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3 UNDERSTAND PHOTOVOLTAIC
TECHNOLOGY
2.3.1 EXPLAIN THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
Diodes in Solar Panels
• The diodes which are used for protection of solar panels are called as
bypass diodes.
• If the solar panel is faulty or damaged or shaded by fallen leaves, snow
and other obstructions, the overall output power decreases and arise
hot spot damage because the current of the rest of the cells must flow
through this faulty or shaded cell causes a overheating.
• The main function of the bypass diode is to protect the solar cells
against this hot spot heating problem.
• The above figure shows the connection of bypass diodes in solar
cells. These diodes are connected in parallel with the solar cells.
Thereby limits the voltage across the bad solar cell and allows
the current from good solar cells to the external circuit.
• Thus, reduces the overheating problem by limiting the current
flow through the bad solar cell.
2.3.2 DIFFERENTIATE VARIOUS PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS:
Polycrystalline
Just like the monocrystalline solar cell, a polycrystalline solar cell is
made from thin wafers of silicon, which is cut from an artificially
grown crystal. However, this type of solar cell is made from several
interlocking silicon crystals, thus, making them cheaper to produce
compared to its counterpart.
Monocrystalline
Monocrystalline solar PV cell is the most efficient type of solar PV cell
because despite its small appearance, it can produce the same
amount of electricity that is produced by its counterpart solar cells.
This type of solar PV cell is made from thin wafers of silicon, which is
cut from an artificially grown crystal, thus, making it the most
expensive among all the types of solar PV cell.
Hybrid Solar Cell
Hybrid solar cell is not a natural type of a solar cell rather than a
combination of amorphous silicon solar cell and monocrystalline
solar cell. This type of solar cell is the recent development in
photovoltaic, which composed of a high electron transport material
and an organic material. The combination of these two materials
makes the power conversion efficient and generates better output.
Moreover, hybrid solar cell perform its best when place in sunnier
climate, which temperature can reach up to 25 degree Celsius,
thus, producing more electricity.
Policy Details
The overall objective of the project was
to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions from the electricity sector by
reducing the long-term cost of BIPV
technology. BIPVs are solar energy
systems that are integrated into the
design of a structure that serve to
replace conventional building materials
• The MBIPV project will specifically focus on the market
development for BIPV technology, and building national capacities
in three major areas:
(a) policy and education;
(b) technical skills and market implementation;
(c) and technology development support.
Solar Cell I-V Characteristic Curves show the current and voltage ( I-V )
characteristics of a particular photovoltaic ( PV ) cell, module or array giving a
detailed description of its solar energy conversion ability and efficiency.
• With the solar cell open-circuited, that is not connected to any load, the current will be
at its minimum (zero) and the voltage across the cell is at its maximum, known as the
solar cells open circuit voltage, or Voc.
• In other words, the maximum voltage available from a cell is at open circuit, and
the maximum current at closed circuit.
• The corresponding values of Vmp and Imp can be estimated from the open circuit
voltage and the short circuit current: Vmp ≅ (0.8–0.90)Voc and Imp ≅ (0.85–0.95)Isc.
Since solar cell output voltage and current both depend on temperature, the actual
output power will vary with changes in ambient temperature.
2.4.2 RELATE PHOTOVOLTAIC CURRENT AND VOLTAGE OUTPUT WITH VARYING
ELECTRICAL LOADS