PV-POWER IN INDIA

Large-scale deployment of solar

generated power for both grid
connected as well as distributed
and decentralised off-grid
provision of commercial energy
services is a golden dream.
Breakthroughs are expected in
next five years[2015].

What are the Benefits of PV

Power?

Considering the emission rate of 1.3 kg CO2

per kWh for diesel generated electricity,
each 100 kWp mini-grid has the potential of
saving about 180 tonnes of CO2 emissions
annually.
There is no pollution through the use of a PV
system nor is there any heat or noise
generated which could cause local discomfort
2

India Has a Lot of Sunlight

In India, there are about 300 clear

sunny days in a year and solar energy
is widely available in most parts of the
country, including rural areas.
Cost is still a barrier, as is the potential
for local manufacture, but there is
enormous scope for widespread
dissemination of PV, a simple, robust
solar application.
3

Dissemination of use of PV
technology in India

There is a vast scope for and potential for the

use of PV technology in India.
There are still over 90,000 villages in the country
to be electrified.
Recognizing the importance of PV technology in
the Indian context, the Government has been
implementing a comprehensive programme
covering R & D, demonstration, commercialisation
and utilisation for more than 15 years.
4

Three Laws of Energy Transition

The law of stable long-term energy costs-to income

ratio
Growth in economic productivity requires better
quality of energy services
The law of growing energy productivity

Bashmakov, I., 2007, Three Laws of Energy

Transitions, Energy Policy, Vol. 35, pp. 3583-3594

Solar Radiation & Photovoltaics

Some theory discussion

The nature and availability of

solar radiation

Solar radiation arrives on the

surface of the earth at a
maximum power density of
approximately 1 kilowatt per
meter squared (kWm-2).
The actual usable radiation
component varies depending
on geographical location,
cloud cover, hours of
sunlight each day, etc.

In reality, the solar flux

density (same as power
density) varies between
250 and 2500 kilowatt
hours per meter squared
per year (kWhm-2 per
year).
As might be expected
the total solar radiation
is highest at the equator,
especially in sunny,
desert areas.
8

SUN LIGHT
ELECTRICITY

Solar cells are made of

silicon
(microelectronics/semiconductors)
Treated to be positive on one side and negative
on the other.
When light energy hits the cell, electrons are
knocked loose from the atoms in the
semiconductor material.
If electrical conductors are attached to the
positive and negative sides, forming an electrical
circuit, the electrons can be captured in the form
of an electric
10

Photovoltaic system
structures

Systems with fixed inclination - (fixed supporting

structure)
Systems with active tracking - single/double axis
tracking systems (characterized by step by step
motors and control electronics)
Self contained systems or stand alone
Network connected systems or grid connected

11

Module & Panel: Array

Every single photovoltaic cell has small

dimensions and generally produces a
power between 1 and 3 watts and
0,5Volts. We connect several cells
among themselves to create bigger
units called modules. The modules are
connected to constitute panels that
produce the wanted power
12

13

Types of solar cell modules

Mono-crystalline cell modules. The highest cell

efficiencies of around 15% are obtained with

these modules. The cells are cut from a monocrystalline silicon crystal.
Multi-crystalline cell modules. The cell
manufacturing process is lower in cost but
cell efficiencies of only around 12% are achieved.
A multi-crystalline cell is cut from a cast ingot of
multi-crystalline silicon and is generally square in
shape.
14

Types of solar cell modules

Amorphous silicon modules. These are made from

thin films of amorphous silicon where efficiency is
much lower (6-9%) but the process uses less
material.
The potential for cost reduction is greatest for
this type and much work has been carried out in
recent years to develop amorphous silicon
technology. Unlike monocrystalline and multicrystalline cells, with amorphous silicon there is
some degradation of power over time.

