Solar Power System Design for Nigeria
Solar Power System Design for Nigeria
ONE
INTRODU
CTION
The electric power system is one of the essential infrastructural facilities that are
reliance on fossil fuels and inadequate power infrastructure has resulted in an erratic power
supply, negatively impacting economic growth, industrial development, and the overall
quality of life (Eberhard et al., 2019). As a result, power failures have led to people
purchasing generators for their daily activities, and many businesses are unable to function
In recent years, the over-reliance on fossil fuels (approximately 90%) (NERC, 2020) and
the increasing demand for energy have led many nations to adopt renewable energy
sources. Solar energy, in particular, is one of the most promising renewable energy sources,
as it is abundant, clean, and can be generated locally, reducing reliance on grid electricity
(IRENA, 2020). It is also important to note that Nigeria has significant solar resources,
with an average daily solar radiation of 5.5 kWh/m² (NASA, 2022), making it the most
suitable renewable source of energy. An inverter plays an essential role in a solar energy
system, with its main function being to convert DC power to AC power. The DC power is
The inverter plays a crucial role in the modern technological world, driven by the rapid
growth of renewable energy. Although the inverter itself does not generate power, it relies
on a DC source to function (Kumar et al., 2019). By converting direct current to alternating
current, the inverter enables precise variable control of motor speed (Singh & Singh, 2018)
and are widely used in various industrial applications, including pumps, conveyor belts,
The price of fuel continues to increase in Nigeria (Oyedepo, 2012), leading to a reduction
in the operating hours of the school generator, which is now scheduled to run only
between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on specific days of the week. This situation is further
complicated by the increasing demand for electrical energy on the campus. The need for
an alternative energy source has become essential to ensure a reliable power supply in the
Professorial building on the Ikole Campus. This has necessitated the exploration of more
sustainable and cost-effective means of power generation (Akinbami et al., 2016) which
• 1.3 Motivation
The motivation behind this project was the quest to provide an alternative means of
power supply due to the unreliability of the power sector, particularly in the Faculty of
Engineering, Ikole campus.The search for knowledge was also a motivation behind this
project as many skills and new ideas will be acquired during the project execution. More
problem solver.
dependence on fossil fuels (Oyedepo, 2012). The solar power system provides a reliable
and sustainable energy source, reducing the risk of power outages and associated
Notably, this study showcases the practical application of solar power systems in
equipment such as household items, computers, power tools, and more, in academic,
residential, and commercial settings, simply by plugging into the inverter. Additionally,
the study contributes to capacity building and knowledge transfer in renewable energy
(Ilori et al., 2017), and its replicability can promote the adoption of renewable energy
solutions in other institutions and communities (Oyewola, 2019). Overall, this study
supports Nigeria's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more
The aim of this project is to design, construct and install a 3.5KVA solar power system with
energy storage for the professorial building, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Ikole
Campus.
• To construct a Solar panel Rack in a car-park structure by which the solar panels
• To evaluate the performance of the constructed solar power system using the
oscilloscope and a digital multimeter.
The scope of this project encompasses the design, construction, and installation of a
3.5kVA solar power system for the Professorial building in Ikole Campus, with specific
essential components like batteries, solar panels, and controllers, studying major
electronic components used in the inverter, coupling and testing the system with batteries,
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE
REVIEW
This section reviews a few related works that has been done on Solar power systems, inverter
(Singh et al., 2022) conducted a comprehensive review of the current state of the art in solar
power systems, highlighting the latest trends and advancements in system design, component
selection, and performance optimization. The authors emphasized the importance of efficient
power conversion and energy storage in solar power systems, and discussed various techniques
for maximizing energy yield, including system configuration, component selection, and
environmental considerations. They also identified challenges and future research directions in
the field, such as the need for more efficient and cost-effective energy storage solutions.
Overall, the review provides a valuable overview of the current state of solar power systems
(Patel et al., 2019) presented a case study on a solar-powered water pumping system for
irrigation, highlighting the potential of solar energy for agricultural applications. The authors
designed and installed a solar-powered water pumping system in a rural area, using a 5 kWp
solar array and a centrifugal pump. They evaluated the system's performance over a period of
12 months, monitoring parameters such as water flow rate, pump speed, and solar irradiance.
