Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual

by Solar Energy International

Overview

A comprehensive training resource for producing electric power from the sun.

Producing electricity from the sun using photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a major industry worldwide. But designing, installing and maintaining such systems requires knowledge and training, and there have been few easily accessible, comprehensive guides to the subject.

Now, with Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual , a world-class solar energy training and education provider—Solar Energy International (SEI)—has made available the critical information to successfully design, install and maintain PV systems. The book contains an overview of photovoltaic electricity and a detailed description of PV system components, including PV modules, batteries, controllers and inverters. It also includes chapters on sizing photovoltaic systems, analyzing sites and installing PV systems, as well as detailed appendices on PV system maintenance, troubleshooting and solar insolation data for over 300 sites around the world. Used worldwide as the textbook in SEI’s PV Design & Installation workshops, topics covered include:

• The basics of solar electricity
• PV applications and system components
• Solar site analysis and mounting
• Stand-alone and PV/generator hybrid system sizing
• Utility-interactive PV systems
• Component specification, system costs and economics
• Case studies and safety issues

Photovoltaics guarantees that those wanting to learn the skills of tapping the sun’s energy can do so with confidence.

Solar Energy International (SEI) has the nonprofit mission to respond to the need for renewable energy education. Based in Carbondale, Colorado, and active around the world, SEI is a link between people and renewable energy resources, providing information, education and training to people who want to shape a sustainable future. SEI is recognized by the National Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) as dedicated independent provider of PV training programs that may be used toward attaining PV certification. Also, SEI is recognized as an Accredited Institution to offer PV training by the Institute for Sustainable Power (ISP).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865715202
Publisher:	New Society Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2004
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	16 Years

About the Author

Solar Energy International (SEI), from Carbondale, CO, is a non-profit that trains adults and youth in renewable energy and environmental building technologies. Since 1991, SEI has taught thousands of individuals from 12 US states and around the world, pioneering a hands-on approach acknowledged as the benchmark for renewable energy education and training. SEI staff are avid solar enthusiasts with decades of experience in passive solar design & construction, solar hot water, wind and micro-hydro power, solar cooking, and natural house building.

Table of Contents

	List of Figures	xiii
	List of Tables and Worksheets	xv
	Acknowledgments and Disclaimer	xvi
	Preface	xviii
Chapter 1	An Overview of Photovoltaics
1.1	The Development of Photovoltaics	2
1.2	Current and Emerging Opportunities	2
1.3	Advantages of Photovoltaic Technology	3
1.4	Disadvantages of Photovoltaic Technology	3
1.5	Environmental, Health, and Safety Issues	3
1.6	Photovoltaic System Components	4
1.7	Photovoltaic System Types	4
Chapter 2	Photovoltaic Electric Principles
2.1	Terminology	10
2.2	Matching Appliances to the System	11
2.3	Electrical Circuits	11
2.4	Series and Parallel Circuits in Power Sources	12
2.5	Series and Parallel Circuits in Electric Loads	14
	Series and Parallel Wiring Exercises	15
	Solutions to Wiring Exercises	21
Chapter 3	The Solar Resource
3.1	Solar Radiation Fundamentals	28
3.2	Gathering Site Data	32
3.3	Completing the Solar Site Analysis	33
Chapter 4	Electric Load Analysis
4.1	Using Energy Efficiently	40
4.2	Electrical Load Requirements	40
4.3	Calculating Load Estimates	41
4.4	Considerations for Calculating Load Estimates	44
Chapter 5	Photovoltaic Modules
5.1	Photovoltaic Principles	48
5.2	Module Types	49
5.3	Module Performance	49
5.4	Factors of Module Performance	50
5.5	Photovoltaic Arrays	53
5.6	Mounting Photovoltaic Modules	54
5.7	Diodes	56
Chapter 6	Batteries
6.1	Battery Types and Operation	60
6.2	Battery Specifications	62
6.3	Battery Safety	67
6.4	Battery Sizing Exercise	68
6.5	Battery Wiring Configuration	70
Chapter 7	PV Controls
7.1	Controller Types	74
7.2	Controller Features	75
7.3	Specifying a Controller	76
7.4	Controller Sizing Exercise	77
Chapter 8	Inverters
8.1	Inverter Operating Principles	80
8.2	Inverter Features	80
8.3	Inverter Types	81
8.4	Specifying an Inverter	82
Chapter 9	Photovoltaic System Wiring
9.1	Introduction	86
9.3	Wire Size	88
9.4	Overcurrent Protection	104
9.5	Disconnects	106
9.6	Grounding	106
Chapter 10	Sizing Photovoltaic Systems
10.1	Introduction to Sizing PV Systems	112
10.2	Design Penalties	112
10.3	Sizing Worksheet	113
10.4	Sample System Exercise	115
Chapter 11	Utility-Interactive Systems
11.1	Introduction	122
11.2	Utility-Interactive Systems	122
11.3	System Sizing and Economics	126
11.4	Net Metering	127
11.5	Obtaining an Interconnection Agreement	128
Chapter 12	Integrating Photovoltaics into Buildings
12.1	Introduction	134
12.2	Retrofitted PV Systems	134
12.3	BIPV Options	134
12.4	Costs/Benefits	137
Chapter 13	Photovoltaic System Applications
13.1	Tools and Appliances	140
13.2	Lighting	141
13.3	Water Pumping	145
13.4	Refrigeration	149
13.5	Hybrid Systems with Generators	150
Chapter 14	Photovoltaic Installation
14.1	Preparing for the Installation	154
14.2	Tools and Materials	154
14.3	Photovoltaic Array Installation	157
14.4	Battery Installation	159
14.5	Controller & Inverter Installation	160
14.6	Photovoltaic System Wiring	161
14.7	PV System Installations Final Checklist	163
Chapter 15	Maintenance and Troubleshooting
15.1	Materials and Tools List	168
15.2	Maintaining PV Components	168
15.3	Maintaining Appliances	169
15.4	Troubleshooting Common System Faults	170
15.5	Troubleshooting Wiring Problems Using a Multimeter	171
15.6	Troubleshooting Specific Problems	174
Chapter 16	Safety and PV Installation
16.1	Introduction	180
16.2	Basic Safety	180
16.3	Hazards	182
16.4	Safety Equipment	183
16.5	Site Safety	184
16.6	First Aid	185
Appendix A	Glossary	189
Appendix B	Solar Data	199
Appendix C	Sun Charts	273
Appendix D	System Sizing Worksheets	295
	Resource Guide	299
	Index	313