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| − | '''Photovoltaics''' ('''PV''') is the field of technology and research related to the application of [[Solar Cells and Modules|solar cells]] for energy production by converting sun energy (sunlight, including sun ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_effect photovoltaic effect]. The latter refers to the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage). Solar cells are photovoltaic devices that use semi-conducting materials to convert sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, it causes electrons to flow through the material generating electric currents. Solar cells produce '''direct current (DC) '''electricity. There are two broad categories of solar cells; thin film and crystalline<ref name="Energy Technology">GTZ (2007): Eastern Africa Resource Base: GTZ Online Regional Energy Resource Base: Regional and Country Specific Energy Resource Database: I - Energy Technology</ref>. | + | [[PV system|'''Photovoltaics''' ('''PV''')]] is the field of technology and research related to the application of [[Solar Cells and Modules|solar cells]] for energy production by converting sun energy (sunlight, including sun ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_effect photovoltaic effect]. The latter refers to the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage). Solar cells are photovoltaic devices that use semi-conducting materials to convert sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, it causes electrons to flow through the material generating electric currents. Solar cells produce '''direct current (DC) '''electricity. There are two broad categories of solar cells; thin film and crystalline<ref name="Energy Technology">GTZ (2007): Eastern Africa Resource Base: GTZ Online Regional Energy Resource Base: Regional and Country Specific Energy Resource Database: I - Energy Technology</ref>. |
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| | [[#toc|►Go to Top]] | | [[#toc|►Go to Top]] |
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| | = Applications and Efficiency<br/> = | | = Applications and Efficiency<br/> = |
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| | <u>'''Off-grid domestic''' PV systems like [[Solar Home Systems (SHS)|solar home systems]]:</u> | | <u>'''Off-grid domestic''' PV systems like [[Solar Home Systems (SHS)|solar home systems]]:</u> |
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| | *Provide electricity to households and villages that are not connected to the utility electricity network (also referred to as the [[Portal:Grid|grid]]) | | *Provide electricity to households and villages that are not connected to the utility electricity network (also referred to as the [[Portal:Grid|grid]]) |
| | *Provide electricity for lighting, phone charging, refrigeration and other low power [[Lamps and Electric Appliances|loads]] | | *Provide electricity for lighting, phone charging, refrigeration and other low power [[Lamps and Electric Appliances|loads]] |
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| | <u>'''Off-grid non-domestic''' PV installations:</u> | | <u>'''Off-grid non-domestic''' PV installations:</u> |
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| | *Are used in locations where small amounts of electricity have a high value | | *Are used in locations where small amounts of electricity have a high value |
| | *Were the first commercial application for terrestrial PV systems | | *Were the first commercial application for terrestrial PV systems |
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| | <u>'''Grid-connected''' '''distributed''' PV systems:</u> | | <u>'''Grid-connected''' '''distributed''' PV systems:</u> |
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| | *Provide power to grid-connected customers or directly to the electricity network (specifically where that part of the electricity network is configured to supply power to a number of customers rather than to provide a bulk transport function) | | *Provide power to grid-connected customers or directly to the electricity network (specifically where that part of the electricity network is configured to supply power to a number of customers rather than to provide a bulk transport function) |
| | *May be on or integrated into the customer's premises, often on the demand side of the electricity meter, on public and commercial buildings, or elsewhere in the built environment | | *May be on or integrated into the customer's premises, often on the demand side of the electricity meter, on public and commercial buildings, or elsewhere in the built environment |
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| | <u>'''Grid-connected''' '''centralized''' PV systems:</u> | | <u>'''Grid-connected''' '''centralized''' PV systems:</u> |
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| | *Perform the functions of centralized power stations | | *Perform the functions of centralized power stations |
| | *Supply power that is not associated with a particular electricity customer | | *Supply power that is not associated with a particular electricity customer |
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| | [[Photovoltaic (PV)#toc|►Go to Top]] | | [[Photovoltaic (PV)#toc|►Go to Top]] |
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| | = Capability and Limitations<br/> = | | = Capability and Limitations<br/> = |
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| | [[Photovoltaic (PV)#toc|►Go to Top]] | | [[Photovoltaic (PV)#toc|►Go to Top]] |
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| | = Quality Management = | | = Quality Management = |
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| − | *For information about the quality of a photovoltaic system, see [[Quality_Management_for_Photovoltaic_Implementation|Quality Management for Photovoltaic Implementation]]. | + | *For information about the quality of a photovoltaic system, see [[Quality Management for Photovoltaic Implementation|Quality Management for Photovoltaic Implementation]]. |
| | + | *For information about [[:File:PTB_Compact_Energy_EN.pdf|Quality Infrastructure for Renewable Energies]] and [[:File:Quality_Infrastructure_for_Renewables_in_the_Climate_Change_Context_SubSaharan_Africa.pdf|quality infrastructure for solar energy in the context of climate change]], please refer to the linked articles. |
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| | [[Photovoltaic (PV)#toc|►Go to Top]] | | [[Photovoltaic (PV)#toc|►Go to Top]] |
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| | = Further Information<br/> = | | = Further Information<br/> = |
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| | + | *[[PV system|Basics of PV system]] |
| | *[[Portal:Solar|Solar Portal on energypedia]]<br/> | | *[[Portal:Solar|Solar Portal on energypedia]]<br/> |
| | *[[Solar Revolution - The Role of Photovoltaics for the Energy Transition|Solar Revolution - The Role of Photovoltaics for the Energy Transition]] | | *[[Solar Revolution - The Role of Photovoltaics for the Energy Transition|Solar Revolution - The Role of Photovoltaics for the Energy Transition]] |
Performance of PV modules depends on the amount of solar irradiation received which varies by location and season. For this reason, systems normally need to be carefully designed. A typical commercial solar cell has an efficiency of 15%. The first solar cells, built in the 1950s, had efficiencies of less than 4%[1].
PV technology can be employed in a variety of applications: Typical applications of PV technology include remote telecommunications, cathodic protection of pipelines, PV home systems, vaccine refrigeration, water pumping, grid connected or building integrated systems, miniature electronic devices and toys[1]:
To design a system for PV application the following information is required: daily energy requirement, voltage and current draw of appliances, average insolation (kWh/m2 day), the yearly variation in insolation levels for the specific area and the equipment type, availability and costs to enable appropriate selection[1].
