Solar Power Plant (SPP)

Study Case Solar Power Plant (SPP) as a Household Renewable Energy Solution Michael Kurniawan (2018123456) University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States kurniaml@mail.uc.edu Abstract As the demand for electricity increases in the United States, production capacity should be able to keep pace with demand. One solution that can be implemented is the use of environmentally friendly renewable energy sources, such as Solar Power Plants (SPPs). However, people who are accustomed to relying on electricity supplies from large utility companies such as Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) or Con Edison do not necessarily find it easy to switch to solar energy. One of the obstacles is the lack of public understanding of the differences and benefits between electricity supplied by Solar PV Systems and electricity from conventional utilities. Therefore, education is needed to provide basic insights into the advantages and limitations of SPP compared to traditional electricity supply. The main focus of this discussion is reviewed from the perspective of energy reliability, which includes technical factors (Solar PV system, current, voltage, and output power) and economic factors (investment costs and potential savings). Keywords: solar power, renewable energy, energy reliability, power systems, electricity utilities INTRODUCTION In the last decade, electrical energy has become a crucial global issue. Modern life is heavily dependent on the availability of stable, high-quality energy. In the United States, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that per capita electricity consumption has increased every year. For example, consumption in 2019 was recorded at 12,154 kWh per capita, an increase from the previous year. This upward trend continued in 2020 and 2021, despite the challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 1 Study Case However, reliable electricity availability still faces challenges, especially in rural areas and disaster-prone regions. The electrification rate in the United States is close to 100%, but issues related to supply quality, grid resilience, and affordability remain a concern. As a solution to the potential energy crisis, the use of Renewable Energy (RE) is considered highly strategic. Renewable Energy is energy that can be naturally renewed through a sustainable process, one of which is solar energy through the SPP system (Huda, 2018). SPP is a system that converts solar energy into electrical energy based on the photovoltaic (PV) effect principle. This effect occurs when sunlight hits a solar cell, generating a flow of electrons at the junction of n-type and p-type semiconductors, thereby forming an electric current. This system is considered environmentally friendly and promising because solar radiation can be utilized almost year-round in most parts of the United States, especially in states with high sun exposure such as California, Nevada, and Arizona. The use of SPP is in line with the Clean Energy Plan issued by the federal government and various state programs to increase the proportion of Renewable Energy. One of the rapidly growing implementations is Rooftop Solar PV. Regulations in the United States, for example through net metering policies implemented in many states, allow homeowners to receive compensation for the electricity they generate and feed back into the grid. With these regulations, the use of Rooftop Solar PV is expected to support the target of 25% renewable energy mix by 2025, with a projected capacity of hundreds of megawatts (MW). In addition, solar modules can generally operate for up to 25–30 years, with only one inverter replacement required during their operational life. METHOD The data collection methods in this study included literature review, observation, and consultation. In the literature review and observation stages, the author collected data from electrical engineering journals, particularly in the field of Renewable Energy, as well as reports from international energy agencies. Meanwhile, during the consultation stage, discussions were held with academics and practitioners experienced in the field of solar energy to deepen the analysis. The analysis method used was qualitative analysis with a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) approach to the use of SPP as a household energy MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 2 Study Case solution. Based on regulations in the United States, the use of Renewable Energy for personal needs is encouraged through federal and state policies, including operational permits and tax incentives. Data from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) shows that in August 2021, the number of Rooftop Solar PV users in the US reached more than 2 million households. With a potential capacity of more than 30 GW, Rooftop Solar PV is considered very promising for development. The growth trend in users is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Quarterly growth in the number of Rooftop Solar PV users. Figure 2. Illustration of a solar panel system MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 3 Study Case RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Basically, Solar Power Plant (SPP) systems are divided into two main classifications. First, Grid-Connected Solar PV Systems are connected to the main electricity grid owned by utility companies. These systems allow solar energy to be used as