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Design and function of a photovoltaic system

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Pete Porter
Design and function of a photovoltaic system

The most important main components of a photovoltaic system are solar cell, inverter and storage.

The power generating element in photovoltaics is the solar cell. By means of a so-called doping with foreign atoms, two layers are created during the production of the solar cell consisting of silicon, one with an excess of positive charge carriers, the other with negative charge carriers. When sunlight is received, a voltage is generated at the transition between the two layers, which is picked up by contacts and is then available as direct current.

Since most consumers are operated with alternating current, a conversion is necessary. This is done by the inverter, which is integrated in the photovoltaic. With an efficiency of over 97 percent, modern designs work very effectively. At the same time, the inverter has the task of keeping the voltage and frequency constant.

In order to use the energy generated by photovoltaics, a storage unit as a "power reserve" is useful in island solutions. The use of such an energy storage system allows an own share of the generated electricity in the range of 50 to 90 percent.

 

Positive outlook for the future

In view of climate change and the limited supply of fossil fuels, renewable energies are the only alternative. Photovoltaic, hydro and wind power will be the energy suppliers of the future.

Thanks to new innovative technologies and the increasingly lower costs of production and operation, photovoltaics will take a leading position in power generation in the foreseeable future.

In 2008, 15.8 gigawatts of electricity were generated by photovoltaics worldwide, and ten years later, more than 500 gigawatts. The forecasts for 2050 speak of a capacity of 30,000 to 70,000 gigawatts.

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