Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research

Sulaimani Polytechnic University

Technical College of Engineering

Petroleum & Energy Engineering Department

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 Introduction

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a
higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such
sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are
plentiful and all around us.

Fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that
take hundreds of millions of years to form. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce
energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide.

Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels.
Transitioning from fossil fuels, which currently account for the lion’s share of
emissions, to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis.

Renewables are now cheaper in most countries, and generate three times more jobs
that Here are a few common sources of renewable energy:

 SOLAR ENERGY. Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy

resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather. ...
 WIND ENERGY. ...
 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY. ...
 HYDROPOWER. ...
 OCEAN ENERGY. ...
 BIOENERGY.

Solar energy is one of the main types of renewable energy, and it plays a key role
in the transition. It helps promote cleaner economies that protect the environment,
improve people’s well-being, and ensure the sustainability of companies.

Technological breakthroughs have transformed solar energy into one of the most
efficient and affordable in the renewable sector. This unlimited energy source, in
addition to contributing to the sustainability of the planet, attracts investment,
creates jobs, and increases the competitiveness of companies.

At a time when our caring for our planet and the environment is a priority, we
should be aware of the different types of solar energy, how they work, and how their
use can be extended as a source of electricity generation.

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There are several types of solar energy

The 5 main types of solar energy are

Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy

Solar Thermal Energy (STE)

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)

Passive Solar Energy,

Building-integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Photovoltaic (PV)

Photovoltaic solar energy is a clean, renewable source of energy that uses

solar radiation to produce electricity. It is based on the so-called photoelectric
effect, by which certain materials are able to absorb photons (light particles)
and release electrons, generating an electric current.

Essential components of a photovoltaic installation

Although in the collective mind the first thing that comes to mind are the solar
panels, a photovoltaic installation includes more components, such as the
solar inverters, the batteries or the monitoring system; and many others th at
could be defined as the supports, optimisers, the bidirectional meter and other
small components including the wiring, the protection and fixing systems, etc.

That is why it is important to make a good choice of all the elements in terms
of their quality, performance, guarantee or price; and in this article we are
going to tell you what each of these parts of the photovoltaic system consists
of and what their functions are.

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Solar panels

They are also called photovoltaic modules and they are the essential
components responsible for generating electrical energy from the sunlight,
thanks to the so-called photovoltaic effect.

The power of a solar panel is not the only factor to take into account when
installing it, it is also important to consider its efficiency and long-term
performance guarantee. Sometimes a lower power module offers better
performance than a larger one if these two parameters are higher, as it
manages to generate more energy covering less surface area and the
electricity production will be less affected by time.

Other external factors that can affect the photovoltaic module and its energy
generation are solar radiation, which depends on geographical location, the
orientation and inclination of the roof as well as possible shadowing by
elements of the roof or other buildings.

We can currently distinguish three main types of solar panels, which are
defined by the manufacture of the cells of which they are
composed: crystalline silicon (monocrystalline and polycrystalline)
and amorphous.

LRP Energy always takes care to offer the customers the best quality and
efficiency, that is why we only work with the best monocrystalline panels.

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Inverter

Known as the heart of the photovoltaic installation, it is responsible

for adapting the direct current generated by the solar panels or stored in the
battery, depending on the configuration of the system, to alternating current,
which is used by the electrical equipment in our home or business.

The inverters are also in charge to store information about the PV production,
grid consumption and the general status of the installation, being responsible
for the fact that we can monitor all this information.

It is therefore a highly efficient and safe element, a key element in grid -

connected photovoltaic installations and in off-grid installations whose mission
is to supply electricity to a home.

There are two types of solar inverters on the market and various ways of
installing them, from microinverters to string inverters or smart modules that
combine both the inverters and the optimisers. The choice of one or the other
may depend on the characteristics of the roof or the type of estimated
electricity consumption, so it is important to find qualified and trustworthy
professionals who can advise you.

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LRP Energy’s Energy Advisors carry out a free on-site study so that each
project is customized to fit each customer’s n Supporting structure

The one in charge of fixing the panels to the ground or roof, there are two
types:

Coplanar structure: used when the panel is to be attached to the roof, 

this is the most attractive solution from an aesthetic point of view, it
also allows better utilization of the available roof space.

