An impact of solar PV specifications on module peak power and number of modules: A case study of a five-bedroom residential duplex

Abstract

This paper presents a case study using an analysis of solar PV modules peak power to determine the optimum number of PV modules required to supply energy to certain typical household appliances. The approach could be used for selection of solar PV modules that produce a satisfactory energy yield to meet pre-determined energy needs. In the analysis, the maximum daily energy consumption values corresponding to the lighting and air-conditioning loads were determined through an energy audit conducted on a residential building unit in Lagos, Nigeria. The maximum daily energy consumption values of these appliances were programmed into a NCEEC_e-EASZ VBA simulation tool to determine the solar PV array peak power and the number of modules required to produce the required solar energy yield. The methodology was validated with literature and HOMER Pro software. Eighteen different commercially available modules spanning a range of specifications including unit peak power varying from 280 to 400 W were investigated in order to select the most suitable panels for the provided conditions. The minimum required number of PV modules required to make up an array to produce the required yield was determined. The result indicates that when the unit peak power of the modules increases, the number of modules required to meet the daily energy demand reduces. The rating of solar PV modules between 280 - 400 W constituted a significant role in the process of analysing peak power as well as the quantity of solar PV modules required.