The Optimization of Solar Photovoltaic System for Rural Off-grid Villages

Abstract

This work studies improvements that can be made to the efficiency of solar PV systems such that they can be well utilized especially in non-grid connected rural villages to relieve the combustion engine thereby saving diesel as well as providing much needed rest time for the engine parts. Four efficiency factors were worked upon which are solar tracking, the digitization of the solar panel by providing them more intelligence, an improvement of the battery maintenance system and the digitization of the battery bank. To fully accomplish the digitization of the solar panel and battery bank AI is required and this is still being worked upon. An MPPT or Maximum Power Point Tracking system can still be utilized to provide a maximum power transfer to batteries. Solar PV output especially in equatorial Malaysia has a dismal historical record mainly due to the heavy cloud cover which forms intermittent shadows on the panels. This intermittency and high heat shortens lifespans of the battery banks and reduces the efficiency of the panels respectively.