Electricity from Sunlight : An Introduction to Photovoltaics

by Paul A. Lynn (formerly Imperial College London, UK)

• ISBN13: 9780470710128
• ISBN10: 0470710128
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This book introduces Photovoltaics to a wide readership, balancing a scientific basis with a large range of practical applications and up-to-date information on worldwide deployment. Written in a highly approachable style, with key equations and numerical examples carefully discussed and explained. Describes essential solar cell principles and the two main types of PV system: grid-connected and stand-alone. Provides coverage of current developments in PV technology, markets, and environmental issues. Attractive full colour photographs, illustrations and graphs throughout.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Sun, Earth, and Renewable Energy

The Solar Resource

The Magic of Photovoltaics

A Piece of History

Coming up to Date

References

Solar Cells

Setting the Scene

Crystalline Silicon

The Ideal Crystal

The p - n Junction

Monocrystalline Silicon

Photons in Action

Generating Power

Sunlight, Silicon, and Quantum Mechanics

Refi ning the Design

Multicrystalline Silicon

Amorphous and Thin-fi lm Silicon

Other Cells and Materials

Copper Indium Diselenide (CIS)

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)

Specialised and Innovative Cells

Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)

Dye-sensitised Cells

References

PV Modules and Arrays

Introductory

Electrical Performance

Connecting Cells and Modules

Module Parameters

Capturing Sunlight

Sunshine and Shadow

Aligning the Array

Concentration and Tracking

References

Grid-connected PV Systems

Introductory

From DC to AC

Completing the System

Building-integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Engineering and Architecture

PV Outside, PV Inside

Large PV Power Plants

References

Stand-alone PV Systems

Remote and Independent

System Components

Batteries

Charge Controllers

Inverters

Hybrid Systems

System Sizing

Assessing the Problem

PV Arrays and Battery Banks

Applications

PV in Space

Island Electricity

PV Water Pumping

Solar-powered Boats

Far and Wide

References

Economics and the Environment

Paying for PV

Costs and Markets

Financial Incentives

Rural Electrification

Environmental Aspects

Raw Materials and Land

Life-cycle Analysis

References

Index

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