International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2014)

Performance Assessment of 100 kW Solar Power Plant Installed

at Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology
Prakash Thomas Francis, Aida Anna Oommen, Abhijith A.A, Ruby Rajan and Varun S. Muraleedharan
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology, Nalanchira,
Thiruvananthapuram-695015

Abstract - The objective of this project work is to analyze

the performance of a 230Wp capacity solar panel installed in
Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology. The
total capacity of the plant is 100kW. The first phase of the
project includes the comparison of the current electricity bill
with the bill before installation the photovoltaic system and
conducting detailed analysis to understand (1) Energy
consumption (kWh) normal vs. time, (2) Energy consumption
peak vs. time .The second phase includes the comparison of
the fuel consumption by the generator before and after
installation of the solar panel. The third phase includes the
study of the direct and indirect advantages of installing a solar
panel in this institution for e.g. bill savings, tax savings and
power being supplied back to the grid.

II.

III.

MAIN COMPONENTS

Solar Panel

Solar Charge Controller

Grid Connected Inverter

Grid Interactive Inverter

Battery

BLOCK DIAGRAM REPRESENTATION OF 100 KW

SOLAR POWER PLANT

Keywords-- Charge Controller, Grid Connected Inverter,

Grid Tied Inverter, Net Metering, Solar Plant, Off-grid

I.

INTRODUCTION

Solar energy is a readily available non-conventional type

of energy. The energy from sun is in the form of radiation.
The intensity of solar radiation reaching earths surface is
around 1369 watts per square meter. A solar electric system
is typically consists of solar panels, inverter, battery, charge
controller, wirings and support structures. The three most
common types of solar electric systems are grid-connected,
grid-connected with battery backup, and off-grid (standalone). Sunlight is always varying and this varying form of
suns energy is used to power the solar panels using the
photovoltaic (PV) effect. PV effect causes electrical
current to flow through a solar cell when exposed to
sunlight. Several solar panels combined together make a
solar array. There are four types of panels depending upon
their material composition and design. They are:
1. Monocrystalline silicon
2. Polycrystalline-silicon
3. Thin film
4. Multi-junction

Figure 1: Block Diagram of 100KW Solar Power Plant

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A 99.36kWp solar electric system is installed in

our college.
It is a grid interactive system with battery backup.
The solar power plant uses imported Leonics
make 100kW grid interactive inverter supported
by additional 3 numbers of 30kW grid connected
inverters.
Two numbers of 30kW inverters and a total
capacity of 59.8kWp solar module is installed on
the B block. A 30kW grid connected inverter and
29.9kWp solar module is installed on the A block.
Most important aspect of the installation is
informative energy monitoring and display

International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2014)

system, which can be monitored by 247 on

website.
A 9.66kWp solar module on the mechanical block
and control panel load is connected across the
100kW grid interactive inverter.
The 100kW grid interactive inverter will work in
charger mode or inverter mode depending on the
battery voltage at that time. In case of deep
discharge or unavailability of sunshine, the battery
will be charged by the utility grid.
During day time if the solar module energy is less
compared to energy required by load then excess
energy required by the load will be taken by the
utility grid.
When excess energy is generated after meeting
our load demands it is then fed back to the grid.
IV.

Total Power = (VI) = 10kW

Working Current

= 46.68

No of panels connected in parallel

= 5.70 6

Therefore, for 30kW inverter, we connect the panels as

1310(i.e. 13 panels are connected in series and 10 in
parallel respectively) and for battery charging purpose, we
connect the panels as 7 6 (i.e. 7 panels are connected in
series and 6 in parallel respectively).
Battery Design

DESIGN ANALYSIS

Load connected - 90kW

Backup in hours - 1hr

No. of units consumed = 901=90kWh=90units

Inverter Working Voltage = 240 V

Total no: of modules = 432

Total Ah = 90000/240 = 375Ah

For 30kW solar module:

Battery rating (50% depth of discharge) = 3752=

750 600 Ah battery used here.

C-10 battery rating is used

Open Circuit Voltage rating of 30kW inverter = 550V

Panel voltage (Voc) = 37.5V
No: of panels connected in series =

V.

= 13

V ARIOUS ANALYSES P ERFORMED

The analyses consist of two parts:

Panel working voltage = 30.5V

1. Bill Analysis

Series Panel Working Voltage = 1330.6 = 397.8V

2. Economic Analysis

Total power = (VI) = 30kW

To analyze the performance of the solar power plant

installed in the college, the electricity bills of our college
before and after installation of the solar plant were
analyzed and graphs were plotted The electricity bills are
classified into three zones. The first zone is the normal time
which is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. the second zone is the peak
time which is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the third zone is
the off peak time which is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. As sun
shines only during day time the graphs for normal time is
only needed to be considered for assessment.

