Introduction

In this learning activity, we learned about the basic solar energy system and how solar power can be used to generate electricity. We studied the main parts of a solar system and learned how to select the correct inverter and calculate the required power.

1. PV Module

A PV (Photovoltaic) module is an important part of a solar system. It converts sunlight into electrical energy. When sunlight falls on the solar cells, the cells produce DC electricity. Multiple PV modules can be connected together to produce the required voltage and power.

2. Inverter Selection

An inverter converts DC electricity from the PV module or battery into AC electricity, which can be used by normal electrical appliances. While selecting an inverter, we need to check the total load, voltage, power requirement and system type. The inverter capacity should be suitable for the connected load.

3. Required Watt

We learned how to calculate the required wattage of a solar system. First, we find the power rating of each appliance and then calculate the total load.

Total Watt = Voltage × Current

The total watt requirement helps us to select the proper inverter and solar panel capacity.

4. Peak Sun Hours

Peak Sun Hours (PSH) means the equivalent number of hours in a day when sunlight is available at strong solar intensity. Peak sun hours are important for estimating how much energy a solar panel can generate in one day.

5. Inverter Efficiency Graph

We also learned about inverter efficiency. It shows how efficiently an inverter converts DC power into AC power. Generally, the efficiency changes according to the load. The graph helps us understand the performance of the inverter at different load levels.

6. Types of Solar Systems

There are three main types of solar systems:

  • Grid-connected system: Connected to the electricity grid and usually does not require batteries.
  • Off-grid system: Works independently from the grid and normally uses batteries for energy storage.
  • Hybrid system: Combines solar power, grid supply and battery storage.

Conclusion

Through this activity, I learned the basic working and planning of a solar system. I understood PV modules, inverter selection, required watt, peak sun hours, inverter efficiency and different types of solar systems. This knowledge helped me understand how a solar system is designed according to the required load.