What is PV System? Photovoltaic (PV) system is an electrical system consisting of array of one or more PV modules, conductors, electrical components, and one or more loads which Convert solar radiation into electricity. PV systems use wafers, typically made of crystalline silicon. Other componanent are Inverter, charge controller, batteries etc.

Basic Diagram PV-System load energy source power conditioning energy conversion Inverter PV Array power distribution Load Center Battery energy storage electric utility The total components and subsystems that, in combination, convert solar energy into electrical energy suitable for connection to a utilization load.

The heart of a photovoltaic system is a solid-state device called a solar cell.

Material used in PV-cell Crystalline Materials Single-crystal silicon Polycrystalline silicon Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Thin Film Materials Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Copper Indium Diselenide (CuInSe2, or CIS)

How Does It Work? PV cells are made of dissimilar materials (n and p type silicon) which are in contact and form a barrier at the junction. When sunlight hits the cell, it creates a electron and a hole pair at the junction. Connecting both sides to an external circuit the current will flow.

Photovoltaic Theory Photovoltaic Theory p- Silicon n- Silicon

One silicon solar cell produces very low output so to increase power output many cells connected together which is called module. Module is the basic building block of systems which can connect modules together which is called an array to get any power configuration Cells. Connect Cells To Make Modules

Types of PV Systems Types of PV Systems Stand-alone system it is independent of all sources & used in remote applications. Grid connected system it is connected with grid and store its surplus power into grid by concept of net metering. Hybrid system it receives a portion of its power from more than one sources like wind generator or any fuel fired generator

10 Here is a stand-alone PV system in Oix, La Garrotxa in rural Spain. This system consists of a 900-watt PV array with inverter and batteries. More than 60 rural homes in this mountainous area have been electrified with PV.

This picture include PV-wind-diesel hybrid system in Mexico that provides village-wide power for 43 homes, three schools, two stores, a church and an auditorium.

Application of PV Systems Application of PV Systems

Advantages Reliable No Fuels Low Maintenance Long-term Savings No Pollution No Noise

Solar electric generation is economically superior where grid connection or fuel transport is difficult, costly or impossible. examples : satellites, island communities, and remote locations. When grid-connected, solar electric generation replaces some or all of the highest-cost electricity used during times of peak demand (in most climatic regions). This can reduce grid loading, and can eliminate the need for local battery power to provide for use in times of darkness. These features are enabled by net metering. Once the initial capital cost of building a solar power plant has been spent, operating costs are extremely low compared to existing power technologies.

Disadvantages High Initial Cost Specialized Maintenance Batteries & Power Conditioning Equipment Large Space Solar electricity is not available at night and is less available in cloudy weather conditions from conventional silicon based technologies. Therefore, a storage or complementary power system is required. However, the use of germanium in amorphous silicon- germanium thin film solar cells provides residual power generating capacity at night due to background infrared radiation. $ $ $ $ $ $

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