The results showed that the system was able to pump an average of 45,000 liters of water per
day, with a maximum flow rate of 120 liters per minute. The authors concluded that solar-
powered water pumping systems are a viable option for irrigation in rural areas, offering a
(Zheng et al., 2023) presented a detailed review of the topologies and control strategies for
solar inverters, with a focus on grid-tied and off-grid applications. The authors analyzed the
(VSIs), current-source inverters (CSIs), and impedance-source inverters (ZSIs). They also
examined the control strategies for maximum power point tracking (MPPT), grid
synchronization, and islanding detection. Additionally, the review covered the latest
advancements in inverter control, including model predictive control (MPC), sliding mode
control (SMC), and fuzzy logic control (FLC). The authors also discussed the impact of
inverter design on grid stability, power quality, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
(Zheng, Li, & Zhu, 2023).
In the same vein, the 1KVA inverter system designed and constructed by (E. Abioye et al.,
2018) consists of seven circuits to make the complete inverter system, including the oscillator
circuit; current modification circuit; battery low circuit; battery full circuit; rectifying circuit;
change over circuit; delay and timer circuit. The inverter system makes use of a
monostable/astable multivibrator Integrated circuit (IC) known as CD4047 as the oscillator for
the generation of alternating pulses, which serves as the oscillator circuit. The CD4047 was
designed to operate in astable mode, with the alternating pulses obtained from the pin 10 and
11 of the IC. The system current modification circuit consists of IRF150 cascaded Metallic
Oxide Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) with resistors combination at the gate of the
MOSFETs as voltage dividers for biasing the transistors. The battery low and battery full
circuits used LM358 Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp) for detection of battery voltage, while
there are LEDs to show either battery full or low. There are relays to control the energizing and
de-energizing of the battery terminal for charging, which these relays were controlled by
BC547 NPN transistors. NE555 timer IC was used for the delay and timer circuit in the inverter
system, with capacitor and resistor combination for the timing. The inverter was designed to be
Smart grid technologies have revolutionized the way power systems are designed and
operated. According to (Zhang & Liu, 2023), smart grids enable real-time monitoring,
automated control, and improved energy efficiency. Their research focuses on the deployment
of smart meters, demand response systems, and advanced communication networks. They
argue that smart grids enhance the reliability and resilience of power systems, particularly in
the face of increasing energy consumption and climatic variations. The study also discusses the
economic benefits of smart grids, including cost savings and improved asset management.
Differently from the previous work, (Kumar & Sethuraman, 2022) designed a micro off-
grid inverter making use of Resistors, Capacitors, Voltage regulators, CD 4047 IC, OP07 IC, R-
C Circuit, MOSFETs and step-up transformer. The IC 7812 provided a constant 12V DC to
drive the IC CD 4047 whose square wave output is fed through pin 10 and 11 to the R-C three
stage circuits for conversion from square to sinusoidal wave through amplifiers OP07 IC to
boost the waveform voltage from 3.5 V to 7.0 V. The amplified sinusoidal waveform signal was
applied to the gate of MOSFET (IRFZ44N N-channel) combinations. Each set consists of two
MOSFETs connected in parallel to produce voltage with 180° out of phase waveforms at
MOSFET drain terminal and then supplied to center tapped step-up-transformer to produce
constant 230 V AC output voltage at 50 Hz. The voltage regulation was achieved with the help
of a DC-DC Boost Converter. Implementation of photovoltaic modules was left out of the
work.
In another recent study, (Chen & Wang, 2021) explore the integration of renewable
energy sources into power systems. They analyze the challenges and opportunities associated
with incorporating solar and wind energy into existing grids. The authors highlight the
importance of advanced forecasting methods, energy storage, and grid stability mechanisms to
accommodate the variable nature of renewable energy. Their review of case studies
demonstrates how different regions have successfully integrated renewable energy, leading to
intermittency of renewable energy sources. (Kumar & Singh, 2022) review various energy
storage technologies, such as batteries, flywheels, and pumped hydro storage. They examine
Their findings indicate that lithium-ion batteries are currently the most promising solution for
grid-scale energy storage, offering high efficiency and scalability. However, the authors also
point out the need for continued research into alternative storage methods to overcome
limitations such as degradation and high costs.
