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pvresources®
©Denis Lenardic
2001-2012
All Rights Reserved
Sunday
20th May, 2012
01:47
This page was last time updated on
23rd Jan, 2011
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Solar cells - perspective energy source for the new millenium
"Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important."
(T.S. Elliot)
Zero energy building, Solar-fabrik, Freiburg, Germany
(source/copyright:
Solar-fabrik AG, pictures 1-3, Denis Lenardic, picture 4).
Where are you: Home
Welcome
to the web site devoted to perspective possibilities of solar
energy use. History,
technologies
and applications
of photovoltaic systems are presented here. If there weren't the
solar
cells,
you probably wouldn't be browsing through this web site. Though
it sounds unusual at first, it is a fact that solar cells
represent a very important part of information technology
revolution in the last few decades. Without solar cells there
wouldn't be so many communication satellites, which found the
information technology revolution. The consequences are fast
development in the field of information technologies and computer
sciences, Internet etc. Data and voice transfer possibilities,
which are offered to you by modern communications techniques,
were made possible by a small piece of silicon in the form of a
solar cell. Do you think that there are not enough solar energy
resources or that solar energy use is not economical? Take a look
at the web site and you will find some amazing new information.
Further detailed information and answers on the most complex
questions on solar energy use are accessible through links
leading to web sites of many different organisations and
institutions. For a start let me say only that photovoltaic
industry, following telecommunication and computer industry, is
the third most prospective industry branch in the next decades.
Intensive research in the field of solar energy has taken place
more than a century ago. The solar energy use does not require
fossil or other-more or less poisonous-fuels and it doesn't
require much maintenance. No toxic emissions are produced.
Supported by suitable financial aid solar energy is fully
compatible with other energy sources. Therefore, solar energy is
- along with other renewable energy sources (wind, hydrogen,
biomass etc.) the most
promising energy source for the next decades. I can but agree
with the solar pioneer
Frank Shuman who, at the beginning of the
20th century, said: "...
it is the most rational source of power ..."
Other topics:
Solar cells >
Technologies >
Application examples >
Economics >
Standards >
Software >
History
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What is photovoltaics
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The term photovoltaics derives from the Greek word "phos" meaning light and the word
"volt" (named by
Alessandro Volta). Photovoltaics is a science, which
examines light-electricity conversion, respectively, photon energy-electric
current conversion. In other words it stands for
light-current conversion. Both direct and diffuse solar radiation
take part of the process. The light to current conversion takes
place within solar cells, which can be amorphous, polycrystalline
or monocrystalline, according to their structure. In most cases
they are made of silicon. Most common application of solar cells
applies to pocket calculators power supply, parking meters power
supply and similar appliances. Solar-module consists of many
solar cells, which are electrically connected and placed between
glass and tedlar plate, and framed by an (usualy) aluminium
frame. A number of solar-modules and other components (batteries,
charge regulators, inverters...) can form large photovoltaic
systems. Further information on units and symbols used in
photovoltaics and in solar energy engineering can be found if you follow the link above.
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Application examples
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Solar energy - the most promising clean energy source for new generations. Sun has been shinning
for about 5 billion years (without malfunctions) and it will continue shinning
for another 4 to 5 billion years.
The first PV system applications developed were applied as an energy
source for satellites and later for orbital stations in
space.
Nowadays, photovoltaic systems are applied as an energy source in
many cases. Most commonly applied photovoltaic systems can be found
in remote and rural areas where no public grid is available. However,
quite often grid-connected systems are constructed in urban areas.
Photovoltaic systems are
an excellent solution to electricity production regardless of
your whereabouts - even at high latitudes of Himalayas or in
Antarctica
photovoltaic systems have been build.
According to loads connected to the system and to the basic design principles,
the following photovoltaic systems are used - direct coupled photovoltaic systems (systems without batteries - water
pumping systems for example), standalone photovoltaic systems, grid-connected
photovoltaic systems, hybrid systems (e.g. PV - wind or PV - diesel
systems), concentrator photovoltaic systems.
The applications below depict use of photovoltaic systems as an energy source in many
interesting ways.
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Photovoltaic power plants -
Solar modules are nowadays parts of large standalone or
grid-connected systems. Large photovoltaic power plants (MW range) have beeing
constructed in Germany, Spain, USA, Italy, Netherlands etc. Worldwide more than 250 large PV power plants with
peak power 1 MWp or more (each plant) are connected to the public grid(s).
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Huerta Solar Citruenigo, Spain
(Copyright: ACCIONA Energía)
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Akademie du Mont-Cenis, Herne, Germany
(Photo: Denis Lenardic)
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Building integrated photovoltaics -
Acronym of BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) refers to photovoltaic
systems integrated with an object's building phase. It means that they are
built/constructed along with an object. They are also planned together with
the object. Yet, they could be built later on. Due to specific task cooperation
of many different experts, such as architects, civil engineers and PV system
designers, is necessary.
