Solar power systems

Submitted by:
NETHRA H S
 What is solar power?
It is the production of electricity directly from the
sunlight. Using the principle of photovoltaic effect.
But how ?
When sun light strikes on solar cell ,it releases
electron from the p-n junction of the cell
and pushes these electrons across the
potential barrier at the junction. These
electrons then travel to external circuit to
create solar power.
Importance of solar power.
 It is abundant.
 This energy meet significant portion of the
world.
 It has minimum environmental impacts.
 India happens to be tropical region which
receives good quantity of solar flux.
 The Indian ministry provides subsidies to
manufacturers and users to promote solar
energy
What is solar cell ?
It is a energy conversion device that
converts sunlight into electricity by use of
photovoltaic effect is called solar cell .It is
also known as photo voltaic cell or photo
electric cell.
Solar photovoltaic module:
 The output voltage of single cell is very small
and is about 0.3 to 0.5v.
 To increase the voltage level, several cells are
interconnected to form photovoltaic module
.
 The number of cell in module depends upon
on the voltage.
 A 12v solar module consists of 33 to 36 cells .
 These cells are mounted on durable back
cover and sealed with transparent cover to
protect -
- against dust ,moisture, mechanical shocks and other
outdoor condition.
Photovoltaic array:
Several solar modules are interconnected in
series and parallel to form solar array.These
modules are connected in series to increase
the voltage and they are connected in
parallel to increase the current output.
 There are 2 types namely:
1.Tracking arrays.
2.Fixed arrays.
1. Tracking arrays: they are movable type and they
are always aligned perpendicular to the direction
of sun rays to absorb maximum solar radiation.
2.Fixed arrays: is placed east-west and tilted at an
angel equal to the latitude of that place.
Materials used solar cell:
 Silicon.
 GalliumArsenide(GaAs).
 Cadmium Telluride(CdTe).
 Copper Indium Diselenide.
Properties of solar cell:
 They must have high optical absorption .
 They must have high electrical
conductivity.
 The raw materials are available in
abundant .Therefore the cost must be
low.
Merits of solar power
system
 Solarenergy is freely abundant in nature.
 No environment pollution.
 Direct conversion.
 Long life.
 Highly reliable.
 No moving parts
Demerits:
 Requires large area.
 High capital cost.
 Manufacturing of solar array requires
heavy labors.
 Solar energy is not constant and varies
from day to night and season to season.
Application:

 Industrial applications.
 Agricultural applications.
 Terrestrial applications.