Design and Simulation of an Intelligent Standalone Solar Photovoltaic System with Battery Energy Storage for Rural Healthcare Facilities in Nepal
TL;DR
This project addresses the energy gap in rural Nepal by designing and simulating a self-sufficient, 12 kW "smart" solar system specifically for the health post in Rana Gaun, Jajarkot, which provides a steady, reliable energy supply.
Abstract
In rural Nepal, frequent power outages and an unstable grid often stand in the way of life saving medical care. This project addresses this challenge by designing and simulating a self-sufficient, 12 kW "smart" solar system specifically for the health post in Rana Gaun, Jajarkot. Equipped with a 60kWh battery bank and high-efficiency power converters, the system is designed to handle a peak demand of 2710 W. At its core is an intelligent management system that automatically prioritizes electricity for critical needs like vaccine refrigeration and delivery room lighting ensuring these essential services never lose power, even when sunlight is low. Using PVsyst for solar profiling and MATLAB/Simulink for performance testing, the system was evaluated under various weather conditions. The results demonstrate that the design provides a steady, reliable energy supply. Additionally, the inclusion of a specialized LCL filter significantly improved power quality, reducing electrical distortion to levels safe for sensitive medical equipment. By bridging the energy gap, this smart solar solution offers a sustainable way to ensure that remote healthcare facilities can provide uninterrupted care to their communities.