it‟s good to live near a starresources.solmetric.com/get/photovoltaic energy production.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
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It‟s Good to Live Near a Star
An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production
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SolmetricSebastopol, CA
Mission: Improve the effectiveness of solar systems and
those who install them by providing high quality, easy-to-use,
accurate tools with embedded technical know-how.
http://www.solmetric.com
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Topics
• Where is PV in the US energy mix?
• How does PV work?
• What do PV systems look like?
• What is my solar resource?
• How is PV array performance measured?
• What are the trends in the PV industry?
• Where are the jobs in PV (and RE generally)?
![Page 4: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
http://www.eia.doe.gov/energy_in_brief/renewable_energy.cfm
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U.S. Primary Energy Flow by Source and Sector, 2009
(Quadrillion Btu)
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/pecss_diagram.html
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Annual US Installed Grid-Connected PV Capacity2000-2009
Utility
Non-Residential
Residential
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Installed PV capacity worldwideas of 2009
As of July 2010, Germany
accounted for nearly 50% of
the total cumulative PV
installations in the world.
Germany
Spain
Japan
US
Italy
China
Australia
ROE
ROW
India
European Photonics Industry Consortium, Report
on Photovoltaics: PV Market Overview 2009.
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Topics
• Where is PV in the US energy mix?
• How does PV work?
• What do PV systems look like?
• What is my solar resource?
• How is PV array performance measured?
• What are the trends in the PV industry?
• Where are the jobs in PV (and RE generally)?
![Page 12: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Grid-tie PV system
PV modules
To the house To the grid
Typically 72-96
solar cells per
PV module
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From Cells to Arrays
Cell
Module
Panel
Array
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How Solar Cells Work
• Charge generation by photons
• Charge separation by built-in electric field at the junction
•Charge collection at the contacts
+
Basic mechanisms of a solar cell:
Photon
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Solar cell
I-V curve of a solar cell
Equivalent circuit I-V Curve
(+0.6v)
Curr
ent
Voltage
Isc
Voc
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Curr
ent
Voltage
Imp
Vmp
Maximum Power Point
I-V “building block”
Area = Imp x Vmp
Units are watts (W)
Max Power Point Imp, Vmp
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Curr
ent
Voltage
Imp
Vmp
I-V and P-V Curves
Max Power
Max Power Point
I-V
P-V
Pow
er
Pmax
In x Vn
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Cells in Series & Parallel
I
V
I-V
building
blocks
Series
Parallel
Total (net) I-V curve
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Effect of partial shadingInverter must identify and track the right peak
Cu
rre
nt
Voltage
Isc
Voc
Po
we
r
Max Power(until the shade pattern changes!)
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PV array performance factors
•Local climate
•Array-inverter matching
•Array tilt and orientation
•String layout
•Shade
•Soiling
•Array temperature
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Topics
• Where is PV in the US energy mix?
• How does PV work?
• What do PV systems look like?
• What is my solar resource?
• How is PV array performance measured?
• What are the trends in the PV industry?
• Where are the jobs in PV (and RE generally)?
![Page 22: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Flat Plate PV
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Flat Plate PV
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Portland Habilitation Center PV System860kW 7-inverter system by Dynalectric Oregon
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Portland Habilitation Center PV System860kW 7-inverter system by Dynalectric Oregon
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Combiner Boxes860kW System at Portland Habilitation Center, by Dynalectric Oregon
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Combiner Box860kW System at Portland Habilitation Center, by Dynalectric Oregon
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Concentrating PV
(CPV)
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Concentrating PV
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High Gain Solar
http://www.skyline-solar.com/index.htm
Concentrating PV
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Concentrating PV
http://www.concentrix-solar.de/
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http://www.amonix.com/content/company
Concentrating PV
Fresnel lenses
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Concentrating PV
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http://www.solfocus.com/en/
Concentrating PV
Cassegrain-like compound optics
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Multi-junction solar cellsUsed in CPV to boost efficiency
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Solar Thermal
(not PV, but still cool!)
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PS-10 & PS-20 Solar Thermal “Power
Towers” near Seville, Spain
Solar thermal „power towers‟
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Solar thermal „power towers‟
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Trough Concentrators
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Topics
• Where is PV in the US energy mix?
