Solar Radiation Potential as Energy Source of Photovoltaic Powered Uninterrupted Power Supply in Perlis, Northern Malaysia

Abstract

This paper presents analysis of the solar radiation characteristics as energy source of photovoltaic (PV) powered uninterrupted power supply (PV-UPS) in Perlis, Northern Malaysia for the year of 2011 to 2013. The characteristics consist of daily, monthly and annual solar radiation. Peak sun hours (PSHs) of the solar radiation and PV power generation capacity are also analyzed. The potential of solar radiation as energy source of PV-UPS based on their values. They are low solar radiation (below 2.6 kWh/m 2 ), moderate solar radiation (between 2.6 - 3 kWh/m 2 ), high solar radiation (between 3-4 kWh/m 2 ) and very high solar radiation (above 4 kWh/m 2 ). The results show that the average monthly solar radiation for the past three years is 4.8 kWh/m 2 . The annual total solar radiation in Perlis is 1761.1 kWh/m 2 which will generate a total electric energy of 228.9 kW/m 2 per year of PV module, if all the lands in Perlis are filled with horizontal PV panels, nearly 181.97 GWh of electricity could be produced per year. This shows the big potential of solar radiation for PV