Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of light from the sun into electricity, is an increasingly important means of distributed power generation. The SPICE modelling tool is typically used in the development of electrical and electronic circuits. When applied to the modelling of PV systems it provides a means of understanding and evaluating the performance of solar cells and systems. The majority of books currently on the market are based around discussion of the solar cell as semiconductor devices rather than as a system to be modelled and applied to real-world problems. Castaner and Silvestre provide a comprehensive treatment of PV system technology analysis. Using SPICE, the tool of choice for circuits and electronics designers, this book highlights the increasing importance of modelling techniques in the quantitative analysis of PV systems. This unique treatment presents both students and professional engineers, with the means to understand, evaluate and develop their own PV modules and systems. * Provides a unique, self-contained, guide to the modelling and design of PV systems * Presents a practical, application oriented approach to PV technology, something that is missing from the current literature * Uses the widely known SPICE circuit-modelling tool to analyse and simulate the performance of PV modules for the first time * Written by respected and well-known academics in the field

This handbook opens with an overview of solar radiation and how its energy can be tapped using photovoltaic cells. Other chapters cover the technology, manufacture and application of PV cells in real situations. The book ends by exploring the economic and business aspects of photovoltaics.

Renewable Energy - Volume 1: Solar, Wind, and Hydropower: Definitions, Developments, Applications, Case Studies, and Modelling and Simulation is a comprehensive resource for those wanting an authoritative volume on the significant aspects of these rapidly growing renewable technologies. Providing a structured approach to the emerging technologies and advances in the implementation of solar, wind and hydro energy, the book offers the most requested and desirable practical elements for the renewable industry. Sections cover definitions, applications, modeling and analysis through case study and example. This coordinated approach allows for standalone, accessible, and functioning chapters dedicated to a particular energy source, giving researchers and engineers an important and unique consolidated source of information on all aspects of these state-of-the-art fields. - Includes in-depth and up-to-date explanations for the latest developments in Solar, Wind and Hydropower - Presents a uniquely, thematically arranged book with structured content that is easily accessible and usable - Provides extensively illustrated and supported content, including multimedia components like short videos and slideshows for greater examples and case studies

Modeling of PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS Using MATLAB® Provides simplified MATLAB® codes for analysis of photovoltaic systems, describes the model of the whole photovoltaic power system, and shows readers how to build these models line by line. This book presents simplified coded models for photovoltaic (PV)-based systems using MATLAB® to help readers understand the dynamic behavior of these systems. Through the use of MATLAB®, the reader has the ability to modify system configuration, parameters, and optimization criteria. Topics covered include energy sources, storage, and power electronic devices. The book contains six chapters that cover systems’ components from the solar source to the end user. Chapter 1 discusses modeling of the solar source, and Chapter 2 discusses modeling of the PV source. Chapter 3 focuses on modeling of PV systems’ power electronic features and auxiliary power sources. Modeling of PV systems’ energy flow is examined in Chapter 4, while Chapter 5 discusses PV systems in electrical power systems. Chapter 6 presents an application of PV system models in systems’ size optimization. Common control methodologies applied to these systems are also modeled in this book. Covers the basic models of the whole PV power system, enabling the reader modify the models to provide different sizing and control methodologies Examines auxiliary components to PV systems, including wind turbines, diesel generators, and pumps Contains examples, drills, and codes Modeling of Photovoltaic Systems Using MATLAB®: Simplified Green Codes is a reference for researchers, students, and engineers who work in the field of renewable energy, and specifically in PV systems.

Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics, Third Edition, is a 'benchmark' publication for those involved in the design, manufacture and use of these devices. This fully revised handbook includes brand new sections on smart grids, net metering and the modeling of photovoltaic systems, as well as fully revised content on developments in photovoltaic applications, the economics of PV manufacturing and updated chapters on solar cell function, raw materials, photovoltaic standards, calibration and testing, all with new examples and case studies. The editor has assembled internationally-respected contributors from industry and academia around the world to make this a truly global reference. It is essential reading for electrical engineers, designers of systems, installers, architects, policymakers and physicists working with photovoltaics. - Presents a cast of international experts from industry and academia to ensure the highest quality information from multiple stakeholder perspectives - Covers all things photovoltaics, from the principles of solar cell function and their raw materials, to the installation and design of full photovoltaic systems - Includes case studies, practical examples, and reports on the latest advances and worldwide applications

