5th IEEE International Conference on Advances in Computing & Communication Engineering,04-06 April, 2019,Tamil Nadu (India)

Economic Analysis of Bi-Directional

Net-meters with Orientation and Positioning
Of Solar Module
Nagananthini R,Nithya G,Bhuvanesh S
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engieering
Bannari Amman Institute of Technology
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract— In this paper, the methodologies and worldwide generation depends on the conventional energy sources like
impact of the net meter are discussed with the points to be coal, gas, and oil. If this dependency is constant after 5
considered in positioning the solar panel for maximizing the self- decades the availability of coal will be flattened and will put
consumption. In addition, the net metering policies associated on humans into an endangered life. To balance this scenario,
with its financial factors are discussed. The depletion of fossil the use of renewable energy economically should be skilled
fuels drags the world to the paramount use of available
effectively. Solar energy is the best choice to build this gap
renewable energy sources for power production in small and
medium scales. In this, the power production using solar energy due to its globally scattered availability. Solar energy plays
is playing a vital role as it is safe and pollution free. The solar PV a proficient role in this and it accounts for 40% of its role in
system has made a good impact in different countries and it’s India’s new power generation. The rooftop solar PV system
fast-paced in the last two decades because of the increase in is a boon for the areas where AC transmission is difficult,
demand for electric power. Apart from the utility service to say in desert areas and hilltop region. India reaches 20 GW
generate power by Solar PV power plants in large scale, this idea installed capacity by February 2018. Apart from ground-
has been an attraction to the peoples and results in implementing mounted and rooftop solar system, another evolving type of
the Solar PV in their building roofs to generate their own power PV system is the water mounted solar systems. Now as an
in small scale. The rooftop solar PV systems made the consumers
advancement the development is made in the area of not
to support their residential load during the power failure,
consuming less power from the grid and in advance, it can feed only giving electricity but also profited economically for the
the excess power to the grid. By delivering the power to the grid installation. Solar metering is of two types one is the gross
the consumer becomes prosumer and experience economic metering system where the power generated from the
return equal to the power delivered to the grid. Bidirectional net rooftop solar PV system is fully transmitted to the grid
energy meters are useful for the consumers to keep in track of system and the second one is the net metering system where
the amount of power that is transmitted to the grid (Solar power the generated solar power is transmitted to the grid only if it
generated in excess) and received by the consumer (power is excess after the residential consumption. The smart grid
received from the utility center). The main outcome of this net system is one of the solutions that make the customer to
metering from the consumer side is the reduced total tariff when
participate and gain profit [1]. But switching to smart grid
they fed the excess power to the grid. Researches are being
developed in the area of minimizing the losses, and maximum system from the existing system is demoralized due to
consumption with low cost affordable to build Zero Energy certain social barriers with some private investment this
Buildings. In some parts of the USA, the government has come smart grid system will make the consumer as prosumer by
forward for free installation of the rooftop solar PV system in giving freedom to generate electricity and obtain a financial
their people’s house as awareness and receiving their excess gain by transform to the grid system [2]. The real power
power at a considerable rate. Without this Net metering system technology comes in the grid synchronization of the
technology, the utility cannot consume power from the net meter. Research developed on the basis of
consumer. synchronization modeling of converters, analysis of
different types of loads and improved efficiency in solar
power generation [3]. Development in technologies is used
Keywords—Bidirectional net meter; solar photovoltaic; smart to record, analyze and interface the data of the smart meters
meter;
to the consumers, thus the manual meters are replaced by
I.INTRODUCTION the Advanced Metering Infrastructure [4-7]. Smart Energy
meters are the inventions that used to track and provide
In this fast-moving world, all we need is an efficient and
information to the customer at a different end through
environmentally safe technology. The invention is not only
wireless networking [8-9]. Energy measurement from the
to ease the daily workload but also to provide profit to the
grid to utility and also from utility to grid the total
customer. India is the third largest producer and third largest
calculation that is needed to determine the Net Energy. For
consumer of electricity in the world. In 2018 the power
calculating this energy, different types of sensors and
sector survey the generation has 64.8% of the power
circuits are used the measure the voltage and current.

