Concise introduction to the basic principles of solar energy, photovoltaic systems, photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic measurement techniques, and grid connected systems, overviewing the potential of photovoltaic electricity for students and engineers new to the topic After a brief introduction to the topic of photovoltaics’ history and the most important facts, Chapter 1 presents the subject of radiation, covering properties of solar radiation, radiation offer, and world energy consumption. Chapter 2 looks at the fundamentals of semiconductor physics. It discusses the build–up of semiconductors, band model of semiconductors, charge transport in semiconductors, doping in semiconductors, the pn–junction, and the interaction of light with semiconductors. Chapter 3 considers the structure and functioning of the solar cell, by covering mode of operation, electrical description of real solar cells, and HHhigh efficiency cells. The next chapter presents cell technologies – the manufacture of crystalline silicon cells and amorphous silicon. It looks at other thin film cells, hybrid wafer cells, and finally concentrator systems. In the middle of the book, solar modules and solar generators are discusses. Subjects covered here include properties of solar modules, the interconnection of solar modules, DC–components, and types of PV–plants. Chapter 7 overviews photovoltaic systems technology, including solar generator and load, grid–connected systems, and off–grid systems, before Chapter 8 overviews photovoltaic measurement technology. Towards the end of the book, the planning and operation of grid–connected systems are described. Readers can learn about the economical efficiency of PV systems here, as well as see operation results of concrete plants. The final chapter looks to the future development of PV, including efficient promotion instruments and price development. The last section provides exercises and a useful appendix. A broad introduction to the photovoltaics technology for those wanting to get introduced Cohesive coverage and a logical balance of topics provide a solid first course in photovoltaics Describes up–to–date concepts and issues such as grid or off–grid applications, along with explanations of the established technology End–of–chapter exercises to deepen readers’ knowledge Describes the physics of solar radiation and PV cells along with practical knowledge on the enabling systems technology to take PV technology to market A valuable text for Undergraduate engineering students, starting a course in renewable energy; technicians and engineers new to the photovoltaics industry who need to become acquainted with the basics and the latest technical and economical status of photovoltaics; as well as Engineers in energy companies; installers of photovoltaics; planners and operators; consultants; financers, potential energy investors and decision makers; politicians. INDICE: 1 Preface 17 1.1 Introduction 17 1.2 What is energy? 19 1.3 Problems of today’s energy supply 23 1.4 Renewable energies 27 1.5 Photovoltaic – the most important in brief 29 1.6 History of photovoltaic 32 2 Irradiation availability of the sun 37 2.1 Properties of solar irradiation 37 2.2 Global irradiation 40 2.3 Calculation of the position of the sun 44 2.4 Irradiation on suitable surfaces 48 2.5 Irradiation availability and world energy consumption 55 3 Fundamentals of semiconductor physics 58 3.1 Structure of semiconductors 58 3.2 Band model of the semiconductor 62 3.3 Charge transport in semiconductors 65 3.4 Doping of semiconductors 68 3.5 The p–n junction 69 3.6 Interaction of light and semiconductors 75 4 Structure and method of operation of solar cells 82 4.1 Consideration of the photodiode 82 4.2 Method of function of the solar cell 84 4.3 Photo step 89 4.4 Characteristic curve and characteristic dimensions 92 4.5 Electrical description of real solar cells 4.6 Electrical description of real solar cells 4.7 High efficiency cells 110 5 Cell technologies 113 5.1 Production of crystalline cells 113 5.2 Cells of amorphous silicon 122 5.3 Further thin–layer cells 131 5.4 Hybrid wafer cells 133 5.5 Other cell concepts 135 5.6 Concentrator systems 136 5.7 Ecological questions on cell and module production 139 5.8 Summary 145 6 Solar modules and solar generators 147 6.1 Properties of solar modules 1448 6.2 Connecting solar modules 161 6.3 Direct current components 163 6.4 Types of installations 166 7 Photovoltaic system technology 174 7.1 Solar generator and load 174 7.2 Grid–connected systems 181 7.3 Stand–alone systems 199 8 Photovoltaic metrology 215 8.1 Measuring solar irradiation 215 8.2 measuring the power of solar modules 219 8.3 Peak power measurement at site 222 8.4 Thermographic measuring technology 224 8.5 Electroluminance measuring technology 228 9 Planning and operation of grid–connected plants 231 9.1 Planning and dimensioning 231 9.2 Economics of photovoltaic installations 238 9.3 Surveillance, monitoring and vizualising 243 9.4 Operating results of Actual installations 247 10 Outlook 251 10.1 Potential of photovoltaic 251 10.2 Efficient promotion instruments 255 10.3 Price development 256 10.4 Thoughts on future energy supply 258 11 Exercises 264 12 Appendix 274 Index 287
- ISBN: 978-1-118-63416-5
- Editorial: Wiley–Blackwell
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 296
- Fecha Publicación: 31/01/2014
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés