INSTALL YOUR OWN Photovoltaic System: Hybrid, Stand Alone and Battery Storage

By Ludwig Luna

Photovoltaics (PV) is a process for converting sunlight directly into electrical energy. PV modules are made of silicon or other semiconductor materials that are coated with a special layer on the surface to increase light absorption and electron mobility. When sunlight hits a PV module, electrons in the semiconductor material are excited and can move freely, resulting in a current flow. This current is then converted into grid-compatible alternating current in an inverter and fed into the power grid or stored in batteries. The efficiency of PV modules depends on various factors, such as the type of semiconductor material, the quality of the coating and the orientation and inclination of the module to the sun. The efficiency of commercially available PV modules currently ranges from around 15% to over 20%. PV systems can be installed in various sizes, from small rooftop systems for residential buildings to large ground-mounted systems for supplying electricity to communities or businesses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luna Publishing
• Release date: Feb 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223973041

Book preview

Introduction to photovoltaics 

 Photovoltaics (PV) is a technology that makes it possible to convert sunlight directly into electricity. This technology has experienced an enormous boom in recent years and is considered one of the most promising renewable energy sources for the future. The basic principle of photovoltaics is based on the photoelectric effect, which was discovered by Albert Einstein in 1905. In this effect, the absorption of photons in a semiconductor material releases electrons, which are then moved in one direction by an electric field and thus generate electricity. This semiconductor is called a solar cell and is the basic component of a PV system. Solar cells can be made from different materials, with silicon being the most commonly used material. There are two types of silicon solar cells: monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells. Monocrystalline solar cells are made from a single crystal and are more efficient, while polycrystalline solar cells are made from many small crystals and are less expensive. PV systems consist of several solar cells connected in series and parallel to generate higher voltages and currents. PV modules, which consist of several solar cells, can be manufactured in different sizes and outputs and can be installed either on the roof of buildings or on open spaces. The efficiency of PV systems depends on several factors, such as the intensity and duration of sunlight, the temperature and the orientation of the PV modules. In Germany, the average solar radiation is around 1000 kilowatt hours per square meter per year. PV systems can be operated either grid-connected or off-grid. With grid-connected systems, the electricity generated is fed into the public grid and remunerated. Off-grid systems, also known as stand-alone systems, are mainly used in remote areas or in emergencies. Photovoltaics is a technology with enormous potential to increase the proportion of renewable energies in the electricity supply and thus make an important contribution to climate protection. The cost of manufacturing PV modules and installing PV systems has fallen dramatically in recent years, making PV systems increasingly affordable and economical. 

 History of photovoltaics 

 Photovoltaics is an amazing technology that emerged from research into photoelectricity. The first discoveries in this field were made as early as 1839 by the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel. In his experiments with electrolytes and light, he discovered that the absorption of light by the electrolyte solution generated an electrical voltage. In the years that followed, many scientists studied this phenomenon and experimented with various materials. The breakthrough finally came in 1954, when the American physicists Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin and Calvin Fuller developed the first functional silicon solar cell. They used it to generate an electrical voltage of 0.6 volts. The first commercial applications of photovoltaics were modest, as the technology was not yet very efficient. The first applications were mainly in space travel. In 1958, the first satellite was equipped with solar cells. The solar cells were used to generate electricity for the electronic devices on board. Since then, solar cells have been used more and more frequently in satellites and other spacecraft. In the 1960s and 1970s, solar cells became more efficient and cheaper. This led to a greater number of applications in various fields. In the 1970s, many countries began to install solar cells to generate electricity for public use. The technology continued to improve and the cost of manufacturing solar cells continued to fall. In recent decades, photovoltaics has experienced a remarkable upswing. More and more people and companies are turning to solar cells to generate electricity. Governments around the world have launched programs and incentives for the use of renewable energies such as photovoltaics. The technology has also made a significant contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and is helping to combat the climate crisis. Nowadays, solar cells are not only found in satellites and on rooftops, but also in many other areas, such as smartphones, calculators and streetlights. The technology has also established itself in architecture, where it is integrated into the façade of buildings to generate electricity. The future of photovoltaics is promising. The technology will continue to improve and costs will continue to fall. The share of photovoltaics in global electricity generation is expected to increase significantly over the next few decades. Photovoltaics has become one of the most important technologies in the renewable energy sector and will play a crucial role in combating climate change. 

 Basics of photovoltaics 

 Photovoltaics (PV) is a process for converting sunlight directly into electrical energy. PV modules are made of silicon or other semiconductor materials that are coated with a special layer on the surface to increase light absorption and electron mobility. When sunlight hits a PV module, electrons in the semiconductor material are excited and can move freely, resulting in a current flow. This current is then converted into grid-compatible alternating current in an inverter and fed into the power grid or stored in batteries. The efficiency of PV modules depends on various factors, such as the type of semiconductor material, the quality of the coating and the orientation and inclination of the module to the sun. The efficiency of commercially available PV modules currently ranges from around 15% to over 20%. PV systems can be installed in various sizes, from small rooftop systems for residential buildings to large ground-mounted systems for supplying electricity to communities or businesses. The cost of PV systems has fallen sharply in recent years, which has led to a wider acceptance and spread of PV technology. There are different types of PV systems, including grid-connected systems, off-grid systems and hybrid systems. Grid-connected systems are the most common type of PV system and are connected to the electricity grid to feed in excess energy and draw power from the grid when the PV system is not producing enough electricity. Off-grid systems are designed for applications in remote areas and store the generated energy in batteries for later use. Hybrid systems combine PV and other energy sources such as wind or diesel generators to ensure a reliable and