Solar PV Standardised Training Manual

1 Solar PV StandardisedTraining ManualDeveloped by SNV for the Rural Solar Market DevelopmentPreambleThis Solar PV Standardised Training Manual has been developedby SNV Zimbabwe to provide basic technical Training in the sizing, installation and maintenance of photovoltaic systems. In addition, it is a post Training referral resource in troubleshooting and maintenance of systems. The Manual covers the following:a) Introduction to renewable energy in Zimbabweb) Electricity basicsc) Solar energy principles and applications d) Photovoltaic technology and application e) System sizingf) Safety precautions, basic maintenance and trouble shootingThe Manual is designed for use by anyone who wishes todevelop his/her technical knowledge in PV. However, it is particularly targeted at those who wish to engage in thebusiness of supplying and installing PV products. This manualdoes not guarantee the quality of installations carried out by trainees.

2 It is recommended that all installations are carriedout in a responsible and professional way. All electrical workshould be performed by a qualified electrician to guaranteethe installation and/or SNVSNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands nearly 50 years ago, we have builta long-term, local presence in 38 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors work with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guidetheir own its Renewable Energy arm, SNV Zimbabwe has implemented the Rural Solar Market Development Project contributing to the success of most of its private sectorpartners rural distribution capacities.

3 The project hasalso helped partners to offer innovative next-generationsolutions for efficient use of Solar energy todayand in the 1: An Introduction to RenewableEnergy in ZimbabweIntroductionEnergy Challenges in ZimbabweStatus of Renewable Energy in ZimbabweSolar Energy in ZimbabweUnit 1 Exercises0505060912 Unit 2: Solar Energy - The Basic PhysicsA Brief Introduction to ElectricityThe Solar ResourceSolar Energy ConversionUnit 2 Exercises15192123 Unit 3: Photovoltaic SystemsFrom Micro PV to Utility ScalePV System ComponentsSolar LanternsSolar Home SystemsUnit 3 Exercises2525363940 Unit 4: Solar Home System SizingIntroduction to system sizingA Sample Design SituationSteps in System Sizing ProcessLoad Assessment - PV Module Sizing - Battery Sizing - Charge Controller Sizing - Inverter Sizing - Wire SizingSunshine Hours MethodUnit 4 Exercises434344505201 Solar PV Standardised Training Manual02 Solar PV Standardised Training ManualUnit 5: PV System InstallationSite AssessmentPreparation for installationPV Array InstallationConnection of the Charge ControllerBattery InstallationUnit 5 Exercises555556596265 Tips For Using This ManualThe following tools are included to aid in detailed Training :1.

4 Worked examples to test trainees grasp of Practical exercises to aid trainees in putting theory into Graphics to illustrate concepts and quick reference the following are provided:1. Highlighted Do s and Don ts for care and maintenance of system A list of FAQsThis Manual is meant to be used hand-in-hand with the Solar PV Referral Manual and its accompanying PullOut 6: Solar Water PumpingIntroduction to Basic Solar Water PumpingApplications of Solar Water PumpingMain Components of the Solar WaterPumping SystemSizing & Designing a Solar WaterPumping SystemInstallationUnit 6 Exercises676868727475 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Appendix8791 Unit 7: Safety Precautions, Basic Maintenance& Trouble Shooting Of PV SystemsSite Risk and Hazard AssessmentSafety PrecautionsMaintenance of System ComponentsUnit 7 Exercises & Troubleshooting Guidance77818286 ABBREVIATIONSD egrees CelciusAmperesAlternating CurrentAmpere hoursDirect CurrentEnergyFrequently Asked QuestionGigawatt hourCurrentKilowattKilowatt hourMetres per secondMegajouleMegawattNon-Governmental OrganisationPowerPetajoulePhotvoltaicRes istanceRural Electrification AgencySolar home systemStandard Test ConditionsTelevisionVoltsWatts per square metreWatt hour CAACAhDCEFAQGWhIkWkWhm/sMJMWNGOPPJPVRREA SHSSTCTVVW/m2 WhTable 1: Feasible SHP sites on existing damsTable 2: Design Situation InformationTable 3: Mutare Average Monthly Daily Insolation & Earth Temp Table 4: Load AssessmentTable 5: Typical 200W PV Module CharacteristicsTable 6: Wire Sizing ChartImages 1, 2, 3 & 4.

