Solar Electricity

by Markvart, Tomas

• ISBN13: 9780471988533
• ISBN10: 0471988537
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-07-26
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

Solar Electricity Second Edition Edited by Tomas Markvart University of Southampton, UK ".warmly recommended as a comprehensive, introductory text on a subject which should become increasingly important." (Review of the First Edition in Contemporary Physics) The rapid evolution of photovoltaic technology has highlighted the increasing capabilities of solar electricity as a power source for distributed energy generation. Building on the success of the first edition, Solar Electricity presents a balanced introduction to all aspects of solar energy conversion, from cell types to environmental impact and applications. Now fully revised to incorporate the latest industry achievements and featuring: New sections on the role of dye sensitised solar cells, photovoltaics in buildings, diesel hybrid systems, and photovoltaic markets and funding. Solar cell design and manufacturing technology including crystalline silicon and thin film devices. Introduction to a range of photovoltaic applications including rural electrification, grid connection issues, and the supply of electrical power to satellites in space. Illustrative case studies and self-assessment questions and answers at the end of each chapter. Undergraduate and postgraduate science and engineering students, practising mechanical and power engineers and those with a general interest in renewable energy will find this comprehensive text on invaluable reference. Solar Electricity, Second Edition forms part of the Energy Engineering Learning Package. Organised by UNESCO, this distance learning package has been established to train engineers to meet the challengs of today and tomorrow in this exciting field of energy engineering. It has been developed by an international team of distinguished academics, coordinated by Dr Boris Berkovski. This modular course will appeal to advanced undergraduates and post graduate students, as well as practising power engineers in industry. World Solar Summit Process Visit Our Web Page! http://www.wiley.com/

