Wednesday 20 November 2013

SIZING OF PV MODULE FOR SOLAR PROJECT


PV cell is the smallest semiconductor element that converts solar radiation into electrical energy. PV materials can be categorized as either crystalline or thin film. Crystalline Silicon which is commonly used in the wafer form in the PV modules. Crystalline cells are basically silica-based materials that has been melted and crystallized. Crystalline cells achieve higher efficiencies than thin film cells.
Due to these characteristics, monocrystalline PV module’s type have been widely used. So this articles will show the steps for sizing the PV module. Before we can start sizing the PV module, we must sizing the batteries for a system first. Below is the steps to sizing the PV module:
E module (Wh)  =  E load                                  (1)
            The first formula is the energy for the module. The energy for the module must be same with the energy for the load. The load energy’s formula is taken from the sizing the batteries.
P array (W) = E module ÷ Peak sun hour                    (2)
       For the second formula, the peak sun hour stands for the total time the sun will produce a maximum heat. Usually we set the peak sun hour for a day is 3 hours
P array stc (W) = P array ÷ Module derate factor                (3)
       The module derate factor is the percentage the PV module will generate the energy. Usually we assume every each of the PV module will generate only 0.75 (75%) only because of the dust that placed on the PV module.
       The last formula is the N module is the number of the modules that have to combine to operate the system. For an example, if the value of N module is 0.67, so the number of module that needed to operate the system is 1 unit.  
N module = P array stc ÷ P module stc                      (4)
       By the sizing the PV module, it can minimize the cost and also can full fill the requirement of the power that are needed to operate the system.

Written by:

AHMAD IZZAT BIN MOD ARIFIN

MOHD SAIFUL NAJIB BIN ISMAIL@MARZUKI

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