Photovoltaic solar energy refers to the electrical energy produced from solar radiation. This energy is produced using photovoltaic solar panels and power plants. Because it comes from a source (the sun) that is considered inexhaustible, photovoltaic solar energy is commonly referred to as renewable. Today, it is an advantageous option on many levels. Find out more here!
What do I need to know about photovoltaic solar energy?
The photovoltaic system consists of a cell that uses the photoelectric effect to convert electromagnetic waves from the sun into electricity. The individual cells are linked together to form a module known as a photovoltaic solar collector.
In turn, these modules are grouped together to form the electrical installation. This assembly enables electricity to be consumed or stored on site. It can also be transported via an electrical distribution or transmission network.
Today, photovoltaic energy is a global issue, and several coalitions have been set up to coordinate policies for the development of the solar system. There is also a wide range of photovoltaic solar modules. To begin with, you can find monocrystalline modules, which are mainly used in confined spaces, where they offer greater efficiency.
Polycrystalline modules, on the other hand, are more accessible because of their price, but their performance is not always the best. In addition, amorphous solar models stand out for their flexibility and quality of production in low light conditions. However, they require a larger surface area for the same installed power.
How does photovoltaic solar energy work?
Photovoltaic cells produce direct current from solar radiation. The installation may or may not be connected to a central distribution system. In the latter case, the electricity is consumed locally or used by a specific appliance. On a small scale, certain sites that are not connected to the electricity grid, such as mountains and sailing boats, are powered in this way.
Accumulator batteries are generally used to draw power from these sites at night. On large distribution networks, photovoltaic installations produce electricity and feed it into an inverter. The inverter is responsible for transforming the direct current into an alternating current with the characteristics of the grid.
What are the characteristics of photovoltaic solar installations?
The solar constant for photovoltaic installations is 1.367 kW/m2However, light losses in the earth's atmosphere can reduce the energy received from the sun by 1 kW/m².2 at midday. This corresponds to 1 kW for 1 min 2 s of panels exposed to full sun.
All variations in value are taken into account in the calculations to determine the yield of solar panels. In short, the energy from the sun that reaches the ground varies according to :
- cloud cover ;
- inclination ;
- To the source ;
- the time of day.
Production only peaks for a short time, at around midday local time.
A photovoltaic information system is used to provide information about the amount of sunshine available at a given location. Solar photovoltaic installations, which used to be small, are now becoming increasingly large.
Although the smaller models are still being used by individual houses, the new products are flooding the roofs of commercial and administrative buildings. These panels approach the power levels of large nuclear power stations, but have a reduced load factor.
Solar energy
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