Also, the power rating of the inverter can be increased by increasing the number of the power
Also, (Niaz et al., 2019) designed and constructed a 100Watts inverter. The system was
designed without any microcontroller, as a snubber technology was used to diminish the
reverse potential transients and excessive heat of the transformer winding and transistor
switches. They used the IC 7805 as the voltage regulator. It provided the 5V for biasing all the
the ICs with a 12v/220V transfer for designing a push-pull inverter. Two MOSFETs were used
for switching purpose, the third MOSFET is used to invert the input pulse. NE 555 Timer was
used for generating switching Pulse and IC: 741 comparators were used to provide proper logic
level pulse for triggering two switches distinctly. To get maximum power from solar or
photovoltaic inverters, a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) System is needed. Without
microcontroller it’s impossible to do sampling and make it pure sine wave. A closed loop
control system is needed to Implement MPPT circuit. Also, more experimental data is needed
fault-tolerant designs, predictive maintenance strategies, and robust grid architectures. Their
analysis reveals that incorporating redundancy, advanced diagnostic tools, and machine
learning algorithms can significantly enhance the resilience of power systems against faults and
disruptions. The authors also highlight the importance of regulatory frameworks and standards
power system projects. They evaluate the cost factors involved in the construction and
operation of power systems, including capital expenditure, operational costs, and maintenance
expenses. The authors utilize various economic assessment tools such as cost-benefit analysis,
levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and net present value (NPV). Their study concludes that
while the initial investment in advanced power systems may be high, the long-term economic
benefits, including reduced operational costs and improved energy efficiency, justify the
investment..
construction of power systems. A recent review by (Green and Adams, 2021) examines the
environmental impacts associated with different power generation technologies. They compare
the carbon footprint, land use, water consumption, and ecological effects of fossil fuel-based
and renewable energy systems. Their analysis underscores the necessity of transitioning to
cleaner energy sources to mitigate climate change and reduce environmental degradation. The
authors advocate for comprehensive environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in the planning
The figure below shows the block diagram of the 3.5kVA Solar Power inverter
Solar energy is one of the available renewable sources of energy. The use of the sun’s
energy is nothing new and dates back to the rapidly beginning of time. In recent years
however, the focus on energy consumption worldwide spurred growth in the research and
development of ‟ green” alternative fuel source including the sun, wind, hydro, wave,
geothermal, hydrogen and other forms of energy. And today, because of that focus, the
use of solar energy is expanding by leaps and bounds especially since sunlight is free,
application in various are as such as heating of buildings, solar water heating, solar
cookers, solar engines for water pumping, food refrigeration, solar furnaces, etc.
Solar inverters are capable of converting the DC voltage produced by the solar panels
(and from the energy stored in the batteries) into AC voltage. The inverter could also
charge the batteries by using an alternative source such as the mains or generator
• Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: These systems use solar panels composed of semiconductor
cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight hits the PV cells, it knocks
• Solar Thermal Systems: These systems use sunlight to heat a fluid, which then produces
steam that drives a turbine connected to a generator to produce electricity. There are different
types of solar thermal systems, including: Flat-plate Collectors (often used for residential
water heating) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) (Uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate a
large area of sunlight onto a small area to generate high temperatures) which can be used to
produce electricity.
• Solar Heating and Cooling: Solar energy is used to heat buildings and water, and can also
In actual usage, the solar cells (RAI,2014) are interconnected in certain series/parallel
combinations to form modules. These modules are sealed for protection against
constitutes an array. One square meter of fixed array kept facing south yields nearly
0.5kWh of electrical energy on a normal sunny day of the orientation is adjusted to face
the sun’s rays at anytime, the output can increase by 30 percent. The array may be fixed
arrays or tracking arrays. As the fixed array is usually oriented east west and tilted at an
angle equal to the latitude of the site, the tracking array are moveable and seems more
complex than the fixed. Series arrangement of the modules in the array is to achieve
desired voltage and then when stacked in parallel it is to achieve a desired current.
