■ Lecture Notes: Solar PV System Design
1. Introduction Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using solar
modules. Designing a PV system requires matching energy demand with the available solar
resource while ensuring efficiency, reliability, and safety.
Key considerations: - Load assessment (energy demand). - Solar resource (Peak Sun Hours,
PSH). - System voltage and configuration. - PV generator sizing. - Battery storage (for stand-alone
systems). - Inverter, protection, and cabling.
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2. Step-by-Step PV System Design
(a) Load Analysis Daily energy consumption: E_load = Σ(Pi × Qi × ti) Where: - Pi = power rating of
load (W) - Qi = quantity - ti = hours of use per day
Convert to kWh: E_load(kWh) = E_load(Wh)/1000
Explanation: This step ensures the designer knows how much energy is required daily.
Overestimating or underestimating loads leads to system inefficiency.
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(b) Peak PV Power Required PV generator power is determined by: P_PV = E_load / (η_sys ×
PSH) Where: - η_sys = total system efficiency (0.9–0.95 typical) - PSH = Peak Sun Hours for the
worst month
Explanation: This formula estimates how much PV power is required to meet demand during the
least sunny periods.
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(c) String Length (Series Modules) N_series = V_system / V_module Where: - V_system = DC
bus/system voltage - V_module = module nominal voltage
Explanation: Modules connected in series increase voltage to match the system requirement.
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(d) Number of Strings (Parallel Modules) N_parallel = P_PV / (N_series × P_module) Where: -
P_module = power rating of one module
Explanation: Parallel connections increase current to achieve required power levels.
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(e) Total PV Generator Size P_gen = N_series × N_parallel × P_module
Explanation: This gives the actual installed PV generator size.
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(f) PV Array Area A_PV = (P_gen / P_module) × A_module Where: - A_module = surface area of
one module
Explanation: Ensures enough rooftop or land area is available for installation.
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(g) Battery Storage (for Stand-Alone Systems) Required battery capacity: C_bat = (E_load × AT) /
(V_system × DOD × η_cable × fT) Where: - AT = autonomy days (days of storage) - DOD =
maximum depth of discharge (0.5–0.8 typical) - η_cable = cable efficiency - fT = temperature
correction factor
Battery bank arrangement: N_series(bat) = V_system / V_bat N_parallel(bat) = C_bat /
Capacity_bat
Explanation: Properly sized batteries provide backup during cloudy days and prevent frequent deep
discharges that shorten battery life.
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■ Worked Example A household has the following daily loads: - 4 lamps (15 W each, 5 hours/day) -
1 TV (100 W, 4 hours/day) - 1 refrigerator (150 W, 24 hours/day, duty cycle 0.5 → 12 h/day)
Step 1: Load Calculation E_load = (4×15×5) + (1×100×4) + (1×150×12) = 300 Wh + 400 Wh + 1800
Wh = 2500 Wh/day = 2.5 kWh/day
Step 2: PV Power Required Assume η_sys = 0.85, PSH = 5 h P_PV = 2500 / (0.85×5) ≈ 588 W
Step 3: Module Selection Module = 250 W, 30 V N_series = V_system / V_module = 60/30 = 2
modules per string N_parallel = P_PV / (N_series×P_module) = 588 / (2×250) ≈ 1.2 ≈ 2 strings
Step 4: PV Generator P_gen = 2×2×250 = 1000 W (1 kW system)
Step 5: Battery Bank Autonomy = 2 days, DOD = 0.6, V_system = 24 V C_bat = (2500×2)/(24×0.6)
≈ 347 Ah Battery chosen = 12 V, 200 Ah N_series(bat) = 24/12 = 2 batteries in series
N_parallel(bat) = 347/200 ≈ 2 → total = 4 batteries
Final Design: - PV Array: 1 kW (4 modules, 250 W each) - Battery Bank: 4×200 Ah, 12 V batteries -
System Voltage: 24 V
