SOLAR RADIATION:

SOURCE OF LIGHT ENERGY

FOR DIRECT CONVERSION
TO ELECTRIC POWER
SOLAR CELL: TO CONVERT
SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY TO
ELECTRICITY
TYPES OF PV MODULES
BALANCE OF SYSTEM:
Inverter, Controller, Battery
etc.
PV SYSTEM COMPONENTS
AND FUNCTIONS OF
COMPONENTS
APPLICATIONS

Photovoltaic
Power System
INDIA 2011-14

SOLAR RADIATION
SOURCE OF LIGHT ENERGY
FOR
CONVERSION TO ELECTRICITY

Insolation in India: An Energy Resource

Solar

radiation is perennial,
environment-friendly and well suited
for decentralized applications.
Most parts of India receive 47 kWh
(kilowatt-hour) of solar radiation per
square metre per day.
There are 250300 sunny days in a
year.
The highest annual radiation energy is
received in western Rajasthan.

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SOLAR CELL
SUNLIGHT CONVERSION TO ELECTRICITY

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TYPES OF PV CELLS
AND
MODULES

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Module
Every

single photovoltaic cell has small

dimensions and generally produces a
power between 1 and 3 watts and 0,5Volts,
at the standard test conditions (STC) of
1000W/m.
To get a bigger power and voltage, it is
necessary to connect several cells among
themselves to create bigger units called
modules

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The modules in a PV array are usually first

connected in series to obtain the desired voltage;
the individual strings are then connected in
parallel to allow the system to produce more
current. They are then protected by
encapsulation between glass and a tough metal,
plastic or fiberglass back. This is held together by
a stainless steel or aluminum frame to form a
module.

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These modules, usually comprised of about 30

PV cells, form the basic building block of a solar

array. Modules may be connected in series or

parallel to increase the voltage and current, and

thus achieve the required solar array

characteristics that will match the load. Typical

module size is 50Wp and produces direct current

electricity at 12V (for battery charging for

example).

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PV SYSTEM COMPONENTS

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The photovoltaic system structures

Systems with fixed inclination - (fixed
supporting structure)
Systems with active tracking - single/double
axis tracking systems (characterized by step by
step motors and control electronics)
Self contained systems or stand alone
Network connected systems or grid
connected

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Applications of Solar PV Systems

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Solar Lantern
The solar lantern is a portable lighting system. Being
light in weight, it is easy to carry around and therefore
ideal for both indoor and outdoor usage.
A typical solar lantern consists of a PV module of 8 Wp
to 10 Wp capacity, a sealed maintenance-free battery of
12 V, 7 AH (ampere hours) capacity, and a compact
fluorescent lamp (CFL) of 5 W or 7 W rating. A solar
lantern is usually meant to provide light for three to
four hours daily, and designed to have a three-day
autonomy, that is, to function in this manner for
three days without sunlight.

Operation:
During

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the day, the PV

module is placed in the sun
and is connected through
a cable to the lantern unit.
LIGHT is converted into
electricity, which, in turn,
charges the battery. A
green LED light indicates
the charging of the battery.
At night, the lantern is
detached and used
wherever required. The
battery provides power to
the lamp.

The cost of a solar

lantern with the above
specifications is in the
range of Rs 30003300.
Low-cost models with
smaller PV modules
and battery capacity
are also available.

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Solar home system -1

A

solar home system (SHS) provides a

comfortable level of illumination in one or

more rooms of a house. There are several
SHS models featuring one, two, or four

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL). It is also

possible to run a small DC fan or a 12-V DC

television with the system.

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Solar home system - 2

The

SHS consists of a PV module of 18, 37 or

74 Wp (Watt peak) capacity; a sealed,
maintenance-free, or flooded leadacid
battery of 12 V and 20, 40 or 75 AH capacity;
and CFLs of 9 W or 11 W rating.
The system is designed to provide service
for three to four hours daily, with an
autonomy of three days, that is, the system
can function for three cloudy days.