More...
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Photovoltaic noise barrier along A9 in Amsterdam
(photo: Denis Lenardic)
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Noise barriers -
An efficient way of noise prevention by application of photovoltaic modules
was first demonstrated in Switzerland in 1989. Later, the solution was applied
also in some other European countries. Noise prevention is also a research
subject of several projects conducted in European Union. Different photovoltaic
noise barriers can be built considering motorway features, barrier construction,
the height of the barrier, and other factor influence (environment etc.).
More...
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Disaster relief -
Small photovoltaic systems are very good power supply sources in cases of
natural disasters (renewing infrastructure and normal life conditions after
earth quakes, hurricanes, floods and so on). In such cases photovoltaic systems
can be used as power supply sources for medical institutions, schools, street
lighting, traffic signalisation etc.
More...
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Two Japanese filling stations capable of refueling emergency vehicles in disaster situations
(courtesy:
CADDET)
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Electricity source for protected areas
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an example of application would be a natural park or
other environmentally protected area. Negative influence on the
environment is avoided by application of photovoltaic systems in
such areas, which cannot be achieved by use of public grid.
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Solar power systems around the funicular of Corviglia at
Piz Nair, St. Moritz, Switzerland
(source/copyright: SunTechnics)
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Telecommunication
devices supplied by PV systems -
Many telecommunications systems can be found in impassable areas making them
difficult to reach by ground. The locations can be most difficult to reach during
winter with snowfalls increasing the possibilities of systems malfunctions.
Many of the systems are used in critical applications, such as railway
signalling, telecom facilities for rural areas, marine lights, TV transmitters
to name but a few.
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Photovoltaic powered radio link and
avalanche monitoring system in french Alps
(photo: Denis Lenardic)
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Alarm and control systems power supply -
Numerous fire alarms, burglar alarms and other alarm systems could be powered by
photovoltaic systems. Usually an alarm system is connected with a remote
monitoring communication system and it is powered by solar cells. Such systems
operate independently of a grid power supply, therefore, they can be used in
remote areas or in situations, where high reliability is required.
The other important group of systems, that could gain a lot from
photovoltaic systems, are light signs, marine lights, airport landing lights,
heliport lights etc.
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Automation and DAQ
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many different automated measurement systems can be
supplied by photovoltaic systems such as water level sensors,
meteorological stations, seismical measurement equipment and other
simmilar devices. Remote monitoring is conducted via modem, GSM or ISDN communication. More about
monitoring systems for grid-connected photovoltaic inverters you may read
here...
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Use of PV systems in medical
applications -
Application of photovoltaic systems has proved very suitable for power
supplying medical clinics in rural areas. Photovoltaic systems power lighting,
sterilisation equipment, vaccine refrigerators, air conditioning etc.
Installation of such systems is most widespread in different African countries.
The systems are usually designed as complements to small wind systems or diesel
generators, which are used for backup power supply at night or in emergency,
such as emergency surgeries, and for x-ray power supply.
More...
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Photovoltaic
artistic projects -
Photovoltaic modules can be a powerfull tool for the artistic sculptures and
other creations. A very interesting photovoltaic systems demonstration example
is the "Solarstraße", a 3.5 km long road section in Gleisdorf,
Austria. Along the 3.5 km long stroll about 80 different objects supplied by
solar cells can be found. Further information on this interesting stroll is
available following the above the link.
More...
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PV street light, Crete, Greece
(source: ISES WIRE Image Library
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PV street lights in Africa
(source/copyright: Solar-Fabrik AG)
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Street lighting -
PV street-lighting is the most applicable
in rural areas, where no public grid is available.
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Solar powered aircrafts -
HELIOS project was a part of NASA's ERAST programme (Environmental Research
Aircraft and Sensor Technology). It was developed by NASA and Californian company
AeroVironment Inc. ERAST programme develops pilotless solar powered airplane
technology. The HELIOS construction is based upon its predecessors like NASA's
solar plane Pathfinder, which was successfully tested a few years prior to
HELIOS. In the test flight on 13th August 2001, HELIOS reached the height of
almost 30,000 meters.
More...
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Helios - solar powered aircraft
(source/copyright: NASA DFRC)
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Cathodic protection
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cathodic protection of pipelines (gas, oil or water
pipelines) can be obtained independently of a public grid by a PV
system. More about cathodic protection...
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Other interesting application
examples -
photovoltaic systems can also be used as
an energy source in oil drilling platforms or for parking meters to
name but a few. Often photovoltaic systems are realised in
combination with wind or diesel generators wherever a 24 hours
functioning of power supply system is necessary. Some other very important application examples are:
PV systems for caravans and boats, rural electrification, solar powered vehicles (cars, boats) etc.
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