Unit No 02

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Dr. Durgeshkumar Chavan
Head - Department of Mechanical Engineering
Government Polytechnic, Karad

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Course Outcomes :
Course Outcomes
CO - ID After successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

M22661-a Maintain mechanical components of solar thermal systems.

M22661-b Maintain mechanical components of solar PV systems.

M22661-c Maintain mechanical components of Wind turbines.

M22661-d Maintain mechanical components of micro hydro turbines.

M22661-e Maintain mechanical components of Biomass plants.

M22661-f Maintain mechanical components of hybrid renewable energy system.

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Unit Wise Introduction:
Teaching Scheme and Marks Weightage
No. of Hours
Name of Unit Marks Distribution
Allocated

Solar Thermal Systems 10 14

Solar Photovoltaic Systems 08 12

Wind Energy Systems 08 12

Micro Hydro Power Systems 08 10

Bio-energy systems 08 12

Renewable Energy Hybrid systems and feasibility

06 10
studies
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Unit – II : Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Unit Outcomes
Unit Outcomes: (At the end of this unit students should be able to learn)

UO 2a Identify the specified components in the given rating of the solar PV system.

UO 2b Explain with sketches the working of the solar PV system.

UO 2c Select Solar Photovoltaic systems for a given situation with justification.

UO 2d Describe maintenance procedure of the given Solar PV System.

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Introduction : Introduction
 Photovoltaic Technology (PV Technology)
 Converts Energy of Solar Radiations into Electrical Energy.
 Photons > > Light / Volts > > Electricity
 Photovoltaic Effect : Conversion of Solar Energy into Electrical Energy
by generating an Electromotive Force as a result of absorbing
radiations.

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 Advantages of Photovoltaic Technology (PV Technology)
 No Moving Parts
 No need of Conventional Fuels
 No Pollution
 No Transportation of Fuels
 Long Life
 Less Maintenance

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 Semiconductor Technology
 Intrinsic Semiconductor (Silicon) – 4 Valance Electrons – tied in chemical
bond – no free electrons
 If doped on one side – 3 valance electrons (boron) – Deficiency of one
electron - create positive charge
 Positive charge – hole – p type semiconductor (Aceptor Impurity)
 If doped on one side – 5 valance electrons (phosphorus) – excess of one
electron - create negative charge
 Negative charge – Electron – n type semiconductor (Donar Impurity)
 P-N Junction
 Photons absorbed at junction – free electrons try to flow towards p
junction, Holes try to flow towards n junction
 Form a electromotive force and current start to flow
 Electrical contact are made with two semiconductors
 Flow of electrons through external conductor - electrical current
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Construction of PV CellPV
: Cell – Construction

• N-Type Layer
• P-Type Layer
• Front Metallic Grid
• Opaque back Metal Contact

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Working of PV Cell : Working Principle of PV Cell

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 Merits/Advantages of Solar Cell
 No Moving Parts
 No need of Conventional Fuels
 No Pollution
 No Transportation of Fuels
 Long Life
 Less Maintenance
 Demerits/Disadvantages of Solar Cell
 Efficiency is low (up to 25%)
 Large Space for Sufficient Power
Generation
 High Cost
 Voltage is Not Constant
 Amount of Power Generated is small
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Solar PV Module, Solar PV Panel,
SolarPV
Solar Module,
Array Solar PV Panel
and Solar PV Array
• Solar PV Module
• 32 – 36 Solar Cells
• DC Output from Module

• Solar PV Panel
• Series Connection : Max. Power at same current
• Parallel Connection : Max. Power at same voltage

• Solar PV Array
• DC Output when exposed to sunlight

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Solar Photovoltaic
Solar System
Photovoltaic System • PV Array
• No. of PV Panels are arranged
• Function is to Convert SE to EE

• Charge Controller
• Power Conditioning Unit (PCU)
• Protect Batteries from Over charge/Discharge

