The Concept of a Solar Power Plant

Solar power plant that the concept is simple. The changing light the sun into electrical energy. The Sun's light is a form of energy from of natural resources. The natural resources of the Sun is already widely used to supply power outage in satellite communication via solar cells. Solar cells can generate energy electricity in an unlimited number of directly taken from the Sun, with no part the spin and require no fuel. So that the solar cell systems often said to be clean and environmentally friendly.

solar panels


Compared with a generator of electricity, there are rotating and require fuel to be able to generate electricity. His voice is loud. In addition the exhaust gas the resulting effect may give rise to GHG (green house gas) that influence could damage the ecosystem of our planet Earth.

Solar cell system used in the Earth's surface consists of a solar cell panel, circuit controller charging (charge controller), and aki (battery) 12 volt which is maintenance free. Panel solar cells are made up of several modules that solar cells are merged in connect series and parallel depending on the size and capacity as needed. Frequently used is the solar cell module 20 watt or 30 watts. Solar cell modules that generate electricity which is proportionate to the surface area of a panel that is exposed to the Sun.

Controller circuit in the battery charging system that is a series of solar cells electronic regulating the process of charging akinya. This controller can set voltage aki in voltage 12 volt hose plus minus 10 percent. When the voltage down to 10.8 volt, then the controller will fill the aki with solar panel as its resources. Of course the process of filling it would have happened if there are currently taking place on the sunlight. If drop in voltage that occurs at night, then the controller will disconnect the supply electrical energy. After the process of filling it lasted for several hours, the battery voltage is going up. When the voltage reaches 13.2 volts battery that, then the controller will stop the process of charging the battery. Charging controller circuit it is actually easy to be assembled on its own. But, it's usually set this controller is already available in a State so on the market. Indeed it's quite expensive price controller if purchased as a separate unit. Most solar cell systems were only sold in the form of a complete package that is ready to use. So, the solar cell system in the form of a complete package that's definitely less expensive compared to when you assemble yourself.

Usually it's put the solar panels with a static position facing the Sun. When the Earth's motion around the Sun. The orbits of the Earth are taken with the Sun being in elip one focal point. As the Sun moves to form an ever-changing, then with the position that the solar panels that will not be retrieved the static electricity that is optimal. In order to be absorbed to the maximum, then the Sun would have to be organised always falls perpendicular to the surface of the solar panels. So, to get an optimal electrical energy systems, solar cells, it remains to be equipped with a series of optional controllers to set the direction of the surface of the solar panels so that it always faces the Sun such that the rays fell almost perpendicular mahatari in the suryanya pane. Such a controller can be built, for example, by using a microcontroller 8031. This controller is not simple, because it consists of the hardware and the software. Normally, the solar cell system packages are complete, excluding the controller to move solar panels automatically so that the Sun's rays fall perpendicular. Therefore, this kind of controller is quite expensive.

Preparation Before Building A Solar Panel

Because solar power plant is highly dependent upon the Sun, good planning is indispensable. Planning consists of:
  • The amount of power needed in everyday usage (Watts).
  • how much current is produced solar cells panel (in Ampere hour), in which case take into account how many solar panels to be installed. 
  • How the battery unit needed for the desired capacity and usage considerations without sunlight. (Ampere hour).

Advantages Of Solar Panels (Power Plants)

Here are the advantages of Solar Panels (Power Plants)
  • Renewable energy
  • Eco-friendly solar cell panels, long/long term investment 
  • Practical
  • Very suitable for the tropics
Solar panels as an important component of the solar power plant, converting sunlight into electricity. Generally we calculate the maximum sunlight is converted into electrical power throughout the day is 5 hours. Electric power in the early afternoon is stored in the battery, so that electricity can be used at night, where no sunlight.

Types of solar panels

Solar panels/solar cell change the intensity of sunlight into electrical energy. Photovoltaic/solar cell generates a current that is used to charge the battery.

Photovoltaic/solar cell consists of photovoltaic, generating electricity from the intensity of the light, as light intensity decreases (cloudy, rainy, overcast) electricity produced would also be reduced.

By adding photovoltaic/solar cell (expanding) means adding the conversion of solar power. Large solar panels/solar cell with a certain size provide specific results. For example the size of a cm x b cm produce electricity DC (Direct Current) of x Watts per hour/hours.

