Renewable Power Generation Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Wind Energy Hydropower Solar Thermal Electric Geothermal

Renewable Power Generation (cont.) Photovoltaic Power:  Principal of operation  photoelectric effect silicon cell “doping” produces p-type (positive) and n-type (negative) “electrons and holes” resulting in “p-n junction”. RESULTS IN ELECTRICITY FLOW !!!

Renewable Power Generation (cont.) Photovoltaic Power:  Conversion of energy  30% maximum efficiency possible Typical is 10-15% effic. for standard “single-crystal” cells (lower for “thin-film” cells) “Thin-ribbons” used to reduce manufacturing $$ Amorphous silicon (not single crystal) used for calculators and watches– better efficiency in fluorescent light

Renewable Power Generation (cont.) PV System Configurations:  Series- voltages are additive; current is same  Parallel- current is additive; voltages are same Typical solar array is combination of series and parallel. Output is DC voltage

Renewable Power Generation (cont.) PV System Configurations:  Batteries used for electrical energy storage  Inverters needed for AC power  Regulators needed to ensure no over-charging of batteries  Co-generation capabilities for excess power (i.e. California is req’d to purchase surplus power !!)