National College Of Engineering

(Affiliated To Tribhuvan University)

Talchikhel,Lalitpur

A Project Proposal on

“Automatic Switching Betweeen Solar And Grid Power ”

(COURSE CODE EE 707)

SUBMITTED BY:

Birodh Angdembe (NCE078BEL001)

Manendra Rai (NCE078BEL004)
Manish Khadka (NCEO78BEL005)
Pradip Dahal (NCE078BEL007)

SUBMITTED TO:
Department of Electrical Engineering

June,2025

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATION.....................................................................................................iii
LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................................iv
LIST OF TABLES.....................................................................................................................v
[Link]...................................................................................................................1
1.1Background...........................................................................................................................1
1.2Motivation.........................................................................................................................1
1.3Statement Of Problem.......................................................................................................1
1.4Objectives..........................................................................................................................2
1.5Scope.................................................................................................................................2
1.5Limitations........................................................................................................................2
[Link] REVIEW........................................................................................................3
[Link]..................................................................................................................5
3.1Flow chart of work flow diagram for project development..............................................5
3.2Detail project work plan....................................................................................................6
3.3Block Diagram..................................................................................................................7
3.4Used Components.............................................................................................................8
[Link] ESTIMATION...........................................................................................................10
[Link] OUTCOMES...................................................................................................11
[Link] CHART OF PROJECT...........................................................................................12
[Link]......................................................................................................................13

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATION

Abbereviation Full Form

PV Photovoltaic
MPPT Maximum Power Point Tracking
DC Direct Current
AC Alternating Current
LCD Liquid Crystal Display

iii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1:flowchart of workflow.................................................................................................5

Figure 2:Block Diagram of Proposed System............................................................................7
Figure 3: Gnatt chart of project................................................................................................12

iv
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1:Cost estimation of project...........................................................................................10

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 [Link]

1.1Background

As global energy demand rises, renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic (PV)
systems are becoming increasingly important due to their sustainability and decreasing cost.
Solar PV systems convert sunlight directly into electricity and are widely used in homes,
industries, and remote areas. However, one major limitation of solar energy is its
intermittency — solar power is only available during daylight hours and can vary due to
weather conditions. To address this, traditional solar systems use batteries to store excess
energy for use during non-sunny periods. While effective, batteries introduce several
problems: they are expensive, have limited life spans, require regular maintenance, and
contribute to environmental waste when disposed. In places where the electric grid is
available and reliable, there’s an opportunity to design a battery-less hybrid system that uses
solar energy when available, and switches to grid power when needed. This approach reduces
system cost and complexity while still ensuring a continuous power supply. The concept of
real-time load sharing between solar and grid without batteries offers a sustainable and
economical solution for residential and small commercial applications, especially in
developing countries like Nepal, where solar potential is high but system affordability is
crucial.

1.2Motivation

In many developing regions like Nepal, the adoption of solar energy is growing due to rising
electricity costs and frequent power outages. However, the high cost and maintenance of
batteries used in conventional solar systems limit their accessibility, especially for low-
income households. Batteries also have environmental concerns and a short operational
lifespan. On the other hand, the national grid, while available in most areas, may be
unreliable during peak hours or power cuts. This creates a strong need for a battery-less
system that can intelligently prioritize solar power and switch to the grid only when
necessary, ensuring continuous power without storage. Such a system not only lowers cost
and maintenance but also encourages broader adoption of renewable energy solutions. This
project is motivated by the need to create a simple, low-cost, and reliable load sharing system
that can meet real-time energy demands without relying on batteries, using smart
microcontroller-based control.

1.3Statement Of Problem

Most hybrid solar systems rely on batteries for energy storage, which increases overall
system cost and maintenance. In many areas where the grid is available, batteries are
unnecessary if real-time switching between solar and grid is possible. Therefore, the problem
is to design a cost-effective and reliable solar-grid hybrid system that can operate without
batteries, using intelligent control to ensure continuous power supply.

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1.4Objectives

 To design a battery-less hybrid power system.

 To automatically switch or share the load between solar and grid based on
availability.

1.5Scope

 Design an automatic system to share load between solar power and the utility grid
without using batteries.
 Provide uninterrupted AC power to residential or small commercial loads by
switching sources based on real-time availability.
 Prioritize solar energy to maximize renewable power usage and reduce grid
dependency.
 Use key components like solar panels, MPPT controller, IGBT switch, Arduino, and
inverter for control and power conversion.
 Avoid battery storage to lower cost, complexity, and maintenance needs.

1.5Limitations

 No Energy Storage: The system cannot store excess solar power as it operates
without a battery, meaning all unused energy is lost.

 Limited to Instantaneous Load Supply: The system can only operate when either
solar or grid power is available in real time; during total power unavailability, it
cannot function.

 Dependent on Sunlight Availability: Solar power generation is affected by weather,

shading, and time of day, which may reduce system reliability in certain conditions.

