ABSTRACT
This laboratory builds on Chapter 9, which dealt with an off-grid system with DC-only loads. This laboratory can be skipped without affecting the rest of the laboratory sequence. In this laboratory we upgrade certain subsystems as well as add others:
• Adding a 1000 W 120 VAC inverter for AC loads • Upgrading from 200 Wp to 400 Wp PV subsystem • Upgrading from a single 12 V/258 Ah battery to two such batteries • 2000 W 120 V AC gas-powered generator
These additional equipment additions and upgrades in turn allow the following performance improvements:
• Up to 1 kW of 120 VAC equipment loads • Twice the stored battery energy • Twice the photovoltaic power (and energy) production • Ability to switch over to generator power for the AC loads should the
battery subsystem voltage reach the low-voltage limit
At the end of this laboratory the student will be able to
• Assess customer DC and AC energy needs using a load profile analysis • Design and install a PV system to support DC and AC loads and to
employ generator backup power
This off-grid PV system is intended to support the use of 120 VAC loads up to 1 kW of continuous power as well as 720 W of continuous power for 12 VDC loads.