978-1-7281-3250-1/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE

5th IEEE International Conference on Advances in Computing & Communication Engineering,04-06 April, 2019,Tamil Nadu (India)

Programming in some controllers gives us the instantaneous including the tariff rate fixed as per the government norms is
power and energy that is been displayed in the net meter calculated. So the amount paid by the customer will be equal
[10]. In this paper, the concept behind the process of net to (1)In conclusion, we can state that two quantities are
metering is discussed and it will help the individuals who needed for the net energy metering. Energy delivered by the
start the research on the net metering concept by giving the Distribution Company to the consumer. Energy delivered by
clear idea about its tariff methodologies and its impact. This the consumer to the Distribution Company. And the
paper also gives the concept involved in placing the rooftop electronic meter that measures the two quantities then
PV system to maximize the self-consumption. calculate and display the net difference is called Net Meter.
The important task comes when it comes to grid
II.CONCEPT OF NET METERING synchronization of the net-meter for the power export.
Power generation with renewable energy resources like Generally, Photo Voltaic systems can be divided into four
solar and wind is continuously increasing. In ground- categories: off-grid non-domestic, off-grid domestic, grid-
mounted solar PV system type of power generation, for connected centralized and grid-connected distributed. Grid-
Mega-Watt projects the government is in need of huge connected distribution systems depending on the market
hectares of land to install the PV panels. This is a major situation and it is most widely used. Dispersed sources to the
concern when these projects take place in urban and grid can be connected in two ways as mentioned in the fig.2.
agricultural areas. The government has created awareness in The direction for sustainable growth and self – sufficient
installing a rooftop PV system in the consumer’s place to usage of electric power require the simplification PV systems
fulfill their requirement and also to reduce the total utility connection with standardization. Battery energy storage
power demand. As a next step, the government now allows systems also play a vital role in this which accounts the
its consumers to supply the excess power to the electricity Depth of Charging and Battery efficiency.
board at an affordable cost. In this scenario, the consumers
become prosumers. The exact scenario is shown in Figure 1. SERVICE MEASURE PHOTO
TRANSFOR MENT VOLTAIC
MER SYSTEM SYSTEM

MEASURE CONSUME
MENT R
SYSTEM SIDE

SERVICE MEASURE PHOTO

TRANSFOR MENT VOLTAIC
MER SYSTEM SYSTEM

Fig.1.Schemetatic representation of Net-Meter installation for roof top

Solar PV system [10].
CONSUMER
Rooftop solar PV system delivers the DC output, but the SIDE
appliances that we are used in the residential and industrial
system are mostly AC. Thus, the converted AC from the
solar generated DC is utilized by the residential loads when Fig.2.Grid Connected Distributed PV system
the generated power is high or the power from the grid is
failed. Sometimes, the power generated from the solar PV III.EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF SOLAR ENERGY
system is far enough to supply the residential loads and also
situations are there when there is no need of utilizing the Having this fruitful source of power in hands, the
generated solar power. In this scenario, there remains some challenge is to obtain maximum power irrespective of the
excess power, which is being exported to the grid seasonal changes and other obstacles like shadowing. Solar
system.[11] Thus by this transfer, the customer will get some panels are made up of crystalline silicon (monocrystalline or
credits points that will effectively reduce from their total polycrystalline). The new research in the solar cell
daily/monthly tariff. developed a promising photovoltaic technology which is
T P = IP - EP (1) low in cost is the perovskite solar cells. The disadvantage in
where, this type of material is the presence of lead which is toxic.
TP is the total amount of bill paid to the government To overcome these researchers are focusing on developing
IP is the imported power from the grid new titanium – perovskite material to get the lead out.[12]
EP is the exported power to the grid To increase the self-consumption the researcher should
A net meter is used to analyze the power transferred to also be aware of positioning the solar panel for maximum
the grid and cost they gained for the exported power radiation and also certain important terminologies associated

