Array Rooftop Installation at Residental House - Case Study Example

sA 3 kW SТС rated grid-connected photovoltaic (РV) array rooftop installation at а residential house near Perth latitude 32° South Name: Lecturer: Course: Institution: Date: Table of Contents Project summary 3 Features of the project 3 Purpose of the project 4 Introduction 4 Environmental Facts   6 Objectives 7 Literature review 7 Technology description 11 Operation cells in the panel 12 Project impacts 12 Environmental impacts 12 Manufacturing Phase 12 Social impacts 12 Financial analysis 13 Project Financial structure 13 Calculations 14 Results and Discussion 19 Assumptions 20 Cost savings 21 Solar plant cost and returns on investment 21 Risks and risk mitigation 23 SWOT analysis 25 Weaknesses 26 Threats ` 26 Assumptions 26 Conclusions 27 Works Cited 28 Project summary The world has been running on low-density sources that relate to the solar energy. Therefore, there have been restrains that have been a causing major roadblock to use and application of solar energy for use. Thus, solar radiation concentration is one of the most viable solutions that are viable to increase the energy density of the solar radiation. Solar trapping and absorption help in the need to attain high energy level require for the electricity generation by the solar panels. Using these poly-crystalline silicon solar modules will help to convert solar energy into electricity, thus the entire 3kW will have the efficiency best for the system. In this project, the type of silicon polycrystalline solar modules used will target the need to attain higher efficiency in energy conversion for electricity generation. When using the solar PV, the storage system uses the batteries that help to store the electrical charge generated from conversion of the solar energy. The power generate from the solar energy may be best used during high power requirements, which during the early hours of the night. Since this project is located at а residential house near Perth whose latitude is 32° south, then this location has the most favorable conditions that have Direct Natural Normal Radiation (DNR). Features of the project This project employs the use of solar radiation to generate electricity for the grid. Therefore, for the purpose of supply to the grid the electricity generated will be converted to AC since, solar PV generates electricity as DC output. Thus, an AC inverter will be in place to convert the power generated from DC to AC current before transmission. Full capacity for the plant installed will be 3KW for grid connection. Purpose of the project The intention of the solar 3 kW SТС rated grid-connected photovoltaic (РV) array as a roof top installation for Power generation project is to assure that there is usage of the energy solar radiation and used in the process to generate electricity. This helps in reducing the need to use the power deficient and ensure sufficient power supply to the grid. This therefore helps in the project activity to facilitate the processes that are involved in the project to lower the power deficit in the in this area. In addition, this helps in the process of reducing the likelihood of the grid system to having to depend on fossil fuel resources, which is primarily diesel. Thus, using the solar energy as source of renewable energy lowers discharge of GHGs to the ambient. Moreover, investing on the project it will greatly contribute to an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable development in the region and the country at large through the commercial operation of the power plant (Suneel, 201). Therefore, this project will be creating value to the need to have sustainable stakeholders while contributing to the aims targeted by the Sustainable Energy for All initiative by the United Nations, UNEP and other stakeholders who have been spearheading the campaign on climate change. Introduction The global fossil fuel source have been on the decrease, thus the sun is becoming of more importance as source renewable energy that meets and over time has met the world clean energy demand. I am designing this project and positioning the self-project as a regional leader in clean energy solutions to tap into the use of solar potential by undertaking the3KW single solar power project near Perth region whose latitude in 32° south. Bigger energy suppliers in the world and power plants in the world have been using majorly fossil fuels for electricity generation. However, with the new generation, power plants have been focusing on the use of solar energy using the sun as the major heat source, which is an already a proven technology and in use on commercial level elsewhere in the world. The baseline scenario of this project assumes that the performance of grid-connected fossil fuel, or Nuclear, or other power plants using heavy diesel fuel for power generation would have otherwise generated electricity delivered to the grid using tapped solar power from the sun by polycrystalline silicon solar panel. When employing the technology, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions issue not an issue because electricity generation from solar photovoltaic generation will amount to zero. Because of the project implementation, there will be GHGs reduction emissions from combustion of fossil fuel. The actions that the entire project demands they must all sustain the development criteria identified by the Ministry of Energy and other relevant stakeholders in the energy sector. The main gains of the execution of this 3KW solar photovoltaic power plant project are: Promotional material and development of the solar energy power plant in Perth region, leading to the introduction of new opportunities for jobs both during the construction and installation phases and to growth in tax revenues for the region The project will generate carbon credits sales, which will lead to an increase in region’s income and increase in tax revenue when the grid power is connected. In a way this project will attract foreign direct and indirect