 Not Suitable for Critical Loads: Since it lacks backup storage and doesn’t guarantee
uninterrupted supply in case of total power failure, it may not be suitable for hospitals
or critical equipment.

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 [Link] REVIEW

Solar–Grid Hybrid Systems Without Battery

Jaisin et al. (2019) demonstrate a fully-functioning prototype for agricultural DC loads that
blends solar and grid power in real time. They used MOSFET switches controlled by an
ATmega328p microcontroller to alternate between a 40 W or 80 W solar array and grid-
supplied DC power, employing time-division multiplexing to seamlessly share the load
without batteries .
Arduino-Based Power Selection
Microcontrollers (Arduino/PIC) are widely used for automatic transfer switching between
solar and grid. One project uses Arduino to measure AC voltages from both the solar inverter
and main grid, then switches relays accordingly to ensure uninterrupted power delivery when
one source fails .
Cold-Start P-Channel MOSFET Switching
A simpler load-sharing circuit combines a P-channel MOSFET and Schottky diode to
prioritize charger output over battery power. While focused on charger/battery systems, its
automatic switching logic is directly applicable to solar/grid load sharing without batteries
Smart Microgrid Energy Management
Although many smart microgrid systems include batteries, PCB Online (2025) describes a
system where solar and grid power, along with battery, are prioritized via current/voltage
sensing and relays. The method, even with storage included, forms a basis for battery-less
load-sharing architectures using intelligent switching.
Stand-Alone PV Systems Without Battery
Wikipedia highlights the concept of direct-coupled PV systems where a solar panel is directly
connected to a DC load, eliminating the need for battery storage. This fundamental design
serves as a basis for solar-grid sharing without storage.
Hybrid Power with Grid Backup
A project exploring on-grid solar PV with Arduino-based switching focuses on seamless
transfers between solar and grid using relays—effectively implementing load-sharing logic,
though it includes batteries. Its control architecture remains highly relevant to battery-less
scenarios .
directly to a solar panel, the fluctuating voltage could damage the components or cause
unstable performance. This is where a buck converter becomes essential.

MPPT(Maximum Power Point Tracking)

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is a widely studied technique essential for
enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems. It dynamically adjusts the operating
point of a solar panel to extract the maximum possible power under varying environmental

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conditions such as irradiance and temperature. In systems without battery storage, like the
proposed load-sharing setup, MPPT ensures that solar energy is utilized to its fullest potential
before switching to the grid.

In their work, Esram and Chapman (2007) compared various MPPT algorithms including
Perturb and Observe (P&O), Incremental Conductance (IncCond), and Constant Voltage
(CV), and highlighted the balance between efficiency and implementation complexity.
Among these, P&O is favored for its simplicity, making it ideal for real-time microcontroller
applications such as in Arduino-based systems.

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 [Link]

3.1Flow chart of work flow diagram for project development

Start

Literature review and problem

identification

Hardware selection

Circuit design

Componenet procurement

System implementation

Programming and testing

Integration and debugging

End

Figure 1:flowchart of workflow

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3.2Detail project work plan

The proposed system is designed to automatically share switch between a solar panel and the
utility grid without using any battery backup. The system primarily prioritizes solar power to
supply AC loads, switching to the grid only when solar energy is insufficient. Solar energy is
first captured by the solar panel and then passed through an MPPT (Maximum Power Point
Tracking) unit to extract the maximum possible power under varying sunlight conditions. The
output from the MPPT, which is in DC form, is monitored using a current sensor (Sensor-i) to
determine the availability of sufficient solar power. This power is then fed into a switching
unit comprising IGBT switches, which are controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. When
solar power is sufficient, the IGBT switches connect the solar output to an inverter, which
converts the DC to AC for household or commercial load consumption. However, during
periods of low solar output (e.g., cloudy weather or night time), the Arduino detects the
deficiency through the current sensor and automatically switches the source to the grid. The
AC power from the grid first passes through an adapter, which converts it into DC. This DC
is then fed through a second current sensor (Sensor-ii), which measures the grid current and
sends the data to the Arduino. This information helps the Arduino compare solar and grid
conditions and make real-time decisions to control the IGBT switches. The selected power
source (either solar or grid) is then sent to the inverter to produce AC power, which is finally
delivered to the load. Additionally, a display unit connected to the Arduino shows the current
power source and other system parameters, allowing for easy monitoring. This system
ensures a reliable AC power supply by intelligently switching between solar and grid sources
without relying on battery storage.

