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OFF-GRID SOLAR PV SYSTEM DESIGN TOOLKIT
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Instructions
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To design an off-grid solar PV system using this toolkit follow these steps:
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1Fill out the first table in “Demand” tab for all the electricity needs you have. You need to enter number of loads (load means any electricity consuming device), rated power of each load, and estimated times of usage.
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2After finalizing all the loads that you want to provide electricity for in the Demand tab, move to the Inverter tab to design the first set of system variables and choose an inverter size that you need to use. The user input in this tab is shown in three yellow cells. Rest of the variables are either calculated by the toolkit or your suggested input in case you prefer to use a different value. More information on inverter sizing is provided in grey boxes at the bottom in this tab.
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3In case, you insert a value in blue cells, the table at the bottom performs a validation check to ensure that user input is still a design that meets inverter requirements based on demand.
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4In the Battery tab you can see the main system variables in the first table. The second table asks for a battery type that you want to use. You can either use typical values and battery types suggested by the system or use data related to batteries you have access to from local vendors. The Battery Catalog on the left could help you document available batteries.
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5The third table in Battery tab calculates the number of batteries and the arrangement of them. A validation check enables user to check if user adjusted battery system is in line with overall system architecture. The table below that checks the C-rate to be within the acceptable range for the arrangement. More information on battery sizing is provided at the bottom of the tab for battery system design.
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6The fourth step is to design solar PV array in PV Array tab. In the first table you need to enter an estimated global irradiation value from Global solar atlas from the website with the link provided at the table for the intended location of your system. In second table you need to enter variables related to the solar panel you want to use for the system. You may inquire from local vendors for these values that are printed on each panel’s label.
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7The third table in PV Array tab is for designing PV array with calculating the total number of panels required, their arrangement and charge controller size. Two validation check tables at the bottom make sure that user suggested design is providing required power and current requirements of the charge controller.
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8The Protection tab calculates the cable size and circuit breaker for each section of the system. More on protection tab highlights more information that enables user to improve safety and reliability of the system.
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9Design summary tab provides an overview of all the system variables and components.
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10Costs tab is a basic costs analysis for the capital investment required for the system.
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11If the system is going to be partially installed and operated this tab is to ensure that C-rates are still within the appropriate range for the storage unit.
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12Catalogs provides a space for user to gather all the catalogs of equipment that is intended to be used in the design in one place.
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The cells are color coded. It means each cell color has a meaning that makes the design process easier. Below meaning of each cell color is explained:
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Yellow cells are mandatory user inputs. User needs to enter values in yellow cells for the toolkit to properly design the system.
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Light pink cells contain values that are calculated by the software. They can't be changed directly.
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Blue cells are optional user inputs referred to as 'user defined' that could be a technically feasible solution while not calculated by the system. User could use these cells for evaluating alternative designs or configurations.
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For example, the toolkit may calculate a certain system voltage or a certain number of parallel battery strings, while the user has flexiblity to choose a different value. If a "userdefined" value is input, this will be used as Design Value.
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Green cells are design values. These are the values that toolkit uses for further calculations. Design values are set to be values calculated by the toolkit, unless user wants to choose user defined values from blue cells.
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Validity check cells are a simple evaluation if the designed system meets the electricity demand or not. These cells are important if user decides to evaluate a system using blue cell userdefined values instead of calculated values.
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 Gray boxes include information that is important to keep in mind in design and implementation of the system.
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 - The spreadsheet has been coded using "worksheet" formulas. This means that all the formulas can be visualised by clicking in the relevant cells and that there is no VBA code or macro running in the background. Some cells will also have Data Validation checks, to ensure the correct type of data is entered.
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 - Data validation rules can be seen by clicking the cell and selecting Data\Data Validation in the worksheet top banner. Other cells include conditional formatting, which will make the cells go red if the design choices are not correct.
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 - The conditional formatting rules can be seen by clicking the relevant cell and selecting Home\Styles\Conditional formatting.
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 - Finally, some cells have been given names to facilitate the writing of formulas; for example, cell P22 in "Energy needs" tab has been renamed "SystemV", for system voltage. The list of assigned names can be seen in Formulas\Defined names\Name Manager
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Disclaimer: The toolkit is meant for design purposes. The installation of solar PV system requires technical and comprehensive understanding of system components and safety procedures. This toolkit provides suggestive design information and its advised to consult with an expert for verification of the designed systems and use licensed technicians for system installation and/or maintenance.
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Developed by Miriam Zubizarreta Ostivar, international volunteer of EWB-UK at PRE
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Revised and prepared for public release by Dr. Mohammad Pakravan, Green Empowerment
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Contact: info@greenempowerment.org
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