PV modules are manufactured by assembling an array of solar cells. The most common PV modules today have a power capacity between 300 and 500 W, which corresponds to an area between 1.5 and 2.5 m 2, assuming 20% module efficiency (Fig. 1.3).
Solar cells, primarily made of crystalline silicon, are assembled in arrays to produce PV modules. PV systems vary in size, from rooftop installations with just a few modules to utility-scale power plants with millions of them. The global solar PV capacity is ramping up quickly. This is expected to continue due to two main reasons.
To comprehend the intricate choreography of the photovoltaic effect, one must first grasp the fundamental concepts of solar radiation and semiconductor physics. Solar radiation, the radiant energy emitted by the sun, serves as the primary source of energy for PV systems.
Photovoltaic technology, often abbreviated as PV, represents a revolutionary method of harnessing solar energy and converting it into electricity. At its core, PV relies on the principle of the photovoltaic effect, where certain materials generate an electric current when exposed to sunlight.
This could be achieved by involving the neighbors from the planning phase, enabling their economic participation in new power plants, or creating energy communities, in which members co-own the new PV installation. Furthermore, the low cost achieved by solar PV opens new possibilities for PV systems making dual use of infrastructure.
For some specific applications, such as PV generation integrated into buildings or vehicles, it makes sense to make an integrated design including the solar cells, converters, and protecting elements. These integrated designs for solar PV are discussed in Chapter 11.