Wp

PV system sizing
(battery systems)

1. Site survey (structures, electrical

consumers, meteorlogical data)
2. Determine consumer energy demand
3. System voltage (12,24,48, 230V ?)
4. Determine PV array power
5. Determine battery capacity and voltage
6. Determine charge controller voltage and
current
7. Determine inverter power
8. Determine cable size

System voltage, depends on:

-

Electrical devices (ac or dc)

Energy demand (approx. up to
1KVAh 12V, up to 2,5KVAh
24V...)
Cable lengths PV battery and
battery el. consumer

Consumer energy demand:

-

Real power rating of ac devices (apparent

power)
Efficiency of inverter(app. 85-95%)
Standby consumption of inverter (app. 1%
of rated power)
Running time of devices (incl. Inverter)
= Battery discharge in Wh
divide by System Voltage
= Battery discharge in Ah

Consumer Power demand:

Device Wattage
cos phi

= inverter output power (VA)

Inverter output
Inv. eff.

= inverter input power (VA)

Eff. 90-95%

Input (VA)

Output (VA)

Standby

Inverter

Consumer Energy demand:

inverter input x hours

= energy demand devices

inverter own consumption x hours = inverter energy demand

energy demand devices + inverter energy demand

= consumer energy demand (total)

Battery sizing:
consumer energy demand (VAh) = Battery discharge (Ah)
Battery Voltage
Battery discharge (Ah) = Battery Capacity
DoD

Battery
discharge
(Wh / Ah)

Battery
charge
(Wh / Ah)

C (Ah)

Out of MPP
operation
losses

Hours ?

25%

Electric
losses 5%

65%

= Battery
Charge (Wh)

Cos Phi ?

Performance

PV energy
demand

Standby?

Power ?

Consumer
energy
demand
= Battery
Discharge
(Wh)

Charging
losses 5%

Eff.?

100Wh

65Wh

PV energy demand

Consumer energy demand

Losses 35%
100Wh x 65% = 65Wh
65Wh / 65% = 100Wh

Performance ratio (PR)

95%

65%

When calculating Ah When calculating Wh

Current increases slightly
with temperature and at
operating point (app. 5%)
losses for dust
battery losses
charge controller losses
wiring losses

operating voltage (13,5V)

is app 25% less than Vmpp
losses for dust
battery losses
charge controller losses
wiring losses

PV energy demand , Battery charge

= Battery discharge
PerformanceRatio

PV Power , PV Current
= PV energy demand
Peak sun hours
Choose the right module and quantity

Battery sizing:
consumer energy demand (VAh) = Battery discharge (Ah)
Battery Voltage
Battery discharge (Ah) = Battery Capacity
DoD

Battery capacity depends on:

daily battery discharge (Ah)
desired lifespan (cycles and DoD)
Autonomy days

C=

battery discharge x Autonomy days

DoD

Charge controller size depends on:

current from PV module(s)
battery voltage

Add 20%

Inverter size depends on:

peak load of ac devices
type of ac devices
Add 100% for CFL due to harmonics
Consider starting current of motors

cable size depends on:

desired max voltage drop
length
Material
current
Allow max 3% voltage drop from PV to
battery and from battery to consumer