Photovoltaic technology:
The physic principle on which of this renewable energy source is the so called “photovoltaic effect”, which consists in the direct conversion of solar radiation into electricity. The conversion is performed trough (silicon based) semiconductors capable of emitting electricity if exposed to sunlight.
A photovoltaic (PV) cell is the base element of PV modules, which can be furtherly assembled into panels, strings and solar farms.
Excluding technical aspects which are different for every installation, grid-connected PV systems are made of two main elements: a photovoltaic generator and a conversion system:
- The strings composing a PV generator are generally collected in parallel to an electrical cabinet. Each string have a blocking diode and a surge protection device;
- 2. the conversion system contains a power measurement device, a safety system in case of anomalies, the inverter (necessary to convert direct current generated by the PV generator into alternating current) and a protection interface.
Advantages of solar photovoltaic energy:
The main advantages of producing electrical power by means of PV technology are:
- relies on an unlimited resource;
- automatic and supervision-free operation;
- total absence of polluting emissions ( in particular greenhouse gases) and consumption of fossil fuels.
Moreover solar farms:
- are relatively simple and easy to build;
- have a modular structure;
- have low operating and maintenance costs;
- are entirely recyclable at the end of their life expectancy.