The solar panel works in two steps; Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by
semiconducting materials, such as silicon and Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose
from their atoms, causing an electric potential difference. Current starts flowing through the
The factor in which the output voltage of the solar cell relies on during its operation is the
disturbances such as solar irradiation and it’s the function of the photocurrent. Equation
(2.1) represents the output current for a PV array which comprises of Ns modules in series
connection and Np parallel connected modules. The voltage and current of the PV array are
represents by Equation (2.2) and (2.3) respectively. The power output of the PV array is
given in equation (2.7) which is the product of output current in (2.3) and output voltage in
In this project photovoltaic modules of four pcs, 300W rating were connected in series -
parallel form to achieve the desired power in terms of current and voltage.
• Series connection
terminals of another. It gives output voltage equals the sum total of the voltage of the
entire module in the string and the output current equals the equivalent of the current for a
single solar. In series connection all the currents are equal while the voltages are the sum
of individual voltages.
By Series connecting, the voltage equals the sum of those panels, being in series, the
amperage is equal.
• Parallel connection
Parallel connection simply is connecting the solar panel positive terminals to positive
terminals of next and negative terminals to negative terminals of next. When using this
type of connection, your voltage remains the same but your amperage is the total sum of
the panels being used. That is to say, it gives output voltage equals the equivalent voltage
of a single solar panel in the string and the output current equals the sum total of all the
By parallel connected solar panel gives more current (amperage) the sum of individual
This is a power electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to
alternating current (AC) .The resulting Ac frequency obtained depends on the particular
device employed. Inverters do the opposite of rectifiers which were originally large
electro mechanical devices converting AC to DC. The input voltage, output voltage and
frequency, and overall power handling depend on the design of the specific device or
circuitry. The inverter does not produce any power; the power is provided by the battery.
Common input voltages are 12VDC, 24VDC, 36VDC and 48VDC.And the common
output form can be a square wave, sine wave, and modified sine wave. In this project, a
24VDC input was used with a pure sine wave output form.
The inverting unit is the major working unit of the inverter system. Its working principle
The oscillator circuitry uses TL494 IC for the generation of PWM which is fed to the gate
which its pin 5 and 6 of the IC are responsible for determining the PWM frequency at
which the TL494 outputs oscillates, which finally determines the frequency of the AC
voltage available at the terminal of the transformer. The TL494 generates a fixed
oscillation in its output pins through the charging and discharge of a timing capacitor
pin6 of the IC.The capacitor(100nF) and resistor (100kΩ) connected to pin 5 and 6 of the
f = 50Hz
2.3.2.3 MOSFETs Circuitry
The MOSFETs circuitry has upper MOSFETs (Q1-Q4) and lower MOSFETs (Q5-Q8)
connected to the output pin 9 and pin 10 of TL494 respectively. When pin 9 of the TL494
goes high, the upper MOSFETs switch on, there by conduction takes place, allowing high
current to flow from the 24V DC battery connected to the center-tap of the inverter
transformer, through the upper windings of the transformer, to flow drain to the source of
each of the MOSFETs Q1 to Q4. This forms the first part of the wave form. In this first
part of the waveform, MOSFETs Q5-Q8 are in zero conduction state as their gate has
The high voltage circuitry is the secondary windings of the inverter transformer.In this
part,220V AC is available for connection of electrical loads. This is the output terminal of
• 2.3.2.5 Transformers
TransformersgenerallyaredevicesusedtoconvertelectricalACvoltagefromoneleveltoanother level
which may be higher or lower. For this project a step-up transformer with Centre tapped
configuration was used as the voltage was increased from 12v to 230v which is the suitable
VsIs = VpIp
……………………………………………………………………………….(i)
Vp = Primary voltage
Ip = Primary current
Vs = Secondary voltage
Is = Secondary current
• 2.3.2.6 Relays
(through an electromagnet) instead of manually switching and it is used mainly used to control
a high-powered circuit using a low power signal say, to control the high voltage circuit (230V
A charge controller, or charge regulator, as the name implies, is a voltage and current regulator
designed to prevent batteries from overcharging. It limits the rate at which electric current is
added to or drawn from electric batteries to protect against electrical overload and
overcharging, and it may also protect against overvoltage. This helps prevent conditions that
could reduce battery performance or lifespan and pose a safety risk. Depending on the battery
technology, it may also prevent complete discharge (deep discharging) or perform controlled
discharges.