investment, which is centered to spearhead the need invest in renewable energy technologies. Moderation of the negative environmental impacts Burning of fuels (mostly diesel) at power plants results in emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, such as flue gases, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. Moreover, this will be reducing the implementation of the project and sharing its development goals to the achievement towards the MDGs (millennium development goals). Achievement of these goals for the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative is an attainment to have a world with zero emissions to the ambient. Therefore, installation of the 3KW solar power plant connected to the grid will help reduction of Perth’s region GHG emissions by approximately 20% below the current emissions baseline within 10 years. Environmental Facts    The lower limit of 3KW output from the solar photovoltaic project will help in the verge to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 3053 kg per year. To place the project’s environmental benefits into position, the 3 KW solar photovoltaic project will have an annual effect, which is tantamount to:  Removing 1,000 vehicles from the road; Saving 1,000 Ha of trees from being burnt; Saving 1000 tons of coal from being used to produce electricity and; Attaining up to 9,000 solar credits Objectives This project aims at bringing down discharge of the GHGs to the ambient from other sources of power generation. In addition, the project is real model made to generate 3 kW for the grid supply that will help in substituting the deficit from the mains to the grid. Literature review Though the solar PV technology is joining the power supply and generation commercially, solar photovoltaic power generation technology still exists in many parts of the world. The solar power technology employs the radiative energy from the sun. Power generation in this technology will be achievable through conversion of the solar energy by polycrystalline silicon cells arranged serially in the solar panels (Yogi, Frank, & Jan, 74). Garg, Prakash, & Garg, (7) indicates that the solar power depend on the sunlight position on the surface of the solar panels shown in fig 1. Figure 1: solar angle Figure 2: solar path Solar photovoltaic modules provide power that is enough to convert the voltage to a high voltage supply to the mains for use by any high or low voltage electrical equipment. Solar electricity generation systems have inadequate efficiencies that need avoidance using the inverter to raise the voltage for grid connection. Solar PV is a recent source of clean energy harvesting methods used in the generation of electrical energy for the grid supply. This will rely upon the solar path in fig 2. Engineers have discovered that use of solar PV therefore requires presence of sun during the day, which is sufficient in this region. Moreover, solar PV needs to have solar tracking systems that the system used in the solar tracking (Patricia, 301). Figure 3: Solar tracking When designing to use the solar radiation is paragon to focus on solar tracking and solar time during the day and the 21-day month solar. This tracking will depend on the positioning of the panels and the shade direction (fig 4). With current world economy, the prices for the solar PV have subsidies on the selling prices to encourage buying of the solar PVs thus the price for the power falling down to around $0.08 per kWh. These prices are effective especially when looking at the prices for other sources of energy that are above $0.15 per kWh. Figure 4: Roof positioning of the panels and the tree shade direction Technology description Solar radiation lands on n-silicon layer, it excites the electrons due to an increment of the electromagnetic energy from the solar energy. Thus, the electrons get excited and move to the negative pole as the positive charges in the p-silicon layer move towards the positive pole. Therefore, this is how the solar PV converts the solar energy to electrical energy.  Operation cells in the panel Solar cell converts the solar energy to electrical energy. The energy conversion depends on the arrangement and the alignment of the solar panels on the roof. Project impacts Environmental impacts The environmental impacts have three phases Manufacturing Phase In this phase, impacts depend majorly on the use and input of energy requirement. Therefore, the process output materials discharged acts as pollutants. Thus, there is a need to focus on the inventory data converted and uniformly set in the design to provide description of the extraneous characteristics. Transportation Phase The transportation of the fabricated solar photovoltaic panel from the manufacturers to the place of installation is by truck. Thus, these trucks use fuel (majorly diesel), which after combustion releases GHG emissions to the ambient. Social impacts This project is a clean energy project; thus, there are no negative social impacts that may block the growth of the project within the Perth region. However, an EIA is necessary to determine the stakeholder analysis for the land dwellers in that region. Thus, this EIA is to determine the factors that affect development of the project in region. Financial analysis Project Financial structure From the market analysis and the pricing of the solar photovoltaic project, the requirements for the project meet the expected investment plan. Table 1: pricing of the project parts Item Quantity Price Hareon Solar HR-250P-18/Bb - Poly-Crystalline Silicon 1 $225+GST PVI-3600-AU 1 $1450+GST Rewatt 3000TL 1 $950+GST Installation charge of a 3 kW system (no-split, single storey, one inverter) 1 $1650 +GST Mounting Frames (middle clamp, End clamp, rails, Earthing lugs) 3KW kit $750 +GST SB3000TL 1 1950$+GST Government Rebate for 63 Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) generated by 3kW system 63x$34 = $2142 Calculations Figure 5: Sun positions in different months   Where,  = the sun angle (sun declination at a given time) = azimuth