• Battery
• Storing EE during day
• Supply to Electrical Loads in absence of SE

• Inverter
• Solar PV Array produces Electricity at DC 12 V
• Alternating Current (AC) at 240 V or 415 V

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 Remember …
Remember…

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Types of Solar CellsTypes of Solar Cells (PV Cells)

 According to Cell Size

 Round Single Crystalline (100 mm dia)
 Square Single crystalline (area 100 sq. cm)
 Square Multi crystalline / Polycrystalline (1000 * 1000 mm)
 Square Multi crystalline / Polycrystalline (125 * 125 mm)
 According to Thickness of Active Material
 Bulk material solar cell
 Thin film solar cell with substrate

 According to Type of Junction

 p-n homojunction cell
 p-n hetrojunction cell
 p-n multijunction cel

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Types of Solar CellsTypes of Solar Cells (PV Cells) - continue

 According to Generation
 First generation solar cell
 Second generation solar cell
 Third generation solar cell

 According to type of active material

 Single crystal silicon solar cell
 Multicrystalline silicon solar cell
 Amorphous silicon (A-Si) solar cell
 Galium Arsenide (GaAS) solar cell
 Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell
 Organic Solar Cell

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Single Crystalline/
Single Crystal / Monocrystalline Silicon Cell
Mono Crystalline
 Made Silicon Solar Cell
up of Pure Monocrystalline Silicon
 No any Impurities
 It is produced from Silicon Dioxide
 Solar Cell having efficiency about 17-20 %
 High Power Output
Advantages :
 High Power output
 Occupy less space
 Long life
 Less affected by high temp. as compared to polycrystalline cell
Disadvantages :
 Complicated manufacturing process / Need high energy for mgf.
 High cost due to complex mgf & high energy required for mgf
 Require high intensity of radiation to produce solar energy
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 Multicrystalline / Polycrystalline Silicon Cell
 Made up of number of grains of Silicon
 Silicon is directly melted or doped with Phosphorous
 It is produced from Silicon Dioxide
 Solar Cell having efficiency about 12-14 %

Advantages :
 Less complex mgf. Process compared to mono-crystalline cell
 Less costly compared to mono-crystalline cell
 Same power output with less investment, as o/p power for multi and mono crystalline cell is same

Disadvantages :
 Slightly less efficient , Ava. Efficiency @ 12-14 %
 Less space efficiency – occupy more efficiency compared to mono-crystalline cell for same o/p.
 Highly affected if exposed to high temperature
 Less life compared to mono-crystalline cell

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 Amorphous Silicon/Non Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell
 Made up by using Thin Film Technology
 Non Crystalline Silicon
 Easy to Manufacture
 Cost less
 Efficiency 05 %
Advantages :
 Amorphous silicon can be deposited on a wide range of substrate (Rigid / Flexible)
 More sensitive to blue light & diffuse irradiation
 Generate micro-current , sufficient for indoor applications like pocket calculator, wall clock,
measuring instruments
 Highly automated and very rapid production
 Low cost
Disadvantages :
 Low Efficiency @ 5 %
 Easily degrade if used in outdoor application (use restricted for indoor application)

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Thin Film Solar PV Cells (TFSC)
 Made up by using Thin Film Technology
 Easy to Manufacture

Advantages :
 Easiest to manufacture
 Cheapest due to very less photovoltaic material
 Flexible which opens a lot of opportunities in alternative
applications
 Less affected by high temperature

Disadvantages :
 Require lot of space – not preferred for residential installation
 Short life compared to monocrystalline / polycrystalline solar cell

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Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Solar Cell
 Made up by using Thin Film Technology
 Low Cost
 Used for Shorter Payback time
 Less amount of Water is required for Mfg.
 Toxic

Advantages :
 Production relatively cheaper (Short pay back Time – less than a year)
 Require less amount of water for production

Disadvantages :
 Cadmium Telluride is toxic
 Very low efficiency (@ 4%)
 Stability & degradation problem

