If you’re wondering what types of solar energy exist in the world, then you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll learn about Photovoltaic, Concentrating, and Thin-film systems. Once you understand the differences between each, you’ll be ready to explore the benefits of each. Listed below are the main advantages and disadvantages of each type. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Photovoltaic
The solar cells in a PV system are made up of several components: individual modules, electrical and mechanical connections, mounting, and means of controlling and modifying the electrical output. Because individual solar cells produce relatively low voltage, they are typically connected together in arrays. These arrays can then be used to produce direct-current electricity. The most efficient PV cells have an efficiency of around 33%. To calculate the efficiency of a solar array, the area of each module is multiplied by the voltage.
Today, photovoltaic solar energy (PV) is widely used for household and commercial uses. PV is a renewable, inexhaustible resource that produces no pollution. It is suitable for rural, urban, and remote areas. Its cost has dropped over the years due to advances in manufacturing technology and economies of scale. However, PV is not without drawbacks. Its production and installation generates greenhouse gases that are only a fraction of those released by fossil fuels.
The basic technology behind photovoltaic solar energy is based on the use of semiconductor materials. When sunlight strikes the semiconductor material, electrons are knocked loose. The electrons are then captured by tiny packets of light energy called photons. When this happens, an electric current forms in the silicon and transfers energy to negatively charged particles. This electricity is then used to power a tool or light. This method has been used for decades and is one of the most efficient ways to generate electricity.
Concentrating
Using glass lenses, concentrating devices can collect and concentrate sunlight. The process of transforming light from its source to a focus is called imaging optics. A non-imaging concentrator, on the other hand, simply transfers radiation flux. The path of individual rays of light is of less importance than the radiation flux. Nonetheless, an imaging concentrator must be able to follow the movement of the sun to capture maximum sunlight.
The optical measurement of the system components, evaluations of the prototypes, and the electrical analysis of different concentrating systems are presented in Chapters 8 and 9. In Chapter 10, a new mathematical model for assessing the dependence of a concentrator’s incidence angle is introduced and validated. Several suggestions are made for improving the electrical and optical performance of concentrating photovoltaic systems. These improvements can contribute to lower costs of solar electricity.
The angular acceptance function of a CPC is determined by a mathematical formula that trades the angular interval of the sky and geometrical concentration ratio. The angular acceptance function reflects the fraction of radiation reaching the entrance aperture. A compound parabolic concentrator is a good example of a solar energy concentrator. As its name suggests, it can concentrate solar energy up to a factor of 10.
Thin-film
As the name implies, thin-film solar cells are composed of layers of material that are thin enough to let sunlight pass through. In contrast to conventional silicon solar cells, microcrystalline and amorphous silicon thin films have been the subject of extensive research and development for the past twenty years. In the future, thin-film solar cells could rival conventional silicon-based solar panels in efficiency and cost. For now, these technologies are considered a promising alternative to conventional solar cells.
The most common type of thin-film solar cells are flexible and are made of amorphous silicon. These panels can be moulded onto almost any surface. In recent years, solar research and development has become an industry in many countries. New photovoltaic conversion methods, large-scale solar farms, and more efficient technology have all contributed to a dramatic increase in solar energy production. In California, Stirling Energy Systems is developing a new method for producing solar electricity using a thin-film solar cell that uses the energy of the sun to heat hydrogen gas. It has been reported to be up to 30% efficient.
The technology behind thin-film solar cells is being refined to the point that it is ready for commercial application. CIGS technology is a type of semiconductor that has excellent conversion efficiency. For instance, solar cells made with CIGS technology are the highest-performing solar cells on the market, with R&D conversion rates of 21 percent or more. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has certified the efficiency of Solibro’s thin-film solar cells. The company also completed a merger and acquisition of another company, MiaSole, in 2013.