Common types of charge controllers include Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Maximum
Power Point Tracker (MPPT) technology. An MPPT was chosen for the purpose of this project
because it operates with higher efficiency under various conditions compared to the PWM.
• 2.3.4 Battery
The battery acts as energy storage bank such that it stores energy from the charging action of the
charging circuit in the inverter or from the output of the charge controller connected to the solar
modules. It also acts as power source to the AC loads through the inverting action of the inverter
that converts the DC voltage to AC voltage. The battery can be composed of wet or dry cells.
The wet cell is the adopted package in this project. Batteries come in different configurations
based on the voltage ratings of the most common one are 12V and 24V.
Solar batteries store the electricity generated by solar panels for later use, ensuring a continuous
and reliable energy supply. They are vital for optimizing the efficiency of solar power systems
• Capacity: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), it indicates the total amount of energy the
• Depth of Discharge (DoD): Refers to the percentage of the battery's total capacity that
can be used without damaging the battery. Higher DoD means more usable energy.
• Efficiency: The ratio of energy output to energy input. Higher efficiency means less
• Charge and Discharge Rates: Indicates how quickly the battery can be charged or
2.3.4.2 Types of Solar Batteries: Storage batteries used in solar power system are majorly
(i) Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA): These require regular maintenance and water refilling. They
are cost-effective but have shorter lifespans and lower efficiency. Having a Lifespan of 3-5 years
(ii) Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA): Includes Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) and Gel batteries. They
are maintenance-free and more efficient than FLA. Having a Lifespan of 4-7 years for AGM, and
5-7 years for Gel batteries. It also has a depth of Discharge (DoD) of 50-60%.
(iii) Tubular Batteries: Tubular Lead-Acid: These batteries are known for their durability and
longer lifespan compared to other lead-acid batteries. They are commonly used in off-grid solar
systems and have a Lifespan of 5-10 years and Depth of Discharge (DoD) of around 50-70%.
(i) Lithium-Ion (Li-ion): These are popular due to their high efficiency, longer lifespan, and
low maintenance. They are more expensive but offer better performance and a higher depth of
discharge (DoD). Having a Lifespan of 10-15 years and a depth of Discharge (DoD) of 80-90%.
(ii) Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4): Known for its safety, thermal stability, and long cycle
life. Often used in residential and commercial solar systems having a lifespan of 10-15 years and
• System Compatibility: Ensure the battery is compatible with your solar inverter and overall
system design.
• Energy Needs: Match the battery capacity with your household or business energy
consumption patterns.
• Budget: Consider both the upfront cost and long-term savings when investing in solar
batteries.
• Warranty: Check the warranty period and terms to protect your investment.
2.3.5 Connecting Wires
They are used to connect one component to the other. The generated electricity (electric
current) flows through them to the load. The recommended size of cables is 2.5mm.
• Renewable and Sustainable: The Sun is an inexhaustible energy source, unlike fossil fuels,
• Environmentally Friendly: Solar energy systems produce no pollution and have minimal
• Reduces Electricity Bills: By generating your own electricity, you can reduce or even eliminate
• Energy Independence: Using solar energy reduces dependence on imported fuels and enhances
energy security.
• Job Creation: The solar industry creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of
For Residential use, Solar panels on rooftops can provide electricity for homes, reduce energy bills,
and contribute to energy self-sufficiency. For Commercial Uses, Businesses can use solar energy to
In Industrial Uses, Large-scale solar farms can generate significant amounts of electricity for
industrial processes and the grid. For Rural Electrification; In remote areas without access to the
grid, solar energy can provide a reliable and sustainable power source.