Types of photovoltaic/solar cell:

Polikristal (Poly-crystalline) 

Is the solar panels/solar cell that has a random arrangement of the crystals. Type Polikristal requires a larger surface area compared with other types of monokristal to generate electrical power, but can produce electricity at the time of light showers.

Monokristal (Mono-crystalline)

Is the most efficient panels generate electric power, a broad unity. Have an efficiency of up to 15%. The downside of this type of panel is not going to work either on the grounds that their Sun is less light (shade), the efficiency would drop drastically in cloudy weather.

What is GTI (Grid Tie Inverter)?

A grid-tie inverter (GTI) is a special type of inverter that converts direct current (DC) electricity to flow back and forth (AC) and feeds into an electrical network. This is necessary if You want a reliable renewable energy system that combines the solar energy and charge flow back and forth.

GTIs is often used to convert the direct current produced pleh an energy source that can be updated like solar panels or wind turbines into the current alternative to light up homes and a wide range of businesses. The name of the technique for grid-tie inverter is "grid-interactive inverter or inverter synchronous. Grid-interactive Inverter cannot be used in a standalone application There is no utility power.

other tasks to do grid tie inverter is net metering processes. Net metering method will allow you to meyimpan a bit of energy on the electricity. Maintenance becomes easier because it doesn't use batteries. GTIs will shut off automatically if not exists diindentifikasi. Grid-tie inverters are designed to disconnect from the grid if the grid goes down utility. In the event of a blackout, the grid-tie inverter will prevent energy produced can be detrimental to workers. GTIs used with battery called an inverter multi function. Renewable energy Grid consisting of many different important part but the much more essential and absolute for grid tie inverter system is. Without grid tie inverter system cannot work properly.

Grid-tie inverters are available in pasaraan currently using different technology, that is, using a higher-frequency transformer, conventional low frequency transformer, the transformer or not. Grid-tie inverter including maximum power point tracker on the input side allows the inverter to take optimal amounts of electrical power sources.

Solar Cells Panel Explained

The main difference from the solar cell panel is the production of material for solar cells panels. Of solar cells panels of the most common is crystalline silicon. Crystalline material can consist of a single crystal, mono or single-crystalline and poly or multi-crystalline. In addition there is a panel solar cells made of thin layers of amorphous silicon. Crystalline silicon cells have two almost identical type, although single crystalline cells more efficient compared with poly-crystalline because of poly-crystalline bonds between cells. hallmarks of amorphous silicon is an affordable price but not se efficient crystalline silicon solar cell.

Get To Know The Performance Of The Solar Cell Panel

Total spending on electricity (wattage) of the solar cell panel is proportional to the voltage/operating voltage multiplied by current operation at this time. Solar cell panel can generate currents of varying voltage. This contrasts with the batteries, which generate current from a relatively constant voltage.

Output characteristics of solar cell panels can be seen from the performance curve, called I-V curve. I-V curse shows the relationship between current and voltage.



The image above shows a typical I-V curve. Voltage (V) is the horizontal axis. The current (I) is the vertical axis. Most I-V curve is given in the standard Test Conditions (STC): 1000 watts per square metre of radiation (also called a Sun/sun peak one peak hour) and 25 degrees Celsius/77 degrees Fahrenheit temperature solar cell panels. As STC information represents the optimal conditions in a laboratory environment.

I-v curve consists of 3 important things:
  1. Maximum Power Point (Vmp and Imp)
  2. Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)
  3. Short Circuit Current (Isc)

Maximum Power Point (Vmp and Imp)

On the I-V curve, the Maximum Power Point Vmp and Imp, is the point of operation, where the maximum expenditure/output generated by the solar cell panel when operational conditions. In other words, Vmp and Imp can be measured at the time of solar cell panels are load at 25 degrees Celsius and radiation 1000 watts per square meter. On the curve above the baseline voltage of 5 volts is Vmp, and Imp is 2,5 ampere. The number of Watts on the maximum limit is determined by multiplying the Vmp and Imp, maximum number of Watts on STC is 43 Watts.

Output voltage decreasing. reduced as The flow and power output of most module solar cell panel voltage/voltage decreases as increases surpass maximum power point.



Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)

Open Circuit Voltage (Voc), is the maximum voltage capacity can be achieved at the time of the absence of current (current). On the I-V curve, the Voc was the 9 volt. Power at the time of the Voc is 1 watt.

Voc solar cell panels can be measured in field in various circumstances. When purchasing module, it is highly recommended for testing the voltage to see if fits the sepisifikasi factory. When testing the voltage with a digital multimeter from positive to negative terminal to terminal. Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) can be measured in the morning and afternoon.

Short Circuit Current (Isc)

Short Circuit Current Isc, is the maximum output current from solar cell panels that can be issued (output) under the condition with no resistance or short circuit. On the I-V curve above shows an estimate of current 2.65 Ampere. Cruising at Isc is 1 watt.

Short circuit current can be measured only at the time of making a direct connection of positive and negative terminals of the module's solar cell panels.

Solar Cell Panel Label Specifications

All values found in the I-V curve is used to create labels that are specific to each module solar cell panels. All ditera models under the standard test conditions. Label Specifications can be found on the back of the module's solar cell panels:
  • Electrical rating at 1.000 Watt/m2
  • AM 1.5, Temperature Cell 25 degree Celcius
  • Max. Power: 43 W
  • Voc: 21.4 V
  • Vmp: 17.3 V
  • Isc: 2.65 A
  • Imp: 2.5 A

Factors that Affect Solar Cells Panel

Five main things that affect performance/performance of solar cells panel module:
  1. material for solar cells panel maker 
  2. The resistance of the load 
  3. The intensity of sunlight 
  4. Temperature/temperature solar cells panel 
  5. Shadow-shading.

The Resistance Of The Load

Battery voltage is the voltage operation of solar cell panels module, when the battery is connected directly with a solar cell panel module. For example, typically 12 Volt battery, voltage/battery voltage usually between 11.5 to 15 Volts. To be able to charge the battery, solar cell panel should operate on a voltage that is higher than the voltage of the battery bank.

Most high machine productivity is the solar cell panel on operating near maximum power point. In the example above, the battery voltage should be close to the voltage Vmp. when the battery voltage decreases below the Vmp, or rise above the Vmp, then her reduced machine productivity.

The intensity of the Light of the Sun 

The greater the intensity of sunlight in States that will produce a large current. Like the picture below, the level of sunlight is declining, the shape of the curve I-V shows the same thing, but it moves down to indicate decrease in flow and power. Voltage is not changed by varying the intensity of sunlight.

The temperature of the solar cell panel 

As the temperature of the solar cell panel is increased above standard normal temperature 25 degrees Celsius, the efficiency of solar cell modules panel and voltage will decrease machine productivity. The image below illustrates that, as the cell temperature rose, above 25 degrees Celsius (the temperature of the solar cell panel module, not the temperature the air), form I-V curve remains the same, but shifted to the left corresponds to an increase in the temperature of the solar cell panel, producing a voltage and power. In this case, the heat is electrical resistance to the flow of electrons.

To it the airflow around the solar cell panel module is essential to eliminate the heat causes the temperature of the solar cell panel is high.

Shading/Shade/Shadow 

Solar cell panel, made up of several Silicon diserikan to produce the desired power. A Silicon producing 0.46 Volt, to form a solar cell panel 12 Volt, 36 Silicon diserikan, the result is 0.46 Volts x 36 = 16.56.

Shading is where one or more cells of silicon solar cell panels covered from the Sun. Shading will be spending power of the mengurangan solar cell panels. Several types of solar cell panels module was deeply affected by shading than the others. The table below shows the effect of very extreme influence of shading on a single cell of single crystalline photovoltaic modules that have no internal bypass diodes. To overcome this solar cell panels installed bypass diode, diode bypass for current flows into one direction, preventing the flow into the shadow of Silicon.

Maintenance of Solar Panels

In General, photovoltaic/solar cell doesn't need the routine observance such as genset. Genset is generally required to be turned on once a week, inspection, oil-intensive examination, etc. Maintenance of photovoltaic/solar cell:
  • Cleaned periodically to reduce the absorption of the Sun's intensity.
  • Set up the layout of the solar panels/solar cell in order to get direct sunlight and not deterred objects (trees, the Sun, building, etc.)