INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (ICECOS) 2018
Comparative Analysis of Applications Off-Grid PV
System and On-Grid PV System for Households in
Indonesia.
Aryulius Jasuan Zainuddin Nawawi
Departement of Electrical Engineering, Departement of Electrical Engineering. Departement of Electrical Engineering
Sriwijaya University. Sriwijaya University.
Inderalaya, Indonesia Inderalaya, Indonesia
aryulius@gmail.com
Abstract—In Indonesia, about 89.75% of all power stations use
fossil fuels, and only 10.25% generation uses renewable energy,
i.e., hydropower generation, geothermal power, solar power and
wind power. The use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas will
cause environmental degradation. To help reduce environmental
degradation requires the use of renewable energy such as solar
energy through power plants in large quantities. In this paper
will discuss solar power technically and economically, in this
case, the cost of generation per kWh for each solar generating
scheme is rooftop Off-grid photovoltaic (PV) system and on-
grid PV system. Two schemes were created to calculate the
generation cost per kWh for off-grid and grid-connected PV
systems based on component prices for several cities in Indonesia.
Electricity generation cost per kWh for off-grid PV systems and
grid-connected PV system are respectively 4,644 IDR/kWh and
1,244 IDR/kWh compared to PLN electricity tariff is 1,467.28
IDR/kWh.
Index Terms—Solar Power Plants; off-grid PV system; on-grid
PV system
I. I NTRODUCTION
Until December 2015, the total installed capacity and the
number of units of power plants (Holding and its subsidiaries)
reached 40,265.26 MW and 5,218 units, which is 27,867.88
MW (69.21%) installed in Java. The total installed capacity
increased by 2.57% compared to the end of December 2014.
Percentage of installed capacity per type of plant as follows:
21,087.15 MW Thermal Power Plant (52.37%), 8,894.10
MW Combined Cycle Power Plant (22.09%), Diesel Power
3,175.77 MW (7.89%), Hydro Power 3,566.17 MW (8.86%),
Gas Power Plant 2981.31 MW (7.40%), 550.89 MW Geother-
mal Power Plant (1.37%), Solar Power and Wind Power 9.87
MW (0.02%) [1].
The number of customers in 2015 reached 61,167,980
customers, compared to the year 2014 increase 3,674,746 or
6.39%. Residential was the largest group of customers; those
are 56,605,260 or 92.54% of all customers PLN. Energy’s
losses in 2015 reached 22,588.97 GWh, the consisting of
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Hazairin Samaulah
Tridinanti University
Palembang, Indonesia
each line is as follows; transmission losses as 5,248.08 GWh
and distribution losses as 16,808.81 GWh. Compared to the
net to production was 225,723.37 GWh, these represented
by 2.33% and 7.63% in overall transmission and distribution
losses respectively. The electrification ratio is the ratio of
the electrified household of the total households. Until at
the end of 2015 the electrification ratio has reached 88.30%.
Compared to 2014, where electrification ratio was 84.35%,
had increased to 3.94% [2].
Most of Indonesia lies close to the equator with maxi-
mumsun intensity year-round. Average daily insolation said
to range from 4.5 to 5.1 kW h/m2 , indicating good solar
potential, especially suitable for remote islands and communi-
ties with limited or no grid connections. The country current
installed solar capacity is low (27.23 MW) relative to its
potential, but PLN has plans to scale up solar capacity before
2020, particularly to displace isolated diesel power. These
plans include 140 MW of solar PV by 2015 and 620 MW
of solar power plants by 2020 (including solar thermal power
plants) [4] [5].
Technical Step for The Solar Home Power for the gen-
eration of solar power, the following components should be
to install. • Solar PV modules • solar charge controllers •
solar inverters • battery systems. These above components are
united in one circuit as seen in Fig.1.
The main elements that can be included in a grid-connected
system of photovoltaic conversion are Photovoltaic modules,
converters, utility grid, loads DC and AC, and Inverters. It is
an arrangement used in PV standby power supply units, and
it’s called grid-connected system without a battery backup.
Although systems with battery backup confront the issue of
the reliability of the grid supply, it is more complicated and
more expensive [6].
 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (ICECOS) 2018
Fig. 1: Block Diagram of off-grid rooftop solar PV system
Fig. 2: Block Diagram of on-grid rooftop solar PV system
II. MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR GENERATION
COST PER KWH
A. Technical Analysis [7].
1) Calculation of the number of solar panels: The method
used for this calculation is based on the method described
in reference [6] with some modifications. Total Energy con-
sumed per day is shown as in equation (1)
n 4). Grid-Connected PV System Calculation
X ui × pi × ni
Eday = (kW h) (1)
1000
i=0
Where i is the index for each type of load such as fan, lamp,
TVTV, and so on, Ui = number of hours of use of device
type i per day, Pi = power rating of device type i, ni =
number of device type i. To meet above requirements with
solar power generation, efficiency and derating factors should
also be considered. Thus, the total PV generation capacity
required can be calculated as
Eday
PP V = (kW ) (2)
Sd × d
where, Sd = the average duration of solar radiation, d = the de-
rating factor is influenced by efficiency effects such as soiling
the panels, lost wires, shadows, snow cover, aging, and so on.
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The typical value for Sd in Indonesia is 4.5-5.1 kWh/m2 /
day, and d value is 80%. In this study average duration of
sun exposure is 4.8 kWh/m2 /day based on available weather
information in [5].
The number of solar panels required, calculated using
equation (3)
nP = PP V /PO (3)
where PO is the power output capacity of each panel.
2) Calculation of the number of batteries required: Due
to the difference between the variation of load power and
