SLC21/WK5: Introduction to Basic Solar Power

Introduction to Basic Solar Power

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Hello friends, I am excited to be here participating with you in this contest. I could not afford to miss this solar power contest. Solar electricity is something we need here in Nigeria so badly because of frequent blackouts when the sun could be put to good use.

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It was during the research for this content that I found that this solar light is called photovoltaic power. We know it as solar light. And recently it is. Being mounted along our streets to work as street lights.Those who can pay for it have installed it in their homes.

A. Share your knowledge about solar power with us

Solar power is a way of making electricity using the abundant energy from the sun, using special receptor that captures sunlight in a process called photoelectric effect; electricity is generated when electrons become mobile. As long as the panel has not been damaged, it will keep on generating electricity each time the sun is up. And that is one issue with solar power: it only generates power when the sun is up. Not to worry; having a battery backup takes care of that, saving excess power in the day and supplying power when the sun is down.

There is plenty of bright sunlight in Africa; solar electricity will love it here. Long charging hours in the day.

Two types of solar configuration are the one that provides direct DC power to the load, passing through a charge controller, and the one that needs an inverter to convert the generated DC power to AC power, passing through an inverter. In both cases, a battery will still give the needed backup.

B. Write three important differences between AC solar and DC solar systems. (as learned from our lesson)

Here is my table showing the major differences between an AC solar and a DC solar configuration.

DC configuration	AC configuration
Generate DC at the panel and supply DC to the load.	generate DC at the panel but supply AC to the load
This configuration can only power a few DC devics which are not common.	Designed to operate all household appliances running with AC power
Functions without the need for an inverter	can not function without an inverter to convert the power

The DC solar power is easy to explain; the same type of power generated is controlled and made available for use. But the AC solar has to generate AC power, control it, and convert it before making it available for consumption.

C. Calculate your home's electrical load and share it with us. Follow our lesson as an example.

Living in a one-bedroom flat, I have 3 security bulbs and 3 bulbs for the parlour, room and kitchen. 2 ceiling fans, a plasma television, an electric kettle, and a pressing iron

Appliances at my home	Pair Unit	Total
3 Security bulbs	100w	300w
3 lighting lamps	35w	105w
2 Ceiling fans	45w	90w
1 Plasma TV	35w	35w
1 Electric kettle	80w	80w
1 Cell phone	5w	5w
	Total	615 W

My total load capacity at the moment is 615 watts.

D. Prepare a DC solar project specification for a customer's home to use four 5-watt lamps and three 20-watt fans.

Appliances	Unit	Total
4 Lamps	@ 5 watts	20 watts
3 Fans	@ 20 watts	60 watts
	Total	80 watts

For the customer's house, whose load is 80 watts, I recommend a single 150 watts panel, a 20 Amps charge controller, a Lithium-ion battery with 300Ah

I will need cables, switches and fuses. This setup will power the 4 lamps and the 3 fans with room for expansion.

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E. Prepare specifications for a customer's AC solar system to drive a water pump motor of 1 HP or 746 W and write the function of each device.

An AC solar project specification for a customer's water pump motor running at 1 HP or 746 W

3 solar panels, 24v @ 350 watt each = 1050watt

24v 1000watt sine wave Inverter

24v 200Ah Deep Cycle Battery

This will comfortably operate the pump for 6 continuous hours per day.

Thank you for sending on this research project. I have learnt a lot about photovoltaic power supply. I am calling on @josepha, @eliany and @kesybliss to join this calculation contest.