angle = hour angle Therefore, for the 12 months, January the sun angle  coordinates: -32.279064, 115.75678 location: Perth region hour Elevation Azimuth 8:38:39 -0.833 78.58 9:00:00 3.56 75.7 10:00:00 15.56 66.96 11:00:00 26.73 56.57 12:00:00 36.46 43.49 13:00:00 43.77 26.65 14:00:00 47.37 6.12 15:00:00 46.31 344.52 16:00:00 40.89 325.49 17:00:00 32.36 310.42 18:00:00 21.89 298.69 19:00:00 10.29 289.17 19:54:34 -0.833 281.61 Figure 6: solar path for a 21 hour day Figure 7: graph of the solar path for a 21-hour day From table 1 with the cost of the installation parts, the cost for the solar photovoltaic power plant would be. Area used will be  Therefore, Power required = This means that for installation of the entire solar photovoltaic module project it will require 12 solar panels to supply 3KW to the grid. These panels are made of poly-crystalline modules rated 30.10 volts. Therefore, for the purchase of the 12 modules the entire project will need; Results and Discussion The results are a clear indication that the sun angle varies from month to month. Thus, it is notable that the sun is on the lowest path during the winter solstice. In addition, the sun rises up the sky towards noon after 12 hours. During the spring equinox, it takes the sun 12 hours to rise from east up the sky and set to the west. During the fall and spring equinox, the earth twice experiences 12 hours day. Therefore, during the equinox there will be low sun trapped and converted to electricity. Thus, the storage system should be adequate to store enough energy to serve the deficit. Thus, the solar panels should be located at section D of the roof; this is because the sun at all times will fall on the panels with low interference from the shading. However, the solar panels should be connected to 6, 12volt batteries in series to provide maximum power to the inverter (fig 8). Assuming that the storage system is strong enough, and then the trees would not have a greater effect on the system though the trees would cause shading effects on the modules thus lowering the radiation reaching the modules. Figure 8: system connection Assumptions It is assumed that the system operates during the 25 year warranty period with no loses and under minimal maintenance. Thus, the entire project will require; Item Quantity Price Total cost Hareon Solar HR-250P-18/Bb - Poly-Crystalline Silicon 12 $225+GST $2700+GST PVI-3600-AU 2 $1450+GST $2900+GST Rewatt 3000TL 1 $950+GST $950+GST Installation charge of a 3 kW system (no-split, single storey, one inverter) 1 $1650 +GST $1650 +GST Mounting Frames (middle clamp, End clamp, rails, Earthing lugs) 3KW kit $750 +GST SB3000TL 1 $1950+GST Government Rebate for 63 Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) generated by 3kW system 63x$34 = $2142 Total project cost $13,042+GST Cost savings If the cost price for 1kWh is $0.08 per kWh then annual returns for the project would be; Therefore, the project would take,  There is a feasible payback period considering that it has 25 years guarantee with minimum or zero maintenance costs. Thus for the period of usage the project it will be earning profits for the project. Solar plant cost and returns on investment The 3 KW solar photovoltaic power generation projects, the cost of this project about $20,000. This estimation is per the pricing of the components costs as presented in table 1, which is a summary of the price quotations from the manufacturer. The project will additionally have an estimated annual maintenance; will operate at less than $ 100, which include some cleaning, and fewer maintenance plans. When the project is complete, it can provide an estimate of about $10,000 revenues to the project. Graph below is breakdown of the of the cost contributors of a solar photovoltaic panels that the project will use to generate the 3 KW solar power for supply to the grid. Major costs in the solar photovoltaic project are incurred in the installation and the design of the storage system that will be storing the 3 KW power converted from the solar radiation. Therefore, taking 2013 as the base year, then; Considering the system has 3kw and utility cost has $0.08 per kwh. Then, it will take approximately 15 years to payback the installation of the solar power system (fig 9). Figure 9: return on investment Based on the cost analysis and planning from 2013 to 2036, the graph above, it clear that the reduction in O&M cost is primarily because of the increase in plant size and the increase in annual plant capacity. The capacity of the plant increases directly because of the increases in solar energy storage ability. Consequently, it leads to increment of the power generated and supplied (KW) electrical capacity factor of the power plant gets minimum addition in the fixed O&M expenses. When solar photovoltaic plant is doubled, it lowers the cost of the plant by approximately 12-14%. Typically, the diminutions on the costs come in three major areas. Firstly, the manufacturing intensity of solar photovoltaic that is set and designed for bigger plants. Secondly, solar PV power plant that is twice the size will not cost double as much to build. Third, the O&M costs for the construction of larger solar power plant will be the cheapest model to build and would be much less to construct per kilowatt. Solar PV electrical power technologies provide reliable and expeditious source of electrical power that can supply power all time through. This means that it is easy to change the power developed for future usage. Therefore, power supplied from the solar plant is reliable to offset the power supply in the country from the grid connection. Risks and risk mitigation Initial project risk assessment Table 2: project risk assessment Risk Risk Level L/M/H Likelihood of Event Mitigation Low commitment Level/ negative view of the project by the technology users L: Understanding the value & supports project Unlikely seeking feedback frequently to ensure continued support from the technology users Lack of commitment as relating to the Mid-Management L: Likelihood