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.
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