| List of Figures | xiii |
| List of Tables and Worksheets | xv |
| Acknowledgments and Disclaimer | xvi |
| Preface | xviii |
Chapter 1 | An Overview of Photovoltaics | |
1.1 | The Development of Photovoltaics | 2 |
1.2 | Current and Emerging Opportunities | 2 |
1.3 | Advantages of Photovoltaic Technology | 3 |
1.4 | Disadvantages of Photovoltaic Technology | 3 |
1.5 | Environmental, Health, and Safety Issues | 3 |
1.6 | Photovoltaic System Components | 4 |
1.7 | Photovoltaic System Types | 4 |
Chapter 2 | Photovoltaic Electric Principles | |
2.1 | Terminology | 10 |
2.2 | Matching Appliances to the System | 11 |
2.3 | Electrical Circuits | 11 |
2.4 | Series and Parallel Circuits in Power Sources | 12 |
2.5 | Series and Parallel Circuits in Electric Loads | 14 |
| Series and Parallel Wiring Exercises | 15 |
| Solutions to Wiring Exercises | 21 |
Chapter 3 | The Solar Resource | |
3.1 | Solar Radiation Fundamentals | 28 |
3.2 | Gathering Site Data | 32 |
3.3 | Completing the Solar Site Analysis | 33 |
Chapter 4 | Electric Load Analysis | |
4.1 | Using Energy Efficiently | 40 |
4.2 | Electrical Load Requirements | 40 |
4.3 | Calculating Load Estimates | 41 |
4.4 | Considerations for Calculating Load Estimates | 44 |
Chapter 5 | Photovoltaic Modules | |
5.1 | Photovoltaic Principles | 48 |
5.2 | Module Types | 49 |
5.3 | Module Performance | 49 |
5.4 | Factors of Module Performance | 50 |
5.5 | Photovoltaic Arrays | 53 |
5.6 | Mounting Photovoltaic Modules | 54 |
5.7 | Diodes | 56 |
Chapter 6 | Batteries | |
6.1 | Battery Types and Operation | 60 |
6.2 | Battery Specifications | 62 |
6.3 | Battery Safety | 67 |
6.4 | Battery Sizing Exercise | 68 |
6.5 | Battery Wiring Configuration | 70 |
Chapter 7 | PV Controls | |
7.1 | Controller Types | 74 |
7.2 | Controller Features | 75 |
7.3 | Specifying a Controller | 76 |
7.4 | Controller Sizing Exercise | 77 |
Chapter 8 | Inverters | |
8.1 | Inverter Operating Principles | 80 |
8.2 | Inverter Features | 80 |
8.3 | Inverter Types | 81 |
8.4 | Specifying an Inverter | 82 |
Chapter 9 | Photovoltaic System Wiring | |
9.1 | Introduction | 86 |
9.3 | Wire Size | 88 |
9.4 | Overcurrent Protection | 104 |
9.5 | Disconnects | 106 |
9.6 | Grounding | 106 |
Chapter 10 | Sizing Photovoltaic Systems | |
10.1 | Introduction to Sizing PV Systems | 112 |
10.2 | Design Penalties | 112 |
10.3 | Sizing Worksheet | 113 |
10.4 | Sample System Exercise | 115 |
Chapter 11 | Utility-Interactive Systems | |
11.1 | Introduction | 122 |
11.2 | Utility-Interactive Systems | 122 |
11.3 | System Sizing and Economics | 126 |
11.4 | Net Metering | 127 |
11.5 | Obtaining an Interconnection Agreement | 128 |
Chapter 12 | Integrating Photovoltaics into Buildings | |
12.1 | Introduction | 134 |
12.2 | Retrofitted PV Systems | 134 |
12.3 | BIPV Options | 134 |
12.4 | Costs/Benefits | 137 |
Chapter 13 | Photovoltaic System Applications | |
13.1 | Tools and Appliances | 140 |
13.2 | Lighting | 141 |
13.3 | Water Pumping | 145 |
13.4 | Refrigeration | 149 |
13.5 | Hybrid Systems with Generators | 150 |
Chapter 14 | Photovoltaic Installation | |
14.1 | Preparing for the Installation | 154 |
14.2 | Tools and Materials | 154 |
14.3 | Photovoltaic Array Installation | 157 |
14.4 | Battery Installation | 159 |
14.5 | Controller & Inverter Installation | 160 |
14.6 | Photovoltaic System Wiring | 161 |
14.7 | PV System Installations Final Checklist | 163 |
Chapter 15 | Maintenance and Troubleshooting | |
15.1 | Materials and Tools List | 168 |
15.2 | Maintaining PV Components | 168 |
15.3 | Maintaining Appliances | 169 |
15.4 | Troubleshooting Common System Faults | 170 |
15.5 | Troubleshooting Wiring Problems Using a Multimeter | 171 |
15.6 | Troubleshooting Specific Problems | 174 |
Chapter 16 | Safety and PV Installation | |
16.1 | Introduction | 180 |
16.2 | Basic Safety | 180 |
16.3 | Hazards | 182 |
16.4 | Safety Equipment | 183 |
16.5 | Site Safety | 184 |
16.6 | First Aid | 185 |
Appendix A | Glossary | 189 |
Appendix B | Solar Data | 199 |
Appendix C | Sun Charts | 273 |
Appendix D | System Sizing Worksheets | 295 |
| Resource Guide | 299 |
| Index | 313 |