SIZING A PHOTOVOLTAIC

SYSTEM

GROUP 6
FIRST STEP
• Estimating the energy demand.
In order to do so, all loads and
the related times that they are in
use, are identified. Based on this
information, the daily KWh is
determined for each month and
a demand profile is plotted.
SECOND STEP
Determine how much solar energy
is available at that particular
location. Where such location is not
available for a location ,
information related to the nearest
station can be utilized.
THIRD STEP

• Estimate the output energy from a photovoltaic module at

the location of interest. By contacting some of the local
suppliers of photovoltaic modules, one should be able to
obtain technical information on the available products.
FOURTH STEP
Determine the output of the
selected module at different times
of the year. In order to do so, the
daily peak sun hours for each
month of the year are multiplied by
the rated power of the selected
module.
FIFTH STEP

• Determine the number of modules needed for our power

supply system. If we divide the daily energy demand by the
daily estimated output of the selected module, we find the
modules needed in that particular month.
EXAMPLE

•  In the month of June, the daily energy demand is 4.5 kwh and
the estimated daily output of the PB164, is 196 Wh.
SIXTH STEP
• Decide on the arrangement of the modules.
BATTERY STORAGE FOR STAND ALONE PV
SYSTEM
• Battery sizing should be such that the possibility of having
consecutive days of bad weather conditions is considered.
This would largely depend on the location. In most cases , the
battery system should be capable of providing the required
energy for 3-4 days without any input from the PV modules.
In sizing the batteries, we should also take into account the
permitted minimum depth of discharge. For most batteries, it
is recommended that they should not be discharged below
30% level.
EXAMPLE

•  If we consider a 5KWh/day demand for the month of July and

a 3 day storage, The required capacity would be:

Assuming a 24 volt bus voltage, we see that the required amp-

hr is:
SIZING OF OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM

• Sizing of components such as charge regulators and inverters

is the same as explained in the example on sizing Engine
generator systems. Addition of an auxillary energy source
such as a small petrol or diesel generator to a PV system can
drastically reduce the cost of the installed system.
SIZING OF AEROGENERATORS

• Sizing of aerogenerators in a hybrid system is possibly the

most difficult of the exercise. The main reasons are as
follows:
- Lack of reliable wind data for the location of interest
- Year to year variations of wind pattern and the annual average wind
speed
- Non modularity of aerogenerators. This is opposite on the PV systems
where the increment in the sizing is one module.