PV

Photovoltaic ( PV )
Photovoltaic are best known as a
method for generating electric
power by using solar cells to
convert energy from the sun into a
flow of electrons.
Thephotovoltaic effectrefers to
photons of light exciting electrons
into a higher state of energy,
allowing them to act as charge
carriers for an electric current.
The first practical application of
photovoltaic was to power orbiting
satellites and otherspacecraft.

Efficiency
The electrical efficiency of a PV cell is
aphysical propertywhich represents how much
electrical power a cell can produce for a
giveninsolation.
Actual efficiency is influenced by the output
Voltage, current, junction temperature, light
intensity and spectrum
The most efficient type of solar cell to date is a
multi-junction concentrator solar cell with an
efficiency of 46.0% producedFraunhofer ISEin
December 2014[1].

Frank, Dimroth.[1]
"New world record for solar cell efficiency at 46% French-German cooperation confirms competitive advantage of European photo

Growth of photovoltaic
Solar photovoltaic is growing rapidly and
worldwide installed capacity reached at
least 177giga watts(GW) by the end of
2014, this represents 1% of worldwide
electricity demand.
More than 100countriesuse solar PV.
China, followed byJapanand theUnited
Statesis now the fastest growing market,
whileGermanyremains the world's largest
producer

Solar PV Global Capacity, 20042014

RENEWABLES 2015 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

Solar PV Capacity and Additions, Top 10

Countries, 2014

 Crystalline silicon solar cell prices

have fallen from $76.67/Watt in 1977
to an estimated $0.30/Watt in 2015 .

Large-Scale PV Power Plants

MW575

USA
Rosamond, CA

Solar Star Projects

2015

MW550

USA
Riverside
County, CA

Desert Sunlight Solar Farm

2015

MW550

USA
San Luis Obispo
County, CA

Topaz Solar Farm

2011-2014

MW480

China
Longyangxia Dam,
Qinghai Province

Longyangxia
Hydro-Solar PV Station

2013-2015

MW350

USA
Boulder City, NV

Copper Mountain III Solar

Facility

2015

MW345

India
Charanka,
Patan District

Charanka Park
PV power plant

2012-2015

MW300

France
Cestas, Bordeaux
Gironde

Centrale solaire de Cestas

2015

MW290

USA
Yuma County, AZ

Agua Caliente Solar Project

2012

MW250

USA
Primm, NV

Silver State South Solar

2016

MW250

USA,
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Valley Solar

Ranch

2012-2013

http://www.pvresources.com/en/pvpowerplants/top50pv.php(8/5/2016)

The Solar Star Projects

Location: Rosamond, California, USA

Capacity: 579 MW
Owner: MidAmerican Solar
Design/Construction: Sun Power
No. of Modules: Approx. 1,720,000
Homes Powered: Approx. 255,000
Area: Approx. 3,200 Acres (13Km^2)
Construction Start: Early 2013
complete : 2015

(8/5/2016) http://us.sunpower.com/utility-scale-solar-power-plants/solar-energy-projects/solar-star-projects/

The Solar Star Projects

(cont.)
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS:
avoidance of more than 570,000 tons of carbon dioxide
emissions per yearthe equivalent of removing over 2 million
cars from the road over 20 years.
Generation of clean electricity to power the equivalent of
approximately 255,000 homes.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
Approximately 650 construction jobs over a three-year
construction period.
More than $500 million in regional economic impact.
Up to 40 operations and Maintenance jobs, including 15 full-time
site positions.

The Solar Star project

Desert Sunlight Solar Farm

Location : Riverside County, California, USA

Capacity : 550 megawatt
Owner : NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES
Design/Construction: First solar
No. of Modules: 8.8 millioncadmium
telluride modules
Area: 16 Km^2
construction start : 2011
Complete : 2015
http://www.firstsolar.com/en/About-Us/Projects/Desert-Sunlight-Solar-Farm (8/5/2016)

Desert Sunlight Solar Farm

(cont. )
Environmental Benefits:
Displaces 300,000 tons of CO2annually
equivalent to taking 60,000 cars off the road
Enough power for 160,000 average homes
ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
Wages and benefits from approximately 440
construction jobs over a 26 month period
Estimated $336 million of indirect benefits
to local businesses in the county

Desert Sunlight Solar Farm

Longyangxia Hydro-Solar PV Station

Location : China Longyangxia Dam

Total capacity : 483 megawatt
PV capacity : 200 MW
Dam capacity : 283 MW
Area: 9.16Km^2
Hybrid plant ( solar & hydro )
construction start : 2013
Complete : 2015

http://eng.cpicorp.com.cn/e_corporateNews/201312/t20131218_227495.htm (5/8/2016)
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/powerchina/2014-01/02/content_17210451.htm ( 8/5/2016 )

Longyangxia Hydro-Solar PV Station

( cont. )
Environmental Benefits
Displace 300,000 ton CO2, 26.2 ton CO,
1151.8 ton NO2 annually .

Heron Tower
Location: London
Heron Tower stands 230m
tall
System comprises of 657
custom-made buildingintegrated Optical
glass/glass laminate PV
modules
System capacity: 148.3
kW
Annual C02 savings:
51,800 kg

http://www.dulas.org.uk/casestudyprofile/solar_pv_heron_tower (8/5/2016)