What is PLTS? Discover the Types and Placement Options That Suit Your Needs

2025-04-06 16:40:40 by Admin IMERCY

What is PLTS?

Solar Power Plants (PLTS) are one of the renewable energy utilization methods promoted by the government to encourage the use of renewable energy, particularly solar power, which continues to grow. PLTS uses the photovoltaic process to directly convert solar energy into electrical energy through semiconductor devices called solar cells.

This system typically consists of solar panels, an inverter, and sometimes an energy storage system in the form of batteries. Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. The inverter then converts it into alternating current (AC), which can be used to power homes, businesses, and industries. Meanwhile, batteries function to store the generated energy. PLTS is widely used because it is environmentally friendly, cost-effective in the long term, and suitable for both small-scale and large-scale applications.

Types of PLTS

1. On-Grid PLTS (Grid-Tied), On-grid PLTS is directly connected to the public electricity grid, such as PLN. This system does not require batteries because the excess energy is fed into the grid, and users can draw electricity when solar energy is insufficient. This type is highly ideal for urban areas with stable electricity access.
2. Off-Grid PLTS (Stand Alone), Off-grid PLTS operates independently from the public electricity grid. This system uses batteries to store excess energy, which can be used at night or during cloudy weather. This type is suitable for remote areas without access to the electricity grid and is less dependent on weather conditions.
3. Hybrid PLTS, Hybrid PLTS combines solar panels with other energy sources, such as wind turbines or diesel generators. This system is also equipped with battery storage as a backup power source. Hybrid PLTS ensures a stable energy supply, making it suitable for areas with fluctuating energy demands, especially in Indonesia.

Figure 1. Engineer Electric Woman Checking Maintenance (Source: farmersmag.co.za)

Types of PLTS Based on Installation Position

1. Ground-Mounted PLTS, Ground-mounted PLTS is installed on the ground and allows easy tilt adjustments. This type is suitable for locations with ample land and is often used in large-scale projects.
2. Rooftop PLTS, Rooftop PLTS is installed on building roofs. This type is ideal for urban areas as it utilizes available space without requiring additional land
3. Floating PLTS, Floating PLTS is installed on water surfaces, such as lakes or reservoirs. This type saves land space and improves panel efficiency due to the cooling effect of water. However, maintenance can be challenging.

Conclusion

PLTS offers clean and sustainable energy solutions with various types that can be tailored to the needs and conditions of the location. By understanding the types of PLTS, we can choose the most efficient and environmentally friendly system.

Reference 

[1] B. Winardi, E. W. Sinuraya, A. Nugroho, and Denis, "Design and Implementation of Rooftop off Grid Solar Panel for Household Electricity Loads," in 2021 8th International Conference on Information Technology, Computer and Electrical Engineering (ICITACEE), Semarang, Indonesia, 2021, pp. 258-263, doi: 10.1109/ICITACEE53184.2021.9617551.

[2] R. A. Diantari, H. Suyanto, Erlina, and S. Hidayat, "Analysis Inverter of PLTS On Grid," in 2023 7th International Conference on Electronics, Materials Engineering & Nano-Technology (IEMENTech), Kolkata, India, 2023, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/IEMENTech60402.2023.10423517.

[3] R. Hermawan and N. Ardyanto, "Addressing Operational Challenges in Hybrid Solar Diesel Power Systems in Coastal Tropics," in 2024 14th International Conference on Power and Energy Systems (ICPES), Chengdu, China, 2024, pp. 499-503, doi: 10.1109/ICPES63746.2024.10856622.

[4] E. Tarigan, "Potential of Floating Photovoltaic System at Tanjungan Dam Mojokerto, Indonesia," in 2023 International Conference on Smart-Green Technology in Electrical and Information Systems (ICSGTEIS), Badung, Bali, Indonesia, 2023, pp. 13-17, doi: 10.1109/ICSGTEIS60500.2023.10424236.

By Muhammad Naufal Al Hasani_RE Engineer