Revolutionizing Agriculture: USFULL’s Solar Combiner Box for Solar System in the Philippines

Everything in life requires energy from renewable sources or non-renewable sources like fossil fuels. Fossil fuels as sources of energy are not sustainable. Not only are they not sustainable, but they have become a significant source of environmental pollution, resulting in severe climate change. Suppose the future generation will live and survive on earth healthily. In that case, drastic measures must be implemented to reduce the use of unsustainable energy and mitigate the damages already done. Solar power has gained enormous recognition in the quest for sustainable energy. USFULL is taking giant strides to see the application of solar energy in every home and office. Solar energy is energy harvested from the sunlight through specific tools that collect this chemical energy from the sun as direct currents and convert it to an alternative current, which can be used in homes. Solar pumping system is one tool that is powered by energy harvested from the sunlight and used for various energy-demanding functions like the pumping of water. A solar water pumping system or solar pumping system that could be used to provide the required energy to pump groundwater to the surface. Solar pumping system is most effective in regions where access to electricity is limited, thus exacerbating the need for solar pumping system.

Building an efficient solar pumping system

The kind of work that could be done with a solar pumping system depends on the voltage or its energy capacity, which is also dependent on the make-up of the solar system. The PV combiner box is one unit that affects the energy capacity of solar pumping systems. The PV combiner box is an electronics that helps increase PV pumping systems’ energy capacity. The solar combiner box combines several solar strings and provides a more efficient power source. Each of the solar panel strings harvests sunlight energy; when there are multiple strings, they need to be combined so that their collated energy is converted to an energy source; this is where the PV combiner box comes to play.

In other words, a PV combiner box ensures the enhanced efficiency and reliability of solar pumping systems, and it does this by serving as a central hub for multiple photovoltaic panels. The combiner box consolidates the DC outputs from these panels, streamlining the connection process. The PV combiner box also plays a crucial role in the safety of the solar irrigation system; it acts as a surge protector and overcurrent device that keeps the system safe from potential electrical anomalies and voltage fluctuations. The collective function of the PV combiner box that enhances the power output and provides safety over the system extends the overall lifespan of the solar pumping system, making it a pivotal component for maximizing production and minimizing downtime. The best specification for PV combiner box provided by USFULL is FUCB-MD4/1. This solar combiner box model is used for solar pump installation and the specifications are shown below.

USFULL   SOLAR    COMBINER    BOX     SPECIFICATION: 4 In 1 Out 1000V Coated Iron Shell 20A 1000V DC Fuse 80A 4P 1000V DC Circuit Breaker 20/40kA 2P 1000V T2 DC Surge Protection Device (SPD)

What is a solar pumping system?

As the name implies, a solar pumping system is a system that uses power generated from sunlight to draw underground water to the surface. Since it uses sunlight, it can only operate during the daytime unless its power capacity is enhanced to save more energy through the use of inverters. The system is perfect for providing power for irrigation systems instead of the traditional and cost laden irrigation systems that use fossil fuels.

A solar power system is made up of solar panels with a connection to electric motors that powers the surface electric pump for the pumping out the water. The PV modules of the system are connected in series – parallel combination to produce enough power to operate the water pump. Most solar pump systems are not connected to inverters which reduces their efficiency. However, solar pump system developed and installed by USFULL as shown in the above diagram is installed to maximise energy storage and provide constant power for your irrigation system.

As shown in the above diagram, a solar pumping system connected to a PV combiner box and a solar pump inverter (22kW 3 Phase 380V Solar Pump Inverter) harness solar energy for water pumping synchronously. The photovoltaic panels are positioned in the best location to receive sunlight rays to generate the direct current electricity. USFULL connects their PV combiner box at this stage, primarily where several PV panels are used to maximize the sunlight energy. The solar combiner box consolidates the DC outputs from the multiple panels, and the generated DC electricity is then sent to a solar pumping inverter. Now, the solar pump drive serves two crucial functions in this setup. The inverter converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), suitable for powering the pump. It also employs a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm to continuously adjust the pump’s power output based on changes in sunlight intensity. This optimization ensures that the system extracts the maximum available power from the solar panels, enhancing efficiency. Once the DC is converted to AC, it powers the solar pump, driving water from a source to a desired location, like irrigation fields or storage tanks. The USFULL-installed solar pump system ensures the speed and output of the water are finely tuned by the solar pump inverter’s real-time adjustments, maintaining efficient water delivery even as sunlight conditions change throughout the day.

Solar Pump System Installation in the Philippines

Recently, USFULL managed a project for a community in the Philippines experiencing water scarcity for farm irrigation. This project was to install a solar pump system that will overcome the challenges of an arid landscape. The cornerstone of the system was an AC Submersible Water Pump, boasting an impressive three-phase 380V 18.5kW 60Hz capacity, complemented by 550W Solar Panels (PV Modules) that harnessed the sun’s energy. The basic information required for the project, AC Submersible Water Pump, is shown below:

THREE     PHASE     AC     SUBMERSIBLE     WATER     PUMP Voltage: 380V Power: 18.5kW Frequency: 60Hz Current: 34.2A

USFULL’s experienced engineers assessed the solar panels and pump inverter’s rated power, Voc, and Vmpp. As a part of the analysis and investigation section, USFULL gathered that the farm would require 56 solar panels arranged into four strings, each consisting of 14 panels. The installation unfolded seamlessly, and as the system came to life, water flowed into the farm as required. The once-parched land now bore witness to a thriving oasis, a testament to the harmony between cutting-edge technology and nature’s abundance, courtesy of USFULL.