My Off-grid Solar System Monitoring
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Description
In May 2013 I decided to equip my house with an Off-grid Photo Voltaic System. My main goal was to become as independent as possible of the Grid. Of course, total independence is currently not achievable due to the lack of sun during the short winter days (November to February) in my area.
Nevertheless, my calculations predicted that my setup should be able to provide as much as 80 % of the needs of my house on a whole year. Furthermore, total independence would be achievable if the surplus of energy produced during the summer months (June, July and August) could be stored for later use in winter (like the squirrels do with nuts). These encouraging figures helped me take my decision to carry out this project.
Last but not least, this project would not have been complete without a comprehensive remote control and monitoring system. You will find hereafter both the description of the electrical setup (energy production) and the monitoring system.
Nevertheless, my calculations predicted that my setup should be able to provide as much as 80 % of the needs of my house on a whole year. Furthermore, total independence would be achievable if the surplus of energy produced during the summer months (June, July and August) could be stored for later use in winter (like the squirrels do with nuts). These encouraging figures helped me take my decision to carry out this project.
Last but not least, this project would not have been complete without a comprehensive remote control and monitoring system. You will find hereafter both the description of the electrical setup (energy production) and the monitoring system.
Details
General description
My PV (Photo Voltaic) System comprises the following main parts :- the solar field made of 16 solar modules providing 4300 Wp (Watts - peak) of electrical power
- a solar battery charger converting the 120 V panel output voltage to 48 Volts battery voltage
- a lead acid battery pack providing energy during night time
- an inverter transforming the 48 VDC voltage provided by the battery to 230 VAC - 50 Hz for the home appliances
- a home made On Line Source Selector, capable of switching between Solar and Grid power within 20 ms
![](https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/8544341407687451946.png)
How does it work ?
During daytime, the 960 cells of the Solar Field convert the sunlight (the photons) into electricity. The efficiency of this conversion is 17%. This seems a poor figure, but as the solar power can reach up to 1000 W/m², the Field produces 4300 Watts in these conditions. This is equivalent to the power of 7 horses. Not so bad ! The Solar panels are Yingli Panda 270 Wc modules.
The Battery charger converts the high voltage (120 Volts DC) coming out of the Solar Field into 48 V DC, suitable to battery charging. Due to the continuously changing solar light power, the charger tracks the maximum power point continuously in order to optimise the system's yield. The Battery charger also manages the charging process of the Battery. This device is the most elaborate part of the system. The charger is a Victron Blue Solar Charger 150/70 MPPT .
The Battery gets loaded during daytime and discharged during night time. It can store up to 10 KWh of electricity. This is enough for one day of consumption. This is a short time, but it's weight is still 500 Kgs (1/2 ton). I expect a lifetime of at least 7 years for my batteries. The batteries are 8 Vipiemme 12V/230 AH semi stationary batteries. Increasing the capacity of the Battery pack, without increasing its weight and size is an important challenge for the future.
The Inverter converts the 48 VDC battery voltage into 230 V AC. The rating of the Inverter is 5KW permanent and 10 KW during 5 minutes. Thanks to this large rating, we can use all the classical "energy eating" house appliances like the electric kitchen oven, the dishwasher, the washing machine and even the clothes dryer. When the Inverter supplies 10 KW, the battery current may climb up to 200 Amps. TheInverter is a Victron Phoenix 48V/230V 5KVA inverter.
The Grid is the public electricity network. In France electricity is mainly provided and distributed by EDF (Electricité de France). Nuclear Power Plants produce currently 85 % of the French electricity. To my opinion, electricity is (very) cheap: about 0,12 €/KWh. One can bet that this price will rise a lot once it's time to dismantle the many french worn out nuclear plants. Our children will probably have to pay the bill.
The Source Selector is able to switch between solar energy and Grid energy nearly instantaneously (less than 20 ms). This insures that the energy source change is generally unperceivable to the inhabitants of the house. This prevents also PC and electronic device crashes. The source switching occurs when the battery is too discharged to go on using solar energy, or when the battery is charged again after a dull day. The design of the Source Selector prevents paralleling of the solar system with the Grid at any time. The Source Selector is a fully personal design.
A few pictures of the System:
The complete Solar Field
The small panel at the center bottom is the measurement panel. This panel measures the available solar power at any time.
![](https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/1470611407706391480.jpg)
At night, a lighting indicates whether the house is supplied by the PV System (Cyan - Blue) or by the Grid (Yellow - Red)
The house is supplied by the PV System | The Grid is currently supplying the house |
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The large grey box contains the fuses, circuit breakers and lightning protections. The small one contains the PV Field Monitoring board (PVFM), the...
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