Feasibility study highlighting the benefits of solar power over grid power for classroom loads

Abstract

Electricity is a very important factor in developing the economy and the standard of living of a country. Bangladesh largely depends on natural gas and hydro power stations to generate major portions of power. The country lacks behind than its expected production capacity. Though many power generation units have been added to the national grid to solve the power crises issue, it’s not yet enough. High demand and increasing need of power have created challenge for the power stations to meet the demand. From that concept of renewable energy such as solar energy, this thesis has aimed to launch a cost effective solar based system in one of the classrooms of the university, UB 20903. Here it’s mainly to run a fixed amount of loads, such as solar dc stand fans and LED lights, by using solar panel connected directly along with national grid using a controller device. This whole system was represented in the form of a prototype, where a 75 watts panel and a power supply representing grid power was used to connect to seven led lights and one dc fans through a controller. And based on this prototype,working and calculations was carried outfor the cost effectiveness and the feasibility of setting up of such project in reality. Use of software like HOMER was also shown for calculation validation. Taking initiative of such project two needs can be fulfilled. First of all is the reduction in the overall cost of huge current bill per year at a satisfactory level which would be a bright finding for BRAC University. Secondly, according to Bangladesh perspective it would be green process that may bring a very highlighting positive result in economic and environmental prospect.