Photovoltaics (pv’s)keiran byrne
-
Upload
ckmcforstudents -
Category
Education
-
view
292 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Photovoltaics (pv’s)keiran byrne
Photovoltaics Photovoltaics (PV’s)(PV’s)
The Renewable Energy Source of The Renewable Energy Source of the Next Millenniumthe Next Millennium
PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaics An array of cells containing solar An array of cells containing solar
photovoltaic material that converts solar photovoltaic material that converts solar radiation into Electricity.radiation into Electricity.
Photons of light are “units” of light from Photons of light are “units” of light from the sun that knock electrons in the panel the sun that knock electrons in the panel into a higher state of energy creating into a higher state of energy creating electricity.electricity.
The first practical use of PV’s was used The first practical use of PV’s was used on a satellite sent to space but they’re on a satellite sent to space but they’re mainly used as grid connected power mainly used as grid connected power generators.generators.
PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaics
PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaics
South Facing & tilted at an angle to receive more South Facing & tilted at an angle to receive more energy per unit areaenergy per unit area
Sun trackers can be installed to gain as much exposure Sun trackers can be installed to gain as much exposure to the sun as possible & and can save as much as 20% to the sun as possible & and can save as much as 20% in winter and 50% in summer.in winter and 50% in summer.
1 square meter will give 1 kilowatt radiant power1 square meter will give 1 kilowatt radiant power
ApplicationsApplications
Power stationsPower stations In buildingsIn buildings In transportIn transport Stand alone devicesStand alone devices Rural ElectricityRural Electricity
Power StationsPower Stations
There are many power stations There are many power stations around the worldaround the world
The biggest are in Spain, Germany The biggest are in Spain, Germany and Portugaland Portugal
Providing 40-60 Megawatts of Peak Providing 40-60 Megawatts of Peak PowerPower
Transport Transport
Traditionally PV’s were used for a Traditionally PV’s were used for a supplementary source of power for space supplementary source of power for space craftscrafts
Increasingly popular with boats and carsIncreasingly popular with boats and cars
RoadwaysRoadways In USA solar roadways have been tested In USA solar roadways have been tested
successfully on road surfaces because successfully on road surfaces because of the suitable exposure to the sunof the suitable exposure to the sun
Stand Alone DevicesStand Alone Devices
Solar powered remote fixed devices are Solar powered remote fixed devices are becoming more popular because the becoming more popular because the installation costs would be too highinstallation costs would be too high
Parking Meters, emergency telephones, Parking Meters, emergency telephones, traffic signs and speed signs.traffic signs and speed signs.
BuildingsBuildings Integrated photovoltaics into buildings are Integrated photovoltaics into buildings are
becoming more and more popular.becoming more and more popular. Integrated into the roof, roof tiles or wallsIntegrated into the roof, roof tiles or walls Alternatively they can be fitted away from the Alternatively they can be fitted away from the
building which is connected simply by cable.building which is connected simply by cable. Used for domestic and industrial useUsed for domestic and industrial use Where the building is in a remote area at a Where the building is in a remote area at a
considerable distance from the grid PV’s are a considerable distance from the grid PV’s are a suitable for generating electricity. This is suitable suitable for generating electricity. This is suitable for rural areas and these systems are rapidly for rural areas and these systems are rapidly developing in poorer countries. developing in poorer countries.
Arrays can be retrofitted onto existing buildings Arrays can be retrofitted onto existing buildings that are south facing.that are south facing.
Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts
Helps reduce life cycle greenhouse Helps reduce life cycle greenhouse gas emissionsgas emissions
Save scarce resourcesSave scarce resources The energy consumed to manufacture The energy consumed to manufacture
the product is recouped between 10-the product is recouped between 10-15 years.15 years.
Most material on PV panels are Most material on PV panels are recyclable recyclable
PV’s promote energy awarenessPV’s promote energy awareness
CostCost Advances in technology & Economies of Scale Advances in technology & Economies of Scale
have contributed to installation prices to go have contributed to installation prices to go down.down.
Financial incentives such as Financial incentives such as feed-in tariffsfeed-in tariffs are are used to support PV installationsused to support PV installations
The PV system is connected to your meter.The PV system is connected to your meter. Amount of energy used by the PV system will Amount of energy used by the PV system will
show on the metershow on the meter ESB will credit your account – approx . 9c per ESB will credit your account – approx . 9c per
kwhrkwhr You cant directly sell your electricity to the grid You cant directly sell your electricity to the grid
so PV’s aren’t as cost effective as they should be so PV’s aren’t as cost effective as they should be in Irelandin Ireland
No grants are available at presentNo grants are available at present
AdvantagesAdvantages
Material used is robust and reliable. It can Material used is robust and reliable. It can withstand extreme weather conditions.withstand extreme weather conditions.
Little maintenance requiredLittle maintenance required No fuel or supply chain is neededNo fuel or supply chain is needed Quick & easy to installQuick & easy to install PV systems can add to value of buildingPV systems can add to value of building PV systems are a popular technology and PV systems are a popular technology and
they are good advertisement for they are good advertisement for renewablesrenewables
AdvantagesAdvantages
Manufacturers gaurantee a long life span of Manufacturers gaurantee a long life span of approx. 20 yearsapprox. 20 years
Despite high capital investment, PV’s will save Despite high capital investment, PV’s will save money over its life spanmoney over its life span
New jobs are added to the industry and trades New jobs are added to the industry and trades skillsskills
The investment into PV’s in Ireland could The investment into PV’s in Ireland could enhance knowledge around the country. It enhance knowledge around the country. It could also establish positive economic could also establish positive economic development and opens new market development and opens new market opportunities.opportunities.
DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Costly to Install – High capital neededCostly to Install – High capital needed Solar electricity isn't available at night Solar electricity isn't available at night
and is less available when heavy clouds and is less available when heavy clouds are present. Therefore a storage are present. Therefore a storage system is neededsystem is needed
The average daily output from PV’s in The average daily output from PV’s in Europe wouldn’t be as high as other Europe wouldn’t be as high as other places around the world. E.g. – USAplaces around the world. E.g. – USA
There is an energy loss of 4-12% when There is an energy loss of 4-12% when the DC is converted to AC.the DC is converted to AC.