What topics are covered in a photovoltaic lecture?

Lectures cover commercial and emerging photovoltaic technologies and cross-cutting themes, including conversion efficiencies, loss mechanisms, characterization, manufacturing, systems, reliability, life-cycle analysis, Fundamentals of photoelectric conversion: charge excitation, conduction, separation, and collection.

What is a PV module?

Module: A group of PV cells connected in series and/or parallel and encapsulated in an environmentally protective laminate. The PV module is the smallest package that produces useful power. The process involved in manufacturing these modules requires high precision and quality control in order to produce a reliable product.

What is a cell in a photovoltaic system?

The cell is a part of a “circuit” (Latin for ”go around”), where the same electrons just travel around the same path, getting energy from the sunlight and giving that energy to the load. Cell: The basic photovoltaic device that is the building block for PV modules. All modules contain cells.

Do aerosols reduce photovoltaic power production?

Hoyo, M Del, Rondanelli, R, & Escobar, R (2020). Significant decrease of photovoltaic power production by aerosols. The case of Santiago de Chile.

How many volts does a PV module produce?

Cell: The basic photovoltaic device that is the building block for PV modules. All modules contain cells. Some cells are round or square, while thin film PV modules may have long narrow cells. Cells are too small to do much work. They only produce about 1/2 volt, and we usually need to charge 12 volt batteries or run motors.

When can new PV modules be added?

New PV modules can be added at any time. Photovoltaic (photo = light; voltaic = produces voltage) or PV systems convert light directly into electricity using semi-conductor technology. (@ 10% efficiency) Thermal systems (hot water, pool heaters) produce heat from the sun’s radiation (@ +40 % efficiency) Large difference in value of energy types.