The Earth receives an estimated 174 terawatts (TW or 1015 watts) of
incoming solar radiation at the upper atmosphere. Approximately
30% is reflected back to space while the rest
is absorbed by the clouds, the
oceans and the land masses,
and the earth’s atmosphere
absorb solar radiation which
increases the temperature to
an average temperature of
14 °C.
The process of Photosynthesis on the green coloring of plants
makes plants grow. In this process, solar energy is converted into
chemical energy, which produces food, wood
and the biomass from which
fossil fuels like oil, gas and
coal are formed underneath
eons or ages ago and now
extracted at present. (From:
Wikipedia)
Our countrymen missed
the chance to benefit from
a cheap energy supposedly
from the Bataan Nuclear
Power Plant in the late 80s
and 90s.
Now, we should not miss
this free, limitless,
efficient and clean
energy from solar PV
panels.
132.5MW SOLAR FARM
CADIZ, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
63.3MW SOLAR FARM
CALATAGAN, BATANGAS
• When light strikes the P-N junction a potential
difference is created, producing say 0.5 volts DC. If
24 solar cells are in series, this produces 12 volts
DC. If the terminals of these cells are shorted, it
would produce 3 amperes. 12 volts x 3 amperes
equals 36 watts.
Parts of a Solar Panel
FRAME
The aluminium frame plays a critical role by
both protecting the edge of the laminate
section housing the cells and providing a solid
structure to mount the solar panel in position.
The extruded aluminium sections are designed
to be extremely lightweight, stiff and able to
withstand extreme stress and loading from
high wind and external forces.
GLASS
The front glass sheet protects the PV cells from the weather and impact from hail
or airborne debris. The glass is typically high strength tempered glass which is 3.0
to 4.0mm thick and is designed resist mechanical loads and extreme temperature
changes. The IEC minimum standard impact test requires solar panels to withstand
an impact of hail stones of 1 inch (25 mm) diameter traveling up to 60 mph (27
m/s)
To improve efficiency and performance high transmissive glass is used by most
manufacturers which has a very low iron content and an anti-reflective coating on
the rear side to reduce losses and improve light transmission.
EVA FILM
EVA stands for ‘ethylene vinyl acetate’ which is a specially designed polymer
highly transparent (plastic) layer used to encapsulate the cells and hold them in
position during manufacture. The EVA material is extremely durable and tolerant
of extreme temperature and humidity, so it plays an important part in the long
term performance by preventing moisture and dirt ingress.
The lamination either side of the PV cells provides some shock absorption and
helps protect the cells and interconnecting wires from vibrations and sudden
impact from hail stones and other objects.
SOLAR CELLS
Silicon photovoltaic cells or PV cells convert
sunlight directly into DC electrical energy. The
performance of the solar panel is determined by
the cell type and characteristics of the silicon
used, with the two main types
being monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon.
• Types of PV Cell
Types of PV Cell
Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Monocrystalline (mono-Si) solar cells have
been around the longest, and are thus the
most developed technology among the three
types.
Advantages:
• Monocrystalline solar panels are made of
the highest-grade silicon, resulting in them
having the highest efficiency rates (15% to
20%).
• They are space efficient.
• These solar panels provide a better
aesthetic for homes because their cells are
darker and evenly colored.
Disadvantages:
• Monocrystalline solar panels are the most
expensive among the types of solar cells.
Types of PV Cell
Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Polycrystalline (poly-Si) solar cells are cheaper
to produce, they have become the most
commonly used type of solar cell in
commercial settings over time.
Advantages:
• Polycrystalline silicon costs less and is
easier to produce.
• Polycrystalline solar panels have slightly
lower tolerance than monocrystalline
panels. Solar panels generate more energy
with more sunlight, but heat can affect the
performance of a panel and affect its
lifespan.
Disadvantages:
• Not as efficient as monocrystalline panels
(have efficiency rates of 13% to 16%).
BACKSHEET
The backsheet is the rear
most layer of common solar
panels which as acts as a
moisture barrier and final
external skin to provide both
mechanical protection and
electrical insulation.
The backsheet layer is
typically white in colour but is
also available as clear or
black depending on the
manufacturer and module.
JUNCTION BOX
The junction box is a small
weather proof enclosure located
near the top on the rear side of
the panel. It is needed to
securely attach the cables
required to interconnect the
panels.
The junction box is important as
it is the central point where all
the cells sets interconnect and
must be protected from moisture
and dirt.
BYPASS DIODES
The junction box also houses
the bypass diodes which are
needed to prevent back current
which occurs when some cells
are shaded or dirty. Diodes only
allow current to flow in one
direction.
Unfortunately bypass diodes can
fail over time and may need to
be replaced, so the cover of the
junction box is usually able to be
removed for servicing.
HISTORY OF SOLAR or PV PANELS
1839 - French physicist A. E. Becquerel first recognized the photovoltaic
effect.
Photo+voltaic = convert light to electricity
1883 - First solar cell built, by Charles Fritts, coated semiconductor
selenium with an extremely thin layer of gold to form the junctions.
1954 - Bell Laboratories, experimenting with semiconductors, accidentally
found that silicon doped with certain impurities was very sensitive to
light.
Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson, invented the first
practical device for converting sunlight into useful electrical power.
Resulted in the production of the first practical solar cells with a
sunlight energy conversion efficiency of around 6%.
1958 - First spacecraft to use solar panels was US satellite Vanguard
HISTORY OF SOLAR or PV PANELS
The first solar battery,
designed by Charles
Fritts in 1883.
