A two-stage sizing method of standalone solar lighting systems

Abstract

This paper deals with a two-stage method for the sizing of two standalone solar lighting systems. Where, each of these systems uses a solar panel, a battery backup, a DC lamp and a charge controller. These remotely controlled systems are intended to be used in public places and streets of Biskra and Skikda for replacing the traditional grid-powered lighting systems. The first stage is a pre-sizing step in which the consumed daily energy, the system autonomy, the peak sun hours and the system losses are considered for the sizing of the battery and the photovoltaic generator. In the second stage, the PVSYST software is used to evaluate and optimize the size of the PV generator by simulating the systems over a whole year.The obtained results show the importance of the tilt angle choice in the production production and the efficiency of the solar panel. Indeed, as the value of this angle is approximately equal to the geographical value of the latitude of the area in which the solar system is used. They obtained results show also that the application of the presented solar lighting is more favorable for the site of Biskra in term of cost and efficiency.