PV module is the fundamental building blocks for a PV system. PV modules consist of PV circuits sealed in an environmentally protective laminate.
#Demand response homer energy series#
The photovoltaic cell normally connected in series or parallel circuit to produce the desired amount of current. The current produces is proportional to the intensity of sunlight striking the surface as well as the efficiency and size of the cell. A typical silicon PV cell will produce about 0.5 ~ 0.6 V under open-circuit condition regardless of size. When a sunlight which carries photons strike the PV cell, the current is produced because the photons prompt the electrons flow from n- to p-junction. The p-n junction is created through the doping and the electrical field is created near the top surface of the cell. PV cell is typically a thin wafer which consists of an ultra-thin layer of phosphorus-doped (N-type) silicon on top of a thicker layer of boron-doped (P-type silicon). PV or solar cells, also called the semiconductor that converts sunlight to direct current (DC) electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) is derived from two words: photo which means light and voltaic or volt means the unit of electric potential. The photons are traveling through space at the speed of 3.0 × 108 m/s and each photon carry different amount of energy measured in electron volts. However, 95% of solar energy reach earth with the intervals of 0.3–2.4 μm only. The electromagnetic radiation emitted from the sun has the wave length interval from 0.1 nm to 104 m. The amount of energy harnessed from the sun is depending on radiation and scientists define radiation in two different ways which are energy in wave form (electromagnetic wave) or energy in particle form (photons). Solar energy can be defined as radiant light and heat from the sun and is harnessed by human using technologies. Solar is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available on earth (SEIA 2013). Wind energy can be operates during the day and night times, unlike other renewable. But the wind speed strength varies depending on the particular area. Wind energy is almost everywhere around the world. It is interesting, to note that, among the renewable energy sources, wind power is the fastest growing in terms of global annual and cumulative installed capacity. Thus HERS operating model is classified into Island mode where the generated electricity is consumed locally and grid connected mode where the renewable energy source is connected to the grid. It should be noted that, grid-connected mode must have a power electronic controllers for load sharing, voltage, harmonic, and frequency control. While in a grid-connected mode, the storage can be small, and the deficient power can be acquired from the grid. Stand-alone system must have a large storage to handle the load. A HERS can be applied in stand-alone or grid-connected modes. In recent times, the integrated renewable energy system is gaining more attention, because a hybridized system can be efficiently applied to supply high efficiency and reliable electricity to the end-users, unlike a single-renewable source. The main goal of doing this, or to improve electrical power production, to minimize cost, to reduce negative effects associated with burning fossil fuels and to improve the overall system efficiency. Based on the aforementioned drawbacks, two or more renewable are being combined to form a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES). Because of this intermittent nature of renewable, single renewable energy source tends to be problematic in terms of energy yield and operational cost. That is why, it is necessary to complement renewable with other sources like batteries. Its availability varies depending on the location. Īlthough, renewable energy is considered as the new technology of generating electricity, the barrier associated with renewable is stochastic and unpredictable weather behavior. On recent time, series of renewable energy technology improvement has been witnessed, because the cost of generating electrical power is decreasing. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal are abundant sources that can produce clean energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which depletes as time goes on. Renewable energy is naturally abundant resources, which can be harnessed without compromising future energy needs. In view of that, the attention of most countries around the globe has been shifted to low-carbon energy. Those high-carbon sources have negative effects in our environments, such as, effects on heath, land, air and rain. According to recent scientific literacy works, about 78–80% of the world commercial energy comes from fossil fuels, such as, petroleum, coal and natural gas.