Photovoltaic Installations

Further reading

• Application Note - Photovoltaics (5745)
• About the author (3410)
• Webinar - Photovoltaic Installations (221)

Photovoltaic Installations

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By Ton Van der Wekken, KEMA

Most people are familiar with the generation of electricity from solar energy, particularly in off-grid or ‘stand alone’ applications such as solar powered calculators, traffic signs, road side emergency telephones and, of course, space applications.

This Application Note gives an overview of grid connected PV-systems, which make an important contribution to the electricity produced from renewable sources. After an introduction to the PV market and typical application examples, such as building-integrated PV (BIPV) and roof mounted systems, it discusses the available technologies, and the components of a typical system, including an example, with costs, of a typical roof-mounted system. Future developments of new cell technologies potentially offering lower costs are also covered. Finally, the costs and benefits are discussed, including a view on the future costs of some promising developments, followed by a discussion on incentives and regulation.