that most understand value & support project Unlikely Frequently support and new ideas to ensure continued support the user attitude/ commitment level from the technology users L: Understands value & supports project Unlikely to win continuous support from the users through feedback information. Project Size Person Hours H: Over 1,000 Certainty Assigned Project Manager, engaged consultant, comprehensive project management approach and communications plan Team Size at Peak to check the solar panels H: Over 2 members Certainty there is a need to have comprehensive plan on the communication measures, improve and focus on investing tight project management overseeing. Issue with the interference in regard to existing systems H: Over 3 times Certainty Formulation of an interface document that will comprise of the control measures used Project Definition likelihood that the costs might be unrealistic L:Thoroughly predicted by industry experts using proven practices to 10% margin of error Unlikely Included in project plan, subject to amendment as new details regarding project scope are revealed The project will have a continuous Risk Assessment aimed at monitoring and updating on the project development, which is open to correction by the solar photovoltaic installers. Since, project leadership must agree upon moderation encouragements that are established on the impact assessment of the involved risks, the project ability to consent the risk, and the feasibility of palliating the risk; all the key players in the energy sector must be involved (Yogi, Frank, & Jan, 74). This will be dedicated to have the need to have the means to distinguish new risks and discussing mitigation strategies. SWOT analysis Strengths for the solar power plant are based on the need to start the solar PV system, considering development strategies. Therefore, the solar PV power plant is best suited because: This type of electricity source is easy to source and has no pollution effects to the environment The system will function maximally with negligible or zero annual maintenance Electricity generation from solar is feasible in the need to check the economy where connection to the grid or fuel transport is difficult and costly Capital cost of installing a solar power plant and costs for maintenance are low Unlike diesel power plants, solar photovoltaic power generation uses free solar radiation to generate the desirable energy for generating the electrical power need for the grid connection The solar photovoltaic power located Perth region has 320, which is sufficient to provide enough solar radiation for electrical power generation. In this area, the amount of the solar irradiation is of the required amount that will provide the 3KW power generation with sufficient solar power required all day. Therefore, it will have enough radiation to provide the desirable solar radiation for the electricity generation. In addition, the solar photovoltaic power project is in a location that has free access by the installers and will be open with an assumption that there will be no shades. Weaknesses All technology developments face various challenges that need attention from the key players in the technology installation. Therefore, the major challenge that the solar photovoltaic technology is facing is the nighttime and days with no solar radiation. Threats ` Major threats that face solar PV projects installation and development include the high prices from the purchase and installation of the solar polycrystalline silicon modules. In addition, there are issues pertaining shade from trees and presence of the sun for the solar panels conversion to electrical energy. Assumptions The project will have enough time for execution and its usage in the market for testing as well supply to the grid connection. Project team members will follow and adhere to the Communications protocol for the project development. Project would be complete in time and meet the time deadline without any fatal flaws. Conclusions There are grounds that act as barriers for better solar resource in remote areas and may justify inclusion of extra costs needs for transmission so that they are competitive with plants at locations that are remote but with a more inadequate solar resource. Thus, the large solar PV energy saving potential in Perth region realizes the need to have the 3 KW solar photovoltaic in the region connected to the grid to meet the electricity deficit demand. Therefore, the project will be on the prospect to have positive effect on the use and application of solar photovoltaic technology that will be because: It is easy to develop a sizeable solar energy resource in Perth region; It will rely solely on the technology advancement potential in the region; It will provide opportunities for low-cost technology and construction in the country Opportunities for incorporated energy storage sources to store energy in better-advanced means and with the use of clean technology without pollution Carbon credit potential when the project has picked the market earning the credit potential There is the need for the commitment by the government to support renewable energy generation and installation of the subsequent technology A solar photovoltaic power supply in this project will operate at power cost not exceeding the current prices, at the hour of supply. Thus, some support is still required, for example, making it to be as requirement to use and renewable energy insurance. Lastly, it is safer to use and install solar radiation for electricity generation both at commercial level and in the homes, which guarantees safe environment. Works Cited Suneel, Deambi. Solar PV Power: A Global Perspective, New Delhi: TERI Press, 2010. Garg, Prakash, Garg, H. P., Solar Energy: Fundamentals and Applications, New York: Tata McGraw-Hill Education, 2000. Yogi, Goswami, Frank, Kreith, & Jan, Kreider, Principles of solar engineering, New York: Taylor & Francis, 2000. Patricia, Park. International Law for Energy and the Environment, New York: CRC Press, 2013. Read More

