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Journal ArticleDOI

Performance analysis of photovoltaic systems: A review

01 Oct 2009-Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews (RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS)-Vol. 13, Iss: 8, pp 1884-1897
TL;DR: In this article, a thorough review of photovoltaic thermal systems is done on the basis of its performance based on electrical as well as thermal output, and a case study for PV and PV/T system based on exergetic analysis is presented.
Abstract: In this paper, a thorough review of photovoltaic and photovoltaic thermal systems is done on the basis of its performance based on electrical as well as thermal output. Photovoltaic systems are classified according to their use, i.e., electricity production and thermal applications along with the electricity production. The application of various photovoltaic systems is also discussed in detail. The performance analysis including all aspects, e.g., electrical, thermal, energy, and exergy efficiency are also discussed. A case study for PV and PV/T system based on exergetic analysis is presented.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a simulation model that investigates the economic viability of battery storage for residential PV in Germany under eight different electricity price scenarios from 2013 to 2022 is presented. And the model with a large number of different PV and storage capacities is run to determine the economically optimal configuration in terms of system size.
Abstract: Battery storage is generally considered an effective means for reducing the intermittency of electricity generated by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, currently it remains unclear when and under which conditions battery storage can be profitably operated in residential PV systems without policy support. Based on a review of previous studies that have examined the economics of integrated PV-battery systems, in this paper we devise a simulation model that investigates the economic viability of battery storage for residential PV in Germany under eight different electricity price scenarios from 2013 to 2022. In contrast to previous forward-looking studies, we assume that no premium is paid for solar photovoltaic power and/or self-consumed electricity. Additionally, we run the model with a large number of different PV and storage capacities to determine the economically optimal configuration in terms of system size. We find that already in 2013 investments in storage solutions were economically viable for small PV systems. Given the assumptions of our model, the optimal size of both residential PV systems and battery storage rises significantly in the future. Higher electricity retail prices, lower electricity wholesale prices or limited access to the electricity wholesale market add to the profitability of storage. We conclude that additional policy incentives to foster investments in battery storage for residential PV in Germany will only be necessary in the short run. At the same time, the impending profitability of integrated PV-storage systems is likely to further spur the ongoing trend toward distributed electricity generation with major implications for the electricity sector.

467 citations


Cites background from "Performance analysis of photovoltai..."

  • ...However, three important barriers to a more widespread use of solar PV are that electricity generation from this source is limited to daytimes, depends on local weather conditions and fluctuates strongly over the year [2]....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a review on the recently published research in this field and discuss the drawbacks associated with practical applications, including geometrical limitations and fabrication costs of spectrally splitting solar receivers.
Abstract: Spectral beam splitting is a promising method to achieve high efficiency solar energy conversion. Its potential applications include multi-junction PV receivers, hybrid collectors and even biomass production. Although spectral splitting receivers can achieve high theoretical conversion efficiencies, they have not yet evolved to the commercial level. In this paper, we provide a review on the recently published research in this field and discuss the drawbacks associated with practical applications. Suggestions are made which we believe will lead to improvements in optical efficiency (including geometrical limitations) and the fabrication costs of spectrally splitting solar receivers.

313 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive review on the solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems for recent advances and their emerging applications in the present and future scenario is presented and the performance study of off grid and grid connected SPV power plant has been discussed and presented in detail.
Abstract: This communication presents a comprehensive review on the solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems for recent advances and their emerging applications in the present and future scenario. Besides, the performance study of off grid and grid connected SPV power plant has been discussed and presented in detail. From the literature, it is found that the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems varies from 10% to 23%. Thus, the efficiency is the important factor which needs to be explored further for the best implementation and utilization of this emerging and useful technology around the globe. However, among all the applications discussed here, Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) and photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) are found to be the most technically sound and exhibit that SPV may be a feasible solution for the future energy challenges. Again, the building integrated PV system not only reduces the area requirement, but also cuts the material and infrastructure costs of the building and hence, fulfills the technical thrust for smart building requirements. Recently developed CPV cells are found to be feasible, most promising and cost effective technology having higher efficiency and lesser material requirements than those of the other solar cells. On the other hand, as the PV/T systems produce not only the electricity but also the heat energy are found to be more useful, suitable, and promising for most of the real life applications especially, where both forms of energy are required simultaneously.

