Solar Photovoltaic System

Electricity from Solar Energy

 Solar power is described as the conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Sunlight could be changed into electricity with the use of :

 Directly using PV or photovoltaic or

 Indirectly by CSPs.
 Photovoltaic
 Converting solar energy directly into electrical energy .
 Devices used are called solar panels.
 Solar panel is a group of solar cells.
 Solar cells work on the principle of photovoltaic effect.
 The photovoltaic effect is the generation of voltage and electric current
in a material upon exposure to light. It is a physical and chemical
phenomenon
 The first demonstration of the photovoltaic effect, by Edmond
Becquerel in 1839
 Photovoltaic Cell
 1954 -Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson and
Daryl Chaplin of Bell Laboratories invented
the use of silicon as a semi-conductor, which
led to the construction of a solar cell with an
efficiency rate of 6%.
 1958- Vanguard I the first satellite was
launched that used solar energy
 Structure of a Photovoltaic Cell
A typical solar cell is a multi-layered unit consisting of
 Cover - a clear glass or plastic layer that provides outer
protection from the elements. Transparent Adhesive -
holds the glass to the rest of the solar cell.
 Anti-reflective Coating - this substance is designed to
prevent the light that strikes the cell from bouncing off
so that the maximum energy is absorbed into the cell.
 Front Contact - transmits the electric current.
 N-Type Semiconductor Layer - This is a thin layer of
silicon which has been mixed (process called doping)
with phosphorous.
 P-Type Semiconductor Layer - This is a thin layer of
silicon which has been mixed or doped with boron.
 Back Contact - transmits the electric current.
Working of Photovoltaic Cell
 Working of Photovoltaic Cell
 When a light of certain frequency falls on the surface of
a metal electrons will absorb the energy
 If incident light energy is greater than the work
function(minimum energy required to remove the
loosely bound valence electrons)of the metal then the
photo electrons will be emitted and the excess energy is
converted to the kinetic energy of electron.
 When solar panels are placed in the sunlight, photons
will strike the surface and emits electrons.
 As a result electron hole pair is created in the solar
cell.
 When external circuit is connected to the solar cell ,
electrons flow in the circuit and the current is
generated.
 Solar Electric – Basic Components
1. Modules – solar electric collectors. 3 basic types
in the marketplace: Mono crystalline, poly
crystalline, thin film

2. Array – modules connected together into a system

3. Inverter – converts the DC power produced by

the modules to AC

4. Grid Tie Inverter – converts DC to AC and feeds

the utility grid with the A/C power

5. Charge Controller – regulates the power going to

the batteries

6. Batteries – stores DC power

 Types of solar panel
 There are 3 types of solar panels available on the market today viz.,
1. Mono-crystalline,
2. Polycrystalline, and
3. Thin film amorphous.
 Mono-crystalline cells
 Mono-crystalline cells are made by slicing a single higher
grade silicon rod into wafers.
 Cells are then made to fit into one solar panel. Because
the cell is composed of a single crystal, the electrons that
generate a flow of electricity have more room to move.
 As a result, mono-crystalline panels are more efficient
than their polycrystalline counterparts.
 Mono-crystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency
rates (around 20%) since they are made out of the
highest-grade silicon.
 They are distinguished by uniform dark colour with
rounded edges.
 Polycrystalline solar cells
 Polycrystalline solar cells are made by pouring
molten silicon into square molds, where it cools
and solidifies for use in a solar panel.
 Because there are many crystals in each cell,
there is less freedom for the electrons to move.
 As a result, polycrystalline solar panels have
lower efficiency (~15%)ratings than mono-
crystalline panels.
 Polycrystalline solar cells have blue colour with
square/rectangular shape.
Mono-crystalline

Polycrystalline
 Thin film panels
 Thin film panels are made by depositing a
photovoltaic substance onto a solid surface like
glass.
 Examples of the most common photovoltaic
substances used are Amorphous Silicon,
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Copper indium
gallium selenide (CGIS) and Dye- sensitized
solar cell (DSC).
 Thin film solar panels have efficiency about
11%.
 Comparing mono-crystalline, polycrystalline & thin film
solar panels
Aspect Mono- Polycrystalline Thin film
crystalline
Efficiency More efficient. Less efficient. Less efficient.
Space Less space More space More space
requirement needed needed needed

Cost Costly Cheaper Cheaper

Efficiency in
Better Low efficiency Better.
warm low
light
Life Longer life. Shorter life Shorter life

Colour Dark surface with

Black. Blue. brown/black
colour
 Solar Electric – Types of Systems
 Each type has very specific capabilities and limitations
 All PV systems consist of one or more modules which produce DC power. It is what is
done with this power after it is produced that determines the type of system.

Stand Alone – Off grid

 Modules, charge controller, batteries, and may or may not have an inverter which
converts DC power to A/c power

Grid Tie – Grid connected

 Modules, and inverter connected to the power grid
 Systems can be installed on roofs, ground racks, pole mounts, or on racks which track the
sun.
Stand Alone – Off Grid Systems
Stand-alone PV systems are designed to operate independent
of the electric utility grid, and are generally designed and sized
to supply certain DC and/or AC electrical loads.

 Common applications are direct power to DC loads, water

pumping and telecommunications.

 With an inverter it can also power AC loads

 Systems with Battery Backup can supply power 100% of the

time
Stand Alone – Off Grid System Components
Grid Tie – Grid Connected Systems

 Grid Tie System is the simplest and most

cost effective way to connect PV modules to
regular utility power.
 Grid-Connected systems can supply solar
power to your home and use utility power as
a backup.
 As long as there is enough electricity
flowing in from your PV system, no
electricity will flow in from the utility
company.
 If your system is generating more power
than you are using, the excess will flow
back into the grid, turning your meter (Net
energy meter) backwards.
Grid Tie – Grid Connected System Components
 Limitations of PV system
1. Reflection losses on the surface
2. Inefficient absorption of solar radiation.
3. Internal series resistance.
4. Fluctuating voltage.
5. Cost of solar cell is high
6. Voltage output is not constant, it varies with time of the day and weather
Advantages of Solar Photovoltaic cell
1. No environment problem
2. There is no moving part.
3. Easy operation and maintenance
4. High reliability
5. System fabrication is easy.
6. Ability to function unattended for long periods.
7. The source is unlimited
Thank you