Lecture 7Solar Electric Configuration

E-101 - Energy and Sustainability Professor Lonnie Gamble

Sustainable Living Department Maharishi University of Management

This presentation was prepared on solar powered computers

Sunlight to Electricity in 1839

How a solar cell works

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K76r41jaGJg

• http://video.pbs.org/video/980039287

• Saved by the Sun

Solar cellSolar Cell

Solar panel: Number of Cells = Battery voltage x 3

Ex: Charge 12 volt battery:12 x 3= 36 cells

Photovoltaics: Sunlight Directly Into Electricity

PV Specs

Suntech 170

Open Circuit Voltage Voc 44 voltsShort Circuit current Isc 5.4 ampsPeak Power Voltage Vpp 35.6 voltsPeak Power Current Ipp 5.05 amps

Basic Configurations

PV Direct

Water Pumping SystemBullock Brothers Farm, Orcas Island, Washington

Off-Grid

Hybrid

• Ecovillage system diagram• Solar wind hydro• BGS campus system photos

SEED (Sustainability Education and Enterprise Development) Center

Grid Tie – BatteriesAlaska Project Interior/exterior

Grid Tie – No Batteries

Inverter Specs

PV Specs

Suntech 170

Open Circuit Voltage Voc 44 voltsShort Circuit current Isc 5.4 ampsPeak Power Voltage Vpp 35.6 voltsPeak Power Current Ipp 5.05 amps

• Maharishi School Solar

Add Brian in hole and brian welding rack

Maharishi School Solar

DC Disconnect

Inverter (SMA Sunny Boy)

Meter

AC Disconnect

Microinverter Grid Tie

Natural Energy Lab of Hawaii AuthorityNELHA

North Kona, Big Island , Hawaii

American Wire Gauge