General physics; mechanics and molecular physics

Abstract

The electrification of remote areas has become a major concern for many developing and underdeveloped nations, especially in areas where fuel is expensive to deliver and the connection of electrical transmission lines is expensive and difficult to connect. This paper proposes an isolated microgrid for rural electrification, with the use of a standalone photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy system. Off-grid renewable energy technologies satisfy the demands of the consumer directly and avoid the need for distribution or transmission network upgrades. The system used for the microgrid consists of the PV system and a battery storage that serves as a backup. The load will be supplied from both the PV array and a battery bank. A boost converter is utilized to increase the voltage supplied by the PV to charge the batteries and supply the load. An inverter will be connected to a step up transformer