Site logo

Electrical Engineering Academy

Cover image

4. Calculate Size of Solar Panel


CALCULATE SIZE OF SOLAR PANEL

Calculate Size of Solar Panel, No of Solar Panel and Size of Inverter for following Electrical Load

Electrical Load Detail:

  • 1 No’s of 100W Computer use for 8 Hours/Day * 2 No’s of 60W Fan use for 8 Hours/Day * 1 No’s of 100W CFL Light use for 8 Hours/Day

Solar System Detail:

  • Solar System Voltage (As per Battery Bank) = 48V DC * Loose Wiring Connection Factor = 20% * Daily Sunshine Hour in Summer = 6 Hours/Day * Daily Sunshine Hour in Winter = 4.5 Hours/Day * Daily Sunshine Hour in Monsoon = 4 Hours/Day

Inverter Detail:

  • Future Load Expansion Factor = 10% * Inverter Efficiency = 80% * Inverter Power Factor =0.8

CALCULATION:

Step-1: Calculate Electrical Usages per Day

  • Power Consumption for Computer = No x Watt x Use Hours/Day * Power Consumption for Computer = 1x100x8 =800 Watt Hr/Day * Power Consumption for Fan = No x Watt x Use Hours/Day * Power Consumption for Fan = 2x60x8 = 960 Watt Hr/Day * Power Consumption for CFL Light = No x Watt x Use Hours/Day * Power Consumption for CFL Light = 1x100x8 = 800 Watt Hr/Day * Total Electrical Load = 800+960+800 =2560 Watt Hr/Day

Step-2: Calculate Solar Panel Size

  • Average Sunshine Hours = Daily Sunshine Hour in Summer+ Winter+ Monsoon /3 * Average Sunshine Hours = 6+4.5+4 / 3 =8 Hours * Total Electrical Load =2560 Watt Hr/Day * Required Size of Solar Panel = (Electrical Load / Avg. Sunshine) X Correction Factor * Required Size of Solar Panel =(2560 / 4.8) x 1.2 = 635.6 Watt * Required Size of Solar Panel = 635.6 Watt

Step-3: Calculate No of Solar Panel / Array of Solar Panel

If we Use 250 Watt, 24V Solar Panel in Series-Parallel Type Connection

  • In Series-Parallel Connection Both Capacity (watt) and Volt are increases * No of String of Solar Panel (Watt) = Size of Solar Panel / Capacity of Each Panel * No of String of Solar Panel ( Watt) = 635.6 / 250 = 2.5 No’s Say 3 No’s * No of Solar Panel in Each String= Solar System Volt / Each Solar Panel Volt * No of Solar Panel in Each String= 48/24 =2 No’s * Total No of Solar Panel = No of String of Solar Panel x No of Solar Panel in Each String * Total No of Solar Panel = 3×2 =6 No’s * Total No of Solar Panel =6 No’s

Step-4: Calculate Electrical Load:

  • Load for Computer = No x Watt * Load for Computer = 1×100 =100 Watt * Load for Fan = No x Watt * Load for Fan = 2×60 = 120 Watt * Load for CFL Light = No x Watt * Load for CFL Light = 1×100 = 100 Watt * Total Electrical Load = 100+120+100 =320 Watt

Step-5: Calculate Size of Inverter:

  • Total Electrical Load in Watt = 320 Watt * Total Electrical Load in VA= Watt /P.F * Total Electrical Load in VA =320/0.8 = 400VA * Size of Inverter =Total Load x Correction Factor / Efficiency * Size of Inverter = 320 x 1.2 / 80% =440 Watt * Size of Inverter =400 x 1.2 / 80% =600 VA * Size of Inverter = 440 Watt or 600 VA

SUMMARY:

  • Required Size of Solar Panel = 635.6 Watt * Size of Each Solar Panel = 250 Watt. 12 V * No of String of Solar Panel = 3 No’s * No of Solar Panel in Each String = 2 No’s * Total No of Solar Panel =6 No’s * Total Size of Solar Panel = 750 Watt * Size of Inverter = 440 watt or 600 VA