CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1       Preamble
A power inverter, or inverter, is an electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). (The Authoritative, 2000). The input voltage, output voltage and frequency, and overall power handling depend on the design of the specific device or circuitry. The inverter does not produce any power; the power is provided by the DC source. A power inverter can be entirely electronic or may be a combination of mechanical effects (such as a rotary apparatus) and electronic circuitry. Static inverters do not use moving parts in the conversion process. (Power Inverter, 2014)
A solar inverter, or PV inverter, converts the variable direct current (DC) output of a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel into a utility frequency alternating current (AC) that can be fed into a commercial electrical grid or used by a local, off-grid electrical network. It is a critical balance of system (BOS) –component in a photovoltaic system, allowing the use of ordinary AC-powered equipment. Solar inverters have special functions adapted for use with photovoltaic arrays, including maximum power point tracking and anti-islanding protection. (Solar Inverter, 2014)
This project work involves the design and construction a 1kVA mobile solar power inverter system.
1.2       Statement of the problem
Uninterruptible power supply units are common electrical items found in most private and industrial buildings in Nigeria as a result of the never-stable and not-always-available power supply situation in the country. However, these units have not provided the much desired reliable, efficient and effective power supply delivery to their owners because these not-very-intelligent units do not, most of the time, get energy to recharge their built-in batteries.
Hence, there is a need to design and implement a power inverter system that gets energy to recharge its built-in battery from solar energy that is relative cheap and available.