Triangular structure: enabling to correct the inclination and orientation of the

panel, optimizing electricity production. Their use is essential on flat roofs,
they can be fixed by means of screws or ballasts. Their price is higher than
that of coplanar structures and they require space between rows of panels to
prevent them from shading each othereeds

Batteries and storage systems

They allow us to store photovoltaic production for later use, although the cost
of such a system is quite high and delays the payback period of the
investment. However, it provides us with great advantages, such as allowing
the continuity of the electricity supply at all times and energy independence,
as we are not constantly dependent on the electricity grid and we can make
the most of the photovoltaic production of our installation.

The batteries improve the efficiency of the installation when the energy
consumption is mainly nocturnal; in addition, if we are users of electric
vehicles, there are even more advantages at the time of charging them.

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There are three types of pv system which are

1 . on grid system

2 . off grid system

3 . hybird system

1) Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems

A grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system, otherwise called a utility-

interactive PV system, converts solar energy into AC power. The solar
irradiation falling on the solar panels generates photovoltaic energy, which is
DC in nature. Using a DC-DC converter, the total photovoltaic DC voltage
from the solar panels is raised to a higher DC level.

A DC-DC converter is not an essential part of a grid-connected solar PV

system, but it can control the variations in the photovoltaic system and
regulate DC voltage. The inverter in a PV system converts the DC voltage
(either the DC voltage from the solar panels or the DC-DC converter output
voltage) into AC voltage. As this AC voltage is integrated into the grid, the
inverter converts the photovoltaic energy into AC power with a frequency that
matches the utility grid. The voltage and power quality requirements of the
grid are satisfied by the inverter AC output.

Usually, a metering system is installed along with the solar PV system. In

residences, when the PV system power is capable of supplying the complete
load, utility grid power is not consumed. When PV power is scarce, the
remaining power is consumed from the grid. If the PV power generated is in
excess, it is supplied to the grid. The solar PV system supplies power only
when the grid is energized.

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2) Stand-Alone or Off-Grid PV Systems

A stand-alone or off-grid PV system can be a DC power system or an AC

power system. In both systems, the PV system is independent of the utility
grid. If DC loads are connected to the solar PV system, then the solar panels
can supply the DC voltage or a DC-DC converter can be used to convert the
photovoltaic energy to higher DC levels. The DC-DC converter boosts the PV
voltage to a value that is suitable for the DC loads. Incorporating the DC -DC
converter can reduce the number of solar panels in the PV system.

When the loads connected are AC-powered devices, the off-grid PV system
utilizes inverters for the conversion of PV voltage to AC voltage. In between
DC-DC converters can also be incorporated to reduce the number of solar
panels. A DC-DC converter can also be helpful in stand-alone PV systems
when storing the PV voltage in batteries.

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3) Hybrid Solar PV Systems

A solar PV system is integrated with other power sources, such as diesel

generators or renewable sources like wind, to implement a hybrid PV system.
Depending on the type of sources incorporated with the solar PV panels,
different converters are used in these systems to convert energy into either
DC voltage or AC voltage.

In all PV systems, including hybrid systems, a maximum power point tracker

(MPPT) is used so that the maximum power is harnessed from the PV arrays.
It is not a must-have component in solar PV systems, however, MPPT can
help increase the efficiency of the whole system.

Solar photovoltaic systems are the most promising solution to the energy
crisis that we are facing globally. Cadence’s software can help in the design
and simulation of any type of solar PV system.

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 Design of pv solar system

Designing a solar energy system is one of the most important steps in

installing a solar energy system and is directly related to the survival of the
solar energy system. It consists of several main steps.