• How does PV work?
• What do PV systems look like?
• What is my solar resource?
• How is PV array performance measured?
• What are the trends in the PV industry?
• Where are the jobs in PV (and RE generally)?
![Page 45: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Solar Resource
no access
reducedaccess
maximumaccess
•Climate
•Array orientation
•Shade
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Annual Sun Paths
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Energy = 12 kWh
Assume an average irradiance of 1 kW/m2 for 6 hours
Insolation = 1 kW/m2 x 6 hr = 6 kWh/m2
Insolation: Solar energy per unit area - kWh/m2
Area = 2 m2
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Annual insolation at
optimal tilt & azimuth
Annual energy
available to PV
system
Loss due to sub-
optimal tilt &
azimuth
TOF (%)
TOF: Tilt & Orientation Factor Insolation at actual tilt & azimuth
as % of insolation at optimal tilt & azimuth
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Tilt & Orientation Factor (TOF)
Annual Insolation vs Array OrientationExample: Honolulu International Airport, HI
http://www.solmetric.com/annualinsolation-us.html
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Annual energy
available to PV
system
Loss due to sub-
optimal tilt/azimuth
Loss due to
shading
TOF (%)
Solar Access
(%)
Annual insolation at
optimal tilt & azimuth
Solar Access: Insolation with shade
as % of insolation without shade
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Impact of Trees Located SE and SW of an ArrayTwo strings of 12 BP-120‟s driving an SMA-2500
AC
Pow
er
Outp
ut
(W)
Time of Day
Solar
Noon
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TSRF: Total Solar Resource FractionInsolation with actual shade, tilt & azimuth
as % of insolation with optimal tilt & orientation and no shade
TOF (%)
Solar Access
(%)
Loss due to sub-
optimal tilt/azimuth
Loss due to
shading
Annual energy
available to solar
system
TSRF (%)
Annual insolation at
optimal tilt & azimuth
TSRF = Solar Access x TOF
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The original SunEye 110
Shade analysis tools from Solmetric
The new SunEye 210
http://www.solmetric.com/buy210.html
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Topics
• Where is PV in the US energy mix?
• How does PV work?
• What do PV systems look like?
• What is my solar resource?
• How is PV array performance measured?
• What are the trends in the PV industry?
• Where are the jobs in PV (and RE generally)?
![Page 56: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Performance Verification Tools
Inverter readout compared with system model
I-V curve measurements compared with
PV model
DC measurements compared with
PV model
Verification: Measurements compared with a standard
Basic Comprehensive
I
V
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Copyright Solmetric 2009
Benefits of I-V Curve MeasurementCompared with DMM & Clampmeter Testing
Cu
rre
nt
Voltage
Isc(Clamp meter)
Voc(Multi-meter)
• Full I-V curve More diagnostic value
• Automated Fast & less chance of record keeping mistakes
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Copyright Solmetric 2009
Series and Shunt LossesContributors to reduced fill factor
Cu
rre
nt
Voltage
Imp
Vmp
Isc Max Power PointImp, Vmp
Voc
Shunt
loss
Series
loss
Useful indicators: • Imp / Isc ( shunt loss)
•Vmp / Voc ( series loss)
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I-V measurement methods
Load can be:•Electronic•Resistive
•Capacitive
I sense
V sense
Cu
rre
nt
Voltage
Load requirements:
• Voltage & current range
• Power dissipation
• „Sweep‟ dynamics, esp sweep rate,
which must be slower to accurately
test high-efficiency modules
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PV modelsFor predicting PV array performance
• Sandia National Labs PV Array Model
– Most comprehensive (30+ parameters)
– ~400 modules modeled, more will flow starting ~ mid-2011
• 5-Parameter Model
– Developed at U. Wisconsin, used by CEC for NSHP program
– ~1,700 PV modules modeled at this time
• Simple Datasheet Model
– Translates Pmax (STC) to actual irradiance & temperature
– User enters data sheet parameters
These 3 methods are available in the Solar Advisor Model (SAM) from NREL and are
embedded in the Solmetric PV Analyzer.