Total power = (VI) = 30kW

-------- (1)

From equation (1)

Working current

= 75.414A

From the panel details we get Isc = 8.18A

No: of panels connected in parallel

= 10

For 10 kW solar module:

Voltage rating = 240V
No: of panels connected in series =
(Inverter Voltage)/(Panel voltage)

= 7.8 7

Panel Working Voltage = 30.6V

Series Panel Working Voltage = 730.6 = 214.2V

695

International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2014)
1. Bill Analysis
Considering the years 2011-2012-2013 the tariff rate
increased yearly. From Jan 2011 to June 2012 the tariff
rates for the demand charges were Rs.175 for normal time,
Rs.87.5 for peak time and Rs.93.33 during off peak time.
From July 2012 to April 2013 the tariff rates for demand
charges were Rs.200 for normal time, Rs 100 for peak
times and Rs.106.667 for off peak time. Then from May
2013 onwards the tariff rates for demand charges were
considered to be equal to Rs.400 for a whole day.
When the energy charges bills were considered it was
found that during the year 2011 as the tariff rate was low
the energy charges were also less compared to 2012 when
the tariff rates increased as well as construction works
going on. But even though the tariff rates increased
considerably during the year 2013 it is clearly seen that the
energy charges were reduced considerably after the
installation of the solar plant.

1.1 Demand in kWh for Normal Time

Figure 2: Energy Consumption in kWh for Normal Time

Before installation of solar plant

It was found that during the years 2011-2012 from
January-April the demands were almost same. There was a
peak during March 2011 and 2012 due to construction
works in college and also due to the high temperatures
during summer. During April 2011 and 2012 the demand
decreased as the college was closed for study leave. Energy
consumption increased during the year 2012 compared to
2011 due to the admission of more number of students to
the college for the new academic year. During June-July
2012 there was an increase in demand due to hostel
construction. During September 2012 there was a peak due
to welding works in 4th floor B-block. From January
March 2013 as no construction works were there, the
energy consumption was also low.

1.3 The Savings Due To Installation of Solar Plant-(24 Hrs

Use)
TABLE I
The Savings Due To Installation of Solar Plant (24 Hrs-Use)
Period

PV
Energy
(kWh)

Energy
drawn
from
KSEB
(kWh)

Total
energy
consumed
(kWh)

Energy
charges
paid
to
KSEB
(Rs.)

Amount
payable to
KSEB if PV
is absent
(Rs.)

Net
Savings
to
College
(Rs.)

July

9346.7

13632

22978.7

83497.5

139577.7

56080.2

After installation of solar plant

It was found that the energy consumption was stabilized.
The demand from KSEB was reduced considerably.

Aug

12481.5

14193

26674.5

86368.5

161257.5

74889.0

Sep

12511.2

13149

25660.2

79762.5

154829.7

75067.2

1.2 Energy Charges (Normal Time)

Nov

11620.7

13101

24721.7

79587.0

149311.2

69724.2

Dec

13591.4

12042

25633.4

73453.5

155001.9

81548.4

Jan

13408.9

15858

29266.9

96565.5

177018.9

80453.4

Figure 3: Energy Charges During Normal Time

696

International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2014)
For the evaluation purpose, a period from July 2013 to
December 2013 was considered. The energy consumed
from KSEB with and without the solar plant was
considered. The energy consumed from KSEB with solar
plant installed was obtained from the electricity bill. The
energy from solar was obtained from the server. Therefore
the energy consumed from KSEB if the solar plant was not
installed was calculated by adding the above two energy
consumption. The energy charges paid to KSEB with and
without the installation were also calculated and the
savings were calculated.

Energy charge (peak) - Rs 7.7

Energy charge (off peak) - Rs 4.65
Total electricity bill involves the sum of=total demand
charge + total energy charge + PF incentive/penalty +
electricity duty and electricity surcharge.
Then keeping the tariff rates of November 2012 constant
and multiplying the units consumed in November 2013 we
get the bill as
=113200+45100+0+75155.5+24697.7+42154.65+8
349.75+340.80

2. Economic Analysis
If money invested is in a bank
Total initial investment = Rs 2, 67, 00,000.00

Bill in November 2013 using previous year tariff rates=Rs

93,919.50.

