Off-grid photovoltaic system as a solution for sustainability of remote farms — An application in Engineering education

Need for renewable energy education and training at all levels is globally recognized. The challenge for the faculty teachers is to align the curriculum in higher education with increasing requirement of industry and market in the electricity sector. In this paper a comprehensive algorithm for designing off-grid photovoltaic system, implemented in the context of preparation compulsory seminar work at the Higher Education Technical School of Professional Studies in Novi Sad, Serbia is elaborated. The off-grid photovoltaic system is designed to supply distant farm in a depopulated area in Serbia. Determining resources of solar radiation, as well as the optimal inclination and azimuth angle of the photovoltaic panel at the selected location, is presented. Also, the methodology for selecting appropriate photovoltaic modules, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, conductors, and safety measures are explained in detail. Estimation of electricity production and losses as well as the cost analysis of the adopted photovoltaic system is shown. Evaluation, discussion and conclusion remarks about outcome of the seminar work, as well as measures to increase the number of photovoltaic units in Serbia, are also presented.