Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

Photovoltaics (PVs) have already been introduced, briefly, in several sections of this book. In Chapter 7 we learned how to space rows of collectors to avoid shading problems (Solution Box 7.2), and we learned how to do simple sizing of collector arrays to meet various electrical loads in buildings (Solution Box 7.9 and Figure 7.36). Then, in Chapter 10, we saw the impact that renewables, especially solar, are already having on the utility grid and how the resulting “duck curves” have focused attention on a new set of opportunities for distributed energy resources.