Solar Power Technologies Explained Simply

Solar Power Technologies Explained Simply is a practical and easy-to-read resource for anyone interested in Solar Power. This book discusses everything you need to know about solar power systems and solar cell technologies. There are three major parts to this book: 1. Overview of Solar Power Technologies 2. Practical Considerations when Installing Solar Cells 3. Advanced Solar Cell Technologies. The first part provides an overview of solar cell technologies. Topics include the basic process of solar cells, processes which limit the efficiency of solar cells, and key terminology. This part of the book also provides an overview of practical issues to consider when using solar power. The second part of the book discusses all of the most important practical considerations when installing a solar power device. Topics include: Electronic Design Choices, Sizing the Array, Orientation, Tilt Angle, and Maintenance. These topics are discussed in detail throughout three chapters. The third major part of this book discusses the most important advanced solar cell technologies. Topics include the reasons for low efficiency in a solar cell, and the basic methods for improving efficiency. Subsequent topics include: thin films, anti-reflective coatings, surface texturing, minority carriers, solar concentrators, and stacking. This book also provides extensive data tables, including: - tilt angle guidelines based on region and season - energy required to excite the materials of most solar cells - several other data tables and illustrations Table of Contents 1. Photovoltaic Cells: Basic Concepts a. Introduction b. Advantages of Photovoltaic Cells c. Basic Process of Photovoltaic Cells d. Possible Events in a Photovoltaic Cell and Resulting Efficiency e. Electromagnetic Waves and Photovoltaic Cells f. Inverters: Converting DC to AC 2. Electronic Design Choices a. Introduction b. Material of Semiconductors c. Joining Cells Electronically d. Inverters: Converting DC to AC e. Stand Alone or Grid-Tied f. Use Now or Store Later g. Calculating the Size of Array Needed h. Batteries and Solar Power 3. Protection and Maintenance a. Material of the protective coating b. Cleaning Schedule and Techniques 4. Orientation to Face the Sun a. Important Points for Array Orientation b. Latitude and Solar Array c. Direction: Which Direction is Best d. Direction: Fixed or Adjustable e. Tilt Angle: Which Tilt Angle is Best f. Tilt Angle: Fixed or Adjustable g. Schedules for Adjusting Tilt Angle 5. Advanced Solar Cell Technologies a. Possible Events in a Solar Cell b. Preventing Electron-Hole Pairs From Recombining c. Using More of Reflected Waves d. Using Waves That Travel Through the Cell e. Reducing the Energy Lost as Heat f. Stacked Solar Cells g. Thin Films h. Solar Concentrators Used in Conjunction with Solar Cells Appendix Bibliography Index