Solar PV plant

Solar power plant:

The solar power plant is used to convert sunlight into electricity. The sun light is freely available and environment-friendly source. We can generate electricity with the help of solar by two ways. One way is with the help of photo-voltaic panels and the second way is with the help of mirrors. Out of these two methods, the first method is an efficient and easy method to generate electricity.

By using photo-voltaic cells, sunlight can be converted into electrical energy. This type of electricity generation method is very popular in present and it will be more popular in future. Because this method uses non-renewable energy source (sun light) and this source is freely available for a lifetime. The coal and other non-renewable sources like gas, diesel are not available in future. So, this will take place of all thermal power plant and it will be an alternative source of this non-renewable sources.

Components used in Solar plant:

           1) Solar PV panels
           2) Inverter
           3) Charge controller
           4) ACDB and DCDB
           5) Battery (Optional)

1) Solar panel:
         Solar panel is a main part of solar plant. The cost of solar panel is almost 75% of total cost of plant. Solar panel is made from number of solar cells (PV cells). These cells are connected in series and parallel according to voltage requirement. Generally, PV cells are made up from silicon. Solar cells are used to convert solar energy to electric energy. Three types of solar panels are available in market.
                A) Crystalline PV module: In Crystalline PV module, we can make two types of arrangement; single crystalline (mono crystalline) and multi crystalline (poly crystalline). The poly crystalline has lower efficiency compared to mono crystalline but cost of mono crystalline is high. Both PV module has high conversion rating (convert solar energy to electrical energy) around 12-18 % and life of both module is also very high.
                 B) Amorphous silicon PV module: This PV module is also known as thin-film PV module. This module is thin compare to crystalline module. But, this module is used where high efficiency is not consideration but cost is more consideration. The conversion rate of this module is just 6-10 % which is lower compared to crystalline module.
                C) Hybrid PV module: In this type of module, crystalline cells are surrounded by thin-film of silicon. So, this is a combination of both type of PV module. The efficiency of this module is very high and conversion rate of this module is around 20%.   

2) Inverter: Output of solar panel is Direct current (DC). The inverter is used to convert this DC power into AC power because our load (AC, fan, light (residential), commercial and industrial) is works on AC power. So, we require AC power.  

3) Charge controller: The charge controller is used to maintain the proper output voltage for the system voltage. If battery-bank is used for back up, than charge controller plays an important role to regulate the voltage and preventing of overcharging of battery and allowing charging when it required.

4) ACDB and DCDB: ACDB is known as AC Distribution Box, which is placed at AC part of the system (after inverter) and DCDB is known as DC Distribution Box, which is placed at DC part of system (before inverter). These devices are use for the protection purpose and contains MCB/MCCB and SPD (Serge protection device) and a plastic/metallic box.

5) Battery: The battery is an option part of solar system. According to installation type, two types of solar plants are available; grid connected and stand alone. In grid connected solar pant, access amount of energy will transmit to the utility and need not to connect battery for back up. But, in case of stand alone system, where grid is not available, in this condition, we have to use battery for store access amount of power and for back up.    

Advantages of solar power plant:

1) They help in keeping the environment pollution free and Help in generating electricity easily with good efficiency.

2) The initial installation of the solar power plant is expensive due to the advancement in technology the price of these plants is dipping down. Because of advancement and help of the government of India, solar power is available at only 3 ₹/kWh (including subsidy. Which is the lowest price comparing to other sources.)

3) It is a great way to save money as most of the electricity is consumed from the power plants it can help you to reduce bills.

4) As solar power is a renewable source of energy is available free of cost everywhere.

5) It can be used for lighting, mobile charging, security cameras, park lighting.

6) When there is no power you can use the electricity generated from the solar power plant and solar power plant requires very low maintenance and at the same time have a long life of panels and other accessories.

7) It works in the best way when the location is a remote area.