ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the optimum energy mix for a photovoltaic (pv)–diesel hybrid system operating at 100% reliability. The simulation approach uses hourly meterological data and hourly load data to simulate the energy flow in a pv system and predicts the system reliabilities under various array and battery sizes. The reliability–array–battery relationship is exposed to an economic environment for optimization, minimizing system cost at a specified system reliability. A computer program was written to simulate a system modelled by a pv array, storage battery, charge regulator and a back-up power source. The irradiance model constitutes the reduction of information on solar radiation in Thailand to a compact form that reproduces hourly totals and daily totals of solar radiation. A charge regulator is used to manage energy flow to pv arrays, batteries and loads. It also prevents batteries from overcharge and deep discharge.
