Design and Implementation of a Mini Off-Grid PV Solar System for Power Optimization

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62292/njp.v34i1.2025.340

Abstract

Energy plays a crucial role in every sector of a nation's economy. Solar energy is a prime example of a clean and abundant resource since it harnesses energy from sunlight and converts it. The maximum utilization optimization of solar energy setup or configuration is a huge challenge, where solar system configuration is significantly affected by various factors including solar mounting angle configuration and solar irradiation. There is a lack of comprehensive understanding of how these factors impact the performance of solar power systems, particularly in off-grid settings. The effectiveness of solar panels is compromised by suboptimal mounting angles, varying solar irradiation levels, and inadequate configuration strategies. The aim is to determine appropriate and effective solar mounting angles and solar irradiation indices for power optimization. The study uses two solar system setups of tilt angles of 45°, 55°, 65°, and 75° and solar irradiation levels under sunny and cloudy weather conditions. The result reveals that 45° angles consistently yield 19.5W on sunny days and 11.6W on cloudy days. Also, the results show that irradiance values at noon ranged from 144 W/m² on sunny days to 100 W/m² on overcast days, demonstrating the panel’s responsiveness to changes in sunlight intensity. A comprehensive analysis of voltage, current, and power outputs provided insights into the potential for off-grid solar systems and underscored the viability of off-grid solar systems to meet growing energy needs, particularly in underserved rural and urban areas. This work provided valuable insight and a blueprint for future renewable energy initiatives.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

  • Samuel O. Sedara, Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State Nigeria

    A Lecture in the Physics and Electronics Department 

References

Abubakar, M., Umar, N.A., and Waziri, S.I. (2017). The prospects of off-grid renewable energy systems in Nigeria's energy mix. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 77, 536-544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.04.019.

Adesina, A.A., Mulopo, J., and Mutezo, G. (2021). A review of Africa's transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy using circular economy principles. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135,110-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110123

Akinyele, D.O., and Rayudu, R.K. (2016). Distributed photovoltaic power systems: A techno-economic analysis of a hybrid system for decentralized power in Nigeria. Renewable Energy, 87, 928-939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2015.09.051

Bosshard, P. (2006). An Assessment of Solar Energy Conversion Technologies and Research Opportunities. Standford university. Retrieved from Stanford.edu.

Council for Renewable Energy of Nigeria. (2009). Impact of Power Outages on Economic Activities in Nigeria.

Doe, J., and Smith, J. (2023). Design and Management of Battery Storage Systems for Photovoltaic Applications. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research, 12(3), 456-467.

Energy Matters. (2023, October 10). Polycrystalline solar panels. Energy Matters. Available at: https://www.energymatters.com.au/polycrystalline-solar-panels/

Green, M. A., Emery, K., Hishikawa, Y., Warta, W., and Dunlop, E. D. (2013). Solar cell efficiency tables (version 41). Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 21(1), 1-11. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.2352

International Energy Agency. (2015). World Energy Outlook 2015. Paris: IEA. Available at: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/5a314029-69c2-42a9-98ac-d1c5deeb59b3/WEO2015.pdf

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2020). Solar PV: A Guide for Decision-Makers and Policy Makers. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2020/Jun/IRENA_Solar_PV_2020.pdf

Nnaji, C.E., Uzoma, C.C., and Chukwu, J.O. (2010). The role of renewable energy resources in poverty alleviation and sustainable development in Nigeria. Renewable Energy in Nigeria: Potential and Challenges. Retrieved from http://www.jsju.org/index.php/journal/article/view/924

Obi, A., Eze, C., and Nwankwo, J. (2019). Renewable Energy: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Nigeria. Journal of Renewable Energy and Environment, 7(1), 45-53.

Rai, A. (2004). Energy and Economic Development. In Energy and Economic Development: A Comparative Perspective. New York: Routledge.

Sambo, A.S and E. J. Bala, “Penetration of Solar Photovoltaic into Nigeria’s Energy Supply Mix,” World Renewable Energy Forum, WREF 2012, Including World Renewable Energy Congress XII and Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) Annual Conference, 2012, vol. 6, pp. 4748–4756.

Sambo, B.S. (2009). “Strategic Developments in Renewable Energy In Nigeria,” International Association of Energy Economics, June, pp. 15–19, 2009.

Seger, B. (2016). Global Energy Consumption: The Numbers for Now and in the Future. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/global-energy-consumption-numbers-now-future-brian-seger

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle." Retrieved from EPA.123

Downloads

Published

2025-04-15

How to Cite

Design and Implementation of a Mini Off-Grid PV Solar System for Power Optimization. (2025). Nigerian Journal of Physics, 34(1), 21-29. https://doi.org/10.62292/njp.v34i1.2025.340