978-1-7281-3250-1/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE

5th IEEE International Conference on Advances in Computing & Communication Engineering,04-06 April, 2019,Tamil Nadu (India)

with the solar radiation. They are Standard Test Conditions spring and fall it is important to adjust four times a year
(STC) - 1,000 W/m2 solar irradiance and 25°C PV module which results little more production of energy when
temperature, NOCT – Normal Operating Cell Temperature – compared to the previous.
800 W/m2 solar irradiance and 20°C PV module
temperature. , True Solar Time (Tst), Different types of 12
angles (ϕ, δ, β, γ, ω: latitude, declination, 10

kWhr/sq.m/day
tilt, collector azimuth, and then the hour angle) as shown in
fig.3, Solar tracking system and Panel Orientation based on 8
the location. 6
4
2
0

Without tracking
With tracking
Axis Title

6AM 7AM 8AM 9AM 10AM 11AM 12PM

1PM 2PM 3PM 4PM 5PM 6PM

Fig.4.Panel efficiency for tilting panel four times a year

Fig.3.Panel inclination for maximum radiation [19] Another type of mounting is with axis tracking, in order
to maximize the power output from the solar panels, we
Solar panels which are mounted on the rooftop of need to keep the panels perfectly aligned with the sun it will
the building should always face in the direction of the be either Single axis tracking or dual axis tracking. Panels
terrestrial equator (i.e. true south direction if you are in the that track the movement of the sun throughout the day can
northern hemisphere, or true north direction if you are in the receive 10% (in winter) to 40% (in summer) more energy
southern hemisphere). True north is not the same as that of than fixed panels. Solar PV panel with tracking ability will
the magnetic north. The difference in the direction should be produce 20-30% of the annual increase in the power
corrected if we are using the compass to locate the panels production when compared to the fixed tilt.[18] Another
because it defers from place to place [13-15]. Particularly advantage of this tracking system will reduce the total
for our India, the panels which are placed completely north number of panels thereby increasing the conversion
experience 28% less electricity, because we are in the efficiency.
northern hemisphere. On the other hand, if we place the
solar panel completely east or completely west or the east–
west orientation result in 12% less electricity production.
Another option is the combination of directions like north-
west or north-east experience 5% less electricity production.
Therefore for maximum utilization of radiation and to avoid
number of panels for a particular power rating panels
oriented in the southern direction is highly efficient and a
smart idea too.
Mounting Solar panels can be of fixed tilt non – tracking
and axis tracking. The simplest and easiest way is the tilt
fixed based on the latitude and based on the direction for
maximum radiation throughout the day. Accounting
equinoxes and solicitous titling the panel twice/ four times a
year according to the season (In summer sun is more when
compared to winter) will increase the self-consumption
when compared the fixed plate as shown in fig.4 gives the
idea of power production as a tilting advantage.[16] Fig.5.Panel tilting to get maximum radiation during various
seasons [20]
It is advised that the tilt should be equal to the latitude.
For particular radiation to avoid overheating of panels, the IV.METHOD OF CALCULATION
panel should tilt plus five degree of angle during summers For every net meter setup the three main blocks
and in winter it is minus five degrees to get (refer fig.5). involved, first the PV array unit and inverter, second is the
Thus adjusting the tilt twice a year will give a meaningful grid system and finally a net metering and MMPT control
boost in energy.[17] If we need to optimize production in

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5th IEEE International Conference on Advances in Computing & Communication Engineering,04-06 April, 2019,Tamil Nadu (India)

unit. Control unit involves the automatic and wireless Grid

transmission of calculated data to make the system
innovative. For this, the involvement in embedded systems
like Arduino, 8051, FPG, etc. are takes place. With PV Level
programming in software like MATLAB and PROTEUS panel Amplifier
circuit
shifter
simulation results are visualized. The disadvantages of old A
R
energy meter such as faulty calculation and one way D
communication lead the development of hybrid and smart U
Inverter
energy meter which provides the energy consumed in short Level
I
Step down
duration of time. With this information, the consumer can be transformer shifter N
aware of overload conditions and use power efficiently. This
efficient use includes the reduced power usage from the grid Utility
which inculcates the idea of renewable energy sources as
back up. When people use the energy efficiently and to
attain gain by the remaining generated power is offset to the LCD
grid. By transferring power to the grid arises the Display

bidirectional metering concept. Only the usage and control

systems may differ but the mode of calculation is the same Fig.6.Calculating net energy in single phase supply
which lies in the voltage and current estimation.

