Photovoltaic Power John Bothof John Bothof Photovoltaic Experience
Photovoltaic Power John Bothof
John Bothof Photovoltaic Experience • Ameren Solar Technology Center • Military NJ ANG Hickam Luke AFB • Doha Qatar: Ex Hall Student Housing • El Dorado 10 MW • Copper Mountain 50 MW
Solar Industry Growth • Grid-connected PV Installations grew 66%. (Q 1 2011 vs Q 1 2010) • US Grid Connected PV now over 2. 3 GW. • US Module Production increased 17% from last quarter. • Anticipate Doubling of installations from 2010. • 2010 had 60% growth.
Cost Reductions
Increased Energy Demand United States Net Generation 2009 (Thousand megawatt hours) 3, 950331 Sales to Ultimate Customers 2009 (thousand megawatt hours) 3, 723803 Increase Demand
Photovoltaics Solar Energy • The energy we get from our sun is the result of nuclear fusion reactions. • Our sun is made up of hydrogen which is gradually being converted into helium. • The “waste” from this reaction (derived from e=mc 2) is heat and light energy.
Power Content of the Solar Spectrum
Harvesting and Using Solar Energy Technologies Different Technologies are used to take advantage of the energy in throughout the solar spectrum. Photovoltaic Technologies – The direct conversion of sunlight into energy – Converts the energy in the visible spectrum into electricity. Solar Thermal Technologies – Use the energy in the “heat” part of the solar spectrum.
Solar Thermal
Photovoltaics Flat Plate Collectors
Photovoltaics Physics
Photovoltaics Cell • The electronic charges within the doped material create an electric field across the depletion layer. • When sunlight strikes the cell it can knock an electron out of its atomic orbit • The electric field sweeps the electron towards the top electrodes • The gap or “hole” left by the electron is swept towards the back plate • The flow of charges makes an electric current which powers an attached electric circuit + + + - - -
Photovoltaics Cell Technology • Crystalline • Mono • Most efficient • Most Expensive • Poly • Middle Man
Photovoltaics Cell Technology • Thin film • a-Si • Cd. Te • CIS • CIGS • Ga. As
Photovoltaics Concentrated Solar
Photovoltaics Ameren Solar Technology Center • Compare Technology Output • Same conditions • Missouri Weather • Customer Service
Photovoltaic Ameren Solar Technology Center
Photovoltaics Tracking • Single Axis • 25% more k. Wh • Tilted Single Axis • 27 -32% more k. Wh • Bi-Axis • 35 to 40% more k. Wh
Array Modules • Series & Parallel Cells • Modules Placed in series are called strings • What is a Panel? ?
Array Combiner • Combine Strings in Parallel • NEC required fuse
Array Inverter Converts DC into AC
Array Inverter STRING MODULE CELL ARRAY Combiner
Array Advances • Manufacturing Standards • Implementation Standards • MPPT Tracking • Balance of Systems • Inverter Improvements
Energy Solar Power as a Generating Source Reasons Challenges Increasing Energy Demand Energy Independence Distributed Generation Grid Penetration Cost Permitting Transmission
Energy Improvements IEEE 1547 – Allow voltage ride through – Inverters can be Stabilizing – Transmission – Smart Grid “Arguing with an Engineer is like – Energy Storage wrestling with a pig in the mud, it doesn’t take long to figure out the pig likes it. ”
Questions
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