Photovoltaics

Fundamentals, Technology, and Practice

Konrad Mertens

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9781119401339
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Tecnologia e ingegneria
• Subtopic: Risorse energetiche

A comprehensive tutorial on photovoltaic technology now fully updated to include solar storage and the latest methods for on-site plant measurements

Starting with the basic principles of solar energy, this fully updated, practical text explains the fundamentals of semiconductor physics and the structure and functioning of the solar cell. It describes the latest measurement techniques for solar modules, and the planning and operation of grid-connected and off-grid PV systems.

It also looks at other thin film cells, hybrid wafer cells, and concentrator systems. Additionally, this Second Edition covers solar modules and solar generators; system technology of grid connected plants; the storage of solar energy; photovoltaic measurement technology; the planning and operation of grid-connected systems; economic efficiency of PV systems; and the future development of PV.

• Presents the latest advances in PV R&D and industry deployment
• Updated illustrations and tabular data reflect current state-of-the-art and PV technology efficiencies
• Offers expanded tutorial sections to aid teaching and self-study
• Includes a brand-new chapter on Solar Energy Storage
• Features two enlarged chapters—one on up-to-date photovoltaic metrology and the other on the future developments in photovoltaics
• Comes along with the accompanying website www.textbook-pv.org which offers free downloadable figures of the book, solutions of exercises, additional free PV software etc.

Developed to prepare engineering students for the PV industry, this practical text is an essential PV primer.

1
Introduction

The supply of our industrial community with electrical energy is indispensable on the one hand, but, on the other hand, it is accompanied by various environmental and safety problems. In this chapter, therefore, we will look at the present energy supply and will familiarize ourselves with renewable energies as feasible future alternatives. At the same time, photovoltaics will be presented in brief and its short but successful history will be considered.

1.1 Introduction

In the introduction, we will explain why we are occupying ourselves with photovoltaics and who should read this book.

1.1.1 Why Photovoltaics?

In past years, it has become increasingly clear that the present method of generating energy has no future. Thus, finiteness of resources is noticeably reflected in the rising prices of oil and gas. At the same time, we are noticing the first effects of burning fossil fuels. The melting of the glaciers, the rise of the ocean levels, and the increase in weather extremes, as well as the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima, all show that nuclear energy is not the path to follow in the future. Besides the unsolved final storage question, fewer and fewer people are willing to take the risk of large parts of their country being radioactive.

Fortunately, there is a solution with which a sustainable energy supply can be assured: Renewable energy sources. These use infinite sources as a basis for energy supplies and can ensure a full supply with a suitable combination of different technologies such as biomasses, photovoltaics, wind power, and so on. A particular role in the number of renewable energies is played by photovoltaics. It permits an emission‐free conversion of sunlight into electrical energy and, because of its great potential, will be an important pillar in future energy systems.

However, the changeover of our energy supply will be a huge task that can only be mastered with the imagination and knowledge of engineers and technicians. The object of this book is to increase this technical knowledge in the field of photovoltaics. For this purpose, it will deal with the fundamentals, technologies, practical uses, and commercial framework conditions of photovoltaics.

1.1.2 Who Should Read This Book?

This book is meant mostly for students of the engineering sciences who wish to deepen their knowledge of photovoltaics. Nevertheless, it is written in such a way that it is also suitable for technicians, electricians, and the technically interested layman. Furthermore, it can be of use to engineers in the profession to help them to gain knowledge of the current technical and commercial position of photovoltaics.

1.1.3 Structure of the Book

In the introduction, we will first deal with the subject of energy: What is energy and into what categories can it be divided? From this base, we will then consider the present energy supply and the problems associated with it. A solution to these problems is renewable energies and will be presented next in a brief overview. As we are primarily interested in photovoltaics in this book, we will finish with the relatively young but stormy history of photovoltaics.

Chapter 2 deals with the availability of solar radiation. We become familiar with the features of sunlight and investigate how solar radiation can be used as efficie...