 |
 |
 |
|
Photovoltaics, along with other renewable-energy technologies, is a rapidly growing sector of the energy market. Photovoltaic Systems is a comprehensive guide to the design, installation, and evaluation of residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems. The textbook covers the principles of photovoltaics and how to effectively incorporate PV systems into stand-alone or interconnected electrical systems. The content includes system advantages and disadvantages, site evaluation, component operation, system design and sizing, and installation requirements and recommended practices. Common scenarios and procedures are discussed throughout. Specified electrical requirements are in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
Numerous illustrations explain the concepts behind how PV arrays and other components operate, and photographs of actual installations show how components are integrated together to form complete systems. Content also covers the topics needed for solar installer certification by NABCEP. Photovoltaic Systems is the essential guide to all aspects of PV systems.
This second edition updates electrical requirements per the 2008 National Electrical Code and expands the coverage of sun position, shading analysis, and computer modeling of system performance expectations.
The Photovoltaic Systems CD-ROM included at the back of the book features interactive resources for independent study and to enhance learning, including Quick Quizzes, an Illustrated Glossary, Media Clips, several solar resources, and Reference Material. The Quick Quizzes provide an interactive review of key topics covered in each chapter. The Illustrated Glossary is a helpful reference to textbook definitions, with select terms linked to illustrations and media clips that augment the definition provided.
The solar resources are electronic resources for evaluating potential installation sites and for sizing PV systems, and include the following:
- Solar Radiation Data Sets, which include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's complete solar radiation data for 239 sites around the United States in easily printable PDF format.
- Sun Path Charts, which are printable PDF charts of solar positions for selected latitudes. The related sun path chart spreadsheet can calculate additional charts as needed.
- Forms and Worksheets, including a sample site survey form and a set of sizing worksheets, all in PDF format. The sizing worksheets are also included in a spreadsheet file that automatically performs sizing calculations.
- Solar Time Calculator, which facilitates the conversion between standard time and solar time that is required for some solar analyses.
About the Author
Jim Dunlop was encouraged early to pursue a career in the electrical field by his high school electrical shop teacher George Patrick Shultz (author of several early NJATC textbooks), and when he attended the University of Florida, he planned to study electrical engineering. Jim's early experiences, however, led him into renewable energy systems. He was also influenced by courses on solar energy systems and direct energy conversion taught by renewable energy pioneer Dr. Erich Farber, founder of the University of Florida's Solar Energy Research Park.
Beginning his career at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), Jim became involved in the development and evaluation of photovoltaic (PV) systems, which had recently been included in the 1984 National Electrical Code. Over his twenty-year career at FSEC under Director Jerry Ventre, Jim was involved in developing curricula and delivering numerous training programs on PV systems. In 2001, he led FSEC's efforts in attaining national accreditation for its PV training programs.
From 2001 to 2002, Jim served as the charter technical committee chairperson for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). As of 2005, Jim is again leading this committee. This position involves developing candidate entry requirements, task analyses, examinations, and study guides for a national PV-installer certification program.
In 2001, Jim became the first Master Trainer in PV systems certified by the Institute for Sustainable Power worldwide. In addition to creating training manuals and instructor materials, he has published over fifty papers and technical reports on the design, testing, and evaluation of PV systems and equipment. Jim recently served as a Curriculum Specialist for the NJATC and continues to be involved in the PV industry through providing training and consulting services for the specification, design, installation, and evaluation of PV systems.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems. Chapter 2: Solar Radiation. Chapter 3: Site Surveys and Preplanning. Chapter 4: System Components and Configurations. Chapter 5: Cells, Modules, and Arrays. Chapter 6: Batteries. Chapter 7: Charge Controllers. Chapter 8: Inverters. Chapter 9: System Sizing. Chapter 10: Mechanical Integration. Chapter 11: Electrical Integration. Chapter 12: Utility Interconnection. Chapter 13: Permitting and Inspection. Chapter 14: Commissioning, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting. Chapter 15: Economic Analysis. Review Questions Answer Key. Appendix. Glossary. Index.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
