Photovoltaic Systems Engineering

The primary purpose of PV Systems Engineering is to provide a comprehensive set of PV knowledge and understanding tools for the design, installation, commissioning, inspection, and operation of PV systems. During recent years in the United States, more PV capacity was installed than any other electrical generation source. In addition to practical system information, this new edition includes explanation of the basic physical principles upon which the technology is based and a consideration of the environmental and economic impact of the technology. The material covers all phases of PV systems from basic sunlight parameters to system commissioning and simulation, as well as economic and environmental impact of PV. With homework problems included in each chapter and numerous design examples of real systems, the book provides the reader with consistent opportunities to apply the information to real-world scenarios.

Table of Contents Chapter 1 Background 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Population and Energy Demand 1.3 Current World Energy Use Patterns 1.4 Exponential Growth 1.5 Hubbert’s Gaussian Model 1.6 Net Energy, Btu Economics and the Test for Sustainability 1.7 Direct Conversion of Sunlight to Electricity with Photovoltaics 1.8 Energy Units Problems References Suggested Reading Chapter 2 The Sun 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Solar Spectrum 2.3 The Effect of Atmosphere on Sunlight 2.4 Sunlight Specifics 2.5 Capturing Sunlight Problems References Suggested Reading Chapter 3 Introduction to PV Systems 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The PV Cell 3.3 The PV Module 3.4 The PV Array 3.5 Energy Storage 3.6 PV System Loads 3.7 PV System Availability – Traditional Concerns and New Concerns 3.8 Associated System Electronic Components 3.9 Generators 3.10 Balance of System (BOS) Components Problems References Suggested Reading Chapter 4 Grid-Connected Utility Interactive PV Systems 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Applicable Codes and Standards 4.3 Design Considerations for Straight Grid-Connected PV Systems 4.4 Design of a System Based on Desired Annual System Performance 4.5 Design of a System Based Upon Available Roof Space 4.6 Design of a Microinverter-Based System 4.7 Design of a Nominal 20 kW System that Feeds a 3-phase Distribution Panel 4.8 Design of a Nominal 500 kW System 4.9 System Commissioning 4.10 System Performance Monitoring Problems References Chapter 5 Mechanical Considerations 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Important Properties of Materials 5.3 Establishing Mechanical System Requirements 5.4 Design and Installation Guidelines 5.5 Forces Acting on Photovoltaic Arrays 5.6 Array Mounting System Design 5.7 Computing Mechanical Loads and Stresses 5.8 Stand-off, Roof Mount Examples Problems References Suggested Reading Chapter 6 Battery Backup Grid-Connected PV Systems 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Battery Backup Design Basics 6.3 A Single Inverter 120 Volt Battery Backup System Based on Standby Loads 6.4 A 120/240 V Battery Backup System Based on Available Roof Space 6.5 An 18 kW Battery Backup System Using Inverters in Tandem 6.6 AC-Coupled Battery Backup Systems 6.7 Battery Connections Problems References Chapter 7 Stand-Alone PV Systems 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Simplest Configuration: Module and Fan 7.3 A PV-Powered Water Pumping System 7.4 A PV-Powered Parking Lot Lighting System 7.5 A Cathodic Protection System 7.6 A Portable Highway Advisory Sign 7.7 A Critical Need Refrigeration System 7.8 A PV-Powered Mountain Cabin 7.9 A Hybrid-Powered, Off-Grid, Residence 7.10 Summary of Design Procedures Problems References Suggested Reading Chapter 8 Economic Considerations 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Life Cycle Costing 8.3 Borrowing Money 8.4 Payback Analysis 8.5 Externalities Problems References Suggested Reading Chapter 9 Externalities and Photovoltaics 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Externalities 9.3 Environmental Effects of Energy Sources 9.4 Externalities Associated with PV Systems Problems References Chapter 10 The Physics of Photovoltaic Cells 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Optical Absorption 10.3 Extrinsic Semiconductors and the pn Junction 10.4 Maximizing PV Cell Performance 10.5 Exotic Junctions Problems References Chapter 11 Evolution of PV Cells and Systems 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Silicon PV Cells 11.3 Gallium Arsenide Cells 11.4 Copper Indium (Gallium) Diselenide Cells 11.5 Cadmium Telluride Cells 11.6 Emerging Technologies 11.7 New Developments in System Design 11.8 Summary Problems References Appendix A Design Review Checklist

Roger Messenger is professor emeritus of electrical engineering at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. He earned a PhD in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota and is a Registered Professional Engineer, a former Certified Electrical Contractor, and a former NABCEP Certified PV Installer. He has enjoyed working on field installations as much as he enjoys teaching classes or working on the design of a system or contemplating the theory of operation of a system or commissioning a system. His research work has ranged from electrical noise in gas discharge tubes to deep impurities in silicon to energy conservation to PV system design and performance. Dr. Messenger worked on the development and promulgation of the original Code for Energy Efficiency in Building Construction in Florida and has conducted extensive field studies of energy consumption and conservation in buildings and swimming pools. Since his retirement from Florida Atlantic University in 2005, he has worked as vice president for engineering at VB Engineering, Inc., in Boca Raton and as senior associate at FAE Consulting in Boca Raton. While at VB Engineering, he directed the design of several hundred PV designs, including the 5808-module, 4-acre, 1-MW system on the roof of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. While at FAE Consulting, he led the design of an additional 6 MW of systems that were installed. Dr. Messenger has also been active in the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, has served as a peer reviewer for the U.S. Department of Energy, and has served on the Florida Solar Energy Center Advisory Board. He has conducted numerous seminars and webinars on designing, installing, and inspecting PV systems. Homayoon "Amir" Abtahi is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Florida Atlantic University. He earned a PhD in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981 and joined Florida Atlantic University in 1983. In addition to his academic activity, he has a wealth of practical experience, much of which has been obtained as a volunteer. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Florida and a member of ASME, IEEE, ASHRAE, and SAE. Dr. Abtahi has held LEED Certification since 2007, is ESTIDAMA Certified in the United Arab Emirates, and is a Certified General Contractor and a Certified Solar Contractor in the state of Florida. His interests range widely from PV to PEM fuel cells, integrated capacitor/battery power modules, and atmospheric water generation. In 1985, he installed the first solar-power system in Venezuela and was responsible for the first application of solar power for post-hurricane emergency power and lighting and Ham radio communication operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in St. Croix in 1989 and Hurricane Marilyn in St. Thomas in 1995. In 1989, Dr. Abtahi published the first comprehensive catalog of 12-V appliances for use with PV systems. Recently, he has been involved with PV installations in the Caribbean, South America, Bangladesh, and India. From 2008 to 2010, he was responsible for design and installation of over 100 residential and 20 commercial/industrial PV systems. Over the past 15 years, he has had responsibility for the design and installation of 1 million BTUD of solar hot water and solar process heat. Along with PV and thermal applications, he has had experience with heat exchangers, MEP plan review, LEED projects, tracking PV, micro-turbines, parabolic trough solar, and other hybrid applications.