Thursday, October 18, 2012

Solar Power Graphs to Make You Smile - CleanTechnica

Solar Power Graphs to Make You Smile - CleanTechnica


Solar Power Graphs to Make You Smile



Solar power in some markets is already cost-competitive with power from fossil fuels or nuclear energy. It’s expected to take over more and more markets in the very near future as its costs continue to decline and the costs of other antiquated energy sources continue to rise.
–> For more on solar than is in this post, check out our Solar Power page, which we continuously update.
Nuclear, coal, even natural gas — even if you don’t take into account externalities (public health, environmental, and national security externalities that you really should take into account), probably won’t be competitive with solar soon (marking important crossovers in the history of our planet).

Clean Technica (http://s.tt/12DaJ)

Saturday, October 13, 2012

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS Miro Zeman Delft University of Technology

ocw.tudelft.nl/fileadmin/ocw/courses/SolarCells/res00029/CH9_Photovoltaic_systems.pdf


PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
Miro Zeman
Delft University of Technology

Components  of  a  PV  system
The solar energy conversion into electricity takes place in a semiconductor device that
is called a solar cell. A solar cell is a unit that delivers only a certain amount of electrical
power. In order to use solar electricity for practical devices, which require a particular voltage
or current for their operation, a number of solar cells have to be connected together to form a
solar panel, also called a PV module. For large-scale generation of solar electricity the solar
panels are connected together into a solar array.
The solar panels are only a part of a complete PV solar system. Solar modules are the
heart of the system and are usually called the power generators. One must have also
mounting structures to which PV modules are fixed and directed towards the sun. For PV
systems that have to operate at night or during the period of bad weather the storage of energy
is required, the batteries for electricity storage are needed. The output of a PV module
depends on sunlight intensity and cell temperature; therefore components that condition the
DC (direct current) output and deliver it to batteries, grid, and/or load are required for a
smooth operation of the PV system. These components are referred to as charge regulators.
For applications requiring AC (alternating current) the DC/AC inverters are implemented in
PV systems. These additional components form that part of a PV system that is called balance
of system (BOS). Finally, the household appliances, such as radio or TV set, lights and
equipment being powered by the PV solar system are called electrical load. The elements of a
PV system are schematically presented in Figure 9.1.        more ........

Saturday, October 6, 2012

NREL: Concentrating Solar Power Projects - Concentrating Solar Power Projects by Project Name

NREL: Concentrating Solar Power Projects - Concentrating Solar Power Projects by Project Name

 In this section, you can select a concentrating solar power (CSP) project from the alphabetical listing of project names below. You can then review a profile covering project basics, participating organizations, and power plant configuration data for the solar field, power block, and thermal energy storage.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Life Cycle Inventories and Life Cycle Assessments of Photovoltaic Systems

www.bnl.gov/pv/files/pdf/226_Task12_LifeCycle_Inventories.pdf


Life Cycle Inventories and Life Cycle     Assessments of Photovoltaic Systems
IEA PVPS Task 12, Subtask 20, LCA
Report IEA-PVPS T12-02:2011
October 2011

www.tsolar.com/recursos/doc/Comunicacion/Publicaciones/342119357_29112010104333.pdf

www.tsolar.com/recursos/doc/Comunicacion/Publicaciones/342119357_29112010104333.pdf


ONE YEAR OPERATION EXPERIENCE ON 143 MW OF GROUND MOUNTED PV SYSTEMS
Angel F. Truchero
*
, Jose B. Garcia, and Jordi Andreu  1 T-Solar Global S.A., Avda. Arroyo del Santo 6, 28042 Madrid, Spain
* corresponding author: +34 91 324 89 42, angel.truchero@tsolar.eu
ABSTRACT: T-Solar Global is the biggest PV electricity producer in Spain. At the end of 2008 T-Solar has an  installed power of 143 MW in 28 large ground mounted systems all over Spain. The module technology of these  plants is crystalline silicon from different suppliers. The majority of the systems are static devices and only 2.4 % of  the power is installed with trackers. The grid connected systems are permanently remote monitored in a centralized  control center located in Madrid. This monitoring provides a continuous follow up of the system performance and a  real time failure control. The operation results of the 28 systems during one full year will be presented. PV Trackers  will be compared with the results obtained on static systems of similar technology and location. Also the superior  behavior of an a-Si plant against c-Si plants is shown. T-Solar’s experience proves that ground mounted PV systems  can be efficiently planned and executed in a short  time and demonstrates that additional investment on real time  monitoring systems can be recovered in a short period of time. The operation experience also provides  clues for  further improvement of large ground mounted PV systems.  
Keywords: Large grid-connected PV system, Performance, a-Si.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Solar Power Revolution - Here Comes The Sun -- Documentary - YouTube

Solar Power Revolution - Here Comes The Sun -- Documentary - YouTube

Countries all over the world are leading the way towards a green economy. Unfortunately lobbying by the oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries are hindering progress. Very soon, perhaps even now depending on the cost of electricity in your area, solar technology will be more economically cost effective than traditional forms of electrical production.

DIFFERENTIATING YOUR PRODUCT FROM THE STANDARD - THE CUTTING EDGE OF THIN FILM MANUFACTURING Presentation

2074 Content LP

DIFFERENTIATING YOUR PRODUCT FROM THE STANDARD - THE CUTTING EDGE OF THIN FILM MANUFACTURING
Download PDF
  • Cost or price – do you opt for short term module cost or long term system price capabilities? Hear compelling arguments for each and decide for yourself
  • Understanding the mechanical properties of the module - expert opinion on the importance of examining module assets including how they can be interfaced with system components
  • Delve down into the electrical properties of the module and evaluate the difference variances will make to the integration costs for DC cabling
Christian Koitzsch, Managing DirectorBosch


Click here to download if you are having problems with the player above

http://www.thinfilmtoday.com/old-sites/eu/2011/presentations2011/day2/ChistianKoitzschBosch.pdf