1st Edition

Photovoltaic Engineering Handbook

By F Lasnier Copyright 1990

    The Photovoltaic Engineering Handbook is the first book to look closely at the practical problems involved in evaluating and setting up a photovoltaic (PV) power system. The author's comprehensive knowledge of the subject provides a wealth of theoretical and practical insight into the different procedures and decisions that designers need to make. Unique in its coverage, the book presents technical information in a concise and simple way to enable engineers from a wide range of backgrounds to initiate, assess, analyze, and design a PV system. It is beneficial for energy planners making decisions on the most appropriate system for specific needs, PV applications engineers, and anyone confronting the practical difficulties of setting up a PV power system.

    TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES
    Solar cell technologies

    PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR
    The photovoltaic generator
    Network of solar cells, modules, and arrays

    PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
    Storage batteries for photovoltaic power systems
    Electronic regulation
    Power conditioning
    Adaptation of a positive-displacement pump directly connected to a photovoltaic generator
    Centrifugal photovoltaic pumping

    CHARACTERIZATION AND TESTING METHODS
    International test procedures for photovoltaic modules
    Asian Institute of Technology photovoltaic module test bed system
    Testing of photovoltaic modules under natural conditions using the Asian Institute of Technology photovoltaic module test bed system
    Characterization procedure of photovoltaic refrigeration system
    Field trial procedure for a photovoltaic pumping system under natural conditions
    Battery-testing method for low-water-loss and starting, lighting, and ignition (automotive) batteries

    SIZING PROCEDURE
    The sizing of stand-alone photovoltaic power systems
    A dynamic simulation approach
    Prediction of photovoltaic system performance using cumulative frequency curves of irradiance

    ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
    Financial evaluation of renewable energy projects
    Comparative assessment of photovoltaics and handpumps for rural water supply
    Life-cycle cost comparison of alternative power supply for a portable pocket-sized stereo cassette tape recorder

    INSTRUMENTATION
    A simple metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor electronic variable load
    Equipment accommodation
    Terminology

    REFERENCES
    INDEX

    Biography

    F Lasnier

    "…a comprehensive 'nuts and bolts' guide to photovoltaic technology and systems engineering."
    -Physics Briefs

    "…fulfils the role of a handbook and serves as a first step practical guide to photovoltaics … very useful as a comprehensive introductory text to photovoltaics."
    -Contemporary Physics