PV Solar Power System Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is solar radiation?

A type of solar energy technology
Light emitted by the sun (correct)
The heat from a concentrated fluid
The energy generated from solar panels

How do Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) technologies generate electricity?

By heating a fluid to generate steam and spin a turbine (correct)
By using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity
By using mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a generator
By using solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity

What is the purpose of the mirrors in Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) technologies?

To focus sunlight onto a receiver to heat a fluid (correct)
To generate electricity directly from sunlight
To reflect sunlight onto a solar panel
To store thermal energy for later use

What happens when sunlight shines onto a solar panel?

The energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of photovoltaic cells in a solar panel?

To convert sunlight into electrical charges (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of solar energy technologies?

Photovoltaic and Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step to calculate the size of a battery?

Calculate total Watt-hours per day used by appliances. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of dividing the total Watt-hours per day used by 0.85?

To account for battery loss. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula to calculate the required Ampere-hour capacity of deep-cycle battery?

Battery Capacity (Ah) = (Total Watt-hours per day used by appliances / (0.85 x 0.6 x nominal battery voltage)) x Days of autonomy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor in selecting a solar charge controller?

The voltage of the PV array and batteries. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consideration when sizing a solar charge controller for a series configuration?

The total PV input current. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula to determine the solar charge controller rating?

Solar charge controller rating = Total short circuit current of PV array x 1.3 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of sizing the solar charge controller?

To ensure the safe and efficient operation of the PV system (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a solar charge controller in a PV system?

To charge the battery. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the short circuit current of the PV array used for?

To determine the solar charge controller rating (B) Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if the solar charge controller is undersized?

The solar charge controller may be damaged (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of electrons in the process of generating electricity?

To serve as the foundation of electricity (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to follow the standard practice for sizing the solar charge controller?

To ensure the safe and efficient operation of the PV system (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of hybrid solar systems?

They provide energy storage for later use (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the multiplier used to determine the solar charge controller rating?

1.3 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in designing a solar PV system?

Determining the power consumption demands (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a charge controller in a solar PV system?

To regulate the flow of energy from the solar panels (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of off-grid solar systems?

They have no grid connection and rely on on-site energy generation and storage (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the inverter in a solar PV system?

To convert DC power to AC power (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of multiplying the total appliances' Watt-hours per day by 1.3?

To account for the energy lost in the system (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the panel generation factor for Thailand?

3.43 (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is the total Watt-peak rating needed for PV modules calculated?

By dividing the total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules by 3.43 (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the system if more PV modules are installed than required?

The system will perform better and battery life will improve (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the calculation in item 2.2?

The number of PV panels required for the system (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of calculating the total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules?

To calculate the total Watt-peak rating needed for the PV modules (B) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Solar Energy Technologies

Solar radiation is light or electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun, which varies in amount depending on the location on Earth.

Types of Solar Energy Technologies

There are two main types of solar energy technologies:
- Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP)
- Photovoltaics (PV)

Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP)

CSP technologies use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver.
The concentrated sunlight heats a high-temperature fluid, which can be used to:
- Generate electricity by spinning a turbine or powering an engine
- Support various industrial applications, such as:
  - Water desalination
  - Enhanced oil recovery
  - Food processing
  - Chemical production
  - Mineral processing

Photovoltaic Solar System

Photovoltaic solar systems utilize solar panels to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity using cells made of semiconductor materials.
The most commonly used semiconductor material is silicon, found in sand.
When light strikes the cell, it absorbs energy, knocking electrons loose, causing electricity to flow.

Types of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

There are three types of solar photovoltaic systems:
- Grid-tied systems: connected to the grid, allowing for utility electricity use when needed
- Off-grid systems: no grid connection, relying on on-site energy generation and storage
- Hybrid systems: combines solar panels with a solar battery for energy storage and grid connection

Components of a Solar Photovoltaic System

Solar PV modules
Module mounting structure
Inverter
Battery bank
Charge controller
DC & AC switches
Cables and accessories

Solar PV System Sizing

Determine power consumption demands:
- Calculate total Watt-hours per day for each appliance
- Add up the Watt-hours needed for all appliances
- Multiply the total by 1.3 to account for energy lost in the system
Size the PV modules:
- Calculate the total peak watt produced needed
- Divide the total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules by the panel generation factor (e.g., 3.43 for Thailand)
- Calculate the number of PV panels needed by dividing the total peak watt produced by the rated output Watt-peak of the PV modules
Size the battery:
- Calculate the total Watt-hours per day used by appliances
- Divide by 0.85 for battery loss
- Divide by 0.6 for depth of discharge
- Divide by the nominal battery voltage
- Multiply by the number of days of autonomy needed
Size the solar charge controller:
- Match the voltage of the PV array and batteries
- Consider the type of solar charge controller for the application
- Ensure the controller can handle the current from the PV array

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