panels are connected to the battery directly, and It should also be able to tell you when you connect the panels wrongly (i.e. positive to negative, etc) and also provide protection against short-circuit. For this reason a charge controller must be used to offer protection from high voltage and current from the panels.
• The inverter frequency is rated at 50hz
• Iron casing and good heat sink are used for heat absorption, and also thick wiring is also required because of the current involves.

1.7                                        ORGANISATION OF THE PROJECT

This work is organized in such a way that every reader of this work will understand how solar power inverter is been made. Starting from the chapter one to chapter five focused fully on the topic at hand.

Chapter one of this work is on the introduction to solar power inverter. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective limitation and problem of solar power inverter were discussed.

Chapter two is on literature review of solar power inverter. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.

Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.

Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.

Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.