In one of my previous article – titled Solar Basics – I discussed briefly the enormity of the energy received from the sun globally. Jamaica receives approximately 5kWh/m2 of solar radiation per day or 1800 kWh/m2 annually (more…)
Tag: pv systems
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Make ‘Electricity’ while the Sun Shines
In a recent post, titled solar basis, I gave a quick overview on solar energy and its conversion into other, more useful, forms of energy (e.g. electricity). In this article however, I will delve a little into solar electric systems. But before I jump into it, I will briefly recap from that article what I think might be relevant here for those of you who did not read it as yet.
Solar Thermal (left) and Solar Electric (right) (www.blog.thesietch.org) As outlined in the article, solar energy systems fall into two main categories: 1) solar thermal systems, which uses the thermal energy from the sun to heat a working fluid that in-turn can be used for heating and cooling in buildings (e.g. solar hot water heaters) or for electricity generation (e.g CSP’s) and 2) solar electric systems, which uses the concept of photoelectric to convert the light (irradiation) from the sun directly into electricity (e.g. photovoltaic cells). The later is of interest here and thus from here on out will be referred to as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
The main components of a solar PV system is the PV Cells, which are grouped together to form a single PV Module. In solar installations several of these PV modules are typically connected (in series) to form an Array, as show in the diagram that follows.
The PV cells themselves are semiconductor electronic devices that convert the sunlight directly into electricity and thus forms the heart of a solar PV power generation system. The modern form of the PV cell was invented in 1954 at Bell Telephone Laboratories.
Currently, solar PV systems are one of the most “democratic” renewable technologies available. This is as a result of their modular size, which puts them within the reach of individuals and small-businesses who want to access their own power generation and lock-in electricity prices.
Solar PV technology offers a number of significant benefits, including:
- Solar power is a renewable resource that is available everywhere in the world.
- Solar PV technologies are small and highly modular and can be used virtually anywhere, unlike many other electricity generation technologies.
- Unlike conventional power plants using coal, nuclear, oil and gas; solar PV has no fuel costs and relatively low operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. PV can therefore offer a price hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices.
- PV, although variable, has a high coincidence with peak electricity demand driven by cooling in summer and year round in hot countries.
A wide range of PV cell technology is now available on the market, using different types of materials. PV cell technologies are usually classified into three generations, depending on the basic material used and the level of commercial maturity:
- First-generation PV modules (fully commercial) uses a wafer-based crystalline silicon (c-Si) technology, either single crystalline (sc-Si) or multi-crystalline (mc-Si).
- Second-generation PV systems (early market deployment) are based on thin-film PV technologies and generally include three main families: 1) amorphous silicon (a-Si) and micromorph silicon (a-Si/μc-Si); 2) Cadmium-Telluride (CdTe); and 3) Copper-Indium-Selenide (CIS) and Copper-Indium-Gallium-Diselenide (CIGS).
- Third-generation PV systems include technologies, such as concentrating PV (CPV) and organic PV cells that are still under demonstration or have not yet been widely commercialised, as well as novel concepts under development.
On average a PV cells life expectancy is 25 years and the cells are able to harness both direct and diffuse radiation from the sun. The amount of energy harnessed depends on the type of semiconductor material used in the solar cells, ambient operating temperature, cloud cover, shading, tilt angle and the direction in which the PV modules are installed. As the earth rotates continuously, PV cells which have sun ‘tracking’ capability are able to harness more energy. Jamaica and Barbados is located 18 and 13 degrees north of the equator respectively, thus it is a recommended best practice to install PV modules facing south at an angle of 18 and 13 degrees respectively.
Some simple questions to ask yourself before investing in Solar Energy:
- How readily available is the natural resource – sunshine? How readily can you access it – shading etc?
- Why are you interested in implementing a solar PV system – high cost of electricity or you are environmentally conscious?
- What is the initial cost of implementing a solar PV system in your area – total cost and the cost of the individual components?
- What is the maintenance requirements of your system of choice and estimated cost to maintain it?
- Where can you install your PV system – on the roof or in your yard?
- What is the warranty periods offered on PV modules, and other components of the system?
- What are the impacts on the natural environment? Will it reduce your carbon footprint or contribute to other environmental issues?
The answers to most of the questions are pretty much straight forward. My final line to you is that solar PV is one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies today and it is expected that it will play a major role in future global electricity generation mix. So embrace your future today, by making steps to start generating your own electricity as the sun shines!
feel free to register your comments below….
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XenogyRE’s humble beginnings
The motivation to start XenogyRE really originated out of my love for and interest in energy – clean, renewable and sustainable energy – and thus the name.
My primary interest in energy sprung from my love of physics and by extension electronics and electrical, all of which I was exposed to at Holmwood Technical High School located in the cool hills of Christiana, Manchester (congratulations to the girls for reclaiming their title as the 2013 ISSA GraceKennedy Girls Champs).
Growing up I was never the avid reader (or writer) of any form of social commentary. Throughout secondary school and the three years I spent pursuing an undergraduate degree in electrical and computer engineering at the University of the West Indies, I was always more interested in crunching numbers and read and wrote only as required by the courses I undertook.
I think I have come a long way since writing my first article titled “solar basics” which I recently added to my collection of articles here on wordpress.com. Xenogy started out as a page on Facebook using the website’s note feature to tailor articles to, then, a small number of followers. I lost some content as a result of Facebook’s abrupt decision to block a plugin app that I was using to facilitate my content formatting, so I decided to move to weebly.com, where I had more control. I, however, opted soon after to migrate to wordpress.com as the burden of formatting and content management was taking away from the writing.
Having edified myself up to the post graduate level, I am now at a junction where I desperately desire to share my acquired knowledge and interest in energy. This urge is tightly coupled with my love for the environment, my country (yeah man) and my progeny (she’s a bundle of joy), which have pushed me to the point that I spend long hours researching and writing articles on subjects ranging from solar photovoltaic to shale gas – when I should be sleeping (I glanced at the time (1:39 am) and sighed!).
There is no doubt that Jamaica is in a very sticky position. Why? Because, energy is the force driving and sustaining all activities in our society and we are suffering from an energy crisis. Our current economic state is closely tied to our antiquated energy systems and until we (the people and the government) get serious and address the energy problem then we will never live to see the back of the IMF and the fiscal cliff will be towering above our heads.
I do feel that we the people are the key to saving our nation. As a result, I have decided to zoom in on solar, wind and hydroelectric systems for the rest of the year (2013). I am doing this because I am convinced that solar, wind and hydroelectric (a mature technology) are the solutions we so desire in the land of sunshine, wind, and water (I am changing the phase from “land of wood and water”).
I started out writing this post with the intention of sharing with you a simple infographic on solar pv systems, however the idea shifted and the title of the article changed, but I refuse to deprive you of the information so I decided to attach the infographic below (all credit goes to www.solarenergy.net). Edify yourself and feel free to leave a comment!
xenogyre.com 