Global environmental concerns and the escalating demand for energy, coupled with steady progress in renewable energy technologies, are opening up new opportunities for utilization of renewable energy resources. Solar energy is the most abundant, inexhaustible and clean of all the renewable energy resources till date. The power from sun intercepted by the earth is about 1.8 × 1011 MW, which is many times larger than the present rate of all the energy consumption. Photovoltaic technology is one of the finest ways to harness the solar power. This paper reviews the photovoltaic technology, its power generating capability, the different existing light absorbing materials used, its environmental aspect coupled with a variety of its applications. The different existing performance and reliability evaluation models, sizing and control, grid connection and distribution have also been discussed. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A review of solar photovoltaic technologies

World׳s energy demand is growing fast because of population explosion and technological advancements. It is therefore important to go for reliable, cost effective and everlasting renewable energy source for energy demand arising in future. Solar energy, among other renewable sources of energy, is a promising and freely available energy source for managing long term issues in energy crisis. Solar industry is developing steadily all over the world because of the high demand for energy while major energy source, fossil fuel, is limited and other sources are expensive. It has become a tool to develop economic status of developing countries and to sustain the lives of many underprivileged people as it is now cost effective after a long aggressive researches done to expedite its development. The solar industry would definitely be a best option for future energy demand since it is superior in terms of availability, cost effectiveness, accessibility, capacity and efficiency compared to other renewable energy sources. This paper therefore discusses about the need of solar industry with its fundamental concepts, worlds energy scenario, highlights of researches done to upgrade solar industry, its potential applications and barriers for better solar industry in future in order to resolve energy crisis.

Solar energy for future world: - A review

Current status of research on optimum sizing of stand-alone hybrid solar–wind power generation systems

Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) are becoming popular for remote area power generation applications due to advances in renewable energy technologies and subsequent rise in prices of petroleum products. Economic aspects of these technologies are sufficiently promising to include them in developing power generation capacity for developing countries. Research and development efforts in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies are required to continue for, improving their performance, establishing techniques for accurately predicting their output and reliably integrating them with other conventional generating sources. The paper describes methodologies to model HRES components, HRES designs and their evaluation. The trends in HRES design show that the hybrid PV/wind energy systems are becoming gaining popular. The issues related to penetration of these energy systems in the present distribution network are highlighted.

Modeling of hybrid renewable energy systems

This paper proposes an AC-linked hybrid wind/photovoltaic (PV)/fuel cell (FC) alternative energy system for stand-alone applications. Wind and PV are the primary power sources of the system, and an FC-electrolyzer combination is used as a backup and a long-term storage system. An overall power management strategy is designed for the proposed system to manage power flows among the different energy sources and the storage unit in the system. A simulation model for the hybrid energy system has been developed using MATLAB/Simulink. The system performance under different scenarios has been verified by carrying out simulation studies using a practical load demand profile and real weather data.

Power Management of a Stand-Alone Wind/Photovoltaic/Fuel Cell Energy System

Hybrid PV/fuel cell system design and simulation

In this paper, a hybrid Photovoltaic (PV)-fuel cell generation system employing an electrolyzer for hydrogen generation is designed and simulated. The system is applicable for remote areas or isolated loads. Fuzzy regression model (FRM) is applied for maximum power point tracking to extract maximum available solar power from PV arrays under variable insolation conditions. The system incorporates a controller designed to achieve permanent power supply to the load via the PV array or the fuel cell, or both according to the power available from the sun. Also, to prevent corrosion of the electrolyzer electrodes after sunset, i.e. when its current drops to zero, the electric storage device is designed so as to isolate the electrolyte from the electrolysis cell.

Mona N. Eskandar

Papers

Hybrid PV/fuel cell system design and simulation

Hybrid PV/Fuel Cell System Design and Simulation