Photovoltaic Systems
Ahmed G. Abo-Khalil
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
What is Solar Photovoltaic Electricity
?
• Photovoltaic derives from the Greek word "ph
os" meaninglight and the word "volt" (named
by Alessandro Volta)
• Stands for light-current conversion or photo
n energyelectric current conversion
• Light to current conversion takes place within
solar cells
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
What is Solar Photovoltaic Electricity
?
• PVs are arrays of cells containing a Solar photo
voltaic material that converts solar radiation int
o direct current electricity. Materials presently u
sed for photovoltaics include monocrystalline si
licon, polycrystalline silicon, microcrystalline sili
con, cadmium telluride, and copper indium sel
enide/sulfide
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Photovoltaic Principle
The photovoltaic
principle is to force the
electrons going to an
opposite side of the
material than the holes
and vice versa. Then it
will appear a potential
difference between the
two side and a tension
will be created.
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Cells/Modules/Panels/Arrays
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Cells Connections
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Basic Structure of a Generic PV Cell
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PV Panel Types
• Monocrystalline Silicon Panels
• Polycrystalline Silicon Panels
• Amorphous Silicon or Thin Film Panels
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
PV Panel Types
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Monocrystalline Silicon Panels
• 15-18% efficiency
• Use crystalline silicon produced in large shee
ts
• Cut to the size of a panel and integrated into
the panel as a single large cell
• More expensive to produce than other crystal
line panels
• Higher Efficiency Levels
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Polycrystalline Silicon Panels
• 12-14% efficiency
• Use a series of cells instead of one lar
ge cell
• Most inexpensive forms of photovoltaic
s available today
• Lower conversion efficiencies than mo
nocrystalline panels
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Amorphous Silicon or Thin Film Panel
s
• 5-6% efficiency (Low)
• No crystalline structure
• Applied as a thin film directly on different ma
terials
• Use copper indium diselenide (CIS) and cad
mium telluride (CdTe)
• Low manufacturing costs and versatility
• Produced much more quickly and efficiently
• Depend on silicon with high levels of impuriti
es
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Effect of Installation Angle
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Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Sun Trackers
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Electrical properties
IS - reverse saturation current (A) (aproximately range 10-8/m2), VD diode voltage (V), VT - thermal voltage , VT = 25.7 mV at 25°C, m diode ideality factor = 1.5 x VT (-) (m = 1 for ideal diode)
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University
Electrical properties
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Electrical properties
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Effect of Irradiation
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Effect of Temperature
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Serial Connection of Solar Cell
s
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Parallel Connection of Solar Cells
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Components of PV Systems
Power Electronics and Power Conversion , Assiut University