Photovoltaic systems advantage
The hybrid power system consists of a small wind turbine, a photovoltaic panel, a pumped storage hydroelectricity and energy storage system. The renewable energy hybrid system can provide stable electricity and water to the island without greenhouse gas emission by fossil fuels.
According to many renewable energy experts, a small “hybrid” electric system that combines home wind electric and home solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) technologies offers several advantages over either single system.
In much of the United States, wind speeds are low in the summer when the sun shines brightest and longest. The wind is strong in the winter when less sunlight is available. Because the peak operating times for wind and solar systems occur at different times of the day and year, hybrid systems are more likely to produce power when you need it.
Many hybrid systems are stand-alone systems, which operate “off-grid” — that is, not connected to an electricity distribution system. For the times when neither the wind nor the solar system are producing, most hybrid systems provide power through batteries and/or an engine generator powered by conventional fuels, such as diesel. If the batteries run low, the engine generator can provide power and recharge the batteries.
Adding an engine generator makes the system more complex, but modern electronic controllers can operate these systems automatically. An engine generator can also reduce the size of the other components needed for the system. Keep in mind that the storage capacity must be large enough to supply electrical needs during non-charging periods. Battery banks are typically sized to supply the electric load for one to three days.
In addition to several advantages to solar photovoltaic system, there are challenges associated with this technology.
Advantages
- Since there are large amount of energy simply coming from sun’s rays, scarcity is not a concern at all. This can be a solution to the scarcity of other energy sources, especially sources originating from fossil fuels.
- Solar radiation does not emit any type of pollution so therefore it lacks any CO2 emissions.
- Solar radiation energy is available anywhere so regardless of location, solar energy can be generated anywhere in a decentralized way (such as rooftop panels). This would also mean that the losses occurring due to the transmission of energy is being reduced.
- Implementing solar PV technology can be modular so the size of PV system can be increased when the need for electricity increases.
Challenges
- The cost of solar PV is usually a cost effective way to supply large quantities of electricity needed. However, producing electricity is more electricity. Although the cost of solar PV electricity has been significantly decreasing, further decreasing is still necessary in order for this technology to be affordable to everyone.
- Solar PV has challenges regarding the uncertainty of how much of sun’s rays it would receive, as weather can change from time to time. This would prove difficulty in determining how much energy to store for future use. Sunlight is clearly unavailable during night hours while there is still demand for electricity. In addition, peak radiation availability may not match with the demand for peak electricity. A mechanism for effective energy storage and efficient recovery is needed for this reason.
- Location can be an issue. The availability of solar radiation can vary depending on location. Some places, such as the Southwest, there are significantly more solar radiation than other location, such as the Northeast. This would mean that solar energy generation is dependent on certain locations where the systems would need to be installed.
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- Improved Accelerated Test Methods for PV Module Service Life Prediction
- Advanced Materials Help Make Solar Panels More Powerful – New Frontside Silver Metallizations
- Electrically Conductive Adhesives for PV Applications
- Study on Snail Trails Formation and Water Ingression Using Accelerated Aging Methods
- Metallization-Related Module Durability – A Critical View of Metal Adhesion and its Impact on Module Long-Term Stability
- Failure Model and Analysis of Backsheets for Photovoltaic Modules
- Designing and Developing Advanced Materials for High-Performance Solar Cells
- Material and Process Development for Bifacial N-type Solar Cells
- Advancements in Understanding of Potential-Induced Degradation (PID)
- PV Polymer Mounting Systems for Easy Installation
