© Chevron Energy Solutions 2009

Energy Solutions

Confidential

Solar Calculus

Goal: To outline where calculus is useful in the solar industry.

December 1st, 2009

Confidential©Chevron Energy Solutions 2009

Wikipedia says… Calculus is the study of change, in the same way that

geometry is the study of shape and algebra is the study of operations

and their application to solving equations.

What is the big “change” in solar PV?

• Energy production from a solar module

So where is it useful to understand calculus?

1. Determining the optimal positioning of a solar panel

2. Calculating the total amount of energy a solar panel produces

3. Comparing different types of solar technologies

Calculus: What is it and where is it useful?

2

Confidential©Chevron Energy Solutions 2009

Derivatives – Finding the optimal tilt angle for a solar module

3

This concept applies to both immediate positioning and yearly positioning

Confidential©Chevron Energy Solutions 2009

Integrals – Seeing the total amount of energy a system produces at different tilt angles

4

Confidential©Chevron Energy Solutions 2009

Integrals – Comparing technologies

5

Tracked

Stationary

Confidential©Chevron Energy Solutions 2009

QUESTIONS?

6