Installation of 50 Watts PV Streetlights located at Barangay Nabuclod, Floridablanca, Pampanga

Abstract

The Sun Which is the ultimate source of all energy provides the earth with solar radiation usually used for drying meat, fish, fruit and grains. Technologies were developed to collect solar energy and convert it into electricity as an alternative to fuels. It is to provide heat inside homes and streets and in most advance cases to bring fluids to high temperatures for the use of solar thermal plants. The utilization of new and alternative energy sources, specifically solar energy, has been on the rise and will continue to grow as we attempt to diminish our use and dependency on older, non-renewable energy sources. One of the biggest challenges involved with the use of solar energy, or renewable energy in general, is how to provide this energy for general public use. Some of the limiting factors to this are the efficiency in which solar power can be harvested and converted into usable energy, and the cost of the technology to do this. Recent technological developments have included the micro inverter, which harvests dc solar power and converts it into usable ac power on a per-module basis, making the technology a viable option for those looking to benefit from solar power. However, problems arise with solar power such as photovoltaic (PV) intermittency. PV intermittency can affect the output power quality and reliability of a PV system. But, by better understanding PV intermittency, steps can be taken in order to enhance PV systems. But regardless of the effects that intermittency has on PV system output, the benefits a large scaled PV system can have on a distribution system can still be analyzed. This thesis details the work I have done as an undergraduate, which includes testing of a micro inverter, collecting irradiance data and analyzing the effects that a PV system can have on the voltage regulation of a distribution system. Solar energy comes from the sun’s rays reaching the surface of the Earth that can be converted into heat and electricity which can be done through a process called photovoltaic, the science of harnessing solar energy and directly converting it to electricity with the use of solar arrays to capture sunlight’s protons Solar arrays are made up of solar cells that are installed the best location that captures the most sunlight. The quantity and type of solar cells to be used will depend on the voltage requirement of the solar arrays.