FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

SYSTEM SIZING OF A STAND-ALONE

HYBRID SOLAR SYSTEM
NAME

: AHMAD FATEH BIN MOHAMAD NOR

MATRIC NUMBER

: M011110003

COURSE

: MEKP - MASTER OF ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING (INDUSTRIAL POWER)

SUPERVISOR

: ENGR. PROF. DR. MARIZAN BIN SULAIMAN

INTRODUCTION
Electricity is one of the most important basic
needs for humans.
However, the use of fossil fuel such as natural
gas and coal in electricity generation has its own
drawbacks such as:the emission of carbon dioxide that can cause
climate change and global warming
the uncertainty of fossil fuel prices

Moreover, there are some areas especially in the

rural and remote areas in Malaysia that have no
access to the utility grid.

INTRODUCTION (CONT'D)
Hence, in 2001 under the Eighth Malaysian Plan, the
government introduced the Five Fuel Policy where
renewable energy was recognized as the fifth fuel.
The previous policy which was Four Fuel Policy. It was a
diverse generation mix of hydro, natural gas, coal and for
electricity generation.
Renewable energy can be defined as the energy produced
from natural processes that can replenish continuously
and quickly.
There are five sources of renewable energy which are
from wind, palm oil industry, biomass, solar radiation,
and hydro power.
In Malaysia, the renewable energy from solar radiation is
very promising because Malaysia receives high solar
radiation and has mild ambient temperatures.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Ahmed and Sulaiman (2003) state that every component of the
solar system must be designed and sized by using proper
procedures and calculations before implementing the system.
Sunderan et al. (2011) emphasizes that the stand-alone
photovoltaic electricity generation system must be properly sized
and designed before the system is being installed.
Solar Power Mart (2007) states that the costs of solar systems are
not cheap and usually the final cost of the system will exceed the
expected cost. The costs of solar systems with basic features start
at around RM45 000 but the costs for most of the systems are in
between RM60 000 to RM100 00 depending on the types and
components of the system.

MOTIVATION OF RESEARCH
The demand for energy especially electricity in Malaysia is increasing

rapidly as Malaysia moves towards into becoming a fully developed

nation by the year 2020.
However, the current method used for generating electricity in Malaysia

consumes fossil fuel such as natural gas and coal as the main energy
sources.
This fossil fuel will eventually run out completely.

This fossil fuel also releases carbon dioxide that can cause climate change
and global warming.
Besides that, there are some areas especially in the rural and remote areas
in Malaysia that have no access to the utility grid.

MOTIVATION OF RESEARCH(CONT'D)
Hence, an alternative energy source that is renewable, cleaner,
more portable, more flexible and more environmentally friendly
is needed to replace or at least to reduce the use of fossil fuel to
generate electricity.
Solar energy meets all of these requirements due to some reasons
as follows:
Fossil fuel is very limited and has the possibility to run out completely, but
sunlight is available abundantly in Malaysia all year long.
No carbon dioxide or other harmful gases that can contribute to the
greenhouse effect are released during generating electricity.
A solar system can be installed in every house even houses in the rural and
remote areas as long as there is sunlight.
A solar system can be designed and sized according to the requirements of
the consumers.

OBJECTIVE OF RESEARCH
1.

To develop a software that has the ability to design and analysis

solar system.

2.

To simulate a system sizing of a stand-alone hybrid solar system

in Malaysia, in order to determine the optimum size of the system
that is capable to supply the load requirement completely.

3.

To study the return on investment of stand-alone hybrid solar

system compare to grid utility bills.

4.

To create a complete Graphical User Interface (GUI) based using

Visual Basic 2010 for teaching and learning package.

SCOPE OF RESEARCH
The type of solar system used in this research is a stand-alone hybrid
solar system which is a combination of solar array and diesel generator
as the power sources.

The diesel generator will act as a backup gen-set when the capacity of
the battery bank is low and the solar array cannot produce energy.

The stand-alone hybrid solar system is designed according to

Malaysian conditions.

The software will be developed by using Visual Basic 2010 Express.

SCOPE OF RESEARCH (CONT'D)

The simulation results will give the recommended value of the components of the
stand-alone hybrid solar system only. Other details such as size and type of wires
use, the installation areas size will not be covered.

The methods and equations used for sizing the stand-alone hybrid solar system
will be based on the methods and equations used by Roberts (1991), Dunlop

(2010), Hankins (2010), Stauffer and Rosenberg (2009) and Abdulqader (2006).

The listed prices for the components are based on various website such as

http://solarpower-mart.com/ and are for references only. Actual price may be

different.

SYSTEM DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

Configuration of the Stand-Alone Hybrid Solar System in this Research

SYSTEM DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT(CONT'D)

Start
Main Menu

Load Analysis
Inverter Sizing

PV Array Sizing

PV Tilt Angle
Solar Charge Controller Sizing

Battery Bank Sizing

Hybrid Component Sizing

Recommended PV System

Hybrid PV Configuration
Hybrid PV System Cost Estimation
Comparative Studies with TNB Grid Connection

Finish.

