Design And Simulation Of A Pv System

The development of new energy and renewable energy sources is the best option to reduce the impact of conventional energy sources in the environment. Renewable Energy may come in various forms e. g. Hydro, Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Biomass, et. al [1]. This renewable energy is not harmful to the environment and is a sustainable form of energy. Thus the energy supply for future generation and production of green energy is secured. The most prominent renewable energy technology is photovoltaic (PV). This could be done through the harnessing the solar energy from the sun. Solar energy is a commonly used and available renewable energy since it is free, abundant, and pollution free during operation. In addition, PV system installation on residential, commercial, industrial and other institutional buildings had been gradually increasing over the past years [2].

With the cost of materials become more affordable now and the environmental impact that its offer, no doubt it is more preferable alternative source of energy supply for certain buildings over the next years rather than the conventional sources of energy to be used. Large Institutional Building like University of Cebu- Lapu Lapu & Mandue (UCLM) requires a lot of loads which demand of energy to be supplied from distributions are relatively high. In some instance like shortages of electricity, this large institutional building also requires a lot back up energy to be supplied on its system power [2].

According to the maintenance department, the institutions have some shortages of back-up power from generator/s to be supplied in all buildings on this campus. Most of the offices and classrooms in the University of Cebu LM’s old building are fully air conditioned and have a wide range of loads in their own laboratories and as well as power motors and a lot lighting loads and receptacles that would require in each rooms for a five storeys building. With more students will be enrolled on this university, it is likely that the loads will be utilize continuously and electricity demand on this building will surely increase which results to seek more back-up energy supply for the building. Therefore, the researchers are suggesting a proposed of PV system as an additional alternative natural source of electricity as the best way to compensate the lack of backup power of the university. It is the aim of this study to conduct a design and simulation of PV energy system using HOMER software that will determined the power it can provide as an additional back-up source of electricity in the old building of University of CebuLapu-Lapu & Mandaue.

1.2 Theoretical Background

Mourad, m. [3] defines the principle behind any solar PV cell is to capture and absorb energy of the sun and use in seek of generating usable and beneficial energy. Any other solar PV system is a collection of solar PV cells which convert solar radiation into a useful form of energy (electricity). According to Tes Zeus [4], photovoltaic solar panels absorb approximately 80% of the solar irradiation; however only 5-20% of the energy of the incident beam is going to be altered into the form of electricity, the remaining energy is converted into heat. Photovoltaic cells suffer from a drop in their efficiency with the rise in temperature due to increased resistance. PV panels collect solar radiation and generate electricity. The higher the efficiency of the PV solar module, the more harvested solar power. Based on the study of Al Dulaimi, Noor [5], the PV solar array output is majorly dependent on the geographical locations and timing. It is quite crucial to select proper site based on solar natural resources. Thus, in planning a solar PV system installation, appropriate selection of site with consideration of nearby high rise objects is necessary. In addition, a case study of Makarova, Arina [6], states thatplanning and implementation of any SPV system is rather demanding multi-stage process including evaluation of solar potential of a site, assessment of solar source, overall feasibility, design, simulation, optimization of system’s yield and log-term performance.

The large number of technology options and the variation in technology costs and availability of energy resources make project design decisions difficult. One of the most prominent simulation software is HOMER, the micro power optimization software developed by Mistaya Engineering, Canada for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) USA. It is used in this analysis simplifies the task of evaluating designs of both offgrid and grid-connected power systems for a variety of applications [7]. A study of Givler T. et. Al [8], states in designing a power system, many decisions about the configuration of the system are to be made: components to include in the system design, size of each component to use etc. The large number of technology options and the variation in technology costs and availability of energy resources make these decisions difficult. HOMER's optimization and sensitivity analysis algorithms make it easier to evaluate the many possible system configurations. HOMER simulates the operation of a system by making energy balance calculations and displays a list of configurations, sorted by net present cost that can be used to compare system design [9].

1.3. 3 PV Integration

The usual way for the installation of PV panels is on the building rooftop. This is more frequent in location near the equatorial region where the sun’s position is usually high all-round the year. The integration of these technologies into exterior also offers a lot of potential, especially in countries in the tropical continent with average-high sun exposure [19]. Solar panels should always face true south if you are in the northern hemisphere, or true north if you are in the southern hemisphere. True north is not the same as magnetic north. If you are using a compass to orient your panels, you need to correct for the difference, which varies from place to place. One of the most important parameters to consider when designing a utility-scale photovoltaic system are module tilt and the distance between rows. Typically, in the Northern hemisphere it is recommended to install solar panels facing the South, being an optimal orientation solution [20]. In order for the amount of insolation received to be maximized, it is most often profitable to orient the PV modules to be tilted toward the sun for as much of the year as practical. This strategy was utilized in the designs for most of the buildings to maximize the available solar window.

