Photovoltaic (PV) is the generation of electricity using solar cells that convert sunlight energy into electrical energy. PV is also referred to as solar cells, modules, panels, or arrays, depending on the scale. Solar power is generated by using solar panels, which are made up of solar cells laid out in series or parallel.
Photovoltaic power can be generated on a small scale. The solar panels are attached to road signs and street lights in combination with batteries as a source of electricity for nighttime lighting. Photovoltaic power is also attracting attention as renewable energy. For example, eco-friendly houses combining solar panels and storage batteries are on the rise. In recent years, increasing mega-solar power plants have been built by installing many solar panels on vacant sites.
Photovoltaic Power Generation System generally consists of a "solar cell panel," "charge/discharge controller," "storage battery," "solar inverter," and "load."
The systems can be broadly classified into "Stand-alone (off-grid) PV systems" and "Grid-tied (on-grid) PV systems," and they have the following characteristics.
Off-Grid PV System (Stand Alone Solar Power System)
It can be divided into systems for DC loads and AC loads.
Fig.1 shows the stand-alone PV system where all the circuits, including the loads, consist of DC.
When using a load that operates on AC power, such as home appliances, the solar inverter is used to convert the DC power generated by the solar cells into AC power, as shown in Fig.2 below.
As a disadvantage, however, it cannot be used as the battery runs out of remaining capacity. Also, inverters consume power constantly. Even when there is no load, You should note the inverter's standby power.
Grid-tied PV System (On-Grid Solar Power System)
The grid-tied PV system is a system where the power system is connected to a power company's grid. You can sell the generated power to the power company.
Here is an example of a PV system using household batteries to store electricity.
You can purchase the electricity shortfall. It is called a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) or Partial off-grid solar in Japan.
Solar Inverter
The electricity produced by solar panels is direct current (DC). It needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) to be used in homes and factories. So we use solar inverters to convert the DC power to AC, as shown in the figure below.
Developing solar inverters for PV, requires a DC power supply of about 300 to 600 V instead of solar cells. In such development and testing, a DC power supply called a solar array simulator or PV simulator is installed on the input side, and an AC electronic load is on the output side.
IV characteristic curves of PV Cells and Panels
Methods for measuring the IV characteristic curves of Photovoltaic Cells and Panels include the use of electronic loads, bipolar power amplifiers, four-quadrant power supplies, and DC-DC converters. Matsusada Precision manufactures those products. Bipolar power amplifiers (such as our DOP series) are particularly useful for measuring IV characteristic curves because of their ability to measure near zero volts and ease of use. By measuring the IV curve, the maximum power that can be generated by a PV cell is known, which is useful for MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) control in solar inverters.
In addition, Matsusada Precision offers a broad range of DC power supplies and regenerative power supplies (bidirectional power supplies), high-voltage power supplies suited for developing and manufacturing solar inverters and batteries.
Abbreviations for photovoltaic:
MPPT: Maximum Power Point Tracking
PWM: Pulse Width Modulation
STH: solar-to-hydrogen efficiency
- Related words:
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- Solar Cell
- Perovskite solar cell (PSC)
- Solar Power
- Inverters
- Battery
- Energy Storage
- Solar Panel
- Mega Solar
- Solar/Photovoltaic
- Solar cell manufacturing equipment
- HEMS
- Partial off-grid solar
Recommended products
High-voltage power supplies and regenerative power supplies (bi-directional power supplies) for the development and manufacturing of solar inverters and batteries