249 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a study on solar energy in the form of a stand-alone and hybrid power generation system used to electrify off-grid locations, which is intended to be used to power a single house or a small community and also functions as a mini-grid, generating power in places where adequate solar radiation is available throughout the year.
Abstract: Global environmental concerns, increasing energy demands and developments in renewable energy technologies present a new possibility to implement renewable energy sources. Solar energy is the most prominent among renewable sources, as it is an inexhaustible resource and its exploitation has thus far been ecologically friendly. The potential amount of solar energy is considerably greater than current worldwide energy demands. Solar energy has been developing more rapidly than the other renewable energy sources for the last few decades. The best way to harvest the sun’s power is photovoltaic (PV) technology. This paper presents a study on solar energy in the form of a stand-alone and hybrid power generation system used to electrify off-grid locations. The stand-alone solar-PV system developed here is intended to be used to power a single house or a small community and it also functions as a mini-grid, generating power in places where adequate solar radiation is available throughout the year. However, many places throughout the world experience unsteady amounts of solar radiation and in those places, a hybrid solar-PV system is the most efficient solution for electrification. The main benefit of the hybrid system is that the weakness of one source is covered by the other source. This paper also presents some comparative case studies, project examples and demonstrations of stand-alone solar and hybrid solar systems implemented at various locations throughout the world over the last twelve years.

246 citations


Cites background from "Performance analysis of photovoltai..."

  • ...Solar-PV technology is also the most environmentally friendly technology because it produces no GHG emissions, no sound pollution during operation, its capacity can be easily expanded as required and little maintenance is needed [10]....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a model semiconductor-sensitizer layer of CdSe with under- or overlayers of cdS or ZnS by pre- or postadsorption was prepared on the surface of mesoporous TiO2 films by a series of successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) processes.
Abstract: A model semiconductor-sensitizer layer of CdSe with under- or overlayers of CdS or ZnS by pre- or postadsorption was prepared on the surface of mesoporous TiO2 films by a series of successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) processes in solutions containing corresponding cations and anions. The growth of each semiconductor layer was monitored by taking UV−visible absorption spectra and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The all SILAR-prepared multicomponent sensitizer consisting of CdS/CdSe/ZnS layers was evaluated in a polysulfide electrolyte solution as a redox mediator in regenerative photoelectrochemical cells. The CdS and ZnS layers with the CdSe layer sandwiched in between were found to significantly enhance photocurrents. The best photovoltaic performance was obtained from the CdS/CdSe/ZnS-sensitizer with the ZnS layer on the top, yielding an overall power conversion efficiency of 3.44% with a mask around the active film and 3.90% with no mask. The effect of ...