a backup source in the event of a disruption or blackout. Second, Stand-Alone Solar PV Systems are designed to operate independently without connection to the utility grid. In its design, there are two main factors that must be considered. First, technical factors related to the selection of system configuration, panel capacity, current, voltage, and output power. Second, economic factors that include investment costs, operational costs, maintenance, and potential energy savings (Utomo, 2009). Therefore, careful planning is essential for both grid-connected and stand-alone systems. The main components for designing a Grid-Connected Solar PV system include: 1. Solar cell panels; 2. Solar charge controller; 3. Battery storage; 4. Grid Tie Inverter (GTI). In a grid-connected system, the GTI converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) that is synchronized with the main power grid. The GTI is also known as a synchronous inverter or grid-interactive inverter. The system configuration block diagram is shown in Figure 3. Figure 3. Block Diagram of a Grid-Connected Solar PV System with GTI. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 4 Study Case In order for GTI to connect to the utility grid, several technical requirements must be met, including: 1. The voltage must be compatible; 2. The number of phases must be identical; 3. The phase sequence must be consistent; 4. The output frequency must be synchronized with the grid. To maximize the power delivered to the grid, a power conditioning unit is required to adjust the DC–AC conversion to the grid parameters. Testing of the Grid-Connected system with a 65 Wp capacity panel resulted in a current of approximately 0.7 A at a solar radiation intensity of 859.9 W/m². The GTI used had a capacity of 1 kW with an input voltage range of 10.5–28 VDC, a measured load of 344 W, and a current of 1.19 A. Another test showed energy savings of around 36.6% on a 5 Watt AC lamp load. This difference was obtained from the full power reading from the utility grid of 4.8 W, while after the GTI was activated, the power decreased to 2.3 W. This proves that GridConnected Solar PV is capable of providing real efficiency in household energy use. Measurements of solar radiation intensity over three days with Sharp ND-130 T1J series panels (130 W), GTI 1000 W, and a load of four 100 W incandescent lamps show the data listed in Table 1. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 5 Study Case Table 1. Solar Radiation Characteristics (W/m²). In addition to solar radiation, system reliability is also affected by output current, which varies according to light intensity. The comparison between GTI current and utility grid current is calculated by subtracting the load current from the current generated by GTI. The average power (mW), current (A), and voltage (V) peaked at 11:00–13:00 local time, when the sun was directly overhead. The panel temperature ranged from 39.3–40.3 °C. Details of the measurement results are shown in Table 2. Table 2. Average Measurements for Days One to Three. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 6 Study Case For rural areas that are difficult to reach by the utility grid, an Off-Grid Solar PV or Solar Home System (SHS) is more effective. This system is simple, safe, and more environmentally friendly than using fuel-powered generators. Although the installation cost is relatively high, proper planning and Break Even Point (BEP) analysis can minimize the risk of loss. The estimated household energy needs are calculated from the total daily consumption of electrical appliances, plus about 20% to cover the operational needs of the inverter. An example of household consumption calculations is shown in Table 3. Table 3. Estimated Daily Energy Requirements for a Type 36 Household. Based on calculations, the electricity consumption of a type 36 household reaches 2.7 kWh per day. To anticipate cloudy conditions, consumption is multiplied by two to 5.4 kWh. Based on the calculations, a system with a capacity of 1.3 kWp (four solar modules) and a 1 kW inverter can generate around 2,004 kWh per year, or an average of 5.5 kWh per day. Details of the installation costs are listed in Table 4. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 7 Study Case Table 4. Estimated Investment Costs for Solar PV Installation. With this configuration, the output power of 5.5 kWh per day is sufficient to meet the needs of a type 36 household. Assuming an average electricity cost of $0.15/kWh, the monthly savings would be around $150, or around $1,800 per year. CONCLUSION Based on the analysis results, Grid-Connected and Off-Grid Solar PV Systems have proven to be a solution for modern household energy. The Grid-Connected System is capable of generating a current of 0.7 A at a radiation of 859.9 W/m² and provides significant savings in energy use. Power, current, and voltage values are greatly influenced by the angle of the panel, light intensity, and temperature. Although the initial investment is quite high, the Solar PV system provides long-term efficiency and significant cost savings. With an average capacity of 5.5 kWh per day, this system is capable of meeting the electricity needs of small households, while also supporting the transition to clean energy. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 8 Study Case REFERENCE MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 9 Study Case MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 10