Description
ABSTRACT
Sunlight is a form of radiant energy that travels to the earth as electromagnetic waves. In reality, the light we see is just a small part of the energy we receive from the Sun. The radiant energy from the Sun covers the full breadth of the electromagnetic spectrum. Using solar technology, we are able to “capture” the Sun’s radiant energy and convert it to either heat or electricity. This sun is captured using solar panel, which is a set of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules electrically connected and mounted on a supporting structure. A PV module is a packaged, connected assembly of solar cells. Solar panels can be used as a component of a larger photovoltaic system to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential applications. Each module is rated by its DC output power under standard test conditions (STC). This work describes the procedure of solar panel installation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWELEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
- PROBLEM STATEMENT
- AIM OF THE PROJECT
- OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
- SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
2.2 OVERVIEW OF SOLAR ENERGY
2.3 MAXIMIUM ANGLE OF INCLINATION
2.4 SOLAR PANEL
2.5 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SOLAR PANEL
2.6 REVIEW OF DIFFERENT PHOTOVOLTAIC MOUNTING SYSTEM
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 REQUIRED TOOLS
3.2 SOLAR SYSTEM COMPONENTS
3.3 SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION PROCESS
3.5 INSTALLATION CALCULATION
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 TESTING OF SOLAR PANELS
4.2 SOLAR PANEL MAINTENANCE
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RCOMMENDATION
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDATION
5.3 REFERENCES
CHAPTER ONE
- INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
Solar panels are getting a lot of attention as part of the solution to our energy crisis. Solar energy, also called photovoltaic energy, is undergoing rapid changes. Solar cells are very thin, about 1/100th of an inch thick and usually 3 to 4 inches square. These cells convert sunlight to energy by the photovoltaic effect (we will discuss this effect in detail in a later article). These cells do not require fuel and have a standard lifetime of 20-30 years.
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are assembled together to create a solar module. The module is what you are used to seeing as a panel. It has anywhere from 2 to 200 cells assembled together, encased in tempered glass and aluminum to make them weather resistant.
Like batteries, cells can be combined in series or in parallel to create larger and more specific voltages and amperages. For instance, four 1-volt/1-amp cells in series will combine for 4 volts, but the amperage will stay at 1 amp. By contrast, four 1-volt/1-amp cells in parallel will maintain 1 volt but have 4 amps of output. You can multiply the amperage by the wattage (in the example above 4 x 1) to get the watts generated. A watt is a measure of energy (think of a 40-watt light bulb).
Modules can be made in a many sizes and shapes to fit their application. Panels come in standard rectangular, triangular, foldable, and even thin-film rolls. This means they can be used in a wide variety of applications, from boats and rv’s to electric cars and space stations.
Modules are combined to create solar arrays. An array is a group of modules assembled together and designed to meet a certain electrical load. You’ve probably seen most arrays mounted on the rooftops of homes. These arrays are designed to generate a certain amount of electricity over the course of a year.
Generally solar modules convert about 10-15% of the energy that strikes them into electricity. This means that for every 100 units of energy that actually hit the panel, only 15 of them actually enter the home as electricity. This is the biggest area of research now, as scientists recognize that significant advancements in solar efficiency will lead to cheaper solar energy.
Panels generate direct current (DC) electricity. Think of a garden hose that is simply turned on produces water in a steady stream. Most household electronics and the electrical power grid are designed to take alternating current (AC) power. Now imagine that the water of coming out of the garden hose is being turned off and on so quickly that it has a “pulse”. This is done because AC power travels over long distances much more efficiently.
This means however, that the electricity coming out of the solar array must be converted to AC if it is going into your home. This is done with an inverter, which takes the DC power and makes AC power. The power is then ready to service your home, an electrical grid, or a device. Some devices (certain lights, batteries, special devices) use DC power and therefore do not need an inverter.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Before now there is a believe that solar panel must be install by a professional or company personnel, and this sometimes exposes the user of solar energy to higher cost of installation because of the fear of not getting it right and inability to meet some electrical standards involved. It is for this reason that there is also often a lot of improvisation involved when installing a solar power system. The study was introduced to overcome these challenges by studying how a 300w solar panel installation is been carried out from scratch.
1.3 AIM OF THE PROJECT
The objective of this project is to describe the procedures on how to install a 300w solar panel.
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
At the end of this work, the student involved shall be able to:
- understand how solar energy works
- understand to install solar panel
- Understand safety issues that must be understood before you consider installing solar panels or PV system components onto your home.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Currently solar panels are used to provide hot water (solar thermal) and heating to homes and small ensembles. You tried to build solar power plants, using turbines, convert the stored heat into electricity, but these experiments have failed substantially to the low yield of these power relationships with high operating costs and the interruption of electricity supply (but see As for the panels that the concentration of last generation). The photovoltaic panels are used mainly to power devices away from electrical networks (space probes, the phone repeaters in the mountains, etc.) or with reduced energy requirements so that a connection to the grid would be uneconomical (light road signs, parking meters, etc.) and improper from an organizational perspective. Obviously, these devices must be equipped with batteries that can accumulate the electricity produced in excess during the day to power the equipment at night and during cloudy periods.
With current technology photovoltaic panels are also sensitive to infrared radiation (invisible) of solar radiation and therefore produce power even in case of cloudy weather and rain. The amount of energy delivered is variable and unpredictable, this discontinuity makes it difficult to meet demand at all times current, less than a production with a wide safety margin above the peak annual demand.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study covers studying the installation of a 300w solar panel. The system involves using a 300w, 10w solar charge controller, 7Ahr rechargeable battery and 300w inverter to have complete solar system.
