Photovoltaic Systems

6th sem ECE, 2024

• Photovoltaic is a technology that uses semiconductor material to convert sunlight
directly into electricity

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert solar energy directly into electrical energy.
Basic conversion device used is known as a solar photovoltaic cell or a solar cell

• A solar cell is basically an electrical current source, driven by a flux of radiation.

• Solar cells were first produced in 1954 and were rapidly developed to provide power
for space satellites based on semiconductor electronics technology.

• Its terrestrial applications were considered seriously only after oil crisis of 1973
when a real need of alternative energy sources was felt globally for the first time.
 Photovoltaic system for power generation
• Photovoltaic power generation is a method of producing electricity using solar
cells.

• A solar cell converts solar optical energy directly into electrical energy.

• A solar cell is a semiconductor device fabricated in a manner which generates a

voltage when solar radiation falls on it.

• In semiconductors, atoms carry four electrons in the outer valence shell, some of
which can be dislodged to move freely in the materials if extra energy is supplied.

• Then, a semiconductor attains the property to conduct the current. This is the basic
principle on which the solar cell works and generates power.
 Solar Cell
• A device which converts solar energy obtained from the sun into electric energy is
called solar cell.

• The working of solar cell is based on the principle of photovoltaic effect.

• When sunlight falls on a semiconductor having two layers, a potential difference is

developed between the two layers. This potential difference results in flow of
electrons and thus electric current is produced.

• Solar cells are fabricated from semiconductor materials prepared in three physical
states – single multicrystal, many small crystals (polycrystalline) and amorphous
(non crystalline).
The solar cell consists of

i. p-type silicon material layer,

ii. n-type silicon material layer,
iii. front metallic grid and
iv. opaque back metal contact
Principle of working of Solar cell
Working of a solar cell depend on two steps

(i) Creation of pairs of negative and positive charges (known as

electron hole pairs) in the solar cell by absorbing solar radiation.

(ii) Separation of the negative and positive charges by creating

potential gradient in the cell.
• For achieving the first step, the cell to be manufactured of a material
which can absorb the photons energy of sunlight.

• The photon energy E has relation with Wavelength (λ) as

E= HV/ λ

where

H= Planck’s constant = 6.62 × 10−34 Joules second

V= Velocity of light = 3 × 108 m/s

λ = wavelength of photons in meters

 Solar Photovoltaic System (SPS)
• A PV module produces dc power.

• To operate electrical appliances used in households, inverters are used to convert dc power
into 220 V, 50 Hz, ac power.

• Components other than PV module are collectively known as Balance of System (BOS)
which includes storage batteries, an electronic charge controller and an inverter.

• Storage batteries with charge regulators are provided for back up power supply during
periods of cloudy day and during nights.
Block diagram of SPS
• Batteries are charged during the day and supply power to the loads.

• Batteries are installed with a microprocessor based charge regulator to monitor the
voltage and temperature and to regulate the input and the output currents to obviate
overcharging and excessive discharge, respectively.

• An inverter is provided for converting dc power from battery or PV array to ac

power. It needs to have an automatic switch off in case the output voltage from the
array is too low or too high.
Major advantages of solar PV systems over conventional power systems are:

i. It converts solar energy directly into electrical energy without going through
thermal mechanical link. It has no moving parts.
ii. ii. Solar PV systems are reliable, modular, durable and generally maintenance
free.
iii. These systems are quiet, compatible with almost all environments, respond
instantaneously to solar radiation and have an expected life span of 20 years
or more.
iv. It can be located at the place of use and hence no or minimum distribution
network is required, as it is universally available
v. It has long life span
Disadvantages are as follows:

i. At present the costs of solar cells are high, making them economically
uncompetitive with other conventional power sources.

ii. The efficiency of solar cells is low. As solar radiation density is also low,
large area of solar cell modules are required to generate sufficient useful
power.

iii. As solar energy is intermittent, some kind of electrical energy storage is

required, to ensure the availability of power in absence of sun. This makes
the whole system more expensive

iv. It requires a large area for installation to produce sufficient power.

 Solar PV module
What is a solar PV module?

• A single solar cell cannot be used as such as it has

(i) a very small output and

(ii) no protection against dust, moisture, mechanical impacts and atmospheric

harsh conditions.

• Suitable voltage and adequate power can be obtained by suitably interconnecting a

number of solar cells. This assembly of solar cells is called solar module. Solar cells
are provided with transparent cover, and these are hermetically sealed for assembly
into solar module.
• A solar module has generally 32-36 solar cells connected in series to charge a 12 V
battery.
• It is necessary that all solar cells should match as closely as possible with each other so
that peak power of the module is the algebraic sum of the peak power of individual
solar cells.
 Solar PV Panel
Construction of a solar PV panel

• Solar PV panel consists of a number of solar PV

modules connected in series and parallel to obtain
the power of desired voltage and current.

• When modules are connected in series, it is desirable

that each module should produce maximum power at
the same current.

• When solar PV modules are connected in parallel, it is

desirable that each module should produce
maximum power at the same voltage.

• A frame is used to mount several modules to form a

solar PV panel as shown in figure.
 *Solar PV Array
What do you understand by a solar PV array?

• A PV array consists of a number of solar panels which are installed in an array

field.

• The solar panels may be installed as stationary facing the sun or installed with
some tracking mechanism. The installation should ensure that no panel should
cast shadow on any of the neighboring panels and those panels can be easily
maintained.
Solar PV System Classification
Central Power Station System:

• This type of solar power station is similar to other conventional power stations which are
required to feed generated power into some national grid.

• This type of solar power stations are designed to meet high peak daytime load only and
these have large generation capacity in megawatt (up to 6 MW)

Stand-Alone System :

• Solar PV power station is planned and located at the load center. Its complete electricity
generation is meant to meet the electrical load of any remote area, village or installation.

• Energy storage is essential to meet the requirement during non-sunshine hours.

Grid Interactive Solar PV System

• In grid interactive solar PV system, the system first meets the requirement of house, village or installation and then

all excess power is fed to an electric grid during sunshine hours

• The second advantage of this system is that during absence of insufficient sunshine, the supply of electricity is

maintained from the electric grid, thereby eliminating any need of battery.

Small Consumer Systems :

• These systems are designed to meet the power requirement of low energy devices which are generally used for

indoor applications, such calculators, watches and electric devices.

Hybrid Solar PV System :

• The hybrid solar PV system is designed to provide electric power by some other means besides solar electricity.

• The best hybrid solar PV system is the one in which no amount of solar PV generated power is wasted.