Optimizing Solar Energy Collection in Photovoltaic Systems

1
Optimizing Solar Energy Collection in
Photovoltaic Systems
Optimizing Solar Energy Collection in
Photovoltaic Systems
Optimizing Solar Energy Collection in
Photovoltaic Systems

• Wells College 10
• Dmitry Liapitch
• Senior Thesis Proposal

2
My Project - Sun Finder

• Purpose of my project
• Create a tool which allows one to calculate what
  the best photovoltaic system would be to satisfy
  their energy needs and financial capabilities.
• Ensure that one is getting the most out of their
  photovoltaic system
• Increase awareness that photovoltaic systems are
  sufficient affordable
• Create a program using Excel to determine
• Energy Collection
• How much electricity is being produced?
• Optimal Orientation
• What is the best position to get the most energy?
• Optimal System Size
• What system size would you need to fulfill your
  energy needs?
• Cost Payback Period
• How long will it take for the system to pay for
  itself?
• How does it work?
• Calculates the position of the Sun relative to
  the system (Sun Finder)
• Calculates the angle of direct solar radiation to
  the photovoltaic collector
• Ephemeredes

3
Why Solar?

• Abundant energy source
• The entire planet receives solar radiation every
  day
• It is located all around the planet
• Each continent receives enough solar energy to
  fulfill its electrical needs
• Renewable energy source
• We do not have to worry about the sun ceasing to
  produce solar radiation
• Free resource
• You do not have to pay to have it delivered
  around the world
• Environmentally Friendly
• Collecting solar radiation and converting it to
  electricity is environmentally friendly

4
Applications of Solar

• Space Applications
• Satellites
• Spacecraft
• Portable Applications
• Transportation
• Emergency Power
• Residential Applications
• Neighborhoods
• Houses
• International Applications

• Scientific Applications
• Antarctic Scientific Research
• Mars Rover
• Remote Applications
• Off-Grid Connections
• Ocean Communication
• Commercial Applications
• Solar Power Plants
• Businesses
• Passive Solar

5
Solar Radiation

• Made up of elementary particles called Photons
• Direct Radiation
• Radiation which reaches the Earths surface
• Diffuse Radiation
• Radiation hindered by the Earths atmosphere
• Albedo Radiation
• Reflection off of Earths surface clouds
• Total Global Radiation
• The sum of all the different radiations

6
How Can We Create Electricity From Solar
Radiation?

• www.sundome.org.uk/

7
Photovoltaic Systems
Photovoltaic Systems
Photovoltaic Systems
http//www.ericsonsolar.com/Images/BigRack1b.jpg
8
What is a Photovoltaic System?

• Photovoltaic Systems consist of several
  electronic components which work together to
  collect solar radiation and convert it into
  electricity.

• Collectors

• Energy Storage System

• Inverter

• Distribution Center

• Load

9
Photovoltaic Collectors

• Absorb solar radiation converts it to DC
  electricity
• Flat Plate Collectors
• Cells
• Modules
• Arrays
• Crystalline Silicon

http//www.manufacturer.com/images/product/www.ali
baba.com/0927/w/Supply_Solar_PV_Modules.jpg
10
How Do Collectors Work?

• Photovoltaic Effect
• Edmund Becquerel 1839
• Photoelectric Effect
• Albert Einstein 1905
• P-N Junction
• When the p-n junction in the Crystalline Silicon
  wafer is exposed to Solar Radiation, the
  electrons within the n-type semiconductor become
  excited via the Photoelectric Effect.

11
How Do You Optimize It?

• Location
• Some locations receive more annual solar
  radiation than others
• Land might offer more surface area then roof
• Orientation
• System is pointed in direction of the equator
• Tilt Angle
• Direct solar radiation is perpendicular to
  photovoltaic collector
• Depends on latitude and energy demand
• Shading
• Minimal or No Shading
• Stable Foundation
• Long lasting system

12
Sun Finder Current Status

• Energy Collection
• Calculates instantaneous energy absorption
• Calculates daily theoretical maximum
• Orientation
• Applies calculations to any location tilt angle
• Optimal System Size
• Calculates theoretical energy collection for
  various systems
• Cost Payback Period
• Calculates payback period with just net-metering
  benefits
• Display Page
• Displays information for user to evaluate

13
Expected Results

• Theoretical Energy Calculations
• How much energy will be collected by a
  photovoltaic system?
• Instantaneously
• Monthly
• Annually
• System Sizing
• Which system will cover all of the energy needs
  for a consumer?
• What is the minimum efficiency rate of the
  collectors needed?
• Payback Period
• How long will it take to regain the money used
  for the investment?
• Which government incentive programs apply?
• Photovoltaic Optimization
• Which configuration would be best for the
  particular case?
• Display Page
• Display all of the calculated information for the
  consumer to evaluate.

14
Plan of Action

• Develop the program Sun Finder
• Incorporate required functions for optimization
• Incorporate constraints into the program
• Determine available incentive programs for NY
• Construct an experimental PV System
• Use an experimental system to test the program
  accuracy
• Experiment with different time, orientation, and
  tilt angle
• Use the program to Optimize a System for Wells
• Determine optimal system to maximize output
  minimize cost
• Energy consumption of buildings
• Available area for system installation
• Available resources for initial investment
• Conclude experimental results in final paper

15
Resources

• Gosse, Jonathan F., ed. Photovoltaic Systems. US
  American Technical, Inc. Editorial Staff, 2007.
• http//www.nineplanets.org/sol.html
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ephemerides
• http//www.solardirect.com/pv/batteries/batteries.
  htm
• Freeman, David S., Winning Our Energy
  Independence An Energy Insider Shows How. Smith,
  Gibbs. 2007.
• http//www.buildersbooksource.com/booksite/images/
  items/9780826912879.jpg
• Renovus Energy, Ithaca, NY
• Carol Shilepsky

16
Questions?