solar power generation at any given time, the battery storage
system is required to supply or absorb this variation. In
system design, the battery along with the inverter system,
placed between the rooftop PV panels and the load. To
determine the size and number of batteries, methods based
on [7] are used. The number of batteries (Nbat ) is shown in
(4)
Eday × nd
Nbat = (4)
Vbat × Ih × DOD
where nd is the number of days required power reserves,
Vbat is the voltage rating, Ih is the ampere-hour rating,
and DOD is the depth of discharge of the battery system.
Thus, equation (1) - (4) represents a mathematical model for
selecting the number of PV panels and batteries from the
technical requirements of the load.
3) Calculation of size of inverter: Based on the block diagram
shown in Figure 1 the inverter capacity is determined by the
expected peak load demand. Peak load demand is estimated
using the relationship between the connected load and the
diversity factor (DF) of the load at which the diversity factor
is the ratio of maximum demand to the total connected load.
n
X P i × ni
Pinv = (W att) (5)
DF
i=1
The required calculation on the On-grid PV system is to
determine the size of the PV array and the size of the Inverter
based on the calculation as in [8] [9].
4.1. Calculation of Size of PV Array: Size of the PV array
required of Grid-Connected PV System is calculated by using
equation (6)
Eday
P Varea = (m2 ) (6)
Sd × ηpv × T CF × ηout
where
Eday is the average daily load demand (kWh), Sd is average
solar input per day, T CF is temperature correction factor,
ηP V is Photovoltaic efficiency, ηout is battery efficiency (ηB )
x inverter efficiency (ηinv ). Meanwhile the value of the
temperature correction factor (TCF) is 0.9 -1.0.
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After calculating the size of PV array is needed, the 4. Calculation of per-kWh Tariff.
P Vpeakpower is determined in equation (7) Electrical tariff per kWh is the ratio of the cost generation per
year to the total energy produced by photovoltaic. The Cost
P Vpeakpower = P Varea × P SI × ηpv (WP ) (7)
per kWh is calculated by (11)
2
where PSI is Peak Solar Insolation = 1000W/m , ηpv for Pn
CT per−year Qi × Cui /Li
poly-crystalline solar panel is 12%. Cper−kW h = = i=1 (11)
Eper−year Eday × 365
Practically, the values of Eday , Ppv , Np are respectively where Qi = Quantities of component i, Ci = Cost of com-
based on (1), (2) and (3). ponent i, and Li = Lifetime of component i The advantage
of choosing rooftop solar independence from the grid, and
4.2. Size of Inverter thus the user can avoid power cuts. As the fossil fuels are
The inverter rating must be higher than the total watts of depleting, there is a high probability that the prices of fossil
appliances. The inverter plays a significant role in the system fuels will increase in the long term. This will further lead to
as it converts the DC input into AC at the output. In the the increase of cost of grid power.
project, the rating of the inverter chosen must be 25% to In (11), the cost per kWh of electrical energy from a PV
30% higher than total watts of appliances. The inverter must system is influenced by two things, namely the Annual cost
be able to sustain the total amount of watts that will be used system and the total energy produced by the PV system.
at a time for a stand-alone system [8] Reliability and price strongly influence total cost. On the
This project, the inverter is selected considering the rating other hand, the natural condition factor is high incoming-
to be 25% higher than total watts of appliances which takes solar-radiation-level (insolation level). In eastern Indonesia the
the value of 800W. Therefore, a 1000 Watt inverter has been insolation level is higher than in the western and central parts
chosen. of Indonesia.
B. Economic Analysis C. Environmental Impact
1. EP V per−year is the total energy production by PV The average grid emission factor for Indonesia in 2015 is
system per year, the Total energy produced by PV panel per 0.867 kg CO2 / kWh, will increase to 0.934 kg CO2 / kWh
year approximate by average energy per day multiply by the in 2017 due to the operation of coal power plants. Using this
whole day in one year as shown in (8). factor, we can determine the reduction of CO2 emission on
EP V per−year = Eday × 365 (kW h/year) (8) account of shifting to rooftop solar for a lifetime of 25 years
as shown in (12)
2. The cost per kWh is calculated for off-grid PV system
based on total annual cost divided by the number of kWh Eday × 0.867 × 365 × 25
CO2emmission = (tone) (12)
generated in one year. Annual cost account based on the price 1000
and lifetime of the equipment as shown in table1, table 2, III. ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
respectively for off-grid and grid -connected PV systems. Rooftop Solar PV system 1000 WP is designed in Indonesia
3. The cost per kWh is calculated for a grid-connected PV region, calculate the number of components Solar PV systems:
system based on the amount of the costs involved in a year
divided by the number of kWh generated in one year based A. Solar panel, BCR, Batteries, Inverter
on the price and lifetime of the equipment shown in table 3 1. Daily Energy
and table 4.
CT per−year is the cost for rooftop solar energy per year. Eday = 4.8 (kW h/day)
if Qi is the number of the component-i, cost per per unit 2. Solar panel power
component-i is Cui , and lifetime componen-i Li , Ci = Cost Calculation base on Eday = 4.8 kWh/day, Sd = 4.8
Component i / year in Rp. The cost of generation per year kWh/m2 /day, and d value is 80%. Total solar power is
per component is calculated based on (9).
Eday
PP V = = 1.25 (kW )
Ci = Qi × Cui /Li (IDR/year) (9) Sd × d
Then total cost energy CT per−year per-year can be calculated Solar panel 200 Wp are chosen then Number of solar panel
in (10) . is calculated as
Thus the total cost of rooftop solar power plants per year PP V
NP V = = 6.25
considers the component lifetime calculated as P0
Xn
CT per−year = Qi × Cui /Li (IDR/year) (10)
i=1
*** Use 6 solar panels PV 200 WP/ 12V

