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