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Solar Photovoltaic Technologies & Operation

Learn about solar photovoltaic technologies and operations, including basic principles, efficiency comparisons, thin film devices, and methods to improve energy output. Explore different types of solar cells and devices, along with ways to enhance efficiency through tracking and concentration.

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Solar Photovoltaic Technologies & Operation

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  1. Solar Photovoltaic Technologies & Operation Chris Lombardo CHE 384 November 20, 2006

  2. Basic Operation • Solar cells are physically made of p-n junctions • Photons of greater then Eg liberate charge which travels out of solar cell • For Si: 1.1 eV or 1129 nm, 15% efficient • Excess energy goes to heating Band diagram of a p-n junction1

  3. Solar Spectrum Solar Spectrum outside and within Earth’s atmosphere2

  4. Bulk Heterojunction Device • Tunable band structure and junction energies • Made out of exotic compound semiconductors • Very expensive • Up to 35% efficient = 575 nm = 661 nm = 776 nm = 884 nm = 1053 nm = 1880 nm Bulk Heterojunction PV Structure3

  5. Solar Spectrum Solar Spectrum outside and within Earth’s atmosphere2

  6. Thin Film Devices • Lower efficiency but lower cost • Amorphous Si, CdTe, CIGS, organic/polymer, and other materials • Cheap to manufacture because many can be put on flexible substrates or glass • Use only 1% material used when compared to bulk devices • Technologically very young

  7. Heliovolt FASST Process4

  8. Efficiency Now and Then Current PV Module Efficiency4 Future PV Module Efficiency4

  9. Improving Efficiency • Concentration – using lenses and mirrors to focus sunlight in a small area • Tracking – using an passive or active means to follow the sun through the sky • Increase energy output from 22%-100% Solar Tracking throughout the Day5 Morning top-left, Evening bottom-right

  10. PV System Wiring Diagram6

  11. Questions?

  12. References • http://www.nano.physik.uni-muenchen.de/elektronik/E1/8Optoelektronik/Bilder/pn-junction.gif • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MODIS_ATM_solar_irradiance.jpg • Miles R., Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization of Materials, (51), p. 1, 2005 • http://www.heliovolt.com • http://www.zomeworks.com/solar/trackrack/trackwork.html • http://www.solar-power-answers.co.uk/inverter_system.html

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