Procedure in sizing a stand-alone hybrid solar

system

TEST 1 RESULTS
Comparison between softwares load analysis results and Dunlop (2010)

Data

Software

Dunlop (2010)

Total AC energy consumption

7568 Wh/day

7568 Wh/day

Total AC system energy requirement

8408.89 Wh/day

8409 Wh/day

Total AC power

5388 W

5388 W

Weighted operating time

11.19 hr/day

11.2 hr/day

Comparison between softwares solar array sizing results and Dunlop (2010)
Data

Software

Dunlop (2010)

Required solar array current

33.94 A

33.9 A

Required solar array voltage

64.20 V

64.1 V

Number of solar modules connected in parallel

Number of solar modules connected in series

Total number of solar modules

14

14

TEST 1 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Comparison between softwares battery bank sizing results and Dunlop (2010)
Data

Software

Dunlop (2010)

Rated battery bank capacity

571.01 Ah

571 Ah

Number of batteries connected in series

Number of batteries connected in parallel

Total number of batteries

TEST 2 RESULTS
Comparison between softwares load analysis results with Solar Energy International (2007)
Data

Software

Solar

Energy

International (2007)
Total AC energy consumption

3527.26 Wh/day

3527 Wh/day

Total daily energy consumption

3919.18 Wh/day

3918.9 Wh/day

Total AC power demand

3712 W

3712 W

Weighted operating time

4.97 hr/day

4.97 hr/day

Comparison between softwares inverter sizing results with Solar Energy International (2007)
Data

Software

Solar

Energy

International (2007)
Recommended inverter power rating

5000 W

4000 W

Recommended inverter current rating

45 A

Not available

Recommended inverter input voltage

48 VDC

48 VDC

Recommended inverter output voltage

120 VAC

120 VAC

TEST 2 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Comparison between softwares solar array sizing results with Solar Energy International(2007)
Data

Software

Solar

Energy

International (2007)
Required solar array current

24.89 A

24.9 A

Required solar array voltage

53.22 V

Not available

Number of solar modules connected in parallel

Number of solar modules connected in series

Total number of solar modules

20

20

Comparison between softwares PV tilt angle results with Solar Energy International (2007)
Data

Software

Solar Energy International (2007)

Tilt angle

29.4239

29.4239

Direction of tilt

Facing south-east

Not available

TEST 2 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Comparison between softwares solar charge controller sizing results with Solar Energy
International (2007)
Data

Software

Solar

Energy

International (2007)
Recommended charge controller nominal voltage

48 VDC

48 VDC

Recommended charge controller current rating

40 A

40 A

Recommended charge controller power rating

1600 W

Not available

Comparison between softwares battery bank sizing results with Solar Energy International
Data
Solar
Energy
(2007) Software
International (2007)
Rated battery bank capacity

653.20 Ah

652.8 Ah

Number of batteries connected in series

Number of batteries connected in parallel

Total number of batteries

16

16

SIMULATION 1 RESULTS
Simulation 1 load analysis results
Data

Result value

Total AC power

5130 W

Total AC energy consumption

11705 Wh/day

Total AC system energy requirement

13005.56 Wh/day

Weighted operating time

6.66 hr/day

Simulation 1 inverter sizing results

Data

Result value

Calculated inverter power rating

6156 W

Calculated inverter current rating

28.5 A

Recommended inverter input voltage

24 VDC

Recommended inverter output voltage

240 VAC

SIMULATION 1 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 1 solar array sizing results
Data

Result value
Type A

Type B

Required solar array maximum power current

134.22 A

134.22 A

Required solar array maximum power voltage

33.51 VDC

33.51 VDC

Required solar array maximum power

3631.99 W

3631.99 W

Number of solar modules connected in parallel

27

26

Number of solar modules connected in series

Total number of solar modules

27

52

Actual solar array rated current

137.43 A

139.1 A

Actual solar array rated voltage

36.3 VDC

37.5 VDC

Actual solar array rated power

4988.71 W

5216.25 W

Solar array estimated price

RM 24 975.00

RM 31 200.00

SIMULATION 1 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 1 PV tilt angle result
Data

Result value

Tilt angle

15

Direction of tilt

Facing south-east

Simulation 1 solar charge controller sizing result

Data

Result value

Recommended charge controller nominal voltage

24 VDC

Calculated charge controller current rating

171.79 A

Calculated charge controller power rating

4122.96 W

SIMULATION 1 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 1 battery bank sizing result
Data

Result value
Type A

Type B

Battery bank rated capacity

2139.07 Ah

2139.07 Ah

Selected battery nominal voltage

12 VDC

12 VDC

Selected battery rated capacity

200 Ah

65 Ah

Number of batteries connected in series

Number of batteries connected in parallel

11

33

Total number of batteries

22

66

Actual battery bank capacity

2 200 Ah

2145 Ah

Actual battery bank nominal voltage

24 VDC

24 VDC

Actual solar array rated power

RM 17 600.00

RM 36 762.00

SIMULATION 1 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 1 hybrid components sizing result
Data

