PV and Solar Power Systems

Photovoltaic (PV) and solar power systems convert light into electricity. They are the building blocks of photovoltaic (PV) modules. There are many different types of PV and solar power systems. Examples include solar batteries, solar battery chargers, and solar panels. A solar battery is a sealed, maintenance-free device. A solar battery charger can be used to power devices such as radio receivers, lighting, and radio modems. A solar panel is a device that converts energy from the sun into usable forms, either by absorbing the sun’s heat directly, or by converting its light into electricity. A photovoltaic system or PV system may include a battery backup or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that can operate selected circuits for hours or even days. PV and solar power systems also include products such as solar arrays.

Photovoltaic (PV) and solar power systems differ in terms of components and specifications. For example, a complete photovoltaic system includes components such as a DC-AC power inverter, battery bank, battery controller, and auxiliary energy sources. In addition, a photovoltaic system or PV system uses balance of system (BOS) hardware such wiring, surge protection, disconnect devices, and other power processing components. Specifications for a solar battery include number of plates, number of plates per cell, capacity (hours), length, width, height, and acid (liters). A solar PV charger uses pulse width modulation (PWM) and a three-stage charging methods. Specifications for a PV panel include size, voltage in watts), and current in amps. Other photovoltaic PV and solar power systems carry their own performance specifications.

Photovoltaic (PV) and solar power systems are used in many applications and adhere to a variety of standards. A PV system is suitable for the continuous production of power at a minimum operating cost. Often, PV supplies are used to produce electricity where energy is most limited or unavailable. PV and solar power supplies can be used in backup power systems, radio transceivers, medical equipment, pumping stations, street lights, and water purification applications. Photovoltaic (PV) and solar power systems may adhere to standards from the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).

• Next Big Challenge for PV Makers: Wafer Handling
  The push to crank out solar cells more quickly brings problems as manufacturers work with ever-thinner silicon wafers. Solar power still costs more than energy gained from burning coal or gas. That...
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• Solar Radiation and Solar Power System Design (.pdf)
  What information do photovoltaic (PV) engineers use to size a system? Solar radiation is the energy the earth receives every day as photons of light travel through space from the sun to the earth. For...
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• When Does A Solar Energy System Make Sense for Remote Site Power? (.pdf)
  At a recent SunWize industrial training, a participant asked the fundamental question, "How do you know when solar is the right power solution?" This is a key question when considering solar...
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