What are the main features of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation?

Abstract: This chapter presents the important features of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and an overview of electrical storage technologies. The basic unit of a solar PV generation system is a solar cell, which is a P‐N junction diode. The power electronic converters used in solar systems are usually DC‐DC converters and DC‐AC converters.

How does soiling affect solar panels?

In addition, soiling of solar panels, caused by the accumulation of dust and dirt on the panel surface, limits the penetration of insolation to PV cells, and thus reduces the efficiency of electricity generation 12, 13, 14.

What factors affect the performance of a solar PV array?

The performance of the solar PV array is strongly dependent on operating conditions and field factors, such as sun geometric locations, its irradiation levels of the sun and the ambient temperature. A cloud passing over a portion of solar cells or a sub module will reduce the total output power of solar PV arrays.

How do solar photovoltaic cells work?

Solar photovoltaic cells are grouped in panels, and panels can be grouped into arrays of different sizes to power water pumps, power individual homes, or provide utility-scale electricity generation. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (copyrighted)

Do photovoltaic solar farms affect global solar power production?

This may further lead to disturbance in the global climate and hence the global solar power production. We aim to quantify the impacts of a large-scale deployment of photovoltaic solar farms in the Sahara on global solar power generation as a pilot case study, and investigate the underlying forcing mechanisms.

What is photovoltaic effect?

The semiconductor device that transforms solar light in electrical energy is termed as ‘Photovoltaic cell’, and the phenomenon is named as ‘Photovoltaic effect’. To size a solar PV array, cells are assembled in form of series-parallel configuration for requisite energy , , .