Thermal and PV System Lauren Masseria Jenny Bishop Bryan Picard

Solar Photovoltaic Photo=light Voltaic=electricity The conversion of solar energy directly into electricity

Brief History Discovery credited to French physicist Edmund Becquerel in 1839 Discovery credited to French physicist Edmund Becquerel in 1839 –‘Wet Cell’ Battery 1883 the first PV cell was created 1883 the first PV cell was created 1950 at the Bell Laboratory, New Jersey 1950 at the Bell Laboratory, New Jersey –Research on silicon semiconductors 1960’s-70’s Orbiting satellite usage 1960’s-70’s Orbiting satellite usage 1970’s Rise in residential and commercial usage 1970’s Rise in residential and commercial usage –Energy crisis 1980’s Consumer electronic devices 1980’s Consumer electronic devices

Why Solar? Reliable Reliable Long term cost benefits Long term cost benefits Environmentally friendly Environmentally friendly Remote Locations (grid unavailability) Remote Locations (grid unavailability) State, federal and private incentives State, federal and private incentives Socially responsible Socially responsible Positive public image Positive public image

Panels & Cells A cell consists of sliced up crystals, connected with wire, and placed in a module A cell consists of sliced up crystals, connected with wire, and placed in a module Life expectancy = over 30 years Life expectancy = over 30 years There is nothing exhausted in There is nothing exhausted in the silicon cells, and theoretically, the silicon cells, and theoretically, if well packaged and protected if well packaged and protected from moisture they could produce from moisture they could produce electricity indefinitely. electricity indefinitely.

PV cells are a junction between two thin layers of dissimilar semi-conduction materials known as ‘p’ and ‘n’ type semi conductors PV cells are a junction between two thin layers of dissimilar semi-conduction materials known as ‘p’ and ‘n’ type semi conductors Most cells made from silicon, a semiconductor, and the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust Most cells made from silicon, a semiconductor, and the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust Sets up an electric field when joined Sets up an electric field when joined Photons (sun energy) hit this electric field and transfer energy to the p and n semi conductors creating a reverse electric field and an electric current Photons (sun energy) hit this electric field and transfer energy to the p and n semi conductors creating a reverse electric field and an electric current

Types of Cells Three types of PV cells MonocrystallinePolycrystallineAmorphous

Monocrystalline Silicon with a single crystal lattice structure with no impurities and virtually no defects most efficient at 16% – most expensive – longest life span

Polycrystalline Consists of many small grains of connected monocrystalline silicon –15% efficiency – typically less expensive than monocrystalline than monocrystalline

Amorphous / Thin Film Silicon are much less ordered than in the mono and polycrystalline cells –8% efficiency – least expensive –Most flexible models, ex rolls –Take the most space –Are being phased out