Photo Voltaic (PV) Panels

PV panels
Made of silicon, PV panels are used to
produce electricity.
Electricity is produced when sunlight
strikes the solar cell, causing the electrons
to oscillate (move around). The action of
the electrons starts an electrical current.
The conversion of sunlight into electricity
takes place silently and instantly. There
are no mechanical parts to wear out.

PV Panels
The primary concern with PV Panels is,
which system to use? There are two
primary systems:
Grid connected system
Stand alone system

Grid connected system

What do you think the term grid connected system means?
Grid connected system means to connect to the national grid.
The electricity produced by the PV system is exported to the
grid. The main advantage of using a grid-connected PV system
is that the grid can be used as, effectively, an electricity
storage system, where the electricity is stored and then repurchased.
A grid-tied system of this type is of interest when a payment is
available for the electricity being exported to the grid, to offset
the cost of re-purchasing electricity exported to the grid. Gridconnected PV systems do not need physical storage systems
(batteries) and so the investment cost is reduced.

Grid connected system

How does a grid
connected system work?
Solar power is generated
in DC, so what do we use
to convert it to AC?
We use an inverter to
convert DC to AC. The
electricity is then sold to
the grid.

Stand alone system

By not connecting our
own electricity to the
grid, how do we store it?
What can we use to
store electricity?
What might the
problems be with this
system if it involves a lot
of batteries?

Stand alone System

What are the benefits
of having an
independent electrical
source?
Where might this
prove most beneficial?
1. Ireland
2. Developing countries