A design method for photovoltaics-battery storage systems under tropical conditions

Abstract

SYNOPSIS A very limited number of the available design methods can be used with confidence in sizing and costing the stand-alone photovoltaic-battery storage systems operating under the weather conditions of the tropical countries located between 0 and 30°N. For this reason we investigated the performance and economics of various photovoltaic-battery storage system configurations. The aim was to prepare a number of sizing and costing design diagrams which detail the effect of climatic, social, and economics parameters on the choice of the stand-alone photovoltaic-battery storage systems. Our strategy was to guide designers, particularly those trying to utilize the stand-alone photovoltaic-battery storage systems in Sana'a (15°N) and Cairo (30°N), to the logic for selecting a system that physically and economically matches the site potential and the user's electrical needs. Considered here are the relatively small stand-alone photovoltaic-battery storage systems that can be purchased by individuals or comm...