HISTORY OF SOLAR or PV PANELS
1954 - The first practical
solar panel at Bell Labs
with only 6% efficiency
EX: 5KW SYSTEM PACKAGE (ON GRID)
5KW Package = 280,000.00Php
Monthly Savings = 6,000.00Php
BANGKO SENTRAL NG
ROI = 280,000 PILIPINAS
6,000 200 KW
= 46.67 months
= 4 years
EX: 5KW SYSTEM PACKAGE (ON GRID)
5KW Package = 280,000.00Php
Monthly Savings = 6,000.00Php
ROI = 280,000
6,000
= 46.67 months
= 4 years
SM NORTH EDSA
1.5 MW
EX: 5KW SYSTEM PACKAGE (ON GRID)
5KW Package = 280,000.00Php
Monthly Savings = 6,000.00Php
ROI = 280,000
6,000
= 46.67 months
= 4 years
SM TUGUEGARAO
365 KW
EX: 5KW SYSTEM PACKAGE (ON GRID)
5KW Package = 280,000.00Php
Monthly Savings = 6,000.00Php
ROI = 280,000
6,000
= 46.67 months
= 4 years
ROBINSONS STARMILLS PAMPANGA
2.88 MW
EX: 5KW SYSTEM PACKAGE (ON GRID)
5KW Package = 280,000.00Php
Monthly Savings = 6,000.00Php
ROI = 280,000
6,000
= 46.67 months
= 4 years
ROBINSONS DUMAGUETE
EX: 5KW SYSTEM PACKAGE (ON GRID)
5KW Package = 280,000.00Php
Monthly Savings = 6,000.00Php
ROI = 280,000
6,000
= 46.67 months
= 4 years
GAISANO MALL ILOILO
103 KW
EX: 5KW SYSTEM PACKAGE (ON GRID)
5KW Package = 280,000.00Php
Monthly Savings = 6,000.00Php
ROI = 280,000
6,000
= 46.67 months
= 4 years
MANUEL L. QUEZON UNIVERSITY
100 KW
SOLAR POWER
Substation
Generation Transmission
Step-Up
Substation
Consumption Distribution
Step-Down
GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR
POWER
1. It SAVES MONEY spent on electricity.
2. It can earn ADDITIONAL REVENUE OR INCOME.
3. It’s an EFFICIENT SYSTEM (from roof to inside house, no need for the
electricity produced to flow through the HV transmission lines).
4. It’s NON-POLLUTING (no exhaust smoke, zero carbon foot print).
5. It can POWER REMOTE LOCATIONS (like remote islands, far flung
barrios, mountain side cell sites or relay stations).
6. It’s RENEWABLE OR LIMITLESS (the sun is believed to be the infinite
source of all energy in the universe).
7. It’s NOISELESS (no combustion, no rotating parts, etc.).
8. There’s almost NO MAINTENANCE COST (no ball bearings or bushings
to wear or oil or filter to change).
9. It REDUCES DEPENDENCE on fossil fuels.
.
Voltage, Current, Resistance & Power
Alternating Current (AC) & Direct Current (DC)
Series Connection, Parallel Connection & Series-Parallel
Connection
Ohm’s Law
Power Law
he rate, per unit time, at
which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.
• Power can be increased by increasing either the Pressure (V) or the Flow (A)
• Amp-Hour (Ah) – Quantity of Amps over Time
• 1Ah = 1Amp for 1 Hour
• Watt-Hour (Wh) – Quantity of Power over Time
• 1Wh = 1 Watt for 1 Hour
• KiloWatt-Hour (kWh) – 1000 Watt-Hour
WATTS is the Rate of Power Consumption, like MPH
• How fast are you driving?
• Like your speedometer
• How fast is the device using power?
Watt-Hour is the quantity of power used, like Miles
or kMtrs
• How many miles did you drive?
• Like your odometer
• How much Power did the device use?
• 60W for 2 Hours uses 120Wh
Amps is the rate of electrical charge, like MPG or KPL
• How fast are you using the gas?
• How fast is the device drawing Power?
Amp-Hours is the amount of electrical charge like gallons
of gas.
• How much gas is in your tank?
• Like your gas gauge
• How much charge is available in battery?
PV Panel Parallel Connection
PV panel sources wired in PARALLEL:
• VOLTAGE REMAINS CONSTANT
• CURRENTS ARE ADDITIVE
• Two interconnection wires are used between two
components (positive to positive and negative to
negative)
• Leave off of either terminal
• Modules exiting to next component can happen at any
parallel terminal
270W 270W 270W
Voc = 37.6V Voc = 37.6V Voc = 37.6V
Isc = 9A Isc = 9A Isc = 9A
270W 1620W
270W
Voc = 37.6V
Voc = 37.6V Voc = 112.8V
Isc = 9A
Isc = 9A Isc = 18A
270W
Voc = 37.6V
Isc = 9A
STORAGE BATTERIES
STATE OF CHARGE
At present, the Deep-Cycle Type, Lead-acid batteries are the
most widely used as storage in solar or renewable energy
systems. They are ideally suited for the applications due to
their long, reliable life and low cost. There are many
suppliers/ manufacturers of Deep-Cycle lead-acid batteries,
it is therefore important to know the technologies, the
performance factors that affect its operation and the life of
the battery.
This sketch shows a full
line diagram of a
possible way to parallel
two single phase pure
sine wave off-grid
micro inverters of the
same ratings: same
voltage, same
frequency, same KW,
same brand or make.
Solar Energy.. Free.. Limitless.. Efficient.. Clean..
On Grid or
Grid Tied
Solar System
Any extra
energy produced
by this solar
system may be
exported to the
grid or to the
distribution
utility (DU).
www.cabrelli-electrical.co.uk