Operation
A

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PV module is usually mounted on the roof of the

house so that it is exposed to direct solar radiation
throughout the day, avoiding any
shadow.
The module converts incident radiation into
electricity, which, in turn, charges the battery,
which is placed inside the house.
The battery provides power to the CFLs, and to the
television and/or fan as required. A change
controller prevents overcharging and deep
discharge of the battery.

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Solar street lighting

system

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A solar street-lighting system (SLS) is an

outdoor lighting unit used to illuminate
a street or an open area usually in
villages. A CFL is fixed
inside a luminaire which is mounted on
a pole.
The PV module is placed at the top of
the pole, and a battery is placed in a
box at the base of the pole. The
module is mounted facing south, so
that it receives solar radiation
throughout the day, without any
shadow falling on it.

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A typical street-lighting system consists of a PV

module of 74 Wp capacity, a flooded leadacid
battery of 12 V, 75 AH capacity, and a CFL of 11 W
rating. This system is designed to operate from dusk
to dawn (that is, throughout the night). The CFL
automatically lights up when the surroundings
become dark and switches off around
sunrise time.
The cost of an SLS is about Rs 19 000. Variations in the
cost are possible on account of local taxes,
additional transportation costs, etc.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Sources
provides financial assistance for the promotion of
some of the above solar lighting systems among
eligible categories of users.

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SPV Pumping System

An

SPV water pump is a DC or AC, surfacemounted or submersible or floating pump that

runs on power from an SPV array.
The array is mounted on a suitable structure and
placed in a shadow free open space with its
modules facing south and inclined at local
latitude.
A typical SPV water-pumping system consists of
an SPV array of 2003000 Wp capacity,
mounted on a tracking/non-tracking type of
structure.
The array is connected to a DC or AC motor
connected to pump of matching capacity.

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The array is connected to a DC or AC motor

connected pump of matching capacity that can be
of s u r f a c e - m o u n t e d , submersible, or
floating type. Interconnecting cables and
electronics make up the rest of the system.
SPV water pumps are used to draw water for
irrigation as well as for drinking. The normal pumping
heads are in the range of 10 metres (m) for
irrigation, and 30 m for drinking water. It is possible
to use pumps with even greater head, especially for
drinking water supply. The SPV array converts
sunlight into electricity and delivers it to run the
motor and pump up water. The water can be stored
in tanks for use during non-sunny hours, if necessary.

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The SPV array converts sunlight into electricity and

delivers it to run the motor and pump up water. The
water can be stored in tanks for use during nonsunny hours, if necessary. For maximum power
output from the SPV array, the structure on which it is
mounted should track the sun. Electronic devices are
used to do this in some models, thereby enabling the
systems to operate at maximum power output. The
power from the SPV array is directly delivered to the
pump in the case of DC pumps. In the case of AC
pumps, however, an inverter is used to convert the
DC output of the array into AC. No storage batteries
are used in an SPV pump.

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An SPV pump based on a one-horsepower motor

can irrigate about 11.5 hectares of land under a

variety of crops except paddy and sugar cane

(assuming a 10-m water table). Using the same

pump along with drip irrigation, it is possible to

irrigate up to 6 hectares of land for certain crops. A
two-horsepower SPV pump could irrigate about 23
hectares of land under many crops except paddy
and sugar cane (again assuming a 10-m water
table).

SPV Pumping System

The

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cost of an SPV
pump depends on the
capacity and type of
pump. For example, a
DC surface pump with
a 900 W array may cost
about Rs 150 000; a
similar pump of 1800 W
may cost about Rs 300
000; and an 1800 W AC
submersible pump may
cost about Rs 422 000.