A. Working and Design B. Tariff Calculation

Voltage sensors and current sensors are used to calculate the There are some important abbreviations involved that
instantaneous voltage and current value. With this, the should be understood for the knowledge of tariff
power and energy is calculated from vinayaka et all. calculations from sonam dutta et al. All the calculation is
Power = VI cos (φ) (2) based on the main constraint that the power generated from
In an electrical circuit, the ratio of real power to the total the renewable sources should be lesser than or equal to the
apparent power is defined as power factor. It is a vital factor maximum power limit that can be fed to the grid. From this,
that defines the efficiency of the system. the power obtained from the grid is as expressed in (4).
Whereas the calculation of tariff rates, meter balance and the
Losses in the electric circuit can be reduced by improving payback period are calculated from (7), (8), & (9).
the power factor of the network. Voltage, current and the Pg = Pused - Pgen (4)
phase angle between the voltage and current φ are needed Pgen ≤ Pmax (5)
for power factor calculation. Techniques such as Zero Ttotal = Tf+Twe+Tec+Tra (6)
Crossing Detection is used to measure the phase angle Nb = Pb – Ttotal if Pg > 0 (7)
between voltage and current. In this technique, the current Nb = Pb + Ttotal if Pg < 0 (8)
and voltage values crossing the zero reference lines are Nb = P b if Pg = 0 (9)
taken and their difference is calculated as ΔT. From this, Where
difference the phase angle is calculated from the formula as Pg= Power obtained from the grid
stated below in (3). Pused = Power consumed
Φ= 360 x f x ΔT (3) Pgen = Power generated from the renewable sources
The power in terms of Watt is converted into units by the Pmax= Maximum power that can be fed to the grid
time period T, which is the total amount of power sent or Tf = Fixed charge (Rs /month)
drawn from the utility grid. One Unit = (Power x Time) / Twc = Wheeling charge (Rs /kWh)
1000 i.e. 1kWhr. Tec = Energy charge (Rs/kWh)
The obtained power is thus multiplied with cost/unit in order Tra = Regulatory asset charge (Rs/kWh)
to obtain the amount that is to be paid. Which gives the Pb = Initial prepaid balance
amount that should be paid by the customer to the utility Nb = Meter balance
grid, whereas the Cost/ unit is fixed by the state government Ttotal = Tariff rate
policies on solar net metering. If Ca is the amount that is Cincen = Incentives provided by government
obtained from delivering extra power to the utility and Cb is Csaving = Daily savings
cost of power obtained from the grid, then the net amount Tpayback = Payback period
that is to be paid by the consumer to the grid was the Csolar = Cost to produce solar energy including cost of
difference between them. solar panel, inverter, maintenance, etc.
If Ca is greater than Cb electricity board has to pay the Finally the total payback can be calculated from (9).
consumer and if Ca is less than Cb consumer has to pay the
cost to the electricity board. This energy value in terms of Tpayback = (Csolar – Cincrement) / (Csaving*ASd) (10)
cost is used in the deduction of total tariff.
Where the constant ASd denotes the anti-sidereal time. Anti-
sidereal time has about 364.25 days per year, one day less
than the number of days in a year of solar time, 365.25.

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5th IEEE International Conference on Advances in Computing & Communication Engineering,04-06 April, 2019,Tamil Nadu (India)

Thus each anti-sidereal day is longer than a solar day (24 [12] Yatim, Yazhar, Mohd Wafiuddin Yahya, Mohammad Faridun
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