"SLC21/WK5: Introduction to Basic Solar Power"

Edited with canvas

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A. Share your knowledge about solar power with us by reading our lesson.

Based on my knowledge together with what I have so far learned by reading this lesson I have come to understand what solar power is, how it works, its types application and so on.

Having said that, Solar Power is a renewable energy source that harnesses (generate) energy from the Sun and converts the generated energy into heat or electricity. Solar power is an alternative to fossil fuels and it plays a very significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here I will be using the small solar power in my home to show you how solar power works and its key aspects.

Let's take a look at how solar power works. In solar power, these three things which have been discussed below are what make solar power work perfectly.

• Photovoltaic (PV) Cells: In solar power PV Cells is what convert sunlight directly into electricity. If you take a look into solar power you see that PV Cells are made of semiconductor materials like silicon, which helps to generate electric current when it is been exposed to sunlight.

• Solar Thermal: Solar power is a system that uses sunlight to heat a fluid, which can be used for generating electricity through sunlight or heating.

• Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): If you take a look at solar power you will see lenses or mirrors that focus on sunlight onto a small area that helps to generate heat, which is then used to produce electricity for you.

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B. Write three important differences between AC solar and DC solar systems. (as learned from our lesson)

To make this more understandable I will be sharing with you the three important differences between AC and DC solar systems that I have learned in the lesson and present them in tabular form.

Based Usage	DC Solar System	AC Solar System
Type of Current Generated	DC solar system produces direct current, which is the type of electricity that is generated by solar panels which is flows in a single direction.	AC solar system, converts DC power from the panels into alternating current using micro inverters at each panel, which is suitable for both commercial and home appliances.
Inverter Usage	A central string inverter is required to convert the DC electricity which is generated by the solar panels into AC for use.	It is used micro inverter directly on each panel, converting DC to AC as soon as the panel level.
Performance & Efficiency	If one panel should underperform due to dirt, damage, or shading, the whole system can be affected since the panels are connected in series.	In AC each panel is independently operated with its microinverter, which means the performance of one panel doesn't affect other panels, improving it efficiency.

Now, if I put my mini solar above on sunlight and connect it to the charger controller, then plug in the light and other things I will have light in my room.

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C. Calculate your home's electrical load and share it with us. Follow our lesson as an example.

I am staying in a single silicon apartment which I don't use much electrical load since I am a bachelor who hardly stays around for long. Here, I have calculated my home electrical load as shown below.

Electrical Elements Name	Rating	Quantity	Total Power
Light	30 Watt	4 Pcs	120 Watt
Standing Fan	70 Watt	1 Pcs	70 Watt
Electric cooker	1000 Watt	1 Pcs	1000 Watt

According to the above electrical load, a total of 1190 Watts is what my house has. This means if I purchase a DC solar power today, I will have to purchase a DC solar power system according to the above load.

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D. Prepare a DC solar project specification for a customer's home to use four 5-watt lamps and three 20-watt fans.

DC Solar Project Specification for a Customer's Home

Electrical Elements Name	Rating	Quantity	Total Power
Lamps	5 Watt	4 Pcs	20 Watt
Fans	20	3 Pcs	60 Watt

According to the above, the total electrical load is 80 watts. With the information, I will have to purchase a DC solar system according to the load or specifications.

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Solar Material Name	Quantity	Range
Battery	1 Pcs	12V or 75Ah
Solar Panel	1 Pcs	150 Watt (or two 80W panels)
Charge Controller	1 Pcs	20A
DC Fan	3 Pcs	20 Watt
DC Lamps	4 Pcs	5 Watt

Accessories and Wiring: DC cables, fuses, solar panel mounting, and connectors, are the needed accessories for this type of connection which is made to the charger controller or directly to the battery.

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E. Prepare specifications for a customer's AC solar system to drive a water pump motor of 1 HP or 746 W and write the function of each device.

AC Solar Project Specification for a Customer's Water Pump Motor

Electrical Elements Name	Rating	Quantity	Total Power
Water Pump Motor Power	1 HP or 746 W	1 Pcs	1 HP or 746 W

The above is a water pump motor of AC power load. The AC solar system can be constructed to provide 1 HP or 746 W of AC power. Now, assuming the AC power works for like 5 hours in a day the daily consumption will be calculated as 5 × 746 = 3,730 Wh/day

Solar Material Name	Quantity	Range
Inverter	1 Pcs	1200W pure sine wave inverter
Battery	1 Pcs	12V, 400Ah deep-cycle battery
Charge Controller	1 Pcs	12V, 75A MPPT charge controller
Solar Panel	1 Pcs	750W solar panel or two 375W panels

As discussed earlier, the inverter converts DC electricity into AC electricity so the 1 HP water pump motor can be powered, the Battery provides longer-term power storage for further usage whenever there is no sunlight. The Charge controller is what increases the efficiency in energy conversion based on how effective sunlight is, while the solar panel is what converts sunlight into DC electricity,

I am inviting; @kouba01, @dove11, @simonmwigwe, and @ruthjoe

Cc:-
@mahadisalim