,First

look at the area where we want to install the solar panels.Both tilt and azimuth
angles should be observed, so that the column of sunlight can be exposed
from both sides, without any obstructions and without any shadows on the
.area where the solar panels are installed

The second step in designing a solar energy system is to choose an

appropriate inverter according to the load during the day and according to the
load required at night, and according to the wishes of the person who wants to
install solar energy systems It must be of appropriate size and capacity and
perform the functions necessary to meet the electricity demand

The inverter selection is as follows:

Every inverter has its own efficiency and for better inverter performance and
avoidance of all outages, it is necessary to multiply by a factor of 0.7 , For
example, if an inverter has a capacity of ten amps, it should be charged seven
amps. If you need seven amps of electricity, you should bring a ten -amps
inverter, not seven amps. This is one of the most important points in choosing
an inverter. The inverter must also be configured according to the system
.configuration

When we choose the right size for the inverter, we must also choose the size
of the battery. In general every inverter of the new generation can charge
120 amps per hour, Our batteries should be able to be charged with the 120
amps in ten hour

:for battery size selection we have an equation

.battery(amps) * battery volt * 0.8 / 230 = the amps for hour

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The choice of panel number depends on the capacity of the inverter and the
size of the panel.

For example, if we have a 5kw inverter, we should have 5000w panels. If we

install a 570w panel, we need to divide 5000 by 570 watts.Thats 8.7, so we'll
.install 9 panels to get the energy we need

However, the capacity of the panels should not exceed 1.2 times the capacity
of the inverter

To install the panels, we need structural design, which is very important for
installing the panels, so that they are placed at an angle to get the most
.sunlight throughout the year. And no shadows on the panels

Installation of the solar system structure for its panels should be installed at
an angle of 27 degrees to the ground,which is called the tilt angle

.The azimuth angle should be 180 degrees, which is the highest output power

To install the panels on the ground, we need three stands, the length of which
is adjusted according to the length of the panel and the angle of installation.

, Place the first stand at the beginning of the panel

the second stand in the middle, and the third stand at the end of the panel.

To find the length of the stands we need this equation

Length of stand = sin (angle) * length of pannel

All three stands should be connected by a stand 20cm longer than the panel
length,10cm up10cm down

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We also have a wire called DC wire, we need to determine the length of the
wire from the panels to the inverter

We have a combiner box that consists of a cutter to turn on and off the
,electricity and two fuse holders

one for (-) and one for (+), with spd for lightning

We also have a DC socket that is connected in front of the inverter so that it

.does not work if there is a short circuit

We have an AC socket that supplies electricity to the inverter, and electricity

goes into the house from the inverter. We also have spd again for short
circuits

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Installation operation:
The solar panel mounting brackets must be installed first. Roof -ground
mounts or flush mounts may be used based on the application. This
foundation gives stability and support

After that, the solar panels must be secured to the mounting structure using
nuts and bolts. The entire construction is secured adequately to ensure that it
is durable

Electrical wiring comes next. During cabling, universal connectors such as

MC4 are used since they may be used with any type of solar panel. The
following sequence of electrical connections can be made between these
panels:

Series Connection: The positive (+) wire of one PV module is linked to

another module’s negative (–) wire in a series connection. The voltage match
with the battery bank is improved with this type of wiring.

Parallel Connection: the connections are positive (+) to positive (+) and
negative (–) to negative (–). Each panel’s wiring voltage remains the same
with this style of wiring.

We connect the positive wire of the panel to the positive fuse holder of the
combine box and connect negative wire of the panel to the negative fuse
holder of the combine box that connected with the switch, and connected to
the DC socket then be connected to a solar inverter. The positive wire from
the solar panel is linked to the inverter’s positive terminal, while the negative
wire is connected to the inverter’s negative terminal.

To generate power, the solar inverter is linked to the Solar Battery and Grid
Input

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We must use tray cable

After that, you must connect the solar inverter and solar battery. The battery’s
positive terminal is linked to the positive terminal of the inverter, and the
negative terminal is connected to the negative terminal of the inverter .

The inverter must then be connected to the grid. A standard plug can be used
to connect to the main power switchboard. The electric board that delivers
electricity is linked to an output wire.

When all of the electrical cabling and connections are complete, turn on the
inverter switch on the home’s main switch. Most solar inverters will include a
digital display that will show you statistics about your solar unit’s generation
and use.

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References:

International Renewable Energy Agency | Renewables

Repsol Global

Saur energy international

LRP energy

Cadence design system

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