The Sun -
an inexhaustible and 100% sustainable energy source
Photovoltaic
Fossil fuels and nuclear power are on the verge of extinction. In addition to the fight against climate change, the increasing costs of electricity is leading many companies to look for renewable energy sources. Photovoltaik offers a state-of-the-art and eco-friendly way to upgrade your company for the future.
About 150 million kilometers away, our sun sends light and heat. While its surface is an immense 5,500 degrees Celsius hot, on earth it creates the perfect temperature for life to develop. Through the advanced technology of solar cells, it also provides 100% renewable energy that will still be available thousands of years from now.
The Power of Light
Photovoltaic is the conversion of light into electricity. This is achived by using semiconducting materials such as silicium, that exhibits the photovoltaic effect.
Whereas the sun is an infinite and free energy source, price bids for photovoltaics have dropped almost by the factor of 10 within the last 10 years. At the same time research, competitiveness and the growing call for sustainable energy sources have transformed photovoltaics to one oft he most important renewable energy solutions to fight climate change.
The raw material for a classic silicium solar cell is predominantly sand, which is available all over the world. This makes the production of solar cells possible worldwide. The solar cells differ depending on their production, efficiency and raw material consumption.
After oxygen, silicium is the second most abundant element on earth. It can be found in bound form mainly in sand, rock and quartz. Elemental silicium can be obtained from these raw materials through industrial processing.
In polycrystalline modules, the solar cells consist of silicium crystals of different sizes that are not oriented in the same way. Their production is cheaper due to a special casting process, but they therefore have a lower efficiency because to the disordered crystal structure.
In monocrystalline modules, the solar cells consist of a few particularly large silicium crystals. This homogeneous crystal lattice ensures a low energy loss between the silicium particles and a higher efficiency of the solar cells. Due to the high manufacturing costs, however, monocrystalline modules are only suitable for small solar systems.
Amorphous solar cells are produced by a special vapour deposition method and are therefore particularly cost-effective. They do not have a crystalline structure and are thin-film. Their efficiency is very low, but they offer advantages with low light influence, high temperatures and scattered light. Amorphous solar cells are used especially for smaller electrical appliances such as calculators or watches.
Types of Solar Modules
The larger the silicium crystals contained in the cells, the higher the efficiency of the cells, but also the manufacturing costs and the associated raw materials. Although several smaller silicium crystals cause increased energy loss between the individual crystal structures, they are associated with lower manufacturing costs.
This should be taken into consideration during planning: If larger areas are to be equipped with solar cells, polycrystalline solar modules are more suitable from a cost perspective, since the energy loss can be compensated with the large surface area. If, on the other hand, smaller areas are to be equipped with solar cells, the more cost-intensive but more effective monocrystalline modules are worthwhile.
Function of a silicium cell
The principle of a silicium solar cell is that a flow of electrons is created on the surface of the semiconductor when the sun shines on it. The upper half of the silicium is interspersed with electron donators and has too many electrons. It has therefore a negativ charge (2). The lower layer of the silicium is interspersed with electron acceptors and has too few electrons and a positiv charge (4). Between these layers is a neutral zone in which the excess electrons from the electron donors are loosely bound to the defects of the electron acceptors(3).
When the photons of the sun’s rays hit this neutral layer, the light particles transfer their energy to the loose connections and dissolve them(5). Due to the electronic field between the layers, the dissolved electrons drift to the contacts in the similarly doped zones. A flow of electrons is created because new loose connections between the electrons are constantly forming in the neutral layer. This electron current can now be used as an electric circuit.
However, the direct current generated by this solar module must be converted into an alternating current with the help of a solarinverter before it can be used and fed into the power grid.
The solar inverter converts the output energy of the PV Panel into a utility frequency alternating current which can be fed into a commercial electrical grid or used in the local electrical network. These converters are classified into different device types: Module inverters, string inverters, multi-string inverters, central inverters, hybrid inverters.
Main Advantages of PV Systems
Climate Protection
Using the infinite and eco-friendly energie of the sun is active climate protection! Solarpannels reduce the emissions without noise or pollution by 100%.
Independet Energy Source
A PV Pannel is a local, decentralized power supply, which is independent from fossil fuels as well as the rising energy prices.
Return on Investment
A PV Pannel reduces the electricity costs to a minimum. At the same time overproduced energie can be fed into the power grid to gain additional yields.
Lifelong Investment
Solarpannels have a long life expectancy of 20-25 years or even more with low operating and maintenance costs.
Fast, easy and flexible Installation
Due to the modular structur of PV Plants, most installation only take up to 3 working days . No major measures are needed to be taken.(Depending on the project).
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