The World Bank – SBI Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV

TA Program

Session 1I: Solar Energy Technologies

Presented by
The World Bank SBI GRPV TA Program

1
Content

• Solar Irradiance - terms, definitions and resources

• Introduction to Solar Photovoltaic Cell - cell chemistry and materials used in
cell
• Movement of sun across the sky
• Terms & Definitions

2
Solar Radiation
 The sun generates its energy by nuclear
fusion which is emitted as radiation

 Radiation emitted by sun is in the form of

Gamma rays, Visible rays, Infrared rays
etc.
Solar Radiation
The radiation from sun is received by earth in
form of:
 Direct beam: The radiation beams which
reach the earth’s surface directly

 Diffuse beam: The radiation beams which

hit the earth’s surface after being scattered
by clouds, dust etc.

 Albedo: The fraction of radiation that is

reflected directly back into space
Irradiance
Parameters & Symbols:
Parameter Quantity and Unit

Irradiance kW/m2 or W/m2

Solar constant 1.367 kW/m2

Peak value at sea level 1,000 W/m2

Nominal value 800 W/m2

Nominal Value: The inclusion of the term nominal value is to show the accepted value as an
approximation of what would be measured in the field, as opposed to the peak value 1000 W/m 2
Irradiance
Peak Sun Hour (PSH):

 Daily irradiation is commonly referred as

Peak Sun Hours (PSH)

 No. of PSH for the day is the no. of hours

for which power, at the rate of 1kW/m2,
would give an equivalent amount of energy
to the total energy gained for that day
Movement Of Sun Across The Sky –
The Sun Path Diagram
Winter and Summer Solstices:
Movement Of Sun Across The Sky –
The Sun Path Diagram
 Solar radiation available at
a particular location keeps
changing during the day
and also during the year
 The amount of solar
radiation received by a
solar array is not same
during all the time of the
day and it is also not the
same in different months of
a year
The Photovoltaic Effect

When exposed to light a voltage

difference occurs between the side
of the cell exposed to the light and
its underside. If a circuit is
completed, electrical current will
flow.
SOLAR CELL TECHNOLOGIES ACCORDING TO MATERIALS
Solar Cell Technologies according to Materials

Monocrystalline

Silicon Based Wafer

Polycrystalline

Silicon Based
Amorphous (a-Si)

Thin Films Tandem a-Si / Si Crystalline

Thin Film Si Crystalline

Solar Cell Technologies according to Materials

CIS / CIGS

II-VI

CdTe

Chemical Compound Based

GalnP2 / GaAs

III-V

InGap / InGaAs / Ge
Solar Cell Technologies according to Materials

Liquid Electrolyte

Dye Sensitized Jelly Electrolyte

Solid Electrolyte

New Materials Full Organic Polymer - Polymer

Polymer - Fullerene
Hybrid
Polymer - Inorganic
CREATING A SOLAR PV MODULE
Creating a Solar PV Module
Creating a Solar PV Module
Mechanical / Physical Integration

Before connected to series, all cells are tested

for its performance, physical integrity and
thickness in a computerised assembly and
physically fit cells having same power output
are sorted out for Module fabrication
Creating a Solar PV Module
Mechanical / Physical Integration

 Sorted solar cells are interconnected in series

 Tin coated copper ribbons are used to
connect the front side of one cell to the back
side of the other
 Cells are soldered to ribbons in multiple
points to allow for expansion and contraction
of copper against silicon
 Two ribbons are used to add reliability
Creating a Solar PV Module
Mechanical / Physical Integration

The connected cells are laminated into a

sandwich in order of a layer of tempered glass,
then a layer of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA),
the cell circuit, another layer of EVA and a
back cover of multiple polymer sheet.

The sandwich is sealed in a vacuum laminator.

Creating a Solar PV Module
Mechanical / Physical Integration

The laminated cells are now fixed in a

aluminium frame using a gasket as cushion.
Creating a Solar PV Module
Mechanical / Physical Integration

A junction box is attached with silicon gum to

protect the module against humidity and water
The Photovoltaic Cell
 Current (I) depends on the level of solar
insolation and the area of the cell
 Open circuit voltage (VOC) remains fairly
constant

VOC = 0.50 – 0.6 V DC


Dr Amit Jain
Renewable Energy Specialist
Email: amitjain@worldbank.org
Acknowledgment and Disclaimer:
This training material is made possible by the support of the American
People through the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID). The contents of this material are the sole responsibility of Nexant
Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States
Government. This material was prepared under Contract Number AID-386-
C-12-00001. The images shown here are taken from the Internet for
education purpose only. Further the training material has been modified
and updated as necessary by The World Bank – SBI GRPV TA Program 22