Have you heard about solar mini-grid systems and now you are wondering what are the basic components of a solar mini-grid system?
If this is you, then you are about to read in detail the basic technical components of a mini-grid system.
What are the Basic Technical Components of a Solar Mini-Grid?
A combination of three major systems makes up the basic technical components of a solar mini-grid.
They are;
- Production System
- Distribution System
- End-User System
These basic components of a solar mini-grid are not so different from that found in the conventional electricity production system.
For every solar mini-grid system you see out there, it is a combination of these three sub-systems.
The solar mini-grid system begins with the production system component that has to do with the generation of electricity.
After generating electricity, there is a second component which is the distribution system that distributes electricity to the end-users.
At the end of the chain, we have the end-users. The end-user system provides connections that allow customers to use electricity in their homes and offices.
Let’s break it down in details.
1. Production System
It is important to pay attention to the production system when setting up the solar mini-grid system.
This is because the production system determines the mini grid’s overall capacity to provide electricity to end-users.
Whatever quantity of electricity the production system is able to produce, that is what the distribution system will transmit to the end-users.
The components of a solar mini-grid production system consist of the following
- A set of energy generation technologies; for generating electricity through various means
- Power inverters; for converting DC to AC and vice versa
- A management system; for controlling the charging of batteries and distribution of electricity.
- Batteries; for storage.