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3. Numbers of Batteries The number of battery is calculated TABLE III: Lifetime Component On-Grid PV system [10]
base on 2 days reserve power, nd = 2, Vbat = 12 V, and Ih = [14]
100AH
No Components LIfe Time (years)
Eday × nd 1 Solar Panel 200 WP 15
Nbat = = 10 3 Grid Tie Inverter 24/1000 W 3
Vbat × Ih × DOD
3 Installation cost 15
The Number of Batteries Deep Cycle 80%, 12V/100Ah, is 4 Shipping cost 15
10 batteries. Calculation results quantities component off-Grid
PV System shown in table 5. TABLE IV: Components prices On-Grid PV system [10] [14]
B. Generation Cost / kWh No Components Unit Price (IDR)
1. EP V per−year is the total energy production by PV 1 Solar Panel 200 WP 2,900,000
2 Grid Tie Inverter24V/1000 W 2,226,000
system per year as shown in (8). 3 Installation cost 2,000,000
4 Shipping cost 2,000,000
EP V per−year = Eday × 365 = 1752 (kW h/year)
2. Total generation cost per year is calculated by (10).
n
X IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
CT per−year = Qi × Cui /Li A. Result
i=1
Table 6 and table 7 respectively show calculation Cost per
3. Generation Cost / kWh (11) kWh for off-grid PV system and grid-connected PV system.
Pn
CT per−year i=1 Qi × Cui /Li Electrical energy generated an average of one 1000 Wp off-
Cper−kW h = = grid PV system = 1752 kWh/year. From table 6 the total
Eper−year Eday × 365
generation cost/year is 8,137,667 IDR, generation cost/kWh =
Using equations (10), (11) Generation costs can be calculated. 8,137,667/1752 = 4.644 IDR/kWh. Grid-connected PV system
The calculation results are shown in Table 6 and Table 7 1000Wp generating power is 1752 kWh/year with annual
respectively for Off-Grid and Grid-Connected PV System. generation cost of 2,180,000 IDR, generation cost per kWh =
2,180,000/1752 = 1,244 IDR/kWh. Basic rates for Household
C. Reduction of CO2 emissions
Electrical of the State Electricity Company (PLN) in Indonesia
Reduction of CO2 emission on account of shifting to since the 1 January 2017 is 1,467.28 IDR/kWh. Therefore
rooftop solar for a lifetime of 25 years as shown in (12) generation cost of grid-connected PV system is cheaper than
4.8 × 0.867 × 365 × 25 PLN generation cost.
CO2emission = = 37, 9 tone
1000
B. Discussion
Off-Grid PV System is a solar power generation system
TABLE I: Lifetime Component Off-Grid PV system [10]- [13] for remote or rural areas that are not affordable by the PLN
network. The Off-Grid PV System is also called Stand-Alone
No Component LIfe Time(Year) PV system. The solar power system relies on solar energy as
1 Solar Panel 200 WP 15
2 BCR-MPPT 20 A 3 the primary energy source, the series of photovoltaic modules
3 Off Grid Inverter 500 W 3 needed to generate electrical energy. Some off-grid system
4 Deep Cycle Battery 12V/100Ah 5 products such as SHS (Solar Home System), Solar for Public
5 Installation cost 15
6 Shipping cost 15 Street Lighting, and large-scale solar power systems for the
community use in Indonesia. The advantage of this system
is independent, not dependent on PLN’s electricity network.
TABLE II: Component Prices Off-Grid PV system [10] - [13]
TABLE V: Component list of the Off-Grid PV system
No Component Unit price(IDR)
1 Solar Panel 200 WP 2,900,000 No Components Quantities
2 BCR-MPPT 20 A 526,500 1 Solar Panel 200 WP 6
3 Off Grid Inverter 500 W 1,300,000 2 BCR-MPPT 20 A 6
4 Battery Deep Cycle 12V/100Ah 2,479,000 3 Off Grid Inverter 500 W 1
5 Installation Fee. 4,000,000 4 Battery Deep Cycle 12V/100Ah 10
6 Shipping Fee 4,000,000 5 Installations cost. 1
6 Shipping Cost 1

