Syllabus Details

1. Characteristics of Sunlight


Figure 1.6: The Spectral Distribution of Sunlight

  1. Wave-Particle Duality
  2. Black Body Radiation
  3. The Sun and its Radiation
  4. Solar Radiation at the Earth's Surface
  5. Direct and Diffuse Radiation
  6. The Greenhouse Effect
  7. Apparent Motion of the Sun
  8. Solar Insolation Measurement
  9. Solar Energy and Photovoltaics

2. Semiconductors and P-N Junctions


Figure 2.2: Schematic of Energy Bands for Electrons in a Solid

  1. Semiconductors
  2. Semiconductor Types
  3. Absorption of Light
  4. Recombination
  5. P-N Junctions

3. The Behaviour of Solar Cells


Figure 3.12: The Effect of Shunt Resistance on the Fill Factor of a Solar Cell

  1. Effect of Light
  2. Spectral Response
  3. Effect of Temperature
  4. Effect of Parasitic Resistance

4. Cell Properties and Design


Figure 4.12: Use of a Four Point Probe to Measure the Sheet Resistivity of a Solar Cell

  1. Efficiencies
  2. Optical Losses
  3. Recombination Losses
  4. Top Contact Design
  5. Lab Cells vs. Industry Requirements
  6. Laser Grooved, Buried Contact Solar Cell

Equation 4.10: Total Power Loss

5. PV Cell Internconnection and Module Fabrication


Figure 5.8: The Impact on Module Output of a 'Bad' Cell in a String of Good Cells (after Ross and Smokler, 1986)

  1. Module and Circuit Design
  2. Identical Cells
  3. Non-identical Cells
  4. Non-identical Modules
  5. Hot-spot Heating
  6. Module Structure
  7. Environmental Protection
  8. Thermal Considerations
  9. Electrical Considerations
  10. Mechanical Protection

Figure 5.12: Effect on Total Output of a Poor Cell with a Bypass Diode

6. Stand Alone Photovoltaic System Components


Figure 6.2: Simplified Stand-alone Photovoltaic Power Systme (Mack, 1979)

  1. Introduction
  2. Stand-Alone PV System Design
  3. Solar Modules
  4. Batteries
  5. Lead Acid Batteries
  6. Other Battery Types
  7. Power Conditioning and Regulation
  8. Balance of System Components

7. Designing Stand Alone Photovoltaic Systems


Figure 7.1: Availability as a Function of Cost for a PV Based Power System in the North Eastern United States (Sandia National Laboratories, 1991)

  1. Introduction
  2. System Availability
  3. Hybrid Systems
  4. PV System Design Approach Used by Telstra Australia
  5. Sandia National Laboratory Approach

8. Specific Purpose Photovoltaic Applications


Figure 8.3: Potential (Voltage) Distribution Along a Pipe with Cathodic Protection (Tanascqu, 1988)

  1. Introduction
  2. Space
  3. Marine Navigation Aids
  4. Telecommunications
  5. Cathodic Protection
  6. Water Pumping
  7. Consumer Products
  8. Battery Chargers
  9. Photovoltaics for Developing Countries
  10. Refrigeration
  11. Solar Cars
  12. Lighting
  13. Remote Monitoring
  14. Direct-Drive Applications
  15. Electric Fences

9. Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS) Systems


Figure 9.3: Schematic Diagram of a Typical Photovoltaic-Diesel RAPS Hybrid System (Sandia National Laboratories, 1991)

  1. Household Power Systems
  2. RAPS System Costs
  3. Portable RAPS Systems
  4. Government and Utility Assistance Schemes

10. Grid Connected Photovoltaics


Figure 10.6: Placement of Blocking Diodes and Overcurrent Devices for Protection in a Solar Array

  1. Introduction
  2. PV Systems in Buildings
  3. Utility Applications for Photovoltaics
  4. Design Issues for Central Power Stations
  5. The Value of PV Generated Electricity
  6. Distribution Feeder "1103" (Kerman, California)
  7. Inernational PV Programs

11. Photovoltaic Water Pumping System Components


Figure 11.1: Common Water Pumping Terms (Sandia National Laboratories, 1991)

  1. Introduction
  2. System Configuration
  3. Water Pumps
  4. Motors
  5. Power Coniditioning Equipment
  6. Batteries

12. PV Water Pumping System Design

  1. Introduction
  2. Basic Steps in System Design
  3. Design of a Directly Coupled System