Finally in Transportation, Solar energy is used in some electric vehicles and solar-powered chargers
CHAPTER
METHODO
LOGY
• 3.1 Introduction
This chapter explains the different parts and components used in the design, construction
and installation of the 3.5KVA solar power system, the step by step working principle of
the inverter system and the overall methodology employed in the installation process of
The 3.5KVA solar power system uses a standalone inverter system based on 24V battery
bank(two 12V batteries in series connection) and six photo voltaic cells(PV) as the source
For the 3.5 kVA solar system, 4 units of 300W mono crystalline solar panels were used. The
panel configuration was designed to optimize energy output while ensuring compatibility with
the system's electrical requirements. 4pcs of panels were arranged in 3 rows, with 4 panels per
row. In each row, two panels were connected in series to form a pair, resulting in 6 pairs. The two
pairs in each row were then connected in parallel, creating 3 sub-arrays. The 3 sub-arrays (rows)
were connected together in series, forming the final array configuration. Each pair (2 panels in
series): 600W, 60V, 10A. Each sub-array (2 pairs in parallel): 1200W, 60V, 20A. Final array (3
To create a sturdy and angled mounting structure for the solar panels, a framework of
galvanized steel pipes was designed and constructed. The structure consists of:
• Layout: I marked out a rectangular area of 12ft x 11.5ft to define the solar array rack's
footprint.
• Column Installation: I dug holes for the vertical pipes, setting the tallest pipe (9ft) at the
highest point and the shortest pipe (8.6ft) at the lowest point, creating a slope of about
30° .
• Frame Assembly: I connected the horizontal pipes between the vertical columns, forming
• Bracing: I added diagonal bracing pipes to ensure structural stability and prevent racking.
accommodate the solar panels then placed the connected panel array on it.
To regulate the energy flow from the solar array to the battery bank, a 45A MPPT (Maximum
3.3.1 Installation Procedure: I mounted the charge controller in a well-suited area, close to the
battery. Then I Connected the battery bank’s terminal to the charge controller's input terminal.
Then I connected the solar array terminal to the charge controller's input terminal.
Figure 3.3: MPPT Charge Controller
The battery of the system receives energy to recharge from the combined power from the PVs.
The battery units are 240Ah,12V each, combined in series for obtaining 24V, as this is required
for the inverter circuit of the solar system. Also, the battery management unit linked with the
• Charging voltage: the maximum charging voltage for 24V battery systems based
on lead acid chemistry is 28.5V. At this voltage, the battery system will optimally
charge from boost charging mode till it enters float charging mode. The float
charging is also called maintenance charging, which is to keep the battery terminal
• Charging current: the charging current for acid-based batteries is 20% of the rated
Figure
3.4; Charging Circuit Diagram
• Discharge of the battery: the MPPT charger has a battery state indicator which
shows the user the instantaneous state of the connected battery system ensuring the
The first step was to connect the Center-tapped transformer correctly to step-up the switching DC
voltage. First, I identified the primary winding (low resistance side) of the inverter transformer
and located the center tap. Next, I connected the center tap to the inverter circuit's neutral point or
ground, making sure it was secure. Then, I connected the upper and lower ends of the secondary
winding to the inverter's DC output terminals, double-checking my work. Finally, I ensured the
secondary side had a 220V AC output connection, with high voltage and low current, while the
12V = 24V
Copper gauge for secondary winding (167A current):12AWG (six 12AWG combined in parallel)
Figure 3.6: The center-tap transformer(12-0-12) and the24VDC fan for the inverter
circuit
MOSFET was added to enable switching on the secondary side of the transformer. I
selected the IRF3205 MOSFET, capable of handling over 100A on its drain terminal,
making it perfect for voltage regulation and power conversion. To achieve the required
current handling capacity, I used four IRF3205 MOSFETs, two for the HIGH side and
two for the LOW side of the transformer. Next was to connect each MOSFET, ensuring
proper placement and thermal management to prevent overheating. With the four
MOSFETs in place, then it was confident that the inverter could now handle over 400A,
• TL494 Integrated Circuit (IC): The 16-pin TL494 IC, with maximum operating
voltage of 42V, which is however powered from 12V in this case for optimal
performance and to prolong the lifespan of the IC. The IC was implemented to
provide a stable oscillator frequency for the PWM generator and oscillates within the
frequency range of 1kHz - 300kHz with the oscillator timing capacitor (connected to pin
5) within the range of 0.4nF -10,000nF, and the oscillator timing resistor within the range
of 1.8kΩ - 500kΩ
• LM7812linearvoltageregulatorIC:thisisalinearvoltageregulatortoregulatehe12V
DC used by the inverter circuit oscillator The input voltage to the LM7812 is 12V
DC from the battery, with a 35V 1000uF electrolytic capacitor to smoothen the
voltage across the input to the voltage regulator. The output of the LM7812 is also
havingan electrolytic capacitor to smoothen
the12VDCappearingattheterminalsofTL494.
