Photovoltaic Flashcards
What can an individual solar panel generate?
25 watts of power
How much power can solar generating fields produce?
More than 2.5 gigawatts
What is the process by which solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy called?
Photovoltaic action
What materials are primarily used in the construction of PV devices?
Semiconductor materials
What is the standard material used in PV cells?
Silicon
What is a PV cell?
A wafer-like sheet of crystalline silicon
What are the electrodes in a PV cell?
Top surface is the negative electrode (N-type silicon), bottom is the positive electrode (P-type silicon)
What is the open circuit voltage produced by a PV cell in direct sunlight?
About 0.5 V DC
What is the expected lifetime range of a PV cell?
30 - 40 years
How is voltage related to temperature in silicon?
Voltage is inversely proportional to the temperature
How is current related to the surface area of a PV cell?
Current is directly proportional to the PV cell surface area
What is the output current range of silicon cells per square centimeter?
30 - 38 milliamps per square centimetre (mA/cm²)
This refers to the typical current output for silicon solar cells.
Which semiconductor has the highest efficiency?
Gallium Arsenide
Gallium Arsenide is known for its high efficiency but also has a high cost of manufacturing.
What is the operating voltage range for utility scale inverters?
600 - 1500 volts
This range is common for inverters used in utility-scale solar applications.
What condition are lithium-ion batteries susceptible to that involves overheating?
Thermal runaway
Thermal runaway is a dangerous condition that can occur in lithium-ion batteries, leading to fire or explosion.
What are the three types of connection configurations for solar cells?
- Series (increases available output voltage)
- Parallel (increases output current)
- Series-Parallel (increases output voltage and current)
These configurations affect the overall voltage and current output of solar cell systems.
How many PV cells are typically connected in series in a module to deliver voltages?
36 PV cells
A module with 36 PV cells can deliver voltages from 12 VDC to 18 VDC.
What voltage range do 72 cell modules deliver?
12 VDC to 36 VDC
This is typical for solar modules with 72 cells connected in series.
What are the two types of storage batteries mentioned?
- Lead-acid
- Lithium-ion
Both types are commonly used for energy storage in solar applications.
What setting measures the output voltage of a PV panel or storage battery?
VDC
VDC stands for volts direct current, which is the standard measurement for solar energy systems.
Which tracking system offers the highest increased efficiency for a PV system
Dual-Axis
