ABSTRACT

A stand-alone solar energy photovoltaic system is designed and operated completely independent of the power grid. The equipment usage and maintenance costs associated with photovoltaic powered systems are compared with the cost of using electricity to run grid connected to homes, buildings, schools and offices. The project focused on the estimation of the backup power of using photovoltaic systems to power up H.O.D office in physics department in the University of Benin. The results had to be consistent to warrant converting new areas to independent solar powered energy. A prototype system is constructed from equipment available on the market for the purpose of gathering data on different lighting sources. The prototype uses a solar charge controller, 150W solar panel, cable wires, an inverter, and a luminous lead acid gel battery. The system has the design capability to last for for days of overcast skies and generate enough power. The results are used to determine how efficient the backup power supplied by photovoltaic system would run smoothly from the energy of the photovoltaic system and light up for a present number of days without failure. Real-life data collected by the prototype system and verified by computer simulations were used to evaluate the long-term performance of the photovoltaic stand alone system. An economic analysis is also performed to determine if the project is cost effective.