5 Solar refrigeration, Solar water heater, Solarmilk pasteurizer & Solar crop dryerImage 5: Solar Calculator versus Solar FarmImage 6: Typical Solar CellImage 7:Charge ControllerImages 8, 9 & 10: Other Examples of Charge ControllersImage 11: Pure Sine Wave InverterImage 12: Location of DC & AC Loading TerminalsImage 13: Charge controller terminalsImage 14: Charge controller connectionsImage 15: Battery connection terminalImage 16: Solar Panel connection terminalImage 17: Solar water pumping systemImages 18 & 19: Examples of surface & submersible water pumpsFigure 1: Visual representation of the difference between AC & DCFigure 2: Simple Schematic Drawing of a CircuitFigure 3: Series Connection SchematicFigure 4: Parallel Connection SchematicFigure 5: Solar cell, module, array and Solar generatorFigure 6: Extract of a name plate of a Solar panelFigure 7: Connections on a charge controllerFigure 8: Solar lantern schematic layoutFigure 9: PV Array to DC LoadFigure 10: Schematic of stand-alone PV systemFigure 11: PV Module Size FormulaFigure 12: PV Module Size Final CalculationFigure 13: Battery Capacity CalculationsFigure 14: Inverter Sizing CalculationsFigure 15: Series type connection of Solar panelsFigure 16: Parallel connection of Solar panelsFigure 17: Schematic of battery connected to a Solar systemFigure 18: Series Connection of BatteriesFigure 19: Parallel Connection of BatteriesFigure 20: Surface water pumpFigure 21: Submersible water pumpFigure 22: Battery-Coupled Solar Water Pumping SystemFigure 23: Direct-Coupled Solar Water Pumping SystemFigure 24: Illustration of the Vertical LiftIllustration 1: Earth s Solar BudgetIllustration 2: How a Solar Panel WorksIllustration 3: Solar Panel to Heat WaterIllustration 4.

6 Shading of Solar panelsIllustration 5: Site Risks & hazard assessmentMap 1: sunshine Hours per day In ZimbabweMap 2: Latitude & Longitude map of ZimbabweLIST OF VISUAL AIDS084344444549092526282934345959606167 6916171718262729373939454546475758606363 69697071731921225677205701 Youth Enterprise Development Solar PV Standardised Training ManualUNIT 1:An Introduction to Renewable Energy in ZimbabweLearning OutcomesBy completing this unit, trainees will have basic understanding of:i. The various sources of energy and the differences between the renewable and non-renewable energy technologiesii. The energy situation in Zimbabwe including electrification rates, and the contribution of the different energy resources to the energy supply of the The basics of Solar energy technologies and their applicationiv. The advantages and disadvantages of Solar technologyIn this Unit Energy Challenges in Zimbabwe Status of Renewable Energy in Zimbabwe Solar Energy in Zimbabwe Pros and Cons of Solar EnergyHeading 205 Solar PV Standardised Training ManualIntroductionThe existence of life on earth requires energy in its various forms.

7 Ultimately, directly or indirectly,the sun provides all the power we need to exist and supports all life forms. From Solar ovens to Solar panels, Solar energy has been harnessed by humans since the beginningof human history. As far back as the 5th century, humans were constructing homes and buildings to maximize use of energy from the sun. Today, we know the sun as our closest star in the universe. This ball of gas has a large build-up of heat and pressure in its core that causes it to emit heat and radiant energy. More energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than humans consume in one various forms of conventional (non-renewable) sources of energy such as coal, oil or natural gas, Solar energy is a renewable form of energy, along with biomass, hydro, waste and wind. Though a variety of technologies have been developed to take advantage of Solar energy in recent years, Solar power accounts for less than one percent of electricity use in the Zimbabwe.

8 However, giventhe abundance of Solar energy and its popular appeal, this resource is likely to play a prominentrole in our energy Challenges in ZimbabweOnly 37% of Zimbabwe s population has access to electricity. Of the rural population, just 13% has access to electricity, mainly accounted for by growth points, business centres and mission stations. The statistics show that the poor are not connected to the grid and as such end up spending more on energythan the rich. The most recent national energy balance study (2009) showsthat biomass contributes about 61% of the national energy consumption while electricity contributes just above 13%. Forests are disappearing very fast, causing desertification thus threatening the country and region s food security. Moreover, forests are carbon sinks and their disappearance contributes toglobal warming. Decentralised renewable energy schemes have the potentialto meet the social and economic energy demands for the rural population ina sustainable of investment in Zimbabwe s electricity generation sector are low due to political and economic reasons.

9 Some of the existing power plants are operating at very low capacities for various reasons, some of which are:(i) Some power stations are operating beyond their life spans(ii) Frequent breakdowns due to ineffective / lack of maintenance and ageing of equipment and infrastructure(iii) Inadequate coal supplies(iv) Shortage of qualified and experienced manpowerUnit 1: An Introduction to Renewable Energy in ZimbabweThe main cause of low investment in power generation is scarcity of capital for buildingnew power plants, refurbishing of existing power plants and importing energy equipment and electricity. The economies of the countries which used to supply Zimbabwe with electricity have grown so much that they no longer have much to spare. Furthermore, Zimbabwe does not have the capacity to produce energy system components locally apart from batteries and other accessories resulting in an unsustainable over reliance on of Renewable Energy in ZimbabweResearch has shown that the country has enormous energy resources which far exceed energy requirements.

10 Most of these resources are grossly underutilized, particularly natural gas, hydro resources and the abundant Solar energy available throughout the year. Thusthe problem is not lack of energy resources but its development and utilization. The countryhas the potential to become a major net exporter of energy for several decades to having significant renewable energy resources, the large power stations (with the exception of hydro power plants including Kariba) tend to be coal powered. As such,there is significant opportunity for electricity in Zimbabwe to be generated mainlyfrom renewable energy FuelsUnprocessed plant material combusted for the generation of heat The traditional use of biomass is the burning of firewood for cooking and space heating. However, there are more sustainable means of using biomass for energy generation. Agricultural production can lead to large quantities of biomass, as at Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates where sugarcane bagasse is used to contribute significantly to theirelectricity needs, with the excess exported to the national power grid.