Cost-Saving Opportunities for Taylor’s University Daily Energy Consumption

Abstract

Solar energy is a renewable energy abundant throughout the year in a tropical weather country like Malaysia. This paper investigates the viability of using solar PV systems as a cost-saving measure to supply electricity for Taylor’s University (TU) daily energy usage. Experimental values were compared with theoretical values and analyzed in this paper. In this experiment, four photovoltaic (PV) panels connected in parallel were linked to a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller acting as a voltage regulator. A lead-acid battery was also coupled to the controller that acts as an energy storage to store the harvested solar energy from PV panels and discharge it in electricity. Temperature sensors connected to an Arduino UNO were placed at different locations on the solar panels to monitor for irregularities in the temperature of the panels. The amount of electricity produced was calculated using the data obtained. The results showed that using a larger PV system will generate much more electricity and create a high return on investment (ROI) if the solar panels absorbed sunlight under good weather conditions, thus bringing forward a potential solution to reduce TU’s electricity consumption.