Moreover, investing on the project it will greatly contribute to an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable development in the region and the country at large through the commercial operation of the power plant (Suneel, 201). Therefore, this project will be creating value to the need to have sustainable stakeholders while contributing to the aims targeted by the Sustainable Energy for All initiative by the United Nations, UNEP and other stakeholders who have been spearheading the campaign on climate change.

Introduction The global fossil fuel source have been on the decrease, thus the sun is becoming of more importance as source renewable energy that meets and over time has met the world clean energy demand. I am designing this project and positioning the self-project as a regional leader in clean energy solutions to tap into the use of solar potential by undertaking the3KW single solar power project near Perth region whose latitude in 32° south. Bigger energy suppliers in the world and power plants in the world have been using majorly fossil fuels for electricity generation.

However, with the new generation, power plants have been focusing on the use of solar energy using the sun as the major heat source, which is an already a proven technology and in use on commercial level elsewhere in the world. The baseline scenario of this project assumes that the performance of grid-connected fossil fuel, or Nuclear, or other power plants using heavy diesel fuel for power generation would have otherwise generated electricity delivered to the grid using tapped solar power from the sun by polycrystalline silicon solar panel.

When employing the technology, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions issue not an issue because electricity generation from solar photovoltaic generation will amount to zero. Because of the project implementation, there will be GHGs reduction emissions from combustion of fossil fuel. The actions that the entire project demands they must all sustain the development criteria identified by the Ministry of Energy and other relevant stakeholders in the energy sector. The main gains of the execution of this 3KW solar photovoltaic power plant project are: Promotional material and development of the solar energy power plant in Perth region, leading to the introduction of new opportunities for jobs both during the construction and installation phases and to growth in tax revenues for the region The project will generate carbon credits sales, which will lead to an increase in region’s income and increase in tax revenue when the grid power is connected.

In a way this project will attract foreign direct and indirect investment, which is centered to spearhead the need invest in renewable energy technologies. Moderation of the negative environmental impacts Burning of fuels (mostly diesel) at power plants results in emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, such as flue gases, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. Moreover, this will be reducing the implementation of the project and sharing its development goals to the achievement towards the MDGs (millennium development goals).

Achievement of these goals for the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative is an attainment to have a world with zero emissions to the ambient. Therefore, installation of the 3KW solar power plant connected to the grid will help reduction of Perth’s region GHG emissions by approximately 20% below the current emissions baseline within 10 years. Environmental Facts    The lower limit of 3KW output from the solar photovoltaic project will help in the verge to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 3053 kg per year.

To place the project’s environmental benefits into position, the 3 KW solar photovoltaic project will have an annual effect, which is tantamount to:  Removing 1,000 vehicles from the road; Saving 1,000 Ha of trees from being burnt; Saving 1000 tons of coal from being used to produce electricity and; Attaining up to 9,000 solar credits Objectives This project aims at bringing down discharge of the GHGs to the ambient from other sources of power generation.

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