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| PV System Profile | ||
| > PV Characteristic | ||
| > Functional principle of a ... solar cell |
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| > What kind of solar cell | ||
| > Solar Energy type | ||
| > Installation PV system | ||
| > Q & A | ||
| Q & A | |||
Q1: What are the components of a photovoltaic (PV) system? |
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A1: A PV system is made up of different components. These include PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV module; one or more batteries; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter for a grid-connected system and when alternating current (ac) rather than direct current (dc) is required; wiring; and mounting frames. |
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Q2: How much electricity does a photovoltaic (PV) system generate? |
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| A2: Unfortunately, there is no single or simple answer. Depend on sunshine illumination. Generally speaking, 1 kilowatt PV system will produce 3 kilowatt-hours a day in most areas of the Taiwan. A PV system rated at 1 kilowatt will produce about 1095 kilowatt-hours a year. Most PV module are warranted to last 20 years or more (perhaps as many as 30 years) and to degrade (lose efficiency) at a rate of less than 1% per year. Under these conditions, 1 kilowatt PV system could generate close to 21,900 kilowatt-hours of electricity over 20 years and close to 32,850 kilowatt-hours over 30 years. | |||
Q3: What does energy conversion efficiency mean? |
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A3: Energy conversion efficiency is an expression of the amount of energy produced in proportion to the amount of energy consumed, or available to a device. The sun produces a lot of energy in a wide light spectrum, but we have so far learned to capture only small portions of that spectrum and convert them to electricity using photovoltaic. So, today's commercial PV systems are about 7% to 17% efficient, which might seem low. And many PV systems degrade a little bit (lose efficiency) each year upon prolonged exposure to sunlight. For comparison, a typical fossil fuel generator has an efficiency of about 28%. |
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Q4: Can I use photovoltaic (PV) to power my home? |
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A4: PV can be used to power your entire home's electrical systems, including lights, cooling systems, and appliances. The most common practice is to mount modules onto a south-facing roof or wall. For an additional aesthetic appeal, some modules resemble traditional roof shingles or can be built right into glass skylights and walls. This building-integrated PV provides a dual-use building material, reduces PV system costs by using the building as the mounting or support structure, and reduces utility bills with on-site power production. |
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Q5: How much space would be needed for photovoltaic systems to meet the entire electrical needs of the one household? |
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A5: The size of solar system you need depends on several factors—such as how much electricity you use, how much sunshine is available where you are, the size of your roof, and how much you're willing to invest. Generally speaking, install 1 kilowatt solar system needs about 10㎡of area. |
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