Author Biography

Tomas Markvart is the editor of Solar Electricity, 2nd Edition, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Preface to the First Edition	xi
Preface to the Second Edition	xiii
List of Contributors	xv
Note on Energy Units	xvii
Electricity from the Sun	1	(4)
Why we need photovoltaics	1	(4)
Summary of the chapter	4	(1)
Bibliography and references	4	(1)
Solar Radiation	5	(18)
Aim	5	(1)
Objectives	5	(1)
Notation and units	5	(1)
Introduction	6	(1)
Energy from the Sun	7	(16)
Introduction	7	(3)
Some astronomy	10	(4)
Radiation on an inclined surface	14	(4)
Summary of the chapter	18	(1)
Bibliography and references	19	(1)
Self-assessment questions	19	(1)
Answers	20	(3)
Solar Cells	23	(58)
Aims	23	(1)
Objectives	23	(1)
Notation and units	23	(1)
Introduction	24	(1)
What are solar cells?	25	(1)
Summary	26	(1)
How solar cells work	26	(20)
Introduction	26	(1)
Electronic structure of semiconductors	27	(8)
The solar cell	35	(4)
Power losses in solar cells	39	(4)
Temperature and irradiance effects	43	(2)
Summary	45	(1)
Silicon solar cell technology	46	(16)
Introduction	46	(1)
From sand to pure silicon	47	(2)
Growth of silicon crystals	49	(6)
Typical solar cell fabrication process	55	(6)
Module fabrication	61	(1)
Summary	61	(1)
Thin-film solar cells	62	(19)
Introduction	62	(1)
Amorphous silicon cells	63	(3)
Thin polycrystalline silicon on low-cost substrates	66	(2)
Copper indium diselenide cells	68	(3)
Cadmium telluride cells	71	(2)
Integrally interconnected modules	73	(1)
Summary	73	(1)
Summary of the chapter	74	(1)
Bibliography and references	74	(1)
Self-assessment questions	75	(2)
Answers	77	(4)
Photovoltaic System Engineering	81	(56)
Aim	81	(1)
Objectives	81	(1)
Notation and units	82	(1)
Introduction	83	(1)
Structure of a photovoltaic system	83	(2)
Summary	85	(1)
The photovoltaic generator	85	(8)
Introduction	85	(1)
Photovoltaic modules	85	(5)
Interconnection of PV modules	90	(2)
Capturing the sunlight	92	(1)
Summary	92	(1)
Energy storage	93	(5)
Introduction	93	(1)
Battery operation in PV systems	94	(1)
Lead-acid batteries	95	(3)
Summary	98	(1)
Power conditioning and control	98	(12)
The blocking diode	98	(2)
Self-regulating systems	100	(1)
Charge regulator	100	(7)
DC/DC converter	107	(1)
DC/AC converter (inverter)	108	(1)
Alarms, indicators and monitoring equipment	108	(1)
Summary	108	(2)
Sizing photovoltaic systems	110	(10)
Introduction	110	(1)
Radiation and load data	110	(1)
The system energy balance	111	(7)
Sizing and reliability	118	(2)
Summary	120	(1)
Photovoltaic--diesel hybrid energy systems	120	(17)
Introduction	120	(3)
System configurations	123	(4)
System components	127	(2)
Control and simulation	129	(2)
Summary	131	(1)
Summary of the chapter	132	(1)
Bibliography and references	133	(1)
Self-assessment questions	133	(2)
Answers	135	(2)
Applications	137	(72)
Aims	137	(1)
Objectives	137	(1)
Notation and units	137	(1)
Introduction	138	(4)
Economics of PV installations	142	(13)
Introduction	142	(6)
Life-cycle costing	148	(7)
Conclusion	155	(1)
Summary	155	(1)
Rural electrification	155	(8)
Introduction	155	(1)
Domestic supply	156	(1)
Health care systems	157	(3)
Lighting	160	(1)
Battery charging	161	(2)
Summary	163	(1)
Water pumping	163	(5)
Introduction	163	(1)
The technology	163	(4)
Sizing and cost	167	(1)
Summary	168	(1)
Professional applications	168	(12)
Introduction	168	(1)
Telecommunications and remote monitoring	169	(11)
Cathodic protection	180	(1)
Summary	180	(1)
Electric power generation in space	180	(8)
Introduction	180	(1)
Satellite PV system	181	(4)
The PV generator	185	(2)
Summary	187	(1)
Grid-connected systems	188	(21)
Introduction	188	(2)
PV power stations	190	(1)
PV in buildings	191	(13)
Summary	204	(1)
Summary of the chapter	204	(301)
Bibliography and references	505
Self-assessment questions	205	(2)
Answers	207	(2)
Environmental Impacts of Photovoltaics	209	(16)
Aims	209	(1)
Objectives	209	(1)
Introduction	209	(1)
The need for environmental assessment of energy sources	210	(1)
Summary	211	(1)
Methodological framework	211	(3)
Introduction	211	(1)
External costs	211	(1)
Fuel cycles, environmental burdens and impacts	212	(2)
Summary	214	(1)
Environmental costs of photovoltaics	214	(5)
Summary	219	(1)
Conclusion	219	(6)
Summary of the chapter	221	(1)
Bibliography and references	221	(1)
Self-assessment questions	222	(1)
Answers	222	(3)
Advanced and Specialised Topics	225	(46)
Aim	225	(1)
Objectives	225	(1)
Notation and units	225	(1)
Large PV projects	226	(8)
Introduction	226	(1)
Application of large PV projects	227	(1)
Economics of large PV projects	228	(1)
Technical characteristics	228	(2)
Subsystems	230	(3)
Safety aspects of high-voltage PV systems	233	(1)
Summary	233	(1)
Photovoltaics under concentrated sunlight	234	(13)
Introduction	234	(2)
Concentration and efficiency	236	(1)
Maximum possible concentration	237	(2)
Design of practical concentrators	239	(4)
Tracking systems	243	(2)
Summary	245	(2)
Electrochemical photovoltaics	247	(13)
Photoelectrochemistry presented	247	(1)
Electrochemical photovoltaics	248	(9)
Photocatalysis and photochemistry	257	(2)
Summary	259	(1)
Alternative storage: the hydrogen economy	260	(11)
Introduction	260	(1)
Generation of hydrogen	261	(2)
Transport and storage of hydrogen	263	(2)
Hydrogen utilisation technologies	265	(1)
Summary	266	(1)
Bibliography and references	267	(1)
Self-assessment questions	267	(2)
Answers	269	(2)
Index	271