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Types ofof
Types Solar
SolarPanels
Panels
• First Generation Solar Panel : Traditional Type – Higher efficiency
• Monocrystalline Solar Panels (Dark Look)
• Polycrystalline Solar Panels (Bluish Look)
• Second Generation Solar Panel – Used for PV power stations, Less cost, less sensitive to tempt.,
• Thin Film Solar Cell Panel (TFSC)
• Amorphous Silicon (A-Si) Solar Panel
• Third Generation Solar Panel – Varity of thin film technology, still in research
• Cadmium Telluride (Cd-Te) Solar Panel
• Concentrated Solar Panel (High Efficiency)
• Bio-Hybrid Solar Panel

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Classification of Solar PV System

• Classified according to Functional and Operational Requirements

• Gives DC and AC, DC or AC

• Work Independently or with Electrical Grid Utility

1. Grid Connected System

2. Off Grid Connected System/Stand Alone System

3. Hybrid Connected Solar System

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Grid Connected System
• They are designed in accordance with Grid System.

• This Grid System act as Storage Unit. No requirement of Battery System

• Components : Power Conditioning Unit, Inverter

• Working : D:\A.Y. 2020-21\Sem II\Course File\RET\Lecture PPT\Unit II\Reference Videos

• Flow Diagram :

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Advantages :
• Simplicity, Low Cost, Low Maintenance
• No Need of Battery
• Advantage of Existing Infrastructure is taken
• Efficient Available Energy

Disadvantages :
• When Grid goes down PV system becomes inoperative.

Application :
• Residential Use
• Banquet Hall
• Large Hotels
• Shopping Malls
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Off Grid System/
Stand Alone System
• They are designed in absence of Grid System.
• Areas which are not accessible for Grid utility
• Off Grid/Stand Alone System without battery
• Off Grid/Stand Alone System with battery

• Off Grid/Stand Alone System without battery

• Without Battery Storage
• DC Output is directly Connected to DC load
• Absence of Solar Radiations may not Operate system
• To overcome above difficulty, system is combined with any other auxiliary system

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• Off Grid/Stand Alone System with battery
• With Battery Storage
• AC and DC output load conditions satisfied continuously

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Advantages :
• Best choice for location far away from utility line

Disadvantages :
• Requires separate Storage

Application :
• Street Lightning
• Solar Home
• Solar Water Pumping

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Hybrid Connected PV System
• More than one type of Electricity Generator is Employed

• Solar PV System + Any Other (Wind Mill, Diesel/Petrol Engine)

• Inverter for DC Load >>> AC Load

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Advantages of Solar PV System
• Can built in variety of range. (Milli Watt to Mega Watt)

• No need of Transmission line as Source and Utilization is nearer

• No Moving Parts

• Installed Stand Alone

• Long Life

• Silent Operation

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Disadvantages of Solar PV System
• High Initial Cost

• Not able to generate electricity during Night Hours

• Efficiency low

• Space Requirement

• Fluctuating Voltages

• Insufficient Absorption

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Applications of Solar PV System
• Water Pumping

• Community Radio

• Weather Monitoring

• On Site Power Supply

• Battery Charging

• Telecommunication Operate Stations

…many others

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Battery or Storage System
• For Storing Electricity produced by SE
• Function of Battery
• To Store electricity from SE
• Supply it at Night
• To Supply electric power during daytime when PV Systems fails to fulfil load
requirements
• For more capacity : Batteries are arranged in parallel
• Selection and Type depends upon Load Requirements
• Lead-Acid, Nickel-Cadmium etc.
• Ventilation for Space/Should not be exposed to high temp.

