Newell Thomas ManagerRenewable Energy Division Lighthouse Electrical Contracting, Inc. Pembroke, MA

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Newell ThomasManager/Renewable Energy
DivisionLighthouse Electrical Contracting,
Inc.Pembroke, MA
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Types of Solar Systems

• Two types of solar systems
• Solar Thermal
• Heats water for Pools, DHW and Space heating
• Solar Electric
• Generates electricity
• Uses crystalline silicon or thin-film
• Crystalline silicon more expensive, more
  efficient, more stable over the long run
• Thin film, less expensive, degrades over time,
  less durable, less efficient (takes more space
  for equivalent output)

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                       Major photovoltaic system
components
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The Solar Cell

• Crystalline Silicon
• Large Semi-Conductor
• Generates Electricity
• Photons excite electrons
• and create a flow of electricity
• Cells combined in series and parallel to make

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The Solar Module
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The Solar Module

• Many solar cells laminated together to make a
  solar module
• Modules have certain characteristics
• Voltage
• Power output
• Efficiency
• Modules are combined to make

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The solar Array
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The Solar Array

• Many modules connected together
• Designed for the available space and budget of
  the customer
• Different types of mounting (flat roof, pitched
  roof, ground mount, building integrated)
• Must be matched to the characteristics of the

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Inverter
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Inverter (utility interconnect device)

• Inverter converts the DC power of the array to AC
  for interconnection to the utility (synchronizes
  the frequency and phase to match the utility
  power)

• Inverter has certain input and output
  characteristics DC voltage, DC current, System
  power, AC output (single phase-3 phase, voltage
  requirements)

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The Solar System

• Graphic courtesy of Evergreen Solar