15

Components in a solar power system

contribute to the initial cost

Solar modules, battery, inverter, charge

controller, and other BOS (balance of system) /
components.
These four components incur more than twothirds of the total cost.
Capital cost of thermal generation is as low as 40
000 rupees per kW. Compared to this,
decentralized solar power generation is 285 000
rupees per kW or 3.5 times higher.
16

Stand-alone system:

Stand-alone systems are virtually self

sufficient and not interacted with grid. Such
system may have some backup/storage
system to run during the no sun or low sun
hour.
PV system without storage battery (Direct
coupled PV system)
DC system with storage battery
DC systems powering AC load (with or
without storage)
17

Direct coupled PV systems:

This is the simplest and least expensive

photovoltaic system designed to be used only
during daytime. Here the electricity generated
is directly and simultaneously used by the
appliances. Through out the day, the
insolation level is changing continuously and
so the output.
Examples of direct use systems include:
Remote water pumping with a storage tank.
Stand alone solar powered appliances such as
calculators and toys.
18

Simple intermittent dc load

When solar radiation

strikes the PV module,
DC (direct current)
electricity is generated.
During generation,
power can be used in
any DC load directly.
But the generation
exists till sun shines.

19

DC Systems With Storage

Batteries-1:

Basic components of this system include

a photovoltaic module, a charge
controller, storage batteries and
appliances that represent the system's
electrical load.
But here the type of loads used should
be of DC load as battery is capable of
running DC load only.
20

DC Systems With Storage

Batteries-2:

Batteries are used to store the electrical

energy generated by the photovoltaic
modules.
Power can be drawn from the batteries
whenever required- during the day or night,
continuously or intermittently.
In addition, a battery bank has the capacity
to supply high surge currents for a short time.
This gives the system the flexibility to start
large motors or to perform other high power
tasks.
21

22

PV with AC Loads :

Photovoltaic modules produce direct current (DC)

electrical power and batteries store DC energy. However
many common appliances require alternating current
(AC) power.
Direct current systems which power AC loads must use
an inverter. Inverters provide convenience and flexibility
in a photovoltaic system but also add complexity and
cost.
It is also possible to power the AC load without battery
but in that case it would be confined only to daytime
when solar radiation is sufficient to generate required
electricity.
23

Storage device and inverter

Storage device is needed to run the
system at night or in low sunshine
hour; to run any AC (alternating

current) load, an inverter has to be

used to convert DC into AC.
24

25

PV power: Cost considerations

for India
Case studies

Energy Cost and Risk Management

Solar energy technologies are low-to-no-risk

technologies No price volatility for inputs Low
risk of government environmental regulations
Adding solar to energy portfolio reduces
portfolio risk
Photovoltaic (PV) devices generate electricity via
an electronic process Electricity from your
roof, windows, dress, backpack

27

28

29

30

The SPV (solar photovoltaic)

plant 25 kWp

Each 25 kWp plant can cater to 150 service

connections with an average load of 80 watts
each to fulfil the domestic requirement and
80100 watts for shops for illumination,
photocopying, battery charging, etc.
A consumer pays 500 rupees (11 dollars) or 1000
rupees (22 dollars) as security deposit with a
monthly charge of 100125 rupees (45.5 dollars)
based on the demand for load.
31

32

33

34

The following figure shows PV system with

storage battery, powering AC load.
It is also possible to
power the AC load
without battery but
in that case it would
be confined only to
daytime when solar
radiation is sufficient
to generate required
electricity
35

Utility grid interconnected

system:

A utility grid interactive photovoltaic system is

connected to the utility grid.
A specially designed inverter is used to transform
the PV generated DC electricity to the grid
electricity (which is of AC) at the grid voltage.
The main advantage of this system is that power
can be drawn from the utility grid and when
power is not available PV can supplement that
power.
But again such grid interactive system is designed
with battery or without battery storage.
36

37

Hybrid Systems

System with more than one source of power is called

Hybrid system. Since the supply of solar is very
unpredictable, it is often desirable to design a system with
additional source of power.
The most common type of hybrid system contains a gas or
diesel powered engine generator.
Another hybrid approach is a PV/Wind system. Adding a
wind turbine to a PV system provides complementary
power generation.
The wind often continues to blow at night and during low
sun conditions. For even greater reliability and flexibility,
an engine generator can be included in a PV/Wind system.
38

Components of PV system

A PV system consists of following components.

