Design Methodology Concerning off-Grid PV Solar Powered System for Rural Community Shelter

Abstract

There is a cost associated with electrifying shelters in rural areas that increases with distance between the grid and the shelters.  Such instances wh ere the cost of electricity becomes enormously highly one can always use an off-grid PV system. Both type of systems viz. grid-tied and off-grid PV systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending solely on the need one can decide what they would want to go for. It is trend that one can observe is that the grid-tied system is mostly found in urban and sub-urban setting where electrification of the area has already been achieved. The off-grid system is more suited to areas where the electrification  is  yet  to  be  accomplished  and/or  the  consumer  chooses  not  to  supply  back  the energy generated at his/her end.  This paper provides the methodology of designing an off-grid PV system. Using a shelter at EIU and PV system was designed that would house certain necessary equipment such as WIFI module, charging points, lights, and sensors. The design methodology is not limited to only shelters but could also  be  used  for  different  purposes  where  ever  a  need  of  having  an  off-grid  system  arises. Economical aspect of the system has not been covered in this paper due to the availability of numerous vendors in the market. Upon identifying the system capacity, one can search the best option of different equipment depending on their financial preferences. Results show that the total Watt hours per day is 17.770 wt. In conclusion the short term initial costs for off grid rural shelter energy systems are still high but over the long run can pay for themselves.