What is it? Who uses it? The uses of Solar PV Solar Home System (SHS) Advantages Disadvantages

What is it? Elandpower Solar can be directly converted to electrical energy by means of Solar Photovoltaic System. Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Technology enables the conversion of direct sunlight into electricity without involving any moving part such as turbine etc.The basic part Solar Photovoltaic is known as Solar Cell. Solar Cells are made of semi conducting materials- a thin wafers of Silicon which is exposed to sunlight, to produce D.C electric current. Solar power and other renewable energy sources are seeing technological advances that are making them cost effective. Rapid growth is projected. At the moment, photovoltaic power is expensive, but since we will never run out of sunlight, it is an exciting source of energy for the future! Solar water heating systems pay for themselves in three to five years. The technological challenge we face is to find ways to make solar technologies affordable for everyone. In developing countries the percentage of households which have no access to electricity is more significant. Most of those lacking access live in rural or peri-urban areas. Solar photovoltaic (PV) cell designed to convert light into electricity is often used to cover the electricity need of household. Households without access - regional decomposition   Household without access - Urban Household without access - Rural Household without access - Total Persons Per Household Persons without access China 4000 130,000 134,000 4 536,000 India 3600 74,000 77,600 5.5 426,800 Rest of Asia 15,000 78,700 93,700 5 468,500 Africa 29,000 70,700 99,700 6 598,200 Latin America 8,500 11,100 19,600 5.5 107,800 Total 60,100 364,500 424,600 5 2,123,000 Source: EDF - October 2002 - Electricity for all: targets, timetables, instruments -  World Summit for sustainable development Solar PV systems provide a wide range of energy services such as lighting, electricity for radio, TV, phone, and water supply for domestic use or activities aimed to increase poor people's income like agriculture (irrigation). So PV, like other renewable energy systems, has been seen as an alternative to grid extension. Many reasons justify why the use of solar PV system for solar-based electricity production is an attractive option in electrification of rural and peri-urban households: # the abundance of solar resources in most developing countries; # the fact of the costs solar PV equipment are gradually falling; # the interesting experiences learned in this sector. In the developing world solar PV systems have been tested, optimised and disseminated over the last 20 years; # the PV module manufacturer, or module supplier, generally provide a minimum 10-year warranty.   [TOP]   Who uses it? Solar the Photovoltaic Energy is part of Rural Revolution in the rural areas where grid power is not yet reached. In India Solar Photovoltaic System is successfully installed in large number of villages. A household can generate most of the electricity they need with photovoltaic cells on their rooftops. If there isn't enough sunlight at times, electricity can be stored in batteries for cloudy days. Solar water heating systems pay for themselves in three to five years. The technological challenge we face is to find ways to make solar technologies affordable for everyone. The SPV system consists of an 800/860 WP (weather permitting) photovoltaic arrangement, a permanent DC magnet motor-driven floating pump which can pump water from a depth of eight meters through the optimum of 6.5 meters. It can ideally function in a wide-mouth well with a flow rate of 70,000 liters a day. The photovoltaic modules on the solar panel captures energy from the sun and converts it into electricity. The panel is connected to the pump via a plug so that the farmer finds it easy to use. The system works as long as there is sunshine. For example in In South India, the sun is of course plentiful. [TOP]   The uses of Solar PV Solar home system (SHS) and photovoltaic pumping system (PVP) are the most proven of PV application in the field of household energy. The use of SHS is more significant than PVP. [TOP]   Solar Home System (SHS) SHS helps to meet the need of lighting and electricity for Radio, TV, for communication (internet , mobile phone). From experience learned SHS is more advantageous than candles, flashlights, kerosene lamp and car battery system.    # PV generator; # support structure; # charge regulator; # battery; # loads (lamp, ballast, radio, TV); # wiring, installation # documentation. The PV generator or solar photovoltaic cell is the generator. It converts light into electricity. The solar cell array generally consist of one polycrystalline photovoltaic solar module. It should have a rated peak power output of at least 45 Watt peak (Wpeak). Its minimum acceptable operating voltage at maximum power point is no less than 16 Volts at cell operating temperature of 60¡ãC. The charge regulator or battery control unit (BCU) serves to protect the battery against both deep discharge and overcharging. Its nominal voltage is generally 12 volts. The battery stores the electric energy produced by the PV generator. The loads: radio, TV and mobile phone come directly from the users. Electronic DC Ballast and Incandescent lamps are generally substituted for energy-saving fluorescent lamps, and are provided by SHS suppliers. The wiring constituting of wire and cable is used for the connexion of different elements of SHS. From the PV generator to charge regulator the minimum acceptable cross-section is 2.5 mm2, from charge regulator to battery it's 4 mm2 and from charge regulator to loads its value is 1.5 mm2. The documentation is a handbook which provides instruction for users. The photovoltaic pumping system PV Pumping system in Senegal he photovoltaic pumping system (PVP) is used for: # drinking water supply; # pumping for irrigation; # livestock watering. The PVP equipment mainly comprises: ¡¤ the PV generator generally constitutes one or more polycrystalline photovoltaic solar module; # the inverter which converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) # the pumping system; # the tank for water storage. [TOP]   Advantages # among the range of energy sources PV remains safer and cleaner; # SHS energy is free and autonomous; # PV is an adequate response for decentralised power source for landlocked areas; # PV produces no noise when it's functioning. [TOP]   Disadvantages  Solar photovoltaic cells are still two to five times as costly as power from the grid. Yet, the sale of solar photovoltaic cells expanded 42 per cent in 2002. If annual production grows by 25 per cent a year, solar capacity could reach 106,000 megawatts by 2020, generating as much as 30 to 40 large nuclear plants. Since 1980, the price of solar cells has fallen by 80 per cent. # its dependence to lights is a limit when energy storage is failure in night # good use of PV requires some advices from supplier; # solar home system (SHS) use is limited to cooling and refrigeration;  # pumping, cooling and refrigeration are out of cost for poor people to meet their energy need. [TOP]