Practical aspects of photovoltaic technology, applications, and cost

Technical Report · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6627619

Rosenblum, L

Background, understanding, and computational tools needed to master the practical aspects of photovoltaic (PV) technology, application, and cost are presented. Stand alone silicon solar cell, flat plate systems in the range of 1 to 25 kWH/day output are discussed. Topics covered include: operation and performance of each of the major system components, safety, installation, operation and maintenance, and electrical loads. Application experience and trends are presented. Indices of electrical service performance are reliability, availability, and voltage control are discussed, and the known service performance of central station electric grid, diesel generator, and PV stand alone systems are compared. The PV system sizing methods are reviewed and compared, and a procedure for rapid sizing is described and illustrated by the use of several sample cases. The rapid sizing procedure yields an array and battery size that corresponds to a minimum cost system for a given load requirement, insolation condition, and desired level of service performance. The PV system capital cost and levelized energy cost are derived as functions of service performance and insolation.

• Research Organization: Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6627619
• Report Number(s): N-83-34450; NASA-CR-168025
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
USES