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Sagar Island - Solar Island

Sagar Island is in the southwestern corner of the
Ganges Delta, in India. The West Bengal Renewable
Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) has been
working on Sagar Island since 1996 to address the
problem of energy supply. Since then it has set up a
total of 11 small solar PV power plants, on Sagar
Island and its neighbour Maushuni Island. Each plant
has its own mini-grid system that distributes electric
power to the surrounding villages. The grids are
switched on for six hours a day, from 6pm to
midnight, and are managed by cooperative
societies formed by the villagers that use the power.

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Sagar Island - Solar Island

The 11 power plants in operation supplying stable and

reliable 400 / 230V, 3 phase, 50Hz power for six to

seven hours a day through local distribution lines. The
combined capacity of the plants is 400Kw and
WBREDA estimates that a further 400Kw is needed in
order to electrify all the villages in the two islands.
Source: Ashden Trust Awards for Sustainable Energy

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SOLAR CELL & MODULE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

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SOLAR CELL & MODULE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

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SOLAR CELL & MODULE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

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Solar PV Projects News

PV Technologies India (a subsidiary of
Moser Baer), Titan Energy Systems,
Reliance Industries Ltd, Tata BP Solar Power
are among the 12 Solar Photo Voltaic
projects filed under Special Incentive
Package Scheme (SIPS), which have
received in-principle clearance from the
Government.
Together, these 12 projects would entail an
investment of Rs 76,500 crore over a 10year period.

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Indian Perspective-2010
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU NATIONAL SOLAR MISSION

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BOOKS FOR STUDY &

REFERENCE
SOLAR ELECTRICITY

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The Energy & Resources Institute, [TERI]

New Delhi

FROM SUNLIGHT TO ELECTRICITY

A practical handbook on solar photovoltaic
applications
(Second Edition), 2010
ISBN 978-81-7993-156-1
TERI Press
TERI, Darbari Seth Block,
IHC Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi 110 003
www.teriin.org

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SOLAR ELECTRICITY
SOLAR

ELECTRICITY,(second Edition), Edited

by Tomas Markvart, University of
Southampton, UK, John Wiley & sons, 2000
Contents
1 Electricity from the Sun
2 Solar Radiation
3 Solar Cells
4 Photo voltaic Engineering
5 Applications
6 Environmental Impacts of Photovoltaics
7 Advanced and Specialised Topics

Reference books

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S. Roberts: Solar Electricity A practical guide to

designing and installing photovoltaic
systems. Prentice Hall, 1991.

G.

Foley: Photovoltaic Applications in Rural Areas of

the Developing World. World Bank, 1995.

International Energy Agency Photovoltaic

Power Systems Programme
www.iea-pvps.org/

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Useful websites
http://www.pvpower.c
om/
Contains a wealth of
information including
PV glossary,
bibliography, system
design software, PV
standards, units and
conversion factors,
and environmental
safety and health
information

http://www.iea-pvps.org/
Web site of the Photovoltaic
Power Systems Programme
of the International Energy
Agency.
A wealth of information and
IEA reports: many can be
downloaded from the site.
Newsletter of the IEA PVPS
programme can be found
at
http://www.ojaservices.nl/ieapvps/pvpower/home.htm

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Solar electricity

Volume 6 of UNESCO energy

engineering series
UNESCO energy engineering
series: Energy engineering
learning package
Author T. Markvart
Editor T. Markvart
Edition 2, illustrated
Publisher John Wiley and
Sons, 2000
ISBN 0471988529,
9780471988526
Length 280 pages

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Designing with solar power: a source book for

building integrated photovoltaics (BiPV)

Designing with Solar Power is the result

of international collaborative research
and development work carried out
within the remit of the International
Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power
Systems Programme (IEA PVPS), where
world-wide and interdisciplinary
expert experience on buildingintegrated photovoltaics has been
brought together .

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Eastern Economy Edition books

1. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS, Chetan Singh Solanki
Fundamentals, Technologies and Applications,
Second Edition, 2011

2. PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS, Analysis and Design

A.K. Mukerjee and Nivedita Thakur, 2011

Published by: PHI Learning pvt Ltd, New Delhi, 110001