A Photovoltaics and Battery-Based End-to-End Direct-Current Power Network for Community Solar

Eyad Aldarsi, Rajendra Singh (), Jiangfeng Zhang and Vishwas Powar
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Eyad Aldarsi: Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Rajendra Singh: Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Jiangfeng Zhang: Department of Automotive Engineering, Clemson University, Greenville, SC 29607, USA
Vishwas Powar: Milwaukee Tool, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-21

Abstract: Eliminating fossil fuel as early as possible and electrifying everything by green sustainable electric power are some of the primary solutions for tackling the climate emergency. Solar electricity generated by photovoltaics is now the cheapest source of electric power generation. The cost of electrochemical storage batteries is plummeting and the combination of photovoltaics and batteries at a utility scale can provide a lower cost than electrical power generated by fossil fuel in many parts of the world. Thus, today, we nearly have a solution in sustainable green electrical power generation and storage. Globally, we have adopted alternating-current electric power infrastructure over direct-current power due to the invention of the transformer. However, due to the advancements in power electronics and loads based on semiconductors, the situation is totally different today. Except for induction motors running at rated speed, all loads using variable-frequency drive are direct-current loads. Photovoltaics, batteries, and virtually all loads are based on direct-current power. Considering power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization as a single entity, we are wasting a large amount of power by using our alternating-current power electricity infrastructure. By using end-to-end direct-current power networks, we can save energy and capital investment in electricity infrastructure as well as the cost of the loads, as compared to the existing power infrastructure. Based on an end-to-end direct-current power network, a new concept for community solar is proposed in this paper. Without connecting to the existing grid, community solar can provide 24 × 7 electric power to residents. The proposed infrastructure concept can also have a transformative role in areas which are providing very high growth of green electric power. This concept can have an immediate profound impact on any new constructions in most parts of the world.

Keywords: photovoltaics; community solar; lithium-ion battery storage; stand-alone power system network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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