1. Solar PV module
2. Battery
3. Charge controller
4. Inverter/converter
5. Mounting structure and tracking device
6. Interconnections and other devices

39

Components & configuration

In every configuration all these

components are not used. Components
used depend upon the type of
configuration, which in other way
depend upon the application. For
example: Storage battery is not used in
case of direct coupled PV system,
inverter is not used in case of DC load.
40

Parameters influencing PV
system operation

Solar irradiation: Power of a solar cell

changes with solar radiation. which is
different for different geographical location,
tilt and orientation.. The change of power is
almost linear with the solar radiation. There is
a very little change in open circuit voltage
(Voc) of the solar cell, but the short circuit
current (Isc) varies almost linearly with the
solar intensity.
41

Parameters influencing PV system

operation

Temperature: Power
decreases with increasing solar
cell temp. Voc decreases by a
value of approximately 3mV/K
for each degree rise in temp.
A solar cell with Voc of 0.6 V at
250C reaches a value of 0.45V
at 750C. Isc increases with rise
of temperature but the
reduction in voltage is much
greater than the corresponding
increase in current.

This affects the power,

which decreases at a
rate of about 0.45% per
degree rise in temp.
The operating
temperature of the
battery should be
nominal (25-35 degree
C). Higher temperature
may give a higher
capacity of battery but
at the same time it
reduces the life of the
battery.
42

Aging effect:

Solar cells, which are properly

encapsulated, have a very long life and
power does not reduce in any
significant manner. The effect of aging
is more severe in amorphous Si solar
cells.
43

Shading effect:

Shading has a very bad impact on the performance of the

PV system.
Even a partial shading (on one or two cells) of the whole
module can reduce the output drastically and if it persists
for a longer period, it may damage the whole system.
To protect the modules from such adverse effect, a
bypass diode is used.
The effect is more prominent in crystalline silicon solar
modules.
Amorphous silicon modules are less affected by shading.

44

Other effect:

Mismatching of module in a string,

resistance of wires and cables etc can
drastically alter the performance of the

PV system. Dust and dirt can reduce the

PV output.
45

46

LED lighting

Recently solar PV are coupled with Light

Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to give energy efficient
light.
Recent advancements in LED technology have
led to the development of white light emitting
diodes (WLEDs).
WLEDs provide a bright white light thats ideal
for domestic lighting.
The advantage of using LEDs with solar PV
systems is that the LED requires a much lower
wattage (less than conventional high efficiency
light bulbs), therefore
the size and the cost of the solar system is
much reduced for each household.
47

48

Solar home systems (SHS): Stand-alone electrical

systems.
They consist of
a photovoltaic (PV) module;
a re-chargeable battery;
a charge controller, which prevents the battery
from being over-charged or deep-discharged;
fluorescent lamps rated from 6 to 11 W;
wiring and fixtures.
The PV modules, are rated at 20 to 80 Wp with
50 Wp the most popular size.
49

Solar home systems (SHS)

A system based on a 20 Wp module can
supply two or three 6 W lamps for about
four hours per day: at the other end of
the range, an 80Wp system can power
four 8 W lamps and a black and white
television set.
50

51

52

Highlight of India's solar

energy plan_Dream
incentives for production,
installation and research and
development

"National Solar Mission"

Plan spread over 30 years aims to scale

up solar power generation from nothing
at present to 20 GW by 2020.
It is a three-phased plan that hopes to
generate 1-1.5 GW of solar power by
2012, 6-7 GW by 2017 and the rest by
2020.
54

Indias solar energy Vision

Solar-powered equipment and applications will be

mandatory for hospitals, hotels and government
buildings, and villages and small towns will be
encouraged with micro financing.
The plan also outlines a system of paying households
for any surplus power from solar panels fed back into
the grid. The target would be to provide access to
lighting for 3 million households by 2012.
India will promote solar heating systems and use 4050 million sq meters of area to install solar collectors
in domestic, industrial and commercial sectors.
55

Indias PV dream

It is aimed to cut down production costs of solar

panels and spur domestic manufacturing.

