There are a series of important questions that come to mind when talking about sizing a PV system. 1.What is your monthly electrical usage? Your utility bills will show you how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you use on a monthly basis. You can calculate the watt-hours of each appliance you Read more…
Manufacturers quote the efficiency of a PV System at STC conditions, i.e. at 1000 W/m2, however, due to parasitic resistances the efficiency is not constant as the intensity of solar irradiance changes. This is referred to as Irradiance loss Irradiation losses seem to be rising from spaces in between two Read more…
Module Mismatching When PV modules are connected in series, there is something known as “the Christmas light effect”. If one module has less current, then it eventually limits the amount of current to flow through the whole series-connected PV source circuit (string). Before there were bypass diodes in PV modules Read more…
I = Current and V= Voltage Voc = OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE We can see the point called Voc (open circuit voltage). This is the point at which there is an open circuit. This means that the PV system is turned off. As we can see, the voltage is as high Read more…
Blocking Diodes A blocking diode allows the flow of current from a solar panel to the battery but prevents/blocks the flow of current from the battery to solar panel thereby preventing the battery from discharging. Current streams from high to low voltage, so on a bright day, the voltage of Read more…
When PV is made and sold it is rated at STC (Standard Test Conditions) STC: 1000W/m2 (brightness of light about like noon), 25 ̊C (77 ̊F), 1.5AM (Atmosphere Mass spectrum of light) However, in the real world, PV modules operate under different conditions. The best energy production can be observed Read more…
The nameplate on the individual PV modules shall carry the following minimum information: • Name and logo of the original manufacturer or supplier • Type designation and serial number • Maximum system voltage • Rated nominal power (Pmax) at STC (1000 W/m², 25°C cell temperature, and air mass [AM] 1.5 Read more…
Understanding the Efficiency of Solar Modules Solar panels are usually able to process 15% to 22% of solar energy into usable energy, depending on factors like placement, orientation, weather conditions, and similar. The amount of sunlight that solar panel systems are able to convert into actual electricity is called performance, and the outcome determines the solar panel Read more…
Theory The photovoltaic effect is an electrical phenomenon in which light energy is converted to electrical energy. This works on the principle of how semiconductor materials behave when exposed to light. Photons from sun rays are absorbed by the semiconductor crystal which causes an array of free electrons to be Read more…
The COVID-19 had significantly affected the energy sector value chain. The international price for oil and gas has come down to a record low which we have seen in early 1995. The electricity demand has also come down by 20 to 30% due to reduced economic activities during this pandemic Read more…