![Page 61: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
Solmetric PV AnalyzerPVA-600
http://www.solmetric.com/pva600.html
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Testing individual PV strings860kW System at Portland Habilitation Center, by Dynalectric Oregon
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Max Power measurement (example)Ratio of measured to predicted (target)
![Page 64: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
I-V & P-V curves (example)Red dots are the model predictions
•Shaded area is the inverter‟s MPPT voltage range
•Model set to „array as sensor‟ mode
![Page 65: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/65.jpg)
Example measurement results
![Page 66: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/66.jpg)
Field-aged thin film string
Array-as-sensor mode
![Page 67: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/67.jpg)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Voltage - V
Cu
rren
t -
A
String 4B14
String 4B15
Troubleshooting ExampleAbnormal (red) and typical (blue) I-V curves of adjacent strings
![Page 68: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/68.jpg)
I-V curve of the failed module
Irradiance changed between measurements
![Page 69: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/69.jpg)
Effect of shade on PV arrays
![Page 70: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/70.jpg)
+
PV Module with Bypass DiodesExample: 72-cell module
![Page 71: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/71.jpg)
Partial shadingInverter must identify and track the right peak
Cu
rre
nt
Voltage
Isc
Voc
Po
we
r
Max Power(until the shade pattern changes!)
![Page 72: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/72.jpg)
Partial shading Business card on 1 cell in a string of 15, 48-cell modules
![Page 73: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/73.jpg)
Shadow of leafless tree branchSingle module with 72 cells and 3 bypass diodes
![Page 74: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/74.jpg)
Partially shaded residential arraySingle string, along lower edge of roof
![Page 75: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/75.jpg)
Partially shaded residential arraySingle string, along lower edge of roof
![Page 76: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/76.jpg)
Shade 2 cells in the same cell stringSingle module with 72 cells and 3 bypass diodes
![Page 77: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/77.jpg)
Shade 2 cells in adjacent cell stringsSingle module with 72 cells and 3 bypass diodes
![Page 78: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/78.jpg)
Topics
• Where is PV in the US energy mix?
• How does PV work?
• What do PV systems look like?
• What is my solar resource?
• How is PV array performance measured?
• What are the trends in the PV industry?
• Where are the jobs in PV (and RE generally)?
![Page 79: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/79.jpg)
Trends in the PV industry
• Public policy remains the main driver for expansion
• Coming (and going) of state-level incentive programs & the ITC
• Increased (for now) federal funding for R&D in PV, RE generally
• Shift to production-based incentives and feed-in tarrifs
• Many more PV manufacturers, lower $$$/Watt. Commodity pricing.
![Page 80: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/80.jpg)
Trends in the PV industry
• More financing options (from city, county, installer, PPA)
• Vertical integration (cells + modules + system design + construction)
• Increasing numbers of utility projects
• Tough to get huge utility projects approved
• Faster approval for 1-20MW „substation‟ projects
![Page 81: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/81.jpg)
Topics
• Where is PV in the US energy mix?
• How does PV work?
• What do PV systems look like?
• What is my solar resource?
• How is PV array performance measured?
• What are the trends in the PV industry?
• Where are the jobs in PV (and RE generally)?
![Page 82: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/82.jpg)
Jobs in PV (and RE generally)
• RE is one of the few industries now growing rapidly
• “Are there green jobs? Maybe not, but the green sector has jobs!”
• They are in traditional disciplines
• Hiring is taking place in all of the disciplines
• New roles in energy auditing, consulting, retrofit, policy, advocacy
• Lots of PV and RE start-ups, from components to systems
![Page 83: It‟s Good to Live Near a Starresources.solmetric.com/get/Photovoltaic Energy Production.pdf · It‟s Good to Live Near a Star An Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Production](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022042015/5e73da7f4d5eed7cb96f00f3/html5/thumbnails/83.jpg)
• Many applicants for every job
• Field experience or specialized training are an advantage
• Do informational interviews and job shadowing
• Choose a job and field that you are passionate about
• Do internships to get experience and build a relationship with a potential employer
Jobs in PV (and RE generally)