Investment is made on incentives for production,

installation and research and development.
The plan has a "near term" target of 100
megawatts, and 100 GW by 2030, or 10-12 percent
of total power generation capacity estimated for
that year.
56

Among the elements of the action plan are

the following aims:

Deployment of 400,000 solar lanterns as a

substitute for kerosene lanterns rural electrification
through PV systems covering 400 villages / hamlets
a special programme on water pumping systems
intensified R & D on technologies which can lead to
a reduction in cost
commercialisation of PV systems for applications by
giving a market orientation to the programme and
promoting manufacturing and related activities
As a result of these measures India is among the
leading countries in the world in the development
and use of PV technology.
57

PV power systems
Rural and remote areas
applications

Lessons learned and applied in

wide-scale dissemination

project design originating from participatory

assessment of the energy needs and
present energy expenses;
establishment of rural credit mechanisms;
establishment of infrastructure for
distribution, installation, maintenance and
repair of PV systems;
training of solar technicians and solar
dealers/micro-enterprises.
59

Rural electrification

farms, schools, mountain refuge huts) low wattage fluorescent lighting is

recommended
power supplies for remote villages
street lighting
individual house systems
battery charging
mini grids
60

Rural water pumping

applications

61

Application for small power

pack

62

Communications

radio repeaters
remote TV and radio receivers
remote weather measuring
mobile radios
rural telephone kiosks
data acquisition and transmission (for
example, river levels and seismographs)
63

Transport aids

road sign lighting

railway crossings and signals
hazard and warning lights
navigation buoys
road markers

64

Security systems &

Miscellaneous

security lighting
remote alarm system
electric fences
ventilation systems
calculators
pumping and
automated feeding
systems on fish farms

solar water heater

circulation pumps
boat / ship power
vehicle battery trickle
chargers
earthquake
monitoring systems
emergency power for
disaster relief
65

Manufacture in developing countries

In India, Central Electronics of Ghaziabad is

not only the nations largest PV producer,
but are the fifth largest producer of
monocrystalline silicon solar cells in the
world (D.V.Gupta cited in Garg et al, 1997).
There are over 60 companies in India alone
producing solar cells, modules and systems.
66

PV Manufacturers
in India

TATA BP

BHEL

CENTRAL ELECTRONICS LTD

SELCO INDIA

PHOTON ENERGY SYSTEMS LIMITED

67

PV Manufacturers of INDIA

Indias primary solar PV producer is Tata BP

solar, which expanded production capacity

from 8 MW in 2001 to 38 MW in 2004.

Central Electronics, Bharat Heavy Electrical,

and WEBEL Solar are other leading solar
cell/module manufacturers in India.
68

Thin films & multi-junction cells

and building integrated PV modules

Photovoltaic technologies have seen

significant advances in thin films and multijunction cells.
Building integrated photovoltaic like
photovoltaic window glass or roof shingles.
The rate of deployment of PVs in general is
increasing at a significant annual rate
worldwide.
69

Sometime in the future....

Development in photovoltaics, keep

improving the efficiencies and reducing the
costs. Sometime in the future, maybe in
the next 10-15 years, the costs will be low
enough that you will not need any
incentives for people to use PV. That will
happen because of the thin film and multijunction developments.
70

Text books on Solar Energy

Engineering
1. D. Yogi Goswami, Frank Kreith, Jan. F. Kreider,

Principles of Solar Engineering, 2nd Edition,

Taylor & Francis, 2000, Indian reprint, 2003
2. Edward E. Anderson, Fundamentals for solar
energy conversion, Addison Wesley Publ. Co.,
1983.
3. G. N. Tiwari and M. K. Ghosal, Fundamentals of
Renewable energy Sources, Narosa Publishing
House, New Delhi, 2007
71

Text books on Solar Energy

Engineering
4. Mukund. R. Patel, Wind and Solar Power Systems,
2nd Edition, Taylor & Francis, 2001
5. Roger Messenger and Jerry Ventre, Photovoltaic

Systems Engineering, 2nd Edition, CRC Press,

2003
72

EE Edition books

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS, Chetan Singh Solanki

Fundamentals, Technologies and Applications,

Second Edition, 2011

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS, Analysis and Design

A.K. Mukerjee and Nivedita Thakur, 2011

PHI Learning Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, 110001

73

Acknowledgements

This presentation is an edited and

collected version of already available
info on the web. It is published for the
benefit of those who wish to educate
themselves. Thanks to the original
source providers.
74