Project Description
This system was designed to power a very wide range of home appliances including two 24-inch LED TVs for at least 6 hours, two side-by-side refrigerators, six ceiling fans, one decoder, a steam iron for up to 1 hour everyday and up to 30 energy-saving bulbs. To meet the load requirements, our engineers decided on a 5kVA hybrid system. The system was slightly oversized to give the customer the opportunity to slightly expand the load independently without adding a new component or incurring extra installation costs.
Solar Panels
Eight (8) 405W half-cut monocrystalline Era Solar panels were connected in four (4) strings of three (2) panels each.
Half-cut panels were used for the system. The choice of a half-cut cell solar panel for this installation was decided by space considerations as well as market realities. Since at least 2019, half-cut panels have been displacing the traditional mono and poly panels. Manufacturers of high-powered panels, that is panels that are rated from beyond the 360W that is the optimum for most panels, to panels with power ratings up to 600W, now exclusively depend on half-cut technology.
In a half-cut solar panel, more solar cells can be squeezed into the module without any significant increase in the size of the panel, whilst at the same time reducing the resistance of the module. Learn all about half-cut solar panels here.
Inverter
An 6kVA Growatt Inveter was used. Growatt inverters are pure sine wave hence they produce a clean electricity for appliances and appliances that use them do not make a continuous humming or buzzing sound. The major advantage of a pure sine wave inverter is that all appliances which are sold on the market are designed for a pure sine wave. Using a pure sine wave inverter guarantees that the appliances will work to its full specifications and achieve optimal efficiency. Also, appliances run faster, quieter and cooler. Pure sine wave output voltage waveform is as clean as, and perhaps even better than, utility-supplied or grid electricity.
The definitive feature of Growatt inverters is that they are transformerless inverters. The major difference between the conventional inverter and the transformerless inverter is that the transformer is replaced with a computerized multi-step process and other electronic components. These components play the role of the transformer, that is, convert the DC generated by the solar panels to AC.
As TL inverters has no transformer, Growatt inverters are light, compact, and far relatively cheaper than conventional inverters.
The inverter used has hybrid capabilities meaning that it will simultaneously manage inputs from both solar panels and a battery bank, then charge the batteries with either solar panels or the electricity grid, depending on availability, consumption or preference for use at a later time, mostly nighttime.
Batteries and Charge Controller
Eight (8) Solarkobo AGM batteries, at 48V each were used for the installation. The role of batteries in a solar power system is provide the DC that is to be converted to AC by the inverter for use in appliances and to store energy produced from solar panels for later use especially in the absence of sunlight and grid power. They contribute the most to the total financial investment on the system.
The choice of AGM batteries was because they are the safest battery design. They emit gases only when severely overcharged. They eliminate worries about explosions. They are also maintenance-free for life and do not require constant maintenance.
This system dispenses with a charge controller because the Growatt inverter incorporates a 100A charge controller.
Protection Features
In addition to the protection features provided by the inverter against overload and overcharge, the system incorporates extra protection features including AC and DC circuit breakers and surge adapters. They offer additional protection to the client's investment. They also make it easy and safe to disconnect the system from the panels in the case of emergencies like lightning that could damage the inverter or solar panel fires.
SolarKobo helps its clients in Lagos and elsewhere in Nigeria make the best possible choice of all solar products including solar panels, batteries and charge controllers that meet their peculiar power needs and fits their budgets. We also have university-trained engineers who provide the best possible installation services on order.
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