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PV Solar Science. Solar Electricity Basics. The Photovoltaic Effect : T he process through which a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity . Electrical Terminology. DC – electric current flows in one direction. AC – electric current reverses flow at frequent, regular intervals.
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Solar Electricity Basics • The Photovoltaic Effect: The process through which a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity .
Electrical Terminology • DC – electric current flows in one direction. • AC – electric current reverses flow at frequent, regular intervals. • Volts (V) – electric potential, or electromotive force • Amps (A) – electric current • Watts (W) – power • Watt Hours (Wh) – energy
Electricity Equations Volts (V) x Amps (A) = Watts (W) 1,000 watts = 1 Kilowatt (kW) Example: A 120 volt light bulb that draws .6 amps will consume 74 watts. 120(v) x .6 (A) = 75 watts
Electricity Equations Watts x Hours = Watt-hours(Wh) 1,000Wh = 1 Kilowatt-hour (kWh) Example: A 120 volt light bulb that draws .6 amps will consume 75 watts. Over the course of 6 hours the bulb will consume 450Wh 75(W) x 6(h) = 450Wh
Solar Electricity Basics How Much Energy Does Your Home Use?
Home Energy Consumption Average Home Uses 1000 kWh each month Roughly 10,000 kWh annually If you were to install: x 365 days = 3650kWh 2.5 kW x = 10kWh 4 hours each day 3rd of annually power consumption
PV System Flow DC AC Solar Panels Production Meter AC Disconnect DC Disconnect Inverter Service Panel Net Meter To the Internet Data Monitoring To Electric Utility
Presentation guide Why Renewable Energy Education? PV Solar Science Data Monitoring
2.5 x .01 4,000 X 5 years 1.25 x 12.5 years 62% 37% 19 years 80,000 Terawatt hours Annually 75 years
Growing resource Courtesy of RET21
If 1% of Oregon’s Power Came from PV • Would require 521 Megawatts of installed PV: 26,000 residential, 1300 commercial, 220 industrial • Would generate 620,000 MWH/year • Would create 17,000 jobs • Would cost 1.5 billion dollars Source: Oregon Department of Energy
Northwest growth Courtesy of NW Renewable Energy Project
In the Solar Industry: • Electrical Engineers • Electricians • Industrial Machinery Mechanics • Welders • Metal Fabricators • Electrical Equipment Assemblers • Construction Equipment Operators • Installation Helpers • Laborers • Construction Manager job opportunities
Oregon Schools: Studies in Renewable Energy University of OregonSolar Radiation Monitoring LabEnergy Technology (AAS) Renewable Energy Education Institute Oregon State UniversityAlgae Fuels ProgramEnergy Program Extension Bioenergy and Alternative Fuels Study Renewable Energy System Degree Lane Community College2 year degrees in: energy management, renewable energy, water conservation Columbia Gorge Community College2 year Applied Science Degree – Vestas prospecting grounds Oregon Institute of Technology Renewable Energy Systems Degree
Program Components Solar 4R Schools • Minimum 1 kW Solar Electric System • Data Monitoring • Renewable Energy Activity Guide • Renewable Energy Hands-on Science Kit • Touch Screen Kiosk • Online Resources and Teacher Support
Solar Cell Mono-crystal cell Poly-crystal cell a-Si Cells
Solar Panels Monocrystaline Cells Thin Film Cells Polycrystaline Cells C-Si A-Si
Solar Electric Design Basics • Voltage • Temperature • Shading • Inverter “Window” • Interconnection Issues • Not covered: • Array mounting, aesthetics, electrical code, licensing, component selection, . . . .
Ballard High School Greenwood Elementary Marshal Middle School Wake Robin Environmental Center Washington Middle School - Seattle Washington Middle School - Olympia
Three Basic Typesof pv systems:Stand Alone Simple Grid TiedGrid Tie with Battery
DC AC Stand alone pv systems Solar Panels DC Breaker Inverter AC Breaker Charge Controller Production Meter
Disconnect Between Solar Panel and the Battery (via Charge Control) Breakers and fuses must be DC rated. Can purchase “special for PV application” equipment. In this system we used Square D QO which is ok for DC up to 24 volts
Charge Control for Battery:note display and battery type selector
Inverter: DC to AC Pure sine wave: Turns DC electricity of PVs and Batteries into AC current. DC in AC out
DC AC Grid Tie pv systems Solar Panels Charge Controller DC Breaker AC Breaker Production Meter Inverter Service Panel Load Meter To the Internet Data Monitoring To Electric Utility
DC AC Stand alone pv systems Solar Panels Charge Controller DC Breaker AC Breaker Production Meter Inverter Service Panel Load Meter To the Internet Data Monitoring To Electric Utility