Sun's Energy - Sustainable Fuel for Pv Solar Panels
Solar Photovoltaic cells (Solar PV) are effectively panels that absorb the sun's light (which is actually made of many tiny units of energy) and convert it via a sophisticated system of silicon wafers into an electrical current that can then be used to power up your home, office or electrical appliances directly. Although not yet highly visible in the UK domestic market, solar PV panels are already very common in calculators and watches (albeit in a much smaller size). The larger solar panels are getting increasingly more efficient and are now used to generate power for private homes, large office buildings and other commercial installations.
Solar Photovoltaic and Planning Issues
One can install solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of their home as well as along one of the outer walls or as standalone units. Before setting off on the installation process, it is essential to check with the local authority regarding planning restrictions. Most local authorities in England allow solar PV panels to be installed on residential roofs and as standalone cells as long as certain criteria are met (mainly that the panels are not attached onto listed buildings or within conservation zones). Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, however, are still working out their local legislation. For residents of these areas it is therefore advisable to consult the local planning authorities before installing the solar systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Does concentrated PV facilities use ordinary solar panels?
Does "Concentrated Photovoltaics" (CPV) facilities use ordinary solar PV panels?In other words, does the average megawatt-class CPV facilities simply use ordinary solar panels, using lenses/mirrors to focus more light on to the panel's surface?
Or is it that they cannot use ordinary panels due to excessive heat?
Please note that, of the three levels of CPV concentration, I am referring to the lowest, the Low Concentration Photovoltaics (LCPV).
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ANSWER:
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QUESTION:
How 'green' is the production of silicon for PV solar panels?
My understanding is that even though silicon is a common element there is only one usable type of silicon for PV panels.
My question actually has 3 parts: 1) How is it mined and refined? 2) What countries have the majority of it? 3) Will there be negative environmental and sociopolitical impacts on the mining of this material? (As with "blood diamonds" and strip-mining?)
To clarify: There is a very specific type of silicon used for PV panels. Different sand has different content. I figured in different parts of the world there would be higher concentrations of this particular type?-
ANSWER:
There is a bit of a spiel on this link about the manufacture of silicon semiconductors and how they work.http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/COURSES/FIRST_YEAR/pdf%20files/LecNotesWeek3.pdf
To try and simplify this a bit.
Silicon is one of the most commonly occurring substances on earth. For pv cells it is refined to be virtually 100% pure. (Plenty of heat). Dopents are added to create either a surplus of electrons or a shortage of electrons. Making the final ingot produced either n type or p type respectively.
Slices of p and n type ingots are placed together and electrical connections are made to each side. (Diodes and transistors are made the same way with much smaller surface areas.) In the presence of light an electrical current flows from one contact to the other = electricity.
There are basically two types of silicon cells multicrystaline and monocrystaline. The later is more efficient and require more power to produce because they are manufactured from single crystals.
Not all solar panels are made from silicon. Gallium Arsenide cells are even more efficient and expensive
http://www.mdatechnology.net/techsearch.asp?articleid=412#sec6
There is a company called dyesol that claims to have produced a solar cell that utilises Artificial Photosynthesis.
http://www.dyesol.com/index.php?page=HowItWorks
Most countries have sand that can be refined into high purity silicon. If it is lower silica sand it takes more energy. The white sands usually contain the highest levels of silicon and are usually the preferred source. Countries with large sandy coastlines are the best sources of this sand.
As with anything if there is a buck in it, someone is going to get ripped off. If performed responsibly sand mining can have minimal environmental impact. It disturbs quite a small area which can be revegitated as the activity moves on. When driven by a quick buck it can be a disaster.
In short pv producition can be done in quite a green but not always.
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QUESTION:
Can a homeowner install PV solar panels then sell "carbon credits" in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol?
I have been reading about businesses that engage in "carbon projects" that cut the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These companies can then sell the associated "carbon credits" on the open markets under the "emissions trading scheme". Could a household or a group of households establish a carbon project in order to offset the costs of the Solar Panels?-
ANSWER:
Put your carbon credits on eBay- I'm sure there are plenty of suckers willing to pay up.Carbon credits: The Pet Rock of the 21st century!
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QUESTION:
Which PV solar panels and what else i need?
I'm basically newb at all this and can't figure out how many and of what power i need pv solar panels and with that what do i actually need and of what power?
This is basically for my projectMy electricity compumption per year is: ~45,000 kWh
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ANSWER:
Is that a business? 45,000 kWh is a very high usage for a residence.If your goal is saving money, the best step may be to do an energy audit, and see if you can win anything by conservation and efficiency.
Otherwise, if you want to supply substantially all that energy with solar, contact a professional installer. In my area, which is considered good for solar, that would be a 25 kW array - not the kind of thing to do on your own if you're just learning.
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