Design of a standalone photovoltaic system for the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science Complex, Gombe State University, Nigeria

Abstract

Energy is generally essential to economic and social development and improves quality of life globally. Most of the residences derive their electricity from utility companies but due to their inefficient services some people have resort to diesel and gasoline powered generators among others. These machines are usually associated with noise pollution and also with the disadvantage of increasing the greenhouse gas emission which has a negative impact on the environment. It is therefore necessary to look for an alternative and reliable source of energy to obtain steady power in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science complex in Gombe State University for effective learning condition. In this work, a standalone photovoltaic (PV) system was designed for the Department of physics to overcome some of the challenges mentioned earlier. The aim was achieved through energy audit, battery sizing, charge controller sizing, inverter sizing, and photovoltaic system sizing were carried out. In this research design analysis of PV system were carried out based on the load assessment of the Department of physics, faculty of science. The system was planned to have a 3 days of autonomy and has a total power of 13185W and total energy requirement 80897.857 Wh /day which would require 25280.580 AH; 141 photovoltaic panels of 280W each; 50 KVA rated inverter; 11 charge controller rated 60A each; panel covers area of 17.2 m2.