• Fan: A 24V DC fan is implemented in the inverter circuit, in order to blow to the
heat sinks used in the inverter circuit for cooling the heat sinks, indirectly cooling
• Heat-sink: the heat sink is used in the inverter system extract the heat from the
MOSFETs.
The MOSFETs in the inverter will heat up during operation as a result of high current
flow. The heat on these MOSFETs cannot be dissipated to any extent due to low surface
area of the MOSFETs. In order to extract this heat, heat sinks are added to serve as heat
transfer medium by increasing the surface area for heat dissipation through the vents
voltage across a particular circuit, such as the battery in this case. The battery voltage is
Figure 3.9: Image showing the combined circuit diagram of the inverter
CHAPTER 4
A solar-powered system provides power backup for mains-based appliances in the event
of a power failure. Many of the solar-powered systems available in the market have
complicated circuit designs and are not very economical. Some of them produce a square-
wave output, which is undesirable for inductive loads. In this project, we designed a sine
wave inverter circuit that produces a 50Hz quasi-sine wave output using a single TL494
Below is the result of the construction and installation work done at the Professorial
building, Ikole Campus
Solar panels have no moving parts, and therefore no potential points of mechanical failure. As a
result, a properly installed PV system requires very little maintenance. After the installation of
the solar system, the best maintenance practice is to inspect the equipment, especially the
batteries and modules, to ensure all electrical contacts are tight. We can keep the solar system
You should wash the PV array during the cool part of the day when there is a noticeable buildup
of dust and dirt. Periodically inspect the system to ensure all wiring and supports are intact.
Additionally, check for tree growth that may be shading your modules, and also inspect for birds’
The battery is a very important component in the solar system. For long life, the battery should
be cleaned monthly, the electrolyte level should be checked, and it should be kept in a high state
of charge. When cleaning batteries, be cautious of the battery acid and avoid shorting the
terminals. Carry the battery outside when cleaning to prevent acid spills, and keep plenty of
• Observe the tightness of screws on all connector strips, controls; switches, etc. make sure that
they are well chewed. This is mostly important for old or exposed wire.
• Look at the junction boxes to make sure that insects have not build house there, and also
• Inspect the fuses to ensure no one is blown. If blown, find the cause and replace or repair
• Inspect the indicator lamps on the charge controller. The solar charge controller indicator
should be ON when the sun is up. If is not ON. Check to see if batteries are being charged.
• 4.4 Testing
The physical realization of the project is very important. This is where the entire concept
moves from fantasy to reality. I not only set the work on paper but also completed it as a
finished hardware product. After carrying out all the design and analysis, the project was
implemented and tested to ensure its functionality and was finally constructed to meet the
desired specifications. The process of testing and implementation involved the use of some
Firstly, the bench power supply was used to provide voltage to the various stages of the
circuit during the breadboard testing before soldering. Additionally, during the soldering of
the project, the power supply was used to test various stages before they were finally
soldered. After the final construction, the following were used to test and measure the
overall performance.
