Grid Connected PV System
Grid Connected PV System
Grid Connected PV System
Broad Outline
Physics of Photovoltaic Generation
Photovoltaic System
PV Technology Classification
Silicon Crystalline Technology Mono Crystalline PV Cells Multi Crystalline PV Cells Thin Film Technology Amorphous Silicon PV Cells Poly Crystalline PV Cells ( Non-Silicon based)
Environmental Aspects
Exhaustion of raw materials CO2 emission during fabrication process Acidification Disposal problems of hazardous semiconductor material
In spite of all these environmental concerns, Solar Photovoltaic is one of the cleanest form of energy
There has been almost six fold decline in price per peak watt of PV module from 1980 to year 2000
Solar electricity prices are today, around 30 cents/kWh, but still 2-5 times average Residential electricity tariffs
pVnomics .
Module costs typically represents only 40-60% of total PV system cost and the rest is accounted by inverter, PV array support, electrical cabling and installation
Most PV solar technologies rely on semiconductor-grade crystalline-silicon wafers, which are expensive to produce compared with other energy sources
The high initial cost of the equipment they require discourages their large-scale commercialization
The basic commercialization problem PV technology has faced for 20 years : markets will explode when module costs decline, but module costs can't decline much, until the market grows much larger
HoweVer .
If a location is not currently connected to the grid, it is less expensive to install PV panels than to either extend the grid or set up small-scale electricity production . PV : Best suited for remote site applications having moderate/small power requirements consuming applications even where the grid is in existence. Isolated mountaintops and other rural areas are ideal for standalone PV systems where maintenance and power accessibility makes PV the ideal technology.
Applications @ PV
Water Pumping: PV powered pumping systems are excellent ,simple ,reliable life 20 yrs Commercial Lighting: PV powered lighting systems are reliable and low cost alternative. Security, billboard sign, area, and outdoor lighting are all viable applications for PV Consumer electronics: Solar powered watches, calculators, and cameras are all everyday applications for PV technologies. Telecommunications Residential Power: A residence located more than a mile from the electric grid can install a PV system more inexpensively than extending the electric grid (Over 500,000 homes worldwide use PV power as their only source of electricity)
In terms of overall installed PV capacity, India comes fourth after Japan, Germany and U.S. (With Installed capacity of 110 MW) In the area of Photovoltaics India today is the second largest manufacturer in the world of PV panels based on crystalline solar cells. (Industrial production in this area has reached a level of 11 MW per year which is about 10% of the worlds total PV production) A major drive has also been initiated by the Government to export Indian PV products, systems, technologies and services (Solar Photovoltaic plant and equipment has been exported to countries in the Middle East and Africa)
Arid regions receive plentiful solar radiation, regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana receive sunlight in plenty. Thus the Potential availability - 20 MW/km2 (source IREDA)
IREDA is planning to electrify 18,000 villages by year 2012 mainly through solar PV systems Targets have been set for the large scale utilization of PV technology by different sectors within the next five years
The Delhi Government has decided to make use of solar power compulsory for lighting up hoardings and for street lighting
By the year 2030, India should achieve Energy Independence through solar power and other forms of renewable energy
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam President of India Independence Day Speech, 2005
Global Scenario
Solar Electric Energy demand has grown consistently by 20-25% per annum over the past 20 years (from 26 MW back in 1980 to 127MW in 1997)
At present solar photovoltaic is not the prime contributor to the electrical capacities but the pace at which advancement of PV technology and with the rising demand of cleaner source of energy it is expected by 2030 solar PV will have a leading role in electricity generation Research is underway for new fabrication techniques, like those used for microchips. Alternative materials like cadmium sulfide and gallium arsenide ,thin-film cells are in development
Concluding Remarks
The key to successful solar energy installation is to use quality components that have long lifetimes and require minimal maintenance. The future is bright for continued PV technology dissemination. PV technology fills a significant need in supplying electricity, creating local jobs and promoting economic development in rural areas, avoiding the external environmental costs associated with traditional electrical generation technologies. Major power policy reforms and tax incentives will play a major role if all the above said is to be effectively realized.