Solar Power and Power Factor Correction Equipment
Solar power is the change of sunlight energy to electrical energy using concentrated solar power or by the use of photovoltaic cells. Concentrated solar systems use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight into a thin beam.
Photovoltaic method uses the photoelectric effect.
The world is in need of cost effective, clean and renewable energy. The reasons range from cost effective nature of solar power to reducing the impact to climate offered by fossil fuels. The prize of other conventional electrical energy source continues to rise while that of solar energy falls. The advancement made by solar technology has made the production of solar power cheap.
Why solar energy
There are many reasons as to use solar energy in large scale. Majority of the world’s electrical energy comes from fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. These sources have a number of challenges including security concerns, rising prices and over dependence on importing the fuels from a few countries that have a significant supply of fossil fuel. Most governments are advocating for alternative energy sources. Such sources include solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass and wind power.
Solar energy is the most growing renewable source. Solar power has the following advantages:
Reduces reliance on fossil fuels
This form of energy does not depend on the expensive and limited fossil fuel. Although the sun varies during the day, a properly designed and configured system can be so reliable.
Matching peak time demand with the output
The sun gives light energy during the day when the demand of electricity is at its peak, and when the sun sets, demand for electricity goes down.
Solar power generates electricity with a small negative impact on the environment as compared to other forms.
Solar power installations can be at the customers location reducing the cost required in the transmission of electricity.
Scalability and modularity
The generating capacity and size of a solar system is dependent on the modules installed. Solar power technology is thus versatile and scalable.
Very many countries give incentives for the development solar power and other renewable sources. This includes a low interest rate on loans to finance solar energy systems and subsidies to users.
Solar energy is sustainable and renewable energy source.
Power factor Correction
Transmission and distribution of electrical energy brings in the question of power factor improvement. Most of the loads are inductive hence giving a lagging power factor. A lagging power factor causes an increase in current. The increased current causes more power losses of active power. It is essential to have a power factor close to unity.
Demerits of low power factor
Increase in the kVA rating of an equipment. A small power factor will mean a larger kVA rating of the equipment. This makes the equipment expensive and larger.
Low power factor means greater conductor size of the equipment
It causes larger copper losses. This causes low efficiency
It causes more voltage drop in transmission lines, transformers and alternators. This results in poor voltage regulation.
Low power factor results in a low handling capacity of the system.
Power factor correction equipment
Improvement of low power factor is by the use of the following equipment.
Static capacitors connected in parallel with the equipment.
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