Photovoltaics

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC

This chapter covers solar photovoltaics generally but focuses particularly on gridconnected

applications.

Technology Status Overview

PV has been commercialised in specialised applications such as remote area

telecommunications since the mid-1970s. Low-efficiency amorphous silicon cells

have expanded into the consumer market in applications such as solar-powered

calculators, solar-powered lights, solar-powered battery chargers for vehicles,

outdoor lights and electric fences.

Large photovoltaic generating systems with capacities of one megawatt or greater

were installed in the United States in the 1980s by private companies and utilities

taking advantage of the generous financial incentives including taxation benefits

and high buyback rates offered. One utility in the US, Sacramento Municipal Utility

District (SMUD) installed 2 MW of PV modules next to the closed Rancho Seco

nuclear power plant to provide power to 500 homes. Other megawatt scale gridconnected

photovoltaic power plants are located in Japan and Norway. There are

also a few experimental plants in Saudi Arabia, West Germany and Italy which has

the world’s largest PV power station at 3.3 MW.

However, the focus is now on widespread application of small distributed gridconnected

systems at individual household or commercial building scale. For

example in 1998 a demonstration system of 26 solar skylights covering 25,000

square metres was installed at a car plant in the UK capable of generating sufficient

electricity to meet all the plants lighting needs. Similarly the world's largest rooftop

system