Photovoltaics Essay

Generally one of the most well known kind of solar systems, photovoltaics are found across multiple common solar applications. Photovoltaics make up solar panels across nations and can stand alone in a glass casing to act as a solar charger for cars and batteries (Hezel 2003, p 554). They can be attached to rooftops or stand together in solar farms, acting as a solar power grid.

How do photovoltaics work? Photovoltaic (PV) comes from the two words photons and voltage, which translate into light and electricity (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2014.). PVs are cells that are able to absorb light from the sun and convert it into usable electricity. Specifically, PVs absorb radiation coming from the sun or the energy emitted from the sun

Using mirrors or reflective surfaces “causes additional heating of the module” and thus may overheat (Robles-Ocampo et al. 200, p 1968). As with any system overheating, performance is impacted. Quashning (2004) discover that energy output greatly decreases as surrounding temperature increases and the system overheats (p 174). As the BPV system absorb light, it emits heat and thus increases the surrounding temperatures, therefore decreasing efficiency even more. However, both Appelbaum (2016) and Hezel (2003) claims that BPVs will actually not overheat as the cells are spaced apart and BPVs do not absorb infrared light, the causing element of heating in light (p 341; p 552). So while it appears that BPV may overheat and cause a performance decrease because of the reflective light, it is mostly like that BPV will actually not overheat due to the advancement in technology. However, it may still overheat in certain locations that are naturally hot, but in general, BPVs should not have a performance decrease because of reflection in an optimal

Under the simulation, Lo et al. (2015) simulated different weather patterns: some were optimal and some were disadvantageous; and found that the “yearly yield increases by 26%… [which] comes from the additional electrical energy generated by reflecting sunlight” (p 300 – 301). Under disadvantageous situation, the energy output is around 37.37 kWh, while in the most optimal environment, the energy output is about 47.20 kWh (Lo et al., 2015, p 300). The extra 10 kWh is extremely beneficial when doing energy intense task as any shortage of energy can lead to reduction of human performance. Frank et al. (2012) also provides evidence that the rear side of BPVs is able to absorb from 40% to 70% of the reflected light (p 303). Such absorption would provide about half of the total energy output from the front. This data is for general usage of BPV with reflective surface in a general area that meets the optimal environment