Photovoltaic system, flat plate

Unlike solar thermal systems or PV concentrator systems, the PV flat plate systems work well in cloudy locations because these latter convert diffuse as well as direct sunlight to electricity. On an aimualized basis, the energy produced by a photovoltaic array varies by only about 25% from an average value for the contiguous 48 states of the United States. As a result, it is practical to use photovoltaic systems in normally cloudy locations such as Seattle or northern Maine. 

The interfaces of importance in SECS are the solid/solid (S/S), solid/gas (S/G), and solid/ liquid (S/L) (4). The area-intensive nature of SECS components was established in the previous section. The major problem is collecting solar energy at a cost that is competitive with other energy forms. Thus, low initial cost is required for the materials, support structures, and production processes in the SECS of interest in Fig. 1 (6). This requires, for example, using thin films in mirrors, in photovoltaic systems, for antireflection coatings on windows, for passive collection, etc. in addition, these films must be made from inexpensive, durable, and easily processed materials (5). Inexpensive long-life materials in flat-plate collectors and durable, stable absorber coatings are also necessary. 

For solar thermal and photovoltaic systems using flat plate collectors, energy collection is optimized for collectors tilted south (in the northern hemisphere) at approximately the latitude of the site. 

Polymers have many potential applications In solar technologies that can help achieve total system cost-effectiveness. For this potential to be realized, three major parameters must be optimized cost, performance, and durability. Optimization must be achieved despite operational stresses, some of which are unique to solar technologies. This paper Identifies performance of optical elements as critical to solar system performance and summarizes the status of several optical elements flat-plate collector glazings, mirror glazings, dome enclosures, photovoltaic encapsulation, luminescent solar concentrators, and Fresnel lenses. Research and development efforts are needed to realize the full potential of polymers to reduce life-cycle solar energy conversion costs. 

Polymeric materials are used In all solar technologies. In addition to such conventional applications as adhesives, coatings, moisture barriers, electrical and thermal Insulation, and structural members, polymers are used as optical components In solar systems. Mirrors on parabolic troughs are made up of metallized fluoropolymers and acrylics. Commercial flat-plate collectors are glazed with fluoropolymers and ultraviolet-stabilized polyester/ glass fiber composites. Photovoltaic (PV) cell arrays are encap-... 

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