1.3.4 Modeling System with HOMERHOMER models a particular system configuration by performing an hourly time series simulation of its operation over one year. HOMER steps through the year one hour at a time, calculating the available renewable power, comparing it to the electric load, and deciding what to do with surplus renewable power in times of excess, or how best to generate (or purchase from the grid) additional power in times of deficit. When it has completed one year’s worth of calculations, HOMER determines whether the system satisfies the constraints imposed by the user on such quantities as the fraction of the total electrical demand served, the proportion of power generated by renewable sources, or the emissions of certain pollutants. HOMER also computes the quantities required to calculate the system’s life-cycle cost, such as the annual fuel consumption, annual generator operating hours, expected battery life, or the quantity of power purchased annually from the grid [21]. The simulation process serves two purposes. First, it determines whether the system is feasible. HOMER considers the system to be feasible if it can adequately serve the electric and thermal loads and satisfy any other constraints imposed by the user. Second, it estimates the life-cycle cost of the system, which is the total cost of installing and operating the system over its lifetime [22].

1.4Statement of the Problem

The old building in the University of Cebu- Lapu Lapu & Mandaue cannot be fully supplied by the back-up generators of the campus during shortages or brown-out due to following reason; (a) The kW capacity of the Generators present in the institution is relatively small compare to the total power demand of the buildings on the campus and (b) the location of the old building is far from the generator supply area and the generators power is insufficient, it is likely only near place of it can be accommodated. Furthermore, the researchers take the following objectives to provide an additional alternative source of energy to address the problem.

1. Assessment of the plan site location.

The researchers aim to measure the dimension of the plan site location; this will determine the maximum size of Solar PV system can be install.

2. Load Profiling.

The researchers aim to estimate the energy consumption of the old building through survey on what time specifically it will utilize in perspective department, this will determine the amount of energy consume in certain time(hour).

3. Design and Simulate using HOMER

The researchers aim to provide design of the PV system through the use of HOMER software as well to simulate the power it can provides to the old building. This will determine the most feasible design of the PV system that the software obtain in terms of its power produce and economically cost.

1. 5 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will contribute to the institutional buildings of their high electricity consumption. This will also provide as an alternative renewable source of electricity of the building. Specifically, the research study beneficial to the following:

Environment - By using a renewable energy resource, we can already help our environment with less carbon emission in attaining sustainable energy.

Government – This will serve as a basis for implementing more ideas for the use of renewable energy in the institution building.

University - This study will serve as guide for engaging more alternative renewable energy source for high electricity consumption of the institution. This project is not yet implemented on any universities campus of UC and by being the first to use this technology, the university may stand as a role model to other campuses of universities. This project also proves that the university is GREEN (environment-friendly).

Students - It should benefit the students not only by preventing tuition fee increase, but also giving them the awareness of the existence of such technology and will provide them an inspiration that we are not limited to doing only what we see every day, but we can also do what we can imagine.

1. 6 Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study covers for the design of PV system as an additional alternative source of electricity in the old building of University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu & Mandaue. In order to provide a feasible proposed plan for the PV System in the old building, HOMER software is use which means the integration of PV System is purely theoretical. The component selection of the design was limited from HOMER and the cost of it will just an estimation from the usual price of the market. The proposed study cannot provide energy source for all the times, and it will just depend on the availability of the sun. The study will be just simulated in order to obtain the effective maximum results of the design of PV system an alternative source of electricity in the old building.

1.6 Methodology

The proponents will use quantitative research design involving experimental research method. This method assesses the objectives of the study that will seek to answer the problem on regards of the PV System as an additional alternative source of back-up power in the old building. The researchers will utilize quantitative data collection tool/instrument to gather data in order to provide the design of the PV system as well the power it can produce. Also, the economic projection of the future implementation of the obtain design.

1.7 Research Environment

The subject area for the proposed study of PV System will be the rooftop in old building of the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu &

Mandaue located in near at Old Mactan BridgeRoad. The building is said to be a 5thstoreys and each floor composed of designated departments of different program in college level except for the ground floor which composed of staff offices of the universities. Most of the rooms are laboratory purposed of the course matter, therefore a lot of loads was needed of this building. View of the site location in the old building.

1.8 Research Instruments

The proponents will utilize various instruments in order to obtain the data output of the research study. The following instruments are survey form (see appendix A) to estimate the load profile of the building, CAD 2D software (see appendix B) to determine the size of PV system can be install on the subject area and HOMER software (see appendix C) to obtain the feasible design of the PV system and the power it will produced through simulation.

1.9 Research Respondents

The respondents of the research are the working students, staffs, or other personnel for each departmentin the old building which can provide the estimation time usage of the loads in their perspective department.

1.10 Research Procedure

The researcher will gather substantial information and data regarding the PV system in the old building of UCLM. The pre-design data gathered will be utilize (such as assessment of the site location and load profiling of the old building) as basis input of the simulation instruments.

After which, the researcher will canvass the estimate component cost of the PV system (see appendix C). HOMER software will provide the which design is the most feasible in terms to its power and cost of the PV system. The researcher will gather all this data and record it, which are generated on this project study.

Definitions of Terms

The following definitions aim to relate the following terms to this study:· kW stands for kilo Watt and refers to a unit of power.

• PV System is a system that uses the solar energy from the sun in order to provide electricity through the use of photovoltaic materials.
• PV stands for Photovoltaic
• Load Profile is a chart/table illustrating the variation in demand/electrical load over a specific time.
• UCLM stands for University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu & Mandaue
• HOMER stands for Hybrid Optimization

Model for Electric Renewables, simulation software uses to design and evaluate technically and financially the options for off-grid and on-grid power systems for remote, stand-alone and distributed generation applications.