Analysis of Photovoltaic Panel Performance Integrated with the Grid in a Load-Sharing Scheme

This paper examines the performance of photovoltaic panels integrated into the electrical grid in a load-sharing scheme at Darool Ehsan Muhammadiyah Senior High School, Sragen. The study is part of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta's community service program focused on renewable energy development in educational environments. Unlike previous studies relying on simulated data, this research uses real-time primary data from direct measurements of photovoltaic power production and grid electricity consumption over a specific period. The study’s innovation lies in analyzing the photovoltaic system within a tropical climate-based load-sharing scheme and comparing energy usage when connected to photovoltaic panels versus when disconnected. It also evaluates the impact of reducing solar energy consumption from the grid. The collected data reveal an estimated daily load of 49.89 kWh, with PLN-supplied energy consistently exceeding inverter-supplied energy. Integration of photovoltaic panels into the grid reduces PLN electricity consumption by up to 30% during optimal sunlight periods, achieving an average system efficiency of 15%. This research offers valuable insights into the potential and challenges of implementing photovoltaic panels in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of climate considerations in system design and optimization. Future studies will focus on techno-economic evaluations of solar power installations and harmonic distortion (THD) analysis for larger-scale implementations.