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Lead-Acid battery
• Sealed Lead-Acid Battery

• Cost is less

• Maintenance free batteries

• Deep cycle flooded Lead-Acid Battery (FLA)

• Most Storage capacity at low cost

• Preferred for Off-Grid System

• Nickel-Iron, Lithium-Iron

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Selection Method of Battery
Batteries should have following properties while selection

• Low Cost

• Long Life

• High Reliability

• High Overall Efficiency

• Low Self Discharge

• Minimum Maintenance

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Inspection & Preventive
Maintenance
• Voltage should be in accordance with Manufacturers specification

• Checking of Specific Gravity of Acid in Lead Acid Battery

• Maintain level of Electrolyte in the Cell

• Inspection of Corroding parts

• Check Leakages/Overflow of Electrolyte

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Inverter

• Converts DC to AC
• Automatic Switch off when Array has O/P Voltage too high or too low
• Automatic Re-Start
• Protection against short circuiting and over loading
• Two types of Inverters in Grid Connected System
• String Inverters
• Microinverters
• Energy of Solar Radiation Fluctuates it causes fluctuation in O/P
• Inverters monitor this effect of these changes and respond by shifting balance of Voltage and
current to get highest possible O/P from PV system
• This is call Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

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What is a string inverter?
•A string inverter (also called a “central inverter”) is a standalone box that is typically installed close to
your main service panel and electricity meter.
•There is typically only one single inverter, or possibly two string inverters on each residential solar
installation; it really depends on the overall solar power system size.

What is a microinverter?
•Microinverters perform the same basic function as string inverters, except they are installed underneath
each solar panel on your roof. Each of these microinverters is about the size of an internet router.

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• Microinverters
• Module level performance checking and optimization
• Design Flexibility
• Rapid Shutdown equipment not required
• Failure of one module not affect entire system failure
• Less Installation cost and Time
• String Inverters
• Installed at Ground Level, in protected areas, easy to access
• Less Expensive particularly for large systems
• Failure in inverters /module disables PV System
• Rapid Shutdown equipment is required
• performance monitoring and optimization is less precise

D:\12. A.Y 201-22\Sem II\RET\Lecture PPT\Unit II\Reference Videos

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Importance Characteristics Of Inverter
• Power - Typical power output : 1 kW – MW range
Based on power output - 3- 5 kW –Home roof Solar System
10-20 kW – Commercial Plant
500 – 800 Kw – PV power station

• Module Wiring - Distinctions are made between string, multistring and central inverter
Multistring invertors – two or more input with separate MPP
Single Phase and three Phase

• Circuit Topology - Single Phase - Small Plants

Three Phase - Single and three Phase

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 Solar Charge Controller
• Function
• Charge/Discharge Cycle
• Condition of Battery temp.
• Required for safe charging and battery health
• Turns ON >> battery Voltage Low/needs charging
• Turns OFF >> battery Voltage High/fully charged
• Main Operation
• Normal Operating >> Voltage Min – Max.
• Overcharge or Over discharge Condition >> Voltage at Critical value
• Types
• Shunt – short circuit solar generator
• Series – switch between generator and battery
• MPPT (Maximum Power point Tracking)

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Solar Charge Controller

D:\A.Y. 2020-21\Sem II\Course File\RET\Lecture PPT\Unit II\Reference Videos

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• Installation of Grid Connected System
 Layout the frame
 Install footers and rails
 Complete process of assembly of prefabricated parts of PV module
 Install micro invertor and ground wires
 Install junction box
 Install the module
 Set remaining modules and connect its leads to micro invertor
 Install conduit from junction box to system components at ground level
 Instal ground level components (Invertor, rapid shut down control, utility meter etc)

• Commissioning:
 Turn on DC AC invertor
 Switch AC disconnect switch to ON position
 Turn ON PV breakers in main electrical service panel
 Manually reset switch arm on the disconnecting combiner box at array
 Turn ON DC disconnect switch on the invertor
 Wait for invertor t boot up and display its main screen
 Check invertors readout to confirm smooth run of system

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• Maintenance
 Regular inspection by owner (Clean array, wiring, sealed / flooded battery etc)
 Regular maintenance by manufacturer
 System meters and readouts
 Charge controllers
 System wiring
 Batteries
 Broken parts of conduits, connectors and junction box

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Stand Alone Street Light

• Foundation

• Solar Panel with Frame

• LED lamps or CFL lamps (Compact Florescent)

