Photovoltaic Photovoltaic EnergyEnergy

James HumphriesJames HumphriesHina ImtiazHina ImtiazTaylor PackTaylor PackBrian OatesBrian Oates

Craig McConnellCraig McConnell

Photovoltaic EnergyPhotovoltaic Energy

• Often Called PV or solar Often Called PV or solar electricity systemselectricity systems

• Makes use of the Makes use of the abundant energy of the abundant energy of the sun sun

• Convert solar energy Convert solar energy directly into electricitydirectly into electricity

PV ArrayPV Array

• Size depends on many Size depends on many factorsfactors

• Made up of several Made up of several panels called modulespanels called modules

• Each module consists Each module consists of many individual PV of many individual PV cells cells

PV ModulesPV Modules

• Can be up to Can be up to several feet in several feet in lengthlength

• This particular This particular array is made up of array is made up of 6 modules6 modules

PV CellsPV Cells

• Are electricity Are electricity producing devices producing devices made of made of semiconductor semiconductor materialsmaterials

• Can be many sizes Can be many sizes and shapes and shapes

Make Up of a PV SystemMake Up of a PV System

A complete system has an array, a A complete system has an array, a battery, a controller and a loadbattery, a controller and a load

Already in UseAlready in Use

• Provides power for Provides power for many small consumer many small consumer productsproducts

• Used in bigger Used in bigger systems such as systems such as satellites, machines, satellites, machines, and even traffic lights and even traffic lights on highwayson highways

Advantages and Advantages and DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Of Photovoltaic SystemsOf Photovoltaic Systems

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• Relatively High Relatively High Prices ($.25-Prices ($.25-$.30kWh)$.30kWh)

• Unavailable to Unavailable to areas that have areas that have minimal sunlightminimal sunlight

AdvantagesAdvantages

• Electricity with Electricity with little to no pollutionlittle to no pollution

• No limiting No limiting resource: silicon is resource: silicon is abundantabundant

• PV power plants’ PV power plants’ fast assemblyfast assembly

PV power plant in Santa Rita, CA

System EconomicsSystem EconomicsPhotovoltaic SystemsPhotovoltaic Systems

EfficiencyEfficiency

• LocationLocation

• Natural DependantsNatural Dependants

• Power Input/OutputPower Input/Output

How Big?How Big?

• How much power supply is needed?How much power supply is needed?

• Is this a constant supply?Is this a constant supply?

• System economics depend on how System economics depend on how many panels are needed.many panels are needed.

Short-TermShort-Term

• The short term economics suckThe short term economics suck

• High initial costHigh initial cost

• Low outputLow output

Long-TermLong-Term

• Long-Term economics are more Long-Term economics are more promisingpromising

• Running costs and maintenance are Running costs and maintenance are extremely lowextremely low

• Estimated Array Life: 30 yearsEstimated Array Life: 30 years

Solar Energy Solar Energy inin

COSTA RICACOSTA RICA

Interesting CaseInteresting Case

• Hydroelectric power Hydroelectric power 80% total electric 80% total electric powerpower

• Rural areas use Rural areas use wood fuelwood fuel

• No oil reserves – No oil reserves – protests to drillingprotests to drilling

• Potential solar Potential solar energy ~ 123 energy ~ 123 million barrels of oilmillion barrels of oil

La Esperanza & Colas del La Esperanza & Colas del GalloGallo

• Western Costa RicaWestern Costa Rica

• Cost of production: Cost of production: $63,000$63,000

• Cost to extend Cost to extend grid: $370,000grid: $370,000

• Independent Independent systems: three 13 systems: three 13 watt light bulbs watt light bulbs and one televisionand one television

Water HeatingWater Heating

• Most feasibleMost feasible

• Could replace 10% of energy usageCould replace 10% of energy usage

• Cost per home: $600 -700Cost per home: $600 -700

Sol de VidaSol de Vida

• 19941994• Women’s groups Women’s groups

involved in solar involved in solar energy and energy and sustainable energy sustainable energy usageusage

• Solar cookersSolar cookers• Annual festivalsAnnual festivals• Resources and Resources and

education centereducation center

EcotourismEcotourism• ““Responsible travel to natural areas Responsible travel to natural areas

that conserves the environment and that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local improves the well-being of local people."people."

• This means that those who implement and This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:the following principles: Minimize impact Minimize impact Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts Provide direct financial benefits for conservation Provide direct financial benefits for conservation Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local

people people Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, Raise sensitivity to host countries' political,

environmental, and social climate environmental, and social climate Support international human rights and labor Support international human rights and labor

agreements agreements

Hotels and EcotourismHotels and Ecotourism

• There is an There is an organization of tourism organization of tourism based companies based companies (mainly hotels) that (mainly hotels) that have joined in the have joined in the Certification for Certification for Sustainable TourismSustainable Tourism (CST) in which they (CST) in which they commit to commit to environmentally environmentally friendly operations. friendly operations.

Ecotourism and Solar Ecotourism and Solar EnergyEnergy

• Mostly used for Mostly used for water heartingwater hearting

• Si Como No - Si Como No - Manuel Antonio Manuel Antonio

Photovoltaics in Photovoltaics in IndonesiaIndonesia

West Java, IndonesiaWest Java, Indonesia

• SELF – launched project in SELF – launched project in Indonesia in 1996Indonesia in 1996

• Solar panels have been Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of homesinstalled on the roofs of homes

• Recipients were required to Recipients were required to make an initial down payment make an initial down payment of $100.00, followed by of $100.00, followed by monthly installments of $10.00 monthly installments of $10.00 over a three and half year over a three and half year period.period.

In ConclusionIn Conclusion