INGENIEUR
the works were delivered successfully. JKR’s
involvement in the rural area electrification project
provided expert input in the renewable energy
system for the GoM project, specifically in solar
PV system technology. The highly experienced
JKR project team ensured a cost-effective and
technically reliable system. The commitment and
determination shown in delivering the project has
made JKR the preferred choice in the field of solar
PV system technology.
SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY SERVICES
FOR SCHOOLS
System profile
The solar PV-diesel hybrid system is uniquely
designed to suit the school loading and daily
energy demand profile. The system relies on
renewable energy through a solar PV array, which
is used to generate the electricity required by
the school, and a battery bank for the purpose
of energy storage in order to supply electrical
power to the loads, mostly during the night.
Figure 6 shows examples of the installation and
components of the system. Two types of systems,
AC-coupled and DC-coupled systems, are used.
A total of 74 systems involve DC-coupling, while
another 86 systems are formed by an AC-coupling
configuration. The energy storage system uses
lead acid batteries of the following types: flooded
vented lead acid (VLA) and valve-regulated lead
acid (VRLA) batteries. A diesel generator functions
as the backup to the system in case energy
generated from the solar PV or the battery system
is insufficient to meet the energy demand from
the load, as well as charges the battery system.
The operation of the system is controlled by an
inverter system (a combination of several modular
inverters) which also converts DC voltage to AC
voltage (and vice versa for bidirectional inverters).
For the DC-coupled system, a charge controller
regulates the current generated by the solar PV.
System application
The system is designed to supply electricity to
every school building, i.e., classrooms, the office,
the computer laboratory, teachers’ quarters, the
student hostel, the dining room, the guard house
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Figure 6. (top) Solar PV with a capacity of 40.32
kWp at SK Matupang, Ranau, (center) a grid
inverter system at SK Sungai sungai, Beluran and
(bottom) 1,750 Ah vented lead acid battery bank
at SK Kuala Kahaba, Keningau.
and other buildings within the school boundary.
Figure 7 presents examples of school buildings
and the surrounding areas.
System design criteria and characteristics
Designing a solar PV system, which is high in quality
and specification and uses the latest technology
available, should be taken into consideration in
relation to the local context and local participation
[8]. This approach should guarantee the long-term
sustainability of an REP. JKR has taken initiatives
to develop solar PV system design concepts and