225 citations

References
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Book
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this article, the role of policy in PV Industry Growth: Past, Present and Future (John Byrne and Lado Kurdgelashvili) is discussed, as well as future cell and array possibilities.
Abstract: About the Editors. List of Contributors. Preface to the 2nd Edition. 1 Achievements and Challenges of Solar Electricity from Photovoltaics (Steven Hegedus and Antonio Luque). 1.1 The Big Picture. 1.2 What is Photovoltaics? 1.3 Photovoltaics Today. 1.4 The Great Challenge. 1.5 Trends in Technology. 1.6 Conclusions. 2 The Role of Policy in PV Industry Growth: Past, Present and Future (John Byrne and Lado Kurdgelashvili). 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Policy Review of Selected Countries. 2.3 Policy Impact on PV Market Development. 2.4 Future PV Market Growth Scenarios. 2.5 Toward a Sustainable Future. 3 The Physics of the Solar Cell (Jeffery L. Gray). 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Fundamental Properties of Semiconductors. 3.3 Solar Cell Fundamentals. 3.4 Additional Topics. 3.5 Summary. 4 Theoretical Limits of Photovoltaic Conversion and New-generation Solar Cells (Antonio Luque and Antonio Marti). 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Thermodynamic Background. 4.3 Photovoltaic Converters. 4.4 The Technical Efficiency Limit for Solar Converters. 4.5 Very-high-efficiency Concepts. 4.6 Conclusions. 5 Solar Grade Silicon Feedstock (Bruno Ceccaroli and Otto Lohne). 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Silicon. 5.3 Production of Silicon Metal/Metallurgical Grade Silicon. 5.4 Production of Polysilicon/Silicon of Electronic and Photovoltaic Grade. 5.5 Current Silicon Feedstock to Solar Cells. 5.6 Requirements of Silicon for Crystalline Solar Cells. 5.7 Routes to Solar Grade Silicon. 5.8 Conclusions. 6 Bulk Crystal Growth and Wafering for PV (Hugo Rodriguez, Ismael Guerrero, Wolfgang Koch, Arthur L. Endros, Dieter Franke, Christian Hassler, Juris P. Kalejs and H. J. Moller). 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Bulk Monocrystalline Material. 6.3 Bulk Multicrystalline Silicon. 6.4 Wafering. 6.5 Silicon Ribbon and Foil Production. 6.6 Numerical Simulations of Crystal Growth Techniques. 6.7 Conclusions. 7 Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells and Modules (Ignacio Tobias, Carlos del Ca"nizo and Jesus Alonso). 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Crystalline Silicon as a Photovoltaic Material. 7.3 Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells. 7.4 Manufacturing Process. 7.5 Variations to the Basic Process. 7.6 Other Industrial Approaches. 7.7 Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules. 7.8 Electrical and Optical Performance of Modules. 7.9 Field Performance of Modules. 7.10 Conclusions. 8 High-efficiency III-V Multijunction Solar Cells (D. J. Friedman, J. M. Olson and Sarah Kurtz). 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Applications. 8.3 Physics of III-V Multijunction and Single-junction Solar Cells. 8.4 Cell Configuration. 8.5 Computation of Series-connected Device Performance. 8.6 Materials Issues Related to GaInP/GaAs/Ge Solar Cells. 8.7 Epilayer Characterization and Other Diagnostic Techniques. 8.8 Reliability and Degradation. 8.9 Future-generation Solar Cells. 8.10 Summary. 9 Space Solar Cells and Arrays (Sheila Bailey and Ryne Raffaelle). 9.1 The History of Space Solar Cells. 9.2 The Challenge for Space Solar Cells. 9.3 Silicon Solar Cells. 9.4 III-V Solar Cells. 9.5 Space Solar Arrays. 9.6 Future Cell and Array Possibilities. 9.7 Power System Figures of Merit. 9.8 Summary. 10 Photovoltaic Concentrators (Gabriel Sala and Ignacio Anton). 10.1 What is the Aim of Photovoltaic Concentration and What Does it Do? 10.2 Objectives, Limitations and Opportunities. 10.3 Typical Concentrators: an Attempt at Classification. 10.4 Concentration Optics: Thermodynamic Limits. 10.5 Factors of Merit for Concentrators in Relation to the Optics. 10.6 Photovoltaic Concentration Modules and Assemblies. 10.7 Tracking for Concentrator Systems. 10.8 Measurements of Cells, Modules and Photovoltaic Systems in Concentration. 10.9 Summary. 11 Crystalline Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells via High-temperature and Intermediate-temperature Approaches (Armin G. Aberle and Per I. Widenborg). 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Modelling. 11.4 Crystalline Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells on Intermediate-T Foreign Supporting Materials. 11.5 Conclusions. 12 Amorphous Silicon-based Solar Cells (Eric A. Schiff, Steven Hegedus and Xunming Deng). 