THE UTILIZATION OF PORTABLE PV BATTERY BANK AS SMALL SCALE OFF-GRID GENERATOR

Abstract

Reliable electricity access remains a critical challenge for remote and grid-interrupted communities in Indonesia. This thesis investigates the performance of a portable photovoltaic (PV) battery bank designed as a small-scale, decentralized off-grid generator to address this need. The primary objective was to evaluate the system's technical efficacy in meeting typical household electricity demands during power interruptions and for recreational use. The system comprised an 1100Wp PV array, a 24V24Ah VRLA battery bank, a 30A PWM charge controller, and a 350W continuous pure sine wave inverter. Performance was assessed through monitored operational testing, measuring energy consumption, battery discharge characteristics, and load-delivery efficiency using multimeters and watt meters. Results indicate the system can supply sufficient electricity (approx. 180Wh) for an average Indonesian household during a typical blackout duration. However, the inverter exhibited low average efficiency (38.36%), resulting in substantial energy loss. The battery bank performed as expected, delivering up to 723Wh, exceeding its theoretical capacity under the test conditions, and demonstrated minimal self-discharge over 24 hours. Recommendations include utilizing higher-efficiency inverters and enhancing the system's physical robustness for potential mass production, thereby improving overall system performance and suitability for practical deployment.