Result value

Calculated battery charger size

201.67 A

Calculated diesel generator size

5130 W

Simulation 1 PV system cost estimation result

Data

Result value

Estimated total cost of components

RM 56 825.00

Estimated wiring and installation cost

RM 17 047.50

Estimated maintenance cost

RM 14 774.50

Estimated grand total

RM 88 647.00

SIMULATION 1 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 1 comparative studies with TNB grid connection result
Data

Result value

Total grid connected energy consumption

25 310 Wh/day

Total grid connected energy consumption for 1 month

759.30 kWh

TNB estimated bill

RM 267.31

TNB estimated bill for 1 year

RM 3 207.72

Return on investment

27.64 years

SIMULATION 2 RESULTS
Simulation 2 load analysis results
Data

Result value

Total AC power

590 W

Total AC energy consumption

4430 Wh/day

Total AC system energy requirement

4922.22 Wh/day

Weighted operating time

9.13 hr/day

Simulation 2 inverter sizing results

Data

Result value

Calculated inverter power rating

767 W

Calculated inverter current rating

3.55 A

Recommended inverter input voltage

24 VDC

Recommended inverter output voltage

240 VAC

SIMULATION 2 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 2 solar array sizing results
Data

Result value
Type A

Type B

Required solar array maximum power current

50.8 A

50.8 A

Required solar array maximum power voltage

33.51 VDC

33.51 VDC

Required solar array maximum power

1374.65 W

1374.65 W

Number of solar modules connected in parallel

10

10

Number of solar modules connected in series

Total number of solar modules

10

20

Actual solar array rated current

51.1 A

53.5 A

Actual solar array rated voltage

36.3 VDC

37.5 VDC

Actual solar array rated power

1854.93 W

2006.25 W

Solar array estimated price

RM 9 250.00

RM 12 000.00

SIMULATION 2 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 2 PV tilt angle result
Data

Result value

Tilt angle

15

Direction of tilt

Facing south-east

Simulation 2 solar charge controller sizing result

Data

Result value

Recommended charge controller nominal voltage

24 VDC

Calculated charge controller current rating

63.88 A

Calculated charge controller power rating

1533.12 W

SIMULATION 2 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 2 battery bank sizing result
Data

Result value
Type A

Type B

Battery bank rated capacity

809.58 Ah

809.58 Ah

Selected battery nominal voltage

12 VDC

12 VDC

Selected battery rated capacity

200 Ah

65 Ah

Number of batteries connected in series

Number of batteries connected in parallel

13

Total number of batteries

10

26

Actual battery bank capacity

1000 Ah

845Ah

Actual battery bank nominal voltage

24 VDC

24 VDC

Actual solar array rated power

RM 8 000.00

RM 14 482.00

SIMULATION 2 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 2 hybrid components sizing result
Data

Result value

Calculated battery charger size

80 A

Calculated diesel generator size

1000 W

Simulation 2 PV system cost estimation result

Data

Result value

Estimated total cost of components

RM 23 050.00

Estimated wiring and installation cost

RM 6 915.00

Estimated maintenance cost

RM 5 993.00

Estimated grand total

RM 35 958.00

SIMULATION 2 RESULTS (CONT'D)

Simulation 2 comparative studies with TNB grid connection result
Data

Result value

Total grid connected energy consumption

8250 Wh/day

Total grid connected energy consumption for 1 month

247.50 kWh

TNB estimated bill

RM 59.46

TNB estimated bill for 1 year

RM 713.52

Return on investment

50.40 years

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Test 1 and Test 2 results indicates that the software can be used to
calculate specific values in system sizing.
The simulations results designates several findings as listed as follows:
The electrical load requirements play an important role in influencing
the total cost of the solar system.
The overall cost of the stand-alone hybrid solar system in Simulation 1 is
RM 88 647.00 and the overall cost in Simulation 2 is RM 35 958.00.
Since the load requirements in rural areas are lower than non-rural
areas, the stand-alone hybrid solar system is more suitable to be built in
the rural areas.
The long-term of payback period in both Simulation 1 and Simulation 2
tells that it is more saving to pay electricity bills every month than to
allocate a huge amount of money to build a stand-alone hybrid solar
system.
It is only worth it to build the stand-alone hybrid solar system at areas
without grid connection such as in rural and archipelagos areas.

CONCLUSION
The output of the research shows that system sizing is a very important
matter. The solar system need to be sized very carefully so that the
energy produces is enough to meet the load requirements. The research
output also shows that the cost of the solar system could increase due
to any mistakes during the system sizing.
Besides that, the GUI that is used to present all of the procedures of
system sizing makes the software package user friendly. The software
package can be applied for teaching and learning purposes especially for
engineering students in undergraduate programs and practicing
engineers.
This research also shows that green technologies such as the standalone hybrid solar system are very suitable for rural areas without grid
utility connection such as in archipelagos areas.

THANK YOU