The University of Jordan
School of Engineering
Jordan Seasons For Energy & Technology
Training Report For The Third Week
Nov.24.2024 - Nov.28.2024
Katya Mohammad Ismail Abdel Wahab
0204034
Contents
Solar Pumping System……………………………………………………………3
Calculations for a solar-powered pumping system for single-phase and three-
phase pumps………………………………………………………………………5
Off-Grid Solar PV System………………………………………………………..8
Designing an Off-Grid Solar System……………………………………………10
Solar Pumping System
A solar-powered pumping system uses energy harnessed from the sun via solar
panels to operate a pump for moving water or other fluids. These systems are widely
used in agriculture, irrigation, drinking water supply, and other off-grid applications.
Key Components of a Solar Pumping System
(1) Solar Panels
Convert sunlight into electricity.
Typically use photovoltaic (PV) cells.
Power rating depends on the pump's energy needs and sunlight availability.
(2) Pump Controller (Inverter)
Regulates power supply from the solar panels to the pump.
Protects the pump from voltage fluctuations.
Converts direct current (DC) from panels into alternating current (AC), if the pump
requires AC.
(3) Pump
Can be either submersible (for deep wells) or surface pumps (for shallow water
sources).
Types include centrifugal, diaphragm, or screw pumps.
May be designed to work on DC or AC power.
(4) Water Storage Tank (Optional)
Stores pumped water for use during periods with insufficient sunlight.
(5) Batteries (Optional)
Store excess solar energy for use when sunlight is unavailable (e.g., at night or on
cloudy days).
Not always included in reducing costs.
How It Works
Energy Capture: Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight.
Power Delivery: The controller delivers stable power to the pump.
Pumping: The pump moves water from the source (e.g., a well, river, or reservoir)
to the desired location.
Storage/Use: Water can be directly used or stored in tanks for later use.
Advantages
Eco-Friendly: Relies on renewable solar energy.
Cost-Effective: Reduces electricity or fuel costs after initial setup.
Low Maintenance: Fewer mechanical components compared to traditional pumps.
Independent: Ideal for remote areas without access to grid electricity.
Calculations for a solar-powered pumping system for single-phase
and three-phase pumps
To calculate the power and energy requirements for a solar-powered pumping
system for single-phase and three-phase pumps, you need to consider several factors,
including pump power, voltage, and efficiency.
1. Key Equations for Electrical Power
For Single-Phase Pumps:
P input = V×I×PF
Where:
P input: Input power (Watts)
V: Voltage (Volts)
I: Current (Amps)
PF: Power factor (typically between 0.8 and 1 for pumps)
For Three-Phase Pumps:
P input = √3×V×I×PF
2. Steps to Calculate Solar Panel Sizing
Step 1: Determine Pump Power
Find the pump's power rating in kilowatts (kW) from the specifications. Include the
motor efficiency (η motor):
P pump = P input / η motor
Step 2: Estimate Solar Panel Power
To account for system inefficiencies (e.g., inverter, wiring losses), consider the
overall efficiency (η total, typically 0.75–0.9):
P solar = P input / η total
Step 3: Adjust for Peak Sun Hours
Calculate daily energy requirement:
E daily = P solar × T
Where:
T is the daily operating time in hours.
Divide by the peak sun hours (PSH) in your location:
P panel = E daily / PSH
Step 4: Account for Number of Panels
Choose solar panels based on their rated power (P panel, rated):
N panels = P panel / P panel, rated
Examples :
Single-Phase Pump Example
• Pump power (P input): 1.5 kW
• Voltage (V): 230V
• Current (I): P input / (V×PF) =1500 / (230×0.9) =7.24 A
• Motor efficiency (η motor ): 90% (η total=80% )
• PSH: 5 hours
• Solar power: P solar=1500 / 0.8=1875 W
• Required panels: N panels=1875 / 400 ≈ 5 (assuming 400W panels)
Three-Phase Pump Example
• Pump power (P input): 3 kW
• Voltage (V): 400V
• Current (I): P input / (√3 ×V×PF) =3000 / (3×400×0.9) =4.81 A
• Motor efficiency (η motor): 90%
• PSH: 5 hours
• Solar power: P solar=3000 / 0.8=3750 W
• Required panels: N panels=3750 / 400 ≈ 10
Off-Grid Solar PV System
An off-grid solar PV system is a standalone system that generates electricity
independently, without being connected to the power grid. It uses solar panels to
produce electricity and stores excess energy in batteries for use when sunlight is
unavailable, such as at night or on cloudy days.
Components of an Off-Grid Solar PV System
Solar Panels:
Convert sunlight into electricity.
It is based on energy needs and local solar isolation.
Solar Charge Controller:
Regulates voltage and current from solar panels to batteries.
Protects batteries from overcharging or deep discharge.
Types:
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): Cost-effective for smaller systems.
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking): More efficient, suitable for larger
systems.
Battery Bank:
Stores excess energy produced by solar panels.
Provides power during periods of low sunlight or at night.
Common type: Lithium-ion.
Inverter:
Converts direct current (DC) from batteries to alternating current (AC) for
appliances.
It should be sized to handle the peak load of connected devices.
Loads (Appliances):
Devices powered by the system, such as lights, fans, refrigerators, and pumps.
Backup Generator (Optional):
Provides additional power during extended cloudy periods or high demand.
How It Works
Daytime:
Solar panels generate electricity.
Power is supplied directly to appliances, and surplus energy is stored in batteries.
Night or Low-Sunlight Periods:
Energy stored in batteries powers the loads.
Excess Demand:
If the load exceeds the stored energy, a backup generator (if available) kicks in.
Designing an Off-Grid Solar System
Step 1: Calculate the consumption [kW]
Consumption = ( power [W] x Number of devices ) / 1000
Step 2: ∑ Consumption = AC Size
Step 3: Calculate Daily Energy Demand
E daily = ∑(Power of each appliance)×(Hours of use per day)
= Energy during the day + Energy during the night
Step 4: Size the Solar Panels
DC size a day [kWp] = E daily / PSH
PSH = 4.3 hours
Step 5: Battery size
Night consumption [kW] = Battery size
Assume it is 20 kW , but due to the depth of discharge (DoD) = 80 %
Usable Capacity = Total Capacity × DoD
Total Capacity = 20 Kw / 0.8 = 25 Kw
Step 6: Number of panels
= DC / 0.55 (assuming 550W panels)
