Definition study for photovoltaic residential prototype system

A site evaluation was performed to assess the relative merits of different regions of the country in terms of the suitability for experimental photovoltaic powered residences. Eight sites were selected based on evaluation criteria which included population, photovoltaic systems performance and the cost of electrical energy. A parametric sensitivity analysis was performed for four selected site locations. Analytical models were developed for four different power system implementation approaches. Using the model which represents a direct (or float) charge system implementation the performance sensitivity to the following parameter variations is reported: (1) solar roof slope angle; (2) ratio of the number of series cells in the solar array to the number of series cells in the lead-acid battery; and (3) battery size. For a Cleveland site location, a system with no on site energy storage and with a maximum power tracking inverter which feeds back excess power to the utility was shown to have 19 percent greater net system output than the second place system. The experiment test plan is described. The load control and data acquisition system and the data display panel for the residence are discussed

A computational tool for evaluating the economics of solar and wind microgeneration of electricity

This paper presents a method, implemented as a freely available computer programme, which is used to estimate the economics of renewable microgeneration of electricity from wind and solar energy sources. A variety of commercial small wind turbines and photovoltaic (PV) panels are considered and combined with raw energy data gathered from a variety of locations. Both residential and holiday home user profiles are available and options are selectable concerning feed-in tariffs (if available), government incentive schemes and the cost of capital borrowing. The configuration of the generation setup, which can consist of wind, PV and combination of wind/PV, is fully selectable by the user, with a range of appropriate default data provided. A numerical example, based on Irish data, is presented, which suggests that payback periods for solar and wind microgeneration systems can vary greatly (2.5–500 years), depending on the location, installation and economic variables

Flat-plate solar array project. Volume 1: Executive summary

In 1975, the U.S. Government contracted the Jet Propulsion Lab. to develop, by 1985, in conjunction with industry, the photovoltaics (PV) module and array technology required for widespread use of photovoltaics as a significant terrestrial energy source. As a result, a project that eventually became known as the Flat Plate Solar Array (FSA) Project was formed to manage an industry, university, and Government team to perform the necessary research and development. The original goals were to achieve widespread commercial use of PV modules and arrays through the development of technology that would allow them to be profitably sold for $1.07/peak watts (1985 dollars). A 10% module conversion efficiency and a 20 year lifetime were also goals. It is intended that the executive summary provide the means by which one can gain a perspective on 11 years of terrestrial photovoltaic research and development conducted by the FSA Project

Photovoltaic Teaching Project: a didactic method for approaching the renewable energy

Progetto didattico sviluppato per affrontare l'introduzione alla meccanica quantistica in un corso di fisica di quinta liceo attraverso attività  di laboratorio virtuali e pratiche con pannelli fotovoltaici

Multiple-input multiple-output energy processing for energy-harvesting applications

This project belongs to energy harvesting field, which is a method of collecting energy from the environment to power small devices. This type of energy use is growing exponentially due to the appearance of many of these devices (sensors, wearables...). The objective of this project is to design and implement an ultra-low-power boost converter, designed for energy harvesting applications, which is able to add different types of energy coming from the environment to charge a battery or to feed another electronic device. It is a very innovative project and therefore, the methodology used has contemplated a lot of time for studying, doing simulations, optimizing and testing a prototype. This has allowed us to carry out a study of great value and usefulness which establishes the basis to construct a device that adds energies of our surroundings. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the application, a two-input boost converter is built to add energy coming from two different sources (with the possibility of expanding this number) and also offers different types of output storage elements. In conclusion, the work has confirmed the possibility of adding energy from our environment and has shown the great potential of the application studied through a functional prototype