4.4.1 Oscilloscope: this was used to observe the oscillator waveform output to ensure the
waveforms were correct and180 degrees out of phase. The driver and the MOSFET gate
4.4.2 Digital multimeter: This basically measures voltage, resistance, continuity, current
frequency, and temperature. The process of implementation of the design on the board
required the measurement of parameter like voltage, continuity, current resistance values
of component and in some cases frequency measurements. The digital multimeter was
used to check frequency of the oscillator stage, also for the general trouble shootings of the
project construction.
The electrical energy audit is being conducted to evaluate the efficiency and performance
of the electrical systems in the building. The scope of the audit includes all the lighting,
fans, charging sockets, televisions, and other resistive loads in the offices that we intend to
power in the aforementioned Professorial buildings. The table below shows all the loads
Fan 12 75 W 360w
Total 3405 W
inverter and the duration was measured as shown table 4.2. The outcome of this test shows
that as the electrical load connected to the inverter system increases, the duration of the
inverter decreases. Therefore, the load connected to the inverter system is inversely
1 9
2 4.5
3 3
3.5 2.57
1KW 9hrs
2KW 4.5hrs
3KW 3hrs
3.5KW 2.57hr
Figure. 4.4: Calculated Load to time curve.
The graph in fig. 4.4 shows the variation of load on the inverter with respect to time is
called the load curve of inverter. The load on an inverter does not remain constant; it
changes from time to time. These changes in the load on an inverter during whole day
half-hourly or hourly and are plotted with respect to time on the graph. The obtained graph
After successful testing of the inverter, the response was satisfactory. Even when
inductive loads were connected, no humming noise or damage was observed in the entire
system. The approach used for the construction was very reliable and can therefore be
recommended for reproduction. For this design, it is advisable not to exceed a load of
3.5kW to maintain the reliability and performance of the inverter system. Moreover, the
1 IC 1 SG3525 1,0
2 IC2 LM741 50
3 IC3 LM741 50
4 IC4 NE555 50
5 C4 470µf 30
6 T3 3.5KW,24V/240V 600
7 Q3, Q4 2N2222 20
9 RG1 7824 40
10 RG2 7811 40
12 C1 0.1µf 20
13 C2 1000µf 15
14 C3 470µf 20
15 R2 150KΩ 7
16 R1,R6,R5,R7,R9,R14,R16 1KΩ 35
17 R3, 6KΩ 7
18 R4 100KKΩ 7
19 R8,R13,R10 10KΩ 15
20 VR1,VR2,VR3,VR4 150KΩ 40
21 R12 200Ω 10
22 R11 1500Ω 7
23 R15 1MΩ 10
25 T1 240V/12V 1,0
27 D1,D2 LED 20
28 SWITCH 63W 20
Sub-Total 713
30 AC VOLTMETER 240V 3,500.00
34 PAINT - 5,000.00
39 MISLLENEOUS - 20,000.00
2x40A,AC,
DC and AC breakers 20,000.00
41 2x63A,DC
Sub-Total 1,740,000.00
Grand Total 2,
CHAPTER FIVE
desperately needed in our society, and this project provided that opportunity. By
implementing this project, I have successfully made the Professorial building less reliant
The project was a 3.5kVA solar-powered system designed to serve as a backup power
supply, capable of withstanding substantial loads without any variation in output voltage.
then using MOSFETs and a transformer for final amplification, making the system ready
for use.
The aims of the project were achieved, as the system is capable of providing a 3.5kVA
pure sine wave AC voltage backup power supply to the first floor of the Professorial
building.
As a general knowledge, no system can be 100% efficient no matter how great the
design, and problem that it aims to solve. Hence, the following are the limitations of the
• Loads that have heating element should not be connected to the inverter
The power inverter can operate safely and effectively on a flat, dry surface, but it must be
protected from hot weather and kept close to the battery supply to receive a direct and
clear signal. A system that is not overloaded with high power ratings would be beneficial.
Although the project goals were met, the inverter cannot be used to power equipment
with higher power ratings. Additionally, any variations in the AC input are reflected in
the inverter output when the inverter is powered by a mains source. Therefore, further
• Converting the inverter to act like a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) through an
• The power capacity of the system can be improved by increasing the number of
• A maximum power point tracking mechanism should be adopted to increase the panel
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