• Light Pole

• Control Box
• Charger
• Controller
• Battery
• wires

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• Installation

• Preparation of Foundation : 80 x 80 x 80 cm

• Preparation of Pole : Solar Panel at top

• Installation of Control Box : Metal Box : Battery, Charge Controller

• Now Pole can be lifted and placed on the Foundation

• Finally Pour the cement around base foundation

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• Maintenance
• Battery Maintenance (Sealed Acid Battery Avg. Life 5 to 8 years)
• Turn OFF
• Disconnect the battery from all leads
• Clean the top and External surfaces of the battery with water
• Clean the terminals are if corroded
• Module Maintenance
• Require minimum maintenance as it don’t have moving parts
• Keep Glass surface clean
• Clean the Module with water and mild soap
• Checking Connections
• Check Control Box, Make Sure wiring is tight
• Check Switch, Junction Box, All connections
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• Advantages
• Independent of Grid System
• Less Maintenance
• Risk of Accident is less
• Pollution free
• Disadvantages
• Initial Invest
• Snow, dust, Moisture may lower the performance
• Rechargeable batteries need to be replaced

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D:\A.Y. 2020-21\Sem II\Course File\RET\Lecture PPT\Unit II\Reference Videos

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Net Net Metering

• Definition
It is a billing mechanism which gives credits to Owner of Solar Energy System for the
electricity, then add to the utility grid network
• Meter Types
Uni Directional
Bi Directional
• Net Energy Use
Purchased – Returned

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 Recent Trends in PV System
• We Know How Solar Photovoltaic System Works ?
• Change in Technology of Production of Solar Cell
• Advanced technology and Increase in Production of Solar Cell reduces the cost
• Cost of Electricity is also Reduced
• More than 120 Countries adopted use of Solar PV system
• After 1960 Solar silicon cells are used for Space Application also
• The Gradual Reduction in the cost of Solar Cell is due to
• Development in New Technique of Production of Solar Cell
• Increase in Production Volume
• Thin Film Technology
• Operating cost reduced from Rs. 1000/W to Rs. 15/W
• Current capital Cost : 15Cr/MW installation
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• Material used for Mfg. of Solar cell has also developed
• Silicon Solar Cells >> Amorphous Silicon Cells >> CdTe
• In 1977 Plastic Material was discovered >> Low Capacity
• Photovoltaic Devices use is increasing >> Reduction in Cost
• Rapid Growth of Solar PV is due to
• Economic Scale of PV Module
• Improvement in Installation Techniques
• Increased Competition

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Future of Solar Energy

• Solar Central Receiver Thermal Electric Power Plant

• Example : Solar Towers
• Solar Satellite Microwave Plant
• Solar PV Panels will be located on Satellite
• SE is converted into Microwave Energy
• Solar Electro-Chemical Power Plant
• Solar Energy will be used for Electrolysis of water to obtain Oxygen & Hydrogen
• Hydrogen is stored which will be used as Fuel foe Fuel Cell Plant

D:\A.Y. 2020-21\Sem II\Course File\RET\Lecture PPT\Unit II\Reference Videos

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Promotional Schemes

• More than 300 days are Sunny days in India.

• Wide use of Solar Energy >> Some Promotional Schemes
• Through >> ISRO, BARC, SSPL, BHEL

• Strategies administered by India’s Ministry of New Renewable Energy, Indian

Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)

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Central Govt. Schemes

• Subsidy on Capital Cost

• 30 % General Category States
• 70 % Special Category States
• Incentive Schemes
• Generation Based Incentives
• Financing Solar rooftop systems as part of Home Loan
• Exemption from Excise duty
• As per Electricity Act in 2003 : Stand Alone Generation and Distribution in Rural areas
is delicensed
• Financial Schemes : Concessional Loans

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 State Govt. Schemes
• Subsidy on Capital Cost
• Incentive Schemes
• Maharashtra, Gujrat

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