12.1 Overview. 12.2 Atomic and Electronic Structure of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon. 12.3 Depositing Amorphous Silicon. 12.4 Understanding a-Si pin Cells. 12.5 Multijunction Solar Cells. 12.6 Module Manufacturing. 12.7 Conclusions and Future Projections. 13 Cu(InGa)Se2 Solar Cells (William N. Shafarman, Susanne Siebentritt and Lars Stolt). 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 Material Properties. 13.3 Deposition Methods. 13.4 Junction and Device Formation. 13.5 Device Operation. 13.6 Manufacturing Issues. 13.7 The Cu(InGa)Se2 Outlook. 14 Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells (Brian E. McCandless and James R. Sites). 14.1 Introduction. 14.2 Historical Development. 14.3 CdTe Properties. 14.4 CdTe Film Deposition. 14.5 CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells. 14.6 CdTe Modules. 14.7 Future of CdTe-based Solar Cells. 15 Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (Kohjiro Hara and Shogo Mori). 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 Operating Mechanism of DSSC. 15.3 Materials. 15.4 Performance of Highly Efficient DSSCs. 15.5 Electron-transfer Processes. 15.6 New Materials. 15.7 Stability. 15.8 Approach to Commercialization. 15.9 Summary and Prospects. 16 Sunlight Energy Conversion Via Organics (Sam-Shajing Sun and Hugh O'Neill). 16.1 Principles of Organic and Polymeric Photovoltaics. 16.2 Evolution and Types of Organic and Polymeric Solar Cells. 16.3 Organic and Polymeric Solar Cell Fabrication and Characterization. 16.4 Natural Photosynthetic Sunlight Energy Conversion Systems. 16.5 Artificial Photosynthetic Systems. 16.6 Artificial Reaction Centers. 16.7 Towards Device Architectures. 16.8 Summary and Future Perspectives. 17 Transparent Conducting Oxides for Photovoltaics (Alan E. Delahoy and Sheyu Guo). 17.1 Introduction. 17.2 Survey of Materials. 17.3 Deposition Methods. 17.4 TCO Theory and Modeling: Electrical and Optical Properties and their Impact on Module Performance. 17.5 Principal Materials and Issues for Thin Film and Wafer-based PV. 17.6 Textured Films. 17.7 Measurements and Characterization Methods. 17.8 TCO Stability. 17.9 Recent Developments and Prospects. 18 Measurement and Characterization of Solar Cells and Modules (Keith Emery). 18.1 Introduction. 18.2 Rating PV Performance. 18.3 Current-Voltage Measurements. 18.4 Spectral Responsivity Measurements. 18.5 Module Qualification and Certification. 18.6 Summary. 19 PV Systems (Charles M. Whitaker, Timothy U. Townsend, Anat Razon, Raymond M. Hudson and Xavier Vallve). 19.1 Introduction: There is gold at the end of the rainbow. 19.2 System Types. 19.3 Exemplary PV Systems. 19.4 Ratings. 19.5 Key System Components. 19.6 System Design Considerations. 19.7 System Design. 19.8 Installation. 19.9 Operation and Maintenance/Monitoring. 19.10 Removal, Recycling and Remediation. 19.11 Examples. 20 Electrochemical Storage for Photovoltaics (Dirk Uwe Sauer). 20.1 Introduction. 20.2 General Concept of Electrochemical Batteries. 20.3 Typical Operation Conditions of Batteries in PV Applications. 20.4 Secondary Electrochemical Accumulators with Internal Storage. 20.5 Secondary Electrochemical Battery Systems with External Storage. 20.6 Investment and Lifetime Cost Considerations. 20.7 Conclusion. 21 Power Conditioning for Photovoltaic Power Systems (Heribert Schmidt, Bruno Burger and Jurgen Schmid). 21.1 Charge Controllers and Monitoring Systems for Batteries in PV Power Systems. 21.2 Inverters. 22 Energy Collected and Delivered by PV Modules (Eduardo Lorenzo). 22.1 Introduction. 22.2 Movement between Sun and Earth. 22.3 Solar Radiation Components. 22.4 Solar Radiation Data and Uncertainty. 22.5 Radiation on Inclined Surfaces. 22.6 Diurnal Variations of the Ambient Temperature. 22.7 Effects of the Angle of Incidence and of Dirt. 22.8 Some Calculation Tools. 22.9 Irradiation on Most Widely Studied Surfaces. 22.10 PV Generator Behaviour Under Real Operation Conditions. 22.11 Reliability and Sizing of Stand-alone PV Systems. 22.12 The Case of Solar Home Systems. 22.13 Energy Yield of Grid-connected PV Systems. 22.14 Conclusions. 23 PV in Architecture (Tjerk H. Reijenga and Henk F. Kaan). 23.1 Introduction. 23.2 PV in Architecture. 23.3 BIPV Basics. 23.4 Steps in the Design Process with PV. 23.5 Concluding Remarks. 24 Photovoltaics and Development (Jorge M. Huacuz, Jaime Agredano and Lalith Gunaratne). 24.1 Electricity and Development. 24.2 Breaking the Chains of Underdevelopment. 24.3 The PV Alternative. 24.4 Examples of PV Rural Electrification. 24.5 Toward a New Paradigm for Rural Electrification. References. Index.