Subsidy = 30% of initial investment = Rs1,87,00,000.00

Bill in November 2012= Rs 2, 08,394.00

Thus bill saved = Rs 1, 14,570.50

If rate of interest chosen to be 9.17%

Inference: Thus if we take the bills from June 2013november2013 we indirectly get a average saving of Rs
1,14,570.50 month so this accumulates to a total saving of
=1,14,570.50 12= Rs 13,74,000.00

Then yearly interest = Rs17, 14,790.00

Since interest exceeds Rs 15, 00,000.00, then tax is
deducted at source 30% of yearly interest i.e. = Rs
5, 14,437.00
So yearly we get Rs (17,14,790 - 5,14,437) = Rs
12,00,353.00
So monthly interest after deducting tax = Rs 1, 00,029.41
Assuming factors to be remaining constant we will get
the initial investment within 15-16 years, if money is
invested in the 100 kW solar power generation project .
2.1 Indirect Saving
Calculation on tariff
Taking bills of November 2012 & 2013 to show the
invisible or indirect savings from electricity bills.
Tariff rates of November 2012 are kept constant, the
number of units consumed in august are taken and
following calculations are done.
Tariff rates for the month of august 2012 are
Demand charge (normal) Rs 200
Demand charge (peak) - Rs 100
Demand charge (off peak) Rs 106.67
Energy charge (normal) - Rs 5.5

697

International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2014)

2.2 Diesel Savings

TABLE III
Fuel Consumed By the Generator after Installation of Solar Panel

TABLE II
Fuel Consumed By The Generator Before Installation of Solar Panel
DATE

QUANTI
TY(Ltr.)

UNIT PRICE(Rs)

DATE

AMOUNT
(Rs)

200

44.55

11-10-2012

200

49.60

06-11 2012

200

49.78

17-11-2012

200

10,282.00

14-05-2013

200

52.50

10,500.00

13-06-2013

200

53.10

10,620.00

9920.00

06-11-2013

200

57.02

11,404.00

9956.00

17-12-2013

200

57.63

11,526.00

9956.00

20-02-2013

200

59.32

11,864.00

TOTAL

1200

49.78
9956.00

19 -12-2012

200

49.78

19-01- 2013

200

50.30

Average Diesel consumption after installation of solar

plant=1200/12= 100 liters

10.060.00
200

50.30

19-02- 2013

200

50.86

05-03- 2013

200

50.86

Therefore savings in diesel consumption = 216.6 -100=

116.6 liters

10,172.00

In 2012 we consumed about 2600 litres of diesel for

providing fuel to the generator
10,172.00

And from the table we can see the overall money we

paid for diesel alone was = Rs 1,28,902.00
In 2013 we only consumed about 1200 litres of diesel
and the total cost came to = Rs 66,196.00

10,274.00
09-04- 2013

200

51.37

12-04- 2013

200

51.37

10,274.00

Based on this we saved about Rs 63,000.00 per annum

10,282.00
23-04- 2013

200

TOTAL

2600

66,196.00

Average diesel consumption before installation of solar

plant=2600/12= 216.6 liters

10,060.00

11-02- 2013

(Rs)

51.41

8910.00
200

AMOUNT

PRICE(Rs)

200

44.55

26-06 2012

UNIT

30-04-2013

8910.00
29- 03 -2012

QUANTITY(Ltr.)

2.3 Tax Savings

We almost get a tax saving of=30% of (13,74,
000+63000)=Rs 4,31,100.00

51.41
1,28,902.00

So on conclusion we can see that on adding tax savings,

indirect savings and generator fuel consumption savings we
get almost a total savings of
Tax savings

= Rs 4, 31,100.00

Indirect savings = Rs 13, 74,000.00

Saving on diesel consumption = Rs 63, 000.00
So overall we have a saving of Rs 18, 68,100.00
So if we invest the money in a solar project we would get
the initial investment within a period of 9-10 years.

698

International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2014)

VI.

CONCLUSION

The installation of 100kW solar power generation plant

at Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology
not only provides a self-sustaining way of producing power
from renewable energy source (i.e. sun) but also provides
economic benefits. From the bill assessment it was found
that the energy demand as well as the energy charges
decreased after the installation of solar panel. From the
economic assessment it was found that a considerable
amount of savings were made and the payback period was
found to be about 9-10 years.
If net metering is also taken into consideration this system
will become more economically viable. Net metering
enables the user to sell the excess energy back to the utility
grid. Thus the installation of such a renewable power
generation plant not only helps in achieving economic
benefits but also reduces impact on the environment by
reducing pollution, and implications due to climate change.
VII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Prof. M.K. Giridharan (Head of Department,
Dept. of EEE) for his visionary leadership, without
which the project would not have been possible. Our
sincere gratitude to Ms. Archana A. N (Asst. Prof., Dept. of
EEE) for helping the team with research analysis.

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