26/06/2019
SOLAR PV SYSTEMS:
Overview of the Main Components
Solar Power for Your Home: Basic Concepts
State of Solar in UK
The Four Ingredients for Solar Power to Be Successful
The SunShot Initiative by the Department of Energy
Trends Shaping the Future of Solar Power
Solar PV Systems: Overview of the Main Components
The conversion of solar radiation to usable electric power is a process of high technical complexity. Photovoltaic modules are the core of the system, but they are only one of the components necessary to carry out the energy conversion process - by themselves, they are incapable of producing a safe, usable and reliable electric output. This article will describe the main components of a solar photovoltaic system.
PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY
This is the core of the system, composed of several solar modules which are in turn composed of solar cells. Each solar cell is an individual energy conversion unit, which produces a DC voltage whenever it receives light. It is important to note that photovoltaic modules generate voltage in response to any light source, not only sunlight. By connecting the modules in one or more series circuits, their DC voltage output can be aggregated into a single electric supply.
Crystalline silicon PV modules compose the majority of the photovoltaic market. There are also emerging alternatives such as thin-film Cadmium Telluride modules, but they account for only a small percentage of the market. Regardless of the technology, the working principle is the same: using a material that is capable of providing a voltage output in response to incident light.
BATTERY BANK
Solar PV systems occasionally produce energy at times when it isn't needed, for example if a home is empty at the moment of production. If this happens, the surplus can be either sold to the electric utility or stored in batteries. There are two main reasons for deciding to use battery storage:
Maximizing savings - If the production surplus is sold to the elect
