ABSTRACT
The study looked at the installation, testing, and assessment of a 3.5kVA solar inverter power system at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin, Nigeria. Providing a sustainable and self-sufficient energy source, decreasing dependency on the local power grid, and cutting carbon emissions were the objectives of embarking on this project work. The assessment of solar irradiance, energy generation, battery performance, and system efficiency were among the many performance metrics of the solar inverter system that were evaluated. Solar panels, a 3.5kVA inverter, 6V 400Ah batteries, a charge controller, and a monitoring system make up the 3.5kVA system. A total of fourteen days' worth of data were gathered, which was then split into two weeks to examine the performance of the system at the location in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin in Edo State, Nigeria. The analysis revealed that solar irradiance significantly impacted the stored power, aligning with typical solar panel operating conditions. During the first week, temperatures ranged from 33.3°C to 38.7°C, with power output varying between 10,523Wh and 10,692Wh, showing how solar irradiation and daily temperatures affect panel performance. The highest energy generation was 10,692Wh on the morning of March 4th, while the lowest was 10,523Wh on the morning of March 5th. On average, the panels produced 10,608Wh per day, meeting around 57% of the department's daily energy needs. The solar inverter system performed as expected, demonstrating its reliability and selfsufficiency. The study highlights the importance of evaluating solar photovoltaic systems to ensure efficient and consistent electricity power supply.
