Design And Implementation Of A 1600W(40A) Solar Panel In The Department Of Electrical And Electronics Engineering

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Solar panels produce direct electricity with the help of electrons that are moving from negative to positive direction. Most of the appliances that we use at home work on alternative current. This AC is created by the constant back and forth of the electrons from negative to positive. In AC electricity the voltage can be adjusted according to the use of the appliance.  As solar panel only produce Direct current the solar inverter is used to convert the DC to AC (Carlson, 2010).

An inverter produces square waves or a sine wave which can be used for running lights, televisions, lights, motors etc. However these inverters also produce harmonic distortion. Expensive inverters make use of lots of steps to produce a sine wave and thus are found in residential solar inverters. Basically inverters should be a large one so that it supplies enough power to all the necessary appliances (Carlson, 2010).

A solar panel is similar to a normal electric inverter but uses the energy of the Sun, that is, Solar energy. A solar panel with inverter converts the direct current into alternate current with the help of solar inverter. Direct power is that power which runs in one direction inside the circuit and helps in supplying current when there is no electricity. Direct currents are used for small appliance like mobile e phones, MP3 players, IPod etc. where there is power stored in the form of battery. In case of alternative current it is the power that runs back and forth inside the circuit. The alternate power is generally used for house hold appliances. Solar power is preferable to other source of power because it makes use of the solar energy which is available in abundant from the Sun and is clean and pollution free.

Solar panel with inverters is also called as photovoltaic solar inverters. These devices can help you save lot of money.  The small-scale grid  one have just two components i.e. the panels and inverter while  the off grid systems are complicated and consists of batteries which allows users to use appliances during the night when there is no Sunlight available.  The solar panel and the batteries that are placed on rooftops attract Sun rays and then convert the Sunlight into electricity. The batteries too grab the extra electricity so that it can then be used to run appliances at night (Eduardo Lorenzo, 2011).

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
As a result of continuous power failure and fluctuation in power supply by Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), sensitive appliances and system are affected by interruption power supply and also the blackout also affect human generally in that it takes away our happiness. Then, this project is to provide a back-up and reliable power supply of 1600W from a renewable energy source (solar panel) to power some selected home appliances such as computers, television set, lighting systems.

1.3 AIM/OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
The main aim of the study is to build a device that can be used to produce electricity when it is exposed to sunlight. This device delivers an output power of 1600w(40A) to a load.

The objectives are as follows:

• To offset personal electricity consumption.
• To manage future electrical costs.
• Create new revenue stream.
• Protect the environment.
• Ensure a backup power source

1.4 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
The purpose of this work is to obtain a free energy from the sun and thereby using it to solve the erratic nature of power supply in the country. This device can be used either in connection with battery systems or to directly power certain devices.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
solar panel has always helped in reducing global warming and greenhouse effect.
Also use of solar panel helps in saving money many people have started using solar based devices
A solar panel helps in converting the Direct current into batteries or alternative current. This helps people who use limited amount of electricity.
Apart from solar inverters there are other devices too that make use of solar panel namely, solar cooker, heater.
solar panel are the best way and they are better than the normal electric ones. Also their maintenance does not cost much money

1.6 LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT
Initially you need to shell out a lot of money for buying a solar inverter. It will work effectively and produce direct current only when the Sunlight is strong.
The solar panel that are used to attract Sunlight requires lots of space
The device can work efficiently only if the presence of the Sun is strong.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
The main function of solar panel is to convert battery’s Direct Current (DC) into Alternative Current (AC) to feed home compliances.
Solar energy consisted of solar panel, charger controllers, inverters and rechargeable batteries, while solar DC power system is not included inverters. The inverter is a power conversion device, which can be divided into self-excited oscillation inverter and external excited oscillation inverter.

1.8 METHODOLOGY
To achieve the aim and objectives of this work, the following are the steps involved:
Study of the previous work on the project so as to improve it efficiency.
Draw a block diagram.
Test for continuity of components and devices,
Design and calculation for the device was carried out.
Studying of various component used in circuit.
Construction of the device was carried out.
Finally, the whole device was cased and final test was carried out.

1.9 PROJECT ORGANIZATION
The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work,   chapter two presents the literature review of the study,  chapter three describes the methods applied,  chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.