DESIGN OF A MINI-GRID SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRICITY SYSTEM FOR MPAHIN, VILLAGE IN CENTRAL REGION

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research was to design a mini-grid solar photovoltaic electricity system for Mpahin village in the Central Region of Ghana. The researcher adopted the mixed method approach. The study is organized into two parts. In the first part of the study, a comprehensive interview was performed on respondents to know their economic conditions, their means of getting light and cooking, their preferred energy, their knowledge about solar energy and its impact on their lives as well as its sustainability. The researcher also made personal observations of the various facilities available in the community and the perception of the people with regard to solar energy. In the second part, a feasibility study to estimate the total space (area) required for the installation of the system and access the economics of the whole project. The study also identified various building roofs and car parks that can be used for the project based on a minimum roof area. Additionally, site analysis and meteorological analysis was undertaken to determine the energy usage capacity of Mpahin. Also solar PV information from various solar dealers both locally and internationally were contacted to determine the economic feasibility of the project. A survey was conducted to know the end-user appliances and power consumption to set an appropriate limit for the loads. The total energy consumption per day and the peak power demand was estimated and subsequently the system voltage determined. A mini grid system was designed for the community. PVbased mini-grid can contribute to increasing access to modern energy services for rural communities. This manual provides a step-by-step guide for the planning, the design, installation, operation and maintenance, testing and commissioning of PV-based minigrid systems. The manual also incorporated some safety issues as well as financial xvii analysis. The system configuration was chosen by considering the solar resource available, the power demand of the community, energy requirement and load variability. In the design process, various processes such as load assessment, system sizing, battery bank sizing, inverter sizing, array sizing, sizing of wires and fuses, distribution network solar energy fraction, and installation of components in a solar PV based mini-grid. All the design processes were properly elaborated with a step-by-step procedure for undertaking and completing each design process. Various calculations were done and all variables explained. The study also presented a step-by-step practical guide on the installation and mounting plan, design, and how to maintain the solar PV-Based multigrid system. Through the analysis of the community‟s electricity expenditure, a spreadsheet was set up to determine the net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR), which are major indicators of whether or not a project is beneficial. The study concluded that investment in solar panels is financially positive and that switching to solar will be cost-beneficial to the community. Based on the results of this study, the study strongly recommend the use of local materials as much as possible for setting up any PV based mini-grid. It is envisaged that the implementation of the suggested energy system with other environmentally responsible interventions would support people within the Mpahin village, whose lives have been impaired with poverty, to attain their full environmental, social and economic potentials.