Photovoltaic CellsPhotovoltaic Cells

By: Charity Henderson & Laura MetzlerBy: Charity Henderson & Laura Metzler

What are Photovoltaics?What are Photovoltaics?

Sunlight = EnergySunlight = Energy

Absorb solar energy from the sunAbsorb solar energy from the sun Transforms the energy into electricityTransforms the energy into electricity

What Are Photovoltaics What Are Photovoltaics Continued Continued (Rochester Solar)(Rochester Solar)

Flat Silicon Containing PanelsFlat Silicon Containing Panels Three TypesThree Types

Poly-Crystalline Micro-crystalline Thin film PanelMultiple silicon crystals Single large silicon crystal several microns thick used for shingles

Can be Mounted on Roof, Pole, Or Ground

                                                                                                      

                                                            

                                                            

Why Use Photovoltaics?Why Use Photovoltaics?(Rochester Solar)(Rochester Solar)

Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy Uses only the sun’s energyUses only the sun’s energy

2kW system prevents 3,843 lbs of CO2kW system prevents 3,843 lbs of CO22 pollution by in one year pollution by in one year

Why Continued…Why Continued…

An average 2 kW system can reduce An average 2 kW system can reduce electricity consumption in an average electricity consumption in an average house by 30%( Nyserda)house by 30%( Nyserda)

In Energy Star homes it can be as much as 50%( In Energy Star homes it can be as much as 50%( Lessord)Lessord)

Use of a 2 kW system can reduce energy Use of a 2 kW system can reduce energy costs by $32 a month (Nyserda) costs by $32 a month (Nyserda)

New York State offers tax credits and New York State offers tax credits and incentives that can reduce cost by 50%incentives that can reduce cost by 50%

How do Photovoltaics How do Photovoltaics Work?Work?

Consists of 2 sheets of Consists of 2 sheets of differently coated silicondifferently coated silicon

Creates an electrical Creates an electrical field in the junction field in the junction between the sheetsbetween the sheets

Upper sheet absorbs Upper sheet absorbs photons of light, photons of light, releasing electrons from releasing electrons from the silicon (New the silicon (New Zealand PV)Zealand PV)

How Continued…How Continued…

Through contact with the Through contact with the electrical field in the junction, electrical field in the junction, the electrons reach the the electrons reach the bottom layer of silicon and bottom layer of silicon and return to the top layerreturn to the top layer

The action creates electric The action creates electric current, which is conducted current, which is conducted by the metallic contact finger by the metallic contact finger (U of R)(U of R)

How Continued…How Continued…

Because the current produced is direct current (DC), Because the current produced is direct current (DC), and most homes and businesses run on alternation and most homes and businesses run on alternation current (AC), a typical PV system also includes a current (AC), a typical PV system also includes a device called an inverter to change the power to a device called an inverter to change the power to a useable form.( New Zealand PV)useable form.( New Zealand PV)

Batteries also used to Batteries also used to store power not store power not immediately being immediately being used.used. PV energy can be PV energy can be sold back to a utility sold back to a utility company, causing the company, causing the meter to “run meter to “run backwards”backwards”

Where is PV used?Where is PV used?

GermanyGermany

137% annual 137% annual growth rategrowth rate

Japan Japan 22% annual growth rate 22% annual growth rate

(maintained)(maintained) United StatesUnited States

25% annual growth rate25% annual growth rate(IEA PV)(IEA PV)

ThreeThree Largest Markets (94% of growth) Largest Markets (94% of growth)

Also Used in: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Israel, Italy, Republic of Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Republic of Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United KingdomNorway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Who is using PV power?Who is using PV power?

HomesHomes BusinessesBusinesses CollegesColleges

Rochester Solar TechnologiesRochester Solar Technologies HSBC BankHSBC Bank Westchester Community CollegeWestchester Community College SUNY Brockport??SUNY Brockport??

ConclusionConclusion

Photovoltaic Solar Cell technology is a viable Photovoltaic Solar Cell technology is a viable source of renewable energy.source of renewable energy.

It has already been implemented in homes and It has already been implemented in homes and businesses of many countries.businesses of many countries.

The market for PV is growing annually because The market for PV is growing annually because they are a practical energy alternative.they are a practical energy alternative.

This is a technology that every homeowner can This is a technology that every homeowner can look into; information is abundant and local.look into; information is abundant and local.

Works CitedWorks Cited

IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Program. Trends in Photovoltaic IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Program. Trends in Photovoltaic Applications. Available at: http://www.iea-pvps.org/isr/index.htmApplications. Available at: http://www.iea-pvps.org/isr/index.htm

University of Rochester. What Are Photovoltaics?. Available at: University of Rochester. What Are Photovoltaics?. Available at: http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/PV/whatspv.html

Lessord, Kara, of Rochester Solar Technologies. (Spoken material)

New Zealand Photovoltaics. Frequently Asked Questions About Photovoltaics. Available at: http://www.photovoltaics.org.nz/faq.html

http://www.nypa.gov/press/2006/061227a.htm

Rochester Solar Technologies. Solar Education. Available at :http://www.rochsolartech.com

Solar Electric Energy Pamphlet. NYSERDA.