Section 1 - Markets and Applications Flashcards
What is the photovoltaic effect, and who discovered it?
The photovoltaic effect could make light turn into electricity due to electrodes in water. It was discovered by Edmund Becquerel in 1839.
Who discovered the photoelectric effect?
Albert Einstein in 1905
When was the first modern solar module developed?
In 1954, by Bell Labs
What is AHJ?
AHGJ is Authority Having Jurisdiction - an organization, office or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard or approving equipment, materials and installations. Typically it’s the city of county where you get your permit.
What are the main parts of a PV system?
Module or panel, circuits, combiner box, inverters, disconnects, breakers and meter
What is a utility interactive system?
Aka grid tied, interconnective, interactive. Excess energy is fed back out into the grid. Electricity matches grid powers. These systems only work when the grid is active.
What is an anti-islanding device?
In utility interactive systems, this senses when the grid goes down and shuts the solar system off.
What is a charge controller?
Charge controller ensures that batteries are not overcharged or over discharged, which would reduce their cycle.
What is more efficient, a standalone system or utility interactive system?
Stand-alone systems are less efficient because of stand-by losses at night and wasted power during the day with excess sunlight.
What are the components (in order) of a stand-alone solar system?
PV modules –> charge controller –> batteries –> inverter (converts to AC)
What is a linear current booster (LCB)
In direct coupled systems, this boosts current and sacrifices voltage to get pump to turn over when current is low due to less solar energy hitting the pv
What are self-regulating pv systems?
These are off-grid systems that power devices but use no charge control to protect batteries. Cannot charge batteries more than 3% per hour per NEC rule.
What are the two types of solar tracking systems?
Single access - track sun on the horizontal angle.
Dual access - tracks on both horizontal and vertical angle. More moving parts, typically higher maintenance. Up to 30% increase in energy harvest.
