Solar Photovoltaic. Neal M. Abrams,, Ph.D. Department of Chemistry SUNY ESF

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1 Solar Photovoltaic S stems Systems Neal M. Abrams,, Ph.D. Department of Chemistry SUNY ESF

2 A Focus on Energy Use Solar energy 1% Conventional 1.8x10 12 hydroelectric Watts (continuously) power 45% 6x10 9 persons Geothermal 5% 3 100W light bulbs per Wind energy 2% person Biomass 47% U.S. 25% of total W light bulbs per person 36 kwhr/day/person US U.S. Energy Consumption

3 Where are the people? Where is the power?

4 Current Supplies U.S. Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Review 2009

5 How Where much are the do we watts? need? Area required for all US electricity production (~100 x 100 miles)

6 (39,000 miles 2 )

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8 Is PV the complete solution? Advantages Vast, renewable, free fuel source No emissions, no combustion, no radiation Low operating costs No Moving parts High reliability Disadvantages Diffuse fuel source High installation costs offset by financial incentives Poor reliability of system components (inverters, etc.) Lack of efficient energy storage Modular Point of use capability

9 The Magic in the Panel Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed creating a dc source (a battery) An array of solar panels converts solar energy into usable DC electricity. Inverters convert the DC to 60 Hz AC to feed the grid. e- Cover glass anti-reflective coating front contact n-layer p-layer back contact

10 Photovoltaic types and benefits Silicon Single crystal silicon (c-si) Multicrystalline silicon (mc-si) Amorphous silicon (a-si) Thin-film Silicon Cadmium telluride, CdTe Copper indium gallium diselenide, CIGS Very efficient in diffuse light conditions Dye-sensitized

11 Efficiency: How high? Maximum measured efficiencies under lab conditions as of % Efficien ncy Cell type

12 Anatomy of PV cell Cover glass e- anti-reflective coating front contact n-layer p-layer back contact

13 PV System Components Array Set of PV cells that typically sit on a roof or a pole Interver Converts PV DC voltage to AC voltage with very low loss Batteries Provide backup power for off-grid use In a net metering system, batteries can still be used for backup power Electric meter Connects the PV array to the grid to support net metering. Can spin backwards!

14 Anatomy of a PV Installation

15 PV Production Payback Current silicon PV technology requires 4 years to generate the energy required to produce it. Third-generation PV cells require only 2 years. Alternatives Other semiconductors: GaAs, GaInP, CdTe, CIGS Thin films and amorphous cells Solar concentrators Dye-sensitized

16 Recycling Panels The problem of recycling is yet to be solved Numbers will continue to increase Materials: Glass,aluminium frame, EVA copolymer transparent t hermetising layer, photovoltaic cells, installation box, protective foil, assembly bolts Pure silicon is the most valuable product E. Klugmann-Radziemska, P. Ostrowski, Renewable Energy 35 (2010)

17 Costs today and benefits tomorrow The value of a cost in the future is not equal to the same cost today. Would you rather get $100 now or over 5 years? Would you save it or spend it? Which is more prudent? Cost Num mber of Mo odules 250, , , ,000 50,000 Imports Exports Number of Companies Production Year mber of Com mpanies Nu

18 The Growing Solar Industry The solar market grew 20% in 2009, in spite of the economic downturn! Source: Solarbuzz

19 Cushioning the blow Federal Financial Incentives Residential Federal tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit Commercial A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot available on new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. g _ credits.tx_ comm_ buildings

20 Cushioning the Blow State incentives 40-45% deduction of installed cost installer eligibility required Residential Low-interest financing or 10% deduction ($3,000 maximum) Additional incentives for income-qualified homeowners Commercial Several development incentives

21 Other issues People, places, and politics Building infrastructure Permits: Electrical and structural Neighborhood restrictions Beauty and the bulb Finding installers Maintaining incentive programs

22 Light, people, and politics Sunniest place in Germany has 1250 kwh/m 2 per year Syracuse has 1358 kwh/m 2 per year (horizontal average) Germany: 8800 MW of PV USA: closing in on 1000 MW of PV Germany has 2.47 times as much area of land and water as NY Population of Germany: 82,422, Population of NY: 18,976,457

23 Is it worth it??? nyserda.cleanpowerestimator.com/nyserda.htm

24 PV development

25 Our Ever Leaking Sun When there s a HUGE solar energy spill, we just call it a nice day!