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3.3Block Diagram

Current
Solar MPPT
sensor-i
panel

Switching unit inverter load

(IGBT switches)

Grid Adapter Current sensor-ii Arduino

display

Figure 2:Block Diagram of Proposed System

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3.4Used Components

i. Solar Panel

A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity using
photovoltaic (PV) cells. In this project, the solar panel acts as the primary power source,
aiming to supply electricity to the connected load directly during daylight hours. It helps in
reducing dependency on the grid and promotes the use of renewable energy. The amount of
energy generated depends on the intensity of sunlight, panel orientation, and weather
conditions.

ii. MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker)

The MPPT is an advanced DC-DC converter that adjusts the operating point of the solar
panel to ensure it delivers the maximum possible power under changing environmental
conditions. It continuously tracks voltage and current to find the optimal power point. In this
project, the MPPT helps extract the most efficient output from the solar panel before sending
it to the switching unit. It plays a critical role in improving overall efficiency of the solar
input without requiring battery storage.

iii. Current Sensor (Sensor-i and Sensor-ii)

Current sensors are used to measure the flow of electric current in a circuit and send
corresponding voltage signals to the Arduino for decision-making. Sensor-i is connected to
the solar side and measures the solar current, while Sensor-ii is connected to the grid side and
measures the current from the adapter (converted grid power). These sensors are essential for
monitoring power availability and for the Arduino to compare both sources to determine
which should be used to supply the load at any given time.

iv. IGBT Switches (Switching Unit)

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) are power semiconductor devices used as fast and
efficient switches in electrical systems. In this project, IGBT switches are used to
automatically connect or disconnect the solar or grid supply based on control signals
from the Arduino. They ensure seamless and reliable switching without manual intervention.
Compared to traditional relays, IGBTs offer faster response time, greater efficiency, and
longer operational life.

v. Adapter (AC to DC Converter)

The adapter is a power electronic device that converts alternating current (AC) from the
grid into direct current (DC). This conversion is necessary because the control system,
including current sensors and Arduino, operates on DC power. After conversion, the grid’s
DC supply is passed through Sensor-ii and made available to the switching unit. The adapter
ensures that grid power can be used as an alternative DC source when solar power is
unavailable.

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vi. Arduino

Arduino is a microcontroller-based open-source control board that acts as the central

decision-making unit of this system. It takes input from both current sensors and runs a
control algorithm to determine whether solar or grid power should be used. Based on the
comparison, it sends switching signals to the IGBT unit to select the appropriate power
source. Additionally, Arduino handles display control and can be programmed to implement
logic such as solar priority and fault detection.

vii. Inverter

An inverter is an electrical device that converts DC power into AC power, which is essential
for running household and commercial appliances that require AC input. In this project,
regardless of whether power comes from solar (via MPPT) or from the grid (after AC-DC
conversion), it is eventually fed to the inverter to provide stable AC output to the load. The
inverter ensures compatibility between the system's DC sources and AC loads.

viii. Display Unit

The display unit, such as an LCD or OLED screen, is connected to the Arduino and is used to
show real-time system information, such as the current power source (solar or grid), current
values, and operational status. This makes the system more user-friendly and allows the user
to monitor power source switching and overall performance without external tools.

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 [Link] ESTIMATION

S.N Component Quantity Approx Cost(RS)

1 Solar panel 1 1500
2 MPPT 1 700
3 IGBT switches 2 600
4 Arduino uno 1 800
5 Current sensors 2 600
6 Adapter 1 300
7 Inverter 1 1000
8 LCD display 1 500
9 Miscellaneous - 500
Total 0(approx)

Table 1:Cost estimation of project

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 [Link] OUTCOMES

 Prioritizes solar power when available.

 Automatically switches to grid power when solar output is insufficientt.
 Displays real time power status and source on LCD.

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 [Link] CHART OF PROJECT

Activity/month Jestha Aashad Shrawan Bhadra Ashwin Kartik Mangsir Poush Magh Falgun
Proposal
Defense
Literature
Review and
background
study
Component
selection
Procurement of
equipments
Mid Defense
Hardware
development
Coding
(arduino
programming)
Integration and
testing
Final Report
Final Defence

Figure 3: Gnatt chart of project

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 [Link]

[Link], C., Intaniwet, A., Nilkhoa, T., et al. (2019). A prototype of a low-cost solar–grid
utility hybrid load sharing system for agricultural DC loads. International Journal of Energy
and Environmental Engineering, 10(1), 137–145.
[Link] Lab. (2020). Automatic power source selector circuit using Arduino.
Microcontrollers Lab.
[Link]-1. (2024). Load sharing: Use solar panel safely with TP4056. Electrical and
Electronics Technology Degree.
[Link] Online Team. (2025). Smart solar microgrid management system using Arduino Uno.
PCBONLINE.
[Link]. (2025). Stand-alone power system. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from stand-alone
PV systems without batteries.
[Link] Bangladesh. (n.d.). On Grid Solar PV System Using Arduino Uno. HTE Bangladesh.
[Link] DIY user. (2019, October 8). Simultaneous solar and grid power draw
proof-of-concept [Online forum comment]. Reddit/r/SolarDIY.

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