Stand Alone Solar Energy

Off Grid Solar is a pocket guide and quick reference for anyone looking to build an electrical energy system using free sunshine available to us all. Are you a self-reliant builder who is ready to become energy independent? Are you an inquisitive builder who wants to know how solar energy can power your life indefinitely?

What is a standalone photovoltaic system and how does it work? How many panels will I need to generate energy? What kind of batteries are going to work best? This self-contained book provides you with the tools to plan, size and install a standalone PV system, with numerous illustrations and worked examples to facilitate the learning process. You will be able to identify the components of an installation, select the most appropriate equipment, and design a low-power system, as well as learning about the installation, management and maintenance of off-grid systems to ensure they have a long working life.

How to use this book : an overview of solar electric technology -- Fundamentals of solar energy -- Solar cell modules -- Batteries -- Charge controllers, inverters and load management -- Lamps and appliances -- Wiring and fittings -- Planning an off-grid solar electric system -- Installing solar electric systems -- Managing, maintaining and servicing off-grid PV systems -- Basics of large off-grid systems -- Off-grid PV and solar energy resources.

Standalone Photovoltaic (PV) Systems for Disaster Relief and Remote Areas explores the increased demand for energy, including clean energy alternatives and the ways that solar energy is fast becoming a vital source for meeting peak demand, a solution for energy demand in disaster and remote areas, and a viable source to meet emerging energy security needs. The book provides a detailed overview of PV systems and applications for disaster and remote areas, and includes a guide on how to provide electricity during outages, along with important discussions on the need for increasing the resilience of the grid. The differences and requirements for standalone, mobile, and portable PV systems are discussed, along with how systems can be deployed, transported, and used in remote areas. In addition, the book discusses the use of solar PV systems to create environmentally friendly power systems for remote communities that can be operated independently, also comparing the costs, emissions, and practical applications of other technologies. Types of natural disasters, their effect on peoples’ lives, on world economy, impact on electric grid and costs of power outages Energy Needs in the aftermath of disasters and remote areas both in developed and developing Countries, including how PV systems can provide electricity affordably, with resilience and reducing grid impact by way of community solar and solar microgrid Detailed description of the types and components of standalone photovoltaic systems, modeling and simulation and performance analysis New initiatives, programs and case studies for providing solar-generated electricity to low-income people both in the United States and the developing world at low cost Examples of assembling one’s own PV module and dye-sensitized solar cells, results, databases and industry standards

One of the best ways to get power to remote, off-grid locations, whether in developed or developing countries, is through the use of solar electric systems. This practical guide describes how to plan, design and install solar electric systems in a manner that is hands-on, graphic and technically complete. Highly illustrated chapters cover: solar energy basics components of solar electric systems (modules, batteries, regulators, inverters and appliances) installation practice on planning and servicing systems water pumping refrigeration village electrification. This is the must-have guide for electric technicians and designers, development workers, and anyone who wants to install their own off-grid system.

Standalone (off-grid) renewable energy systems supply electricity in places where there is no access to a standard electrical grid. These systems may include photovoltaic generators, wind turbines, hydro turbines or any other renewable electrical generator. Usually, this kind of system includes electricity storage (commonly lead-acid batteries, but also other types of storage can be used). In some cases, a backup generator (usually powered by fossil fuel, diesel or gasoline) is part of the hybrid system. The modelling of the components, the control of the system and the simulation of the performance of the whole system are necessary to evaluate the system technically and economically. The optimization of the sizing and/or the control is also an important task in this kind of system.

Solar PV is now the third most important renewable energy source, after hydro and wind power, in terms of global installed capacity. Bringing together the expertise of international PV specialists Photovoltaic Solar Energy: From Fundamentals to Applications provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of existing PV technologies in conjunction with an assessment of technological developments. Key features: Written by leading specialists active in concurrent developments in material sciences, solar cell research and application-driven R&D. Provides a basic knowledge base in light, photons and solar irradiance and basic functional principles of PV. Covers characterization techniques, economics and applications of PV such as silicon, thin-film and hybrid solar cells. Presents a compendium of PV technologies including: crystalline silicon technologies; chalcogenide thin film solar cells; thin-film silicon based PV technologies; organic PV and III-Vs; PV concentrator technologies; space technologies and economics, life-cycle and user aspects of PV technologies. Each chapter presents basic principles and formulas as well as major technological developments in a contemporary context with a look at future developments in this rapidly changing field of science and engineering. Ideal for industrial engineers and scientists beginning careers in PV as well as graduate students undertaking PV research and high-level undergraduate students.