Lynn, Paul A.
Electricity from Sunlight
An Introduction to Photovoltaics
  1. Edition - April 2010
57.90 Euro
2010. 238 Pages, Hardcover
- Practical Approach Book -
ISBN-10: 0-470-74560-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-74560-1 - John Wiley & Sons
Sample Chapter
Short description
This book introduces Photovoltaics to a wide readership, balancing a scientific basis with a large range of practical applications and up-to-date information on worldwide deployment. Written in a highly approachable style, with key equations and numerical examples carefully discussed and explained, it describes essential solar cell principles and the two main types of PV system: grid-connected and stand-alone. It also provides coverage of current developments in PV technology, markets, and environmental issues, and features attractive full color photographs, illustrations, and graphs throughout.
From the contents
About the Author.
Preface.
Acknowledgements.
1. Introduction.
1.1 The Sun, Earth, and Renewable Energy.
1.2 The Solar Resource.
1.3 The Magic of Photovoltaics.
1.4 A Piece of History.
1.5 Coming up to Date.
References.
2. Solar Cells.
2.1 Setting the Scene.
2.2 Crystalline Silicon.
2.2.1 The Ideal Crystal.
2.2.2 The p-n Junction.
2.2.3 Monocrystalline Silicon.
2.2.3.1 Photons in Action.
2.2.3.2 Generating Power.
2.2.3.3 Sunlight, Silicon, and Quantum Mechanics.
2.2.3.4 Refi ning the Design.
2.2.4 Multicrystalline Silicon.
2.3 Amorphous and Thin-fi lm Silicon.
2.4 Other Cells and Materials.
2.4.1 Copper Indium Diselenide (CIS).
2.4.2 Cadmium Telluride (CdTe).
2.4.3 Specialised and Innovative Cells.
2.4.3.1 Gallium Arsenide (GaAs).
2.4.3.2 Dye-sensitised Cells.
References.
3. PV Modules and Arrays.
3.1 Introductory.
3.2 Electrical Performance.
3.2.1 Connecting Cells and Modules.
3.2.2 Module Parameters.
3.3 Capturing Sunlight.
3.3.1 Sunshine and Shadow.
3.3.2 Aligning the Array.
3.4 Concentration and Tracking.
References.
4. Grid-connected PV Systems.
4.1 Introductory.
4.2 From DC to AC.
4.3 Completing the System.
4.4 Building-integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
4.4.1 Engineering and Architecture.
4.4.2 PV Outside, PV Inside.
4.5 Large PV Power Plants.
References.
5. Stand-alone PV Systems.
5.1 Remote and Independent.
5.2 System Components.
5.2.1 Batteries.
5.2.2 Charge Controllers.
5.2.3 Inverters.
5.3 Hybrid Systems.
5.4 System Sizing.
5.4.1 Assessing the Problem.
5.4.2 PV Arrays and Battery Banks.
5.5 Applications.
5.5.1 PV in Space.
5.5.2 Island Electricity.
5.5.3 PV Water Pumping.
5.5.4 Solar-powered Boats.
5.5.5 Far and Wide.
References.
6. Economics and the Environment.
6.1 Paying for PV.
6.1.1 Costs and Markets.
6.1.2 Financial Incentives.
6.1.3 Rural Electrification.
6.2 Environmental Aspects.
6.2.1 Raw Materials and Land.
6.2.2 Life-cycle Analysis.
References.
Index.
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