What is a Solar Biomass Hybrid Power Plant?
The combination of two or more power production cycles to generate more electricity than a single power generation system while minimising the disadvantages of single power cycles is called a hybrid power plant. One of the more popular hybrid power generation systems available in the market is the solar-biomass power generation system.
What is a voltage regulator?
The power generated from solar panels is stored in solar batteries. A solar voltage regulator ensures that these solar batteries do not overcharge and thus controls and modulates the voltage from the solar panels to the solar batteries and connected electronics.
Types of voltage regulators
There are essentially two types of voltage regulators — Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
PWM regulators act as a link or switch between the solar panels and solar batteries and employ a transistor rather than a relay to open the array. They also single-handedly adjust the width and speed of the pulses transmitted to the battery. They are less expensive and commonly used in small solar panel installations.
MPPT voltage regulators allow the array voltage to differ from the battery voltage, making it simple to determine the point at which the solar array provides the most electricity. However, heat dissipation is an issue with larger solar panels.
Since MPPT controllers are primarily step-down converters, the array voltage must always be greater than the battery voltage. The primary function of MPPT solar regulators is to prevent the solar power system from losing power generated by solar panels while simultaneously obtaining the maximum power from the solar array. MPPT controllers are more expensive than PWM controllers, but they are also more efficient in terms of system losses.
Why is a voltage regulator needed?
According to the intensity and the position of the sunlight, the voltage received from the solar panels differs and is inconsistent. If unregulated, this voltage may end up causing unnecessary heating of the solar battery while charging. Thus, to regulate the voltage, a voltage regulator is necessary between the solar panel output and the battery input.
The solar panel’s voltage regulator operates as a blocking diode when the battery voltage exceeds the solar array voltage. It guarantees that the voltage from the solar panel never exceeds the safe charging voltage of the battery. A voltage regulator is generally not required if the solar panel output is 2 watts or less for every 50 battery amp hours.
Conclusion
Solar voltage regulators are critical components of off-grid solar power plants. Without them, batteries will be unable to keep up with the solar array’s current variations. Furthermore, when choosing a solar voltage regulator for your solar power plant, it is important to ensure compatibility between the regulator and the voltage of your solar power system so that the former can withstand the maximum output current of your solar panel or array.
As one of the largest providers of Solar EPC solutions globally, Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Limited is renowned for its dedication towards green energy. A pioneer of solar power plants in India, SWRE has developed many large-scale, innovative and cutting-edge solar projects across the nation.
Originally published at http://realestateandepc.wordpress.com on November 23, 2022.
