Intelligent Off-Grid Photovoltaic Supply Systems

Off-grid Photovoltaic (PV) systems are empowering technology in underdeveloped countries like Ethiopia where many people live far away from the modern world. Where there is relatively low energy consumption, providing energy from grid systems is not commercially cost-effective. As a result, significant people groups worldwide stay without access to electricity. One remote village in northern Ethiopia was selected by the United Nations for a pilot project to improve its living conditions. As part of this comprehensive project, an intelligent charge controller circuit for Off-grid PV systems was designed for the clinic in that village. In this paper, design aspects of an intelligent charge controller unit and its load driver circuits are discussed for an efficient utilization of PVbased supply systems.

Authors:

• Prashant Kumar Soori
• Parthasarathy L.
• Masami Okano
• Awet Mana

Keywords:

• Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)
• FluorescentLamp
• Intelligent Charge Controller Unit (ICCU)
• Light EmittingDiode (LED)
• Photovoltaic (PV).

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