2,816 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the existing formulae for calculation of the thermal radiation exergy, and some clarifications of terms used with interpretative comments are given with interpretive comments.

893 citations

Book
30 Mar 1999
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a model of a wind power system with different types of batteries, including lead acid battery, lead-acid battery, battery charger, and converter.
Abstract: Introduction Industry Overview Incentives for Renewables Utility Perspective References Wind Power Wind in the World The U.S.A. Europe India Mexico Ongoing Research and Development References Photovoltaic Power Present Status Building Integrated pv Systems pv Cell Technologies pv Energy Maps References Wind Speed and Energy Distributions Speed and Power Relations Power Extracted from the Wind Rotor Swept Area Air Density Global Wind Patterns Wind Speed Distribution Wind Speed Prediction Wind Resource Maps References Wind Power System System Components Turbine Rating Electrical Load Matching Variable-Speed Operation System Design Features Maximum Power Operation System Control Requirements Environmental Aspects References Electrical Generator Electromechanical Energy Conversion Induction Generator References Generator Drives Speed Control Regions Generator Drives Drive Selection Cut-Out Speed Selection References Solar Photovoltaic Power System The pv Cell Module and Array Equivalent Electrical Circuit Open Circuit Voltage and Short Circuit Current i-v and p-v Curves Array Design Peak Power Point Operation pv System Components References Solar Thermal System Energy Collection Solar II Power Plant Synchronous Generator Commercial Power Plants References Energy Storage Battery Types of Batteries Equivalent Electrical Circuit Performance Characteristics More on Lead-Acid Battery Battery Design Battery Charging Charge Regulators Battery Management Flywheel Compressed Air Superconducting Coil References Power Electronics Basic Switching Devices AC to DC Rectifier DC to AC Inverter Grid Interface Controls Battery Charge/Discharge Converters Power Shunts References Stand-Alone System pv Stand-Alone Electric Vehicle Wind Stand-Alone Hybrid System System Sizing Wind Farm Sizing References Grid-Connected System Interface Requirements Synchronizing with Grid Operating Limit Energy Storage and Load Scheduling Utility Resource Planning Tool References Electrical Performance Voltage Current and Power Relations Component Design for Maximum Efficiency Electrical System Model Static Bus Impedance and Voltage Regulation Dynamic Bus Impedance and Ripple Harmonics Quality of Power Renewable Capacity Limit Lightning Protection National Electrical Code on Renewable Power Systems References Plant Economy Energy Delivery Factor Initial Capital Cost Availability and Maintenance Energy Cost Estimates Sensitivity Analysis Profitability Index Hybrid Economics References The Future World Electricity Demand to 2015 Wind Future pv Future Declining Production Costs Market Penetration Effect of Utility Restructuring References Further Reading Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Acronyms Conversion of Units Index

874 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Arif Hepbasli1
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive review of the exergetic analysis and performance evaluation of a wide range of renewable energy resources (RERs) for the first time to the best of the author's knowledge is presented.
Abstract: Energy resources and their utilization intimately relate to sustainable development. In attaining sustainable development, increasing the energy efficiencies of processes utilizing sustainable energy resources plays an important role. The utilization of renewable energy offers a wide range of exceptional benefits. There is also a link between exergy and sustainable development. A sustainable energy system may be regarded as a cost-efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy system that effectively utilizes local resources and networks. Exergy analysis has been widely used in the design, simulation and performance evaluation of energy systems. The present study comprehensively reviews exergetic analysis and performance evaluation of a wide range of renewable energy resources (RERs) for the first time to the best of the author's knowledge. In this regard, general relations (i.e., energy, exergy, entropy and exergy balance equations along with exergy efficiency, exergetic improvement potential rate and some thermodynamic parameters, such as fuel depletion ratio, relative irreversibility, productivity lack and exergetic factor) used in the analysis are presented first. Next, exergetically analyzed and evaluated RERs include (a) solar energy systems; (a1) solar collector applications such as solar water heating systems, solar space heating and cooling, solar refrigeration, solar cookers, industrial process heat, solar desalination systems and solar thermal power plants), (a2) photovoltaics (PVs) and (a3) hybrid (PV/thermal) solar collectors, (b) wind energy systems, (c) geothermal energy systems, (c1) direct utilization (district heating, geothermal or ground-source heat pumps, greenhouses and drying) and (c2) indirect utilization (geothermal power plants), (d) biomass, (e) other renewable energy systems, and (f) country based RERs. Studies conducted on these RERs are then compared with the previously ones in tabulated forms, while the Grassmann (or exergy flow) diagrams, which are a very useful representation of exergy flows and losses, for some RERs are given. Finally, the conclusions are presented. It is expected that this comprehensive study will be very beneficial to everyone involved or interested in the exergetic design, simulation, analysis and performance assessment of RERs.

777 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the performance of an integrated photovoltaic and thermal solar system (IPVTS) as compared to a conventional solar water heater and to demonstrate the idea of an IPVTS design is analyzed.

659 citations