CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Introduction to Solar Generation System for a Selected Model Village
There are two sources of electricity generation system. They are conventional
energy sources and renewable energy sources. The conventional energy sources
comprise as nuclear energy, oil, coal and natural gas. Besides, the renewable energy
sources comprise as solar, wind, water, geothermal and biomass etc. Solar generation
system, one of the renewable energy sources, is an electric system in which solar array
or photovoltaic modules independently convert the sun's light into electricity in the DC
form. There are two types of solar electricity generation system, on grid and off grid.
This thesis is the design of off-grid solar electricity generation system.
Renewable energy technologies for remote power supply are particularly
appropriate for use in rural areas where grid-based electric service is not financially
feasible. In many countries, solar photovoltaic systems are the most promising
renewable technology option for delivering modern energy services to rural consumers
due to favorable climatic conditions, the energy needs of rural consumers, and their
dispersed geographical distribution. Solar photovoltaic systems have been deployed for
more than twenty years in a variety of rural, remote applications, with a notable success
within larger-scale programs. However, there have also have been notable failures.
These programs require careful planning, extensive and detailed preparation, seamless
coordination with communities and local political leadership, and very practical and
effective management systems.
Myanmar, developing country, is trying to get sufficient electricity from all
possible energy resources. Myanmar is situated in Standard Latitude of 22 degrees
(North) and it is between tropic of Cancer and Equator. Therefore, it is in the Northern
Hemisphere and tropical zone. There upon, it can get plentiful sunshine. Standalone
solar electric systems are essential for the areas of plentiful sunshine.
Taunggup township is situated at the southern middle part of Rakhine State and
located along Myanmar’s western coastline on the Bay of Bengal. Kintaung village is
located in Taunggup township and 11 miles away from township along the Taunggup-
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Ma-E road. Nearby settlements are often small farming or fishing villages, reflecting
the region’s mixed agricultural and coastal livelihood. There are forty-five households
and the villagers are mainly living by farming especially paddy and vegetables. The
public buildings in village are Basic Education Primary School (B.E.P.S) and
monastery. The loads for the whole village is chosen to make a design installation for
solar electrification system.
Kintaung village is located in 94.20 degree (East Longitude) and 18.98 degree
(North Latitude). The main loading is lighting for five hours per day and other electrical
appliances. Off-grid solar electrification can be used in this village because of getting
sunlight fully for two seasons. In rainy season, a little of sunlight can be got but lighting
can be used.
1.2. Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives of this thesis are-
• To research solar generation system techniques
• To generate a reliable and self-sufficient power source that operates
independently of the main electricity grid using up to date electrical devices
• To provide electricity for remote areas where National Grid cannot be extended
• To create design, construction and operation of high capacity for standalone
solar electrification system
• To comfort the villagers in Kintaung village for their livings and appliances
• To apply solar electrification system at any region of Rakhine State
• To get clean energy and environment friendly
1.3. Scope of the Thesis
This thesis explores the potential applications, and challenges of off-grid solar
power generation. This thesis is based on the latest photovoltaic technique off-grid solar
system. The essential steps of solar generation system are load consideration and
calculation, picking up location data and weather data for model village, specifying
mixed AC and DC system, designing solar generation parts, solar angles, shading
distance and inter row spacing of photovoltaic modules, choosing components for
system design and expressing the variety of calculation results. At first, it is needed to
get the specific location data such as Latitude, Longitude and solar map. In second step,
the efficient loads are investigated for useful equipment in rural area and calculated by
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some electrical processes. The third step is required to get weather data and insolation
data for supporting design. In the fourth step, solar generation system design will be
developed systematically.
1.4. Implementation Programme
This thesis is implemented according to the following programme
• Studying background theory of standalone solar generation system
• Surveying to the electrical demands of the selected households and public
infrastructures in the village
• Detecting the best weather conditions of the selecting village
• Analyzing the solar generation method and load consideration method
• Choosing the classification techniques for generation.
1.5. Outline of the Thesis
This thesis is focused on the model village and based on solar generation system
using compact load, solar energy data, Latitude and Longitude of selected location and
solar angles. Thesis is combined with five chapters to research and apply. Chapter one
introduces the proposed system and contains aims and objectives, scope of the research
and outlines of the thesis. Chapter two states background theory and components of
solar system. Besides, Chapter three discusses and mentions the design theory of off-
grid solar system. In Chapter four, design calculation of off-grid solar system for
selected area is calculated. Finally, discussion and conclusion of this thesis is described
in Chapter five.