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TABLE VI: Annual Cost of the Off-Grid PV system

No Components Units Unit Price Total Price Total Price Lifetim Annual Cost Annual Cost
(IDR) (IDR) (%) (years) (IDR) (%)
1 Solar Panel 200 WP 6 2,900,000 17,400,000 31.84 15 1,160,000 14.25
2 BCR-MPPT 20 A 6 526,500 3,159,000 5.78 3 1,053,000 12.94
3 Off Grid Inverter 500 W 1 1,300,000 1,300,000 2.38 3 433,333 5.33
4 Deep Cycle Battery 12V/100Ah 10 2,479,000 24,790,000 45.36 5 4,958,000 60.93
5 Instalations cost 1 4,000,000 4,000,000 7.32 15 266,667 3.28
6 Shipping cost 1 4,000,000 4,000,000 7.32 15 266,667 3.28
Total Inverstment Cost 54,649,000 100.00 8,137,667 100.0

TABLE VII: Annual Cost of the On-Grid PV system

No Components Units Unit Price Total Price Total Price Lifetime Annual Cost Annual Cost
(IDR) (IDR)) (%) (years) (IDR) (%)
1 Solar Panel 200WP 6 2,900,000 17,400,000 73.54 15 1,160,000 53.21
2 Grid Tie Inverter 24V/1000W 1 2,260,000 2,260,000 9.55 3 753,333 34.56
3 Instalations cost 1 2,000,000 2,000,000 8.45 15 133,333 6.12
4 Shipping cost 1 2,000,000 2,000,000 8.45 15 133,333 6.12
Total Inverstment Cost 23.660.000 100.00 2.180.000 100.00

The disadvantage of this PV system is more expensive than R EFERENCES

on-grid PV system.
On-Grid PV system is environmentally friendly and
emission-free. This system also reduces household electricity
bills and adds value to the owners. This series of operations
will remain in touch with the PLN network by optimizing
the use of solar panel energy to produce as much electricity
as possible. The main components of this system are gener-
ally only two components, namely Solar Cell and Grid Tie
Inverter.
V. CONCLUSIONS
This paper presents the comparability of a solar PV system
for the average house in Indonesia. Detailed design including
system specification based on information Indonesia online
market price. The analysis shows that the generation cost
per kWh using off-grid and grid-connected PV system, re-
spectively 4,644 IDR/kWh and 1,244 IDR/kWh compare to
PLN tariff 1,467.28 IDR/kWh. With those generating costs it
is possible for PLN Service Users in urban areas to create
power personally by using Solar power Plant. In addition to
the financial benefits, the use of solar energy in Indonesia has
the advantage of environmental. The design of the solar panel
is to reduce the production of CO2 gas up to 37.9 tons
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering
at Sriwijaya University who supported my research. Special
thanks to my colleagues at the Department of Electrical
Engineering Faculty of Engineering Sriwijaya University in
Palembang who have discussed this paper. Special thanks to
Prof. Siti Nurmaini who has given the opportunity to follow
the workshop of academic writing at the institution that she
leads.
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