An Assessment of Photovoltaic System Installed at a Manufacturing Plant in Pampanga

Abstract

PV technology is one of the solar power applications which uses cells made of solar PV materials to convert sunlight into direct current electricity.  The benefits of implementing PV technologies include lowering overall electricity costs, defending against future increases in electrical power prices, helping to reduce environmental impacts, and achieving a good return on investment. The researchers conducted an assessment on the PV system installed in a pottery company located at Sto. Tomas, Pampanga to determine the type of solar panel and inverted used for the installation, its energy efficiency and the return of investment. The photovoltaic system used and installed in the company under investigation is a Canadian Solar CS3W-455MS (455W) Solar Panel and the inverter is Smart String Inverter wherein based on its technical specification, the maximum energy efficiency can reach 97.6%. The computed energy efficiency of the researchers based on the avarage peak sun hours of the Philippines is 90%. This means that the company can able to reduce their cost/expenses on electricity consumption because of PV system. Furthermore, the computed return of investment is 2.8661 years which is not a very long period for the company to return the money they have invested for the installation of their PV system.