Modeling of photovoltaic sources and their emulation by means of power electronic converters are challenging issues. The former is tied to the knowledge of the electrical behavior of the PV generator; the latter consists in its realization by a suitable power amplifier. This extensive introduction to the modeling of PV generators and their emulation by means of power electronic converters will aid in understanding and improving design and set up of new PV plants. The main benefit of reading Photovoltaic Sources is the ability to face the emulation of photovoltaic generators obtained by the design of a suitable equipment in which voltage and current are the same as in a real source. This is achieved according to the following steps: the source electrical behavior modeling, the power converter design, including its control, for the laboratory emulator. This approach allows the reader to cope with the creation of an indoor virtual photovoltaic plant, in which the environmental conditions can be imposed by the user, for testing real operation including maximum power point tracking, partial shading, control for the grid or load interfacing, etc. Photovoltaic Sources is intended to meet the demands of postgraduate level students, and should prove useful to professional engineers and researchers dealing with the problems associated with modeling and emulation of photovoltaic sources.

Incentives provided by European governments have resulted in the rapid growth of the photovoltaic (PV) market. Many PV modules are now commercially available, and there are a number of power electronic systems for processing the electrical power produced by PV systems, especially for grid-connected applications. Filling a gap in the literature, Power Electronics and Control Techniques for Maximum Energy Harvesting in Photovoltaic Systems brings together research on control circuits, systems, and techniques dedicated to the maximization of the electrical power produced by a photovoltaic (PV) source. Tools to Help You Improve the Efficiency of Photovoltaic Systems The book supplies an overview of recent improvements in connecting PV systems to the grid and highlights various solutions that can be used as a starting point for further research and development. It begins with a review of methods for modeling a PV array working in uniform and mismatched conditions. The book then discusses several ways to achieve the best maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performance. A chapter focuses on MPPT efficiency, examining the design of the parameters that affect algorithm performance. The authors also address the maximization of the energy harvested in mismatched conditions, in terms of both power architecture and control algorithms, and discuss the distributed MPPT approach. The final chapter details the design of DC/DC converters, which usually perform the MPPT function, with special emphasis on their energy efficiency. Get Insights from the Experts on How to Effectively Implement MPPT Written by well-known researchers in the field of photovoltaic systems, this book tackles state-of-the-art issues related to how to extract the maximum electrical power from photovoltaic arrays under any weather condition. Featuring a wealth of examples and illustrations, it offers practical guidance for researchers and industry professionals who want to implement MPPT in photovoltaic systems.

The Three-Volume-Set CCIS 323, 324, 325 (AsiaSim 2012) together with the Two-Volume-Set CCIS 326, 327 (ICSC 2012) constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Asia Simulation Conference, AsiaSim 2012, and the International Conference on System Simulation, ICSC 2012, held in Shanghai, China, in October 2012. The 267 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 906 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on modeling theory and technology; modeling and simulation technology on synthesized environment and virtual reality environment; pervasive computing and simulation technology; embedded computing and simulation technology; verification, validation and accreditation technology; networked modeling and simulation technology; modeling and simulation technology of continuous system, discrete system, hybrid system, and intelligent system; high performance computing and simulation technology; cloud simulation technology; modeling and simulation technology of complex system and open, complex, huge system; simulation based acquisition and virtual prototyping engineering technology; simulator; simulation language and intelligent simulation system; parallel and distributed software; CAD, CAE, CAM, CIMS, VP, VM, and VR; visualization; computing and simulation applications in science and engineering; computing and simulation applications in management, society and economics; computing and simulation applications in life and biomedical engineering; computing and simulation applications in energy and environment; computing and simulation applications in education; computing and simulation applications in military field; computing and simulation applications in medical field.

Advances in Renewable Energies and Power Technologies: Volume 1: Solar and Wind Energies examines both the theoretical and practical elements of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics, solar, photothermal and wind energies. Yahyaoui and a team of expert contributors present the most up-to-date information and analysis on renewable energy generation technologies in this comprehensive resource. Covers the principles and methods of each technology, an analysis of their implementation, management and optimization, and related economic advantages and limitations. Features recent case studies and models of each technology. A valuable resource for anyone working in the renewable energy field or wanting to learn more about theoretical and technological aspects of the most recent inventions and research in the field. - Offers a comprehensive guide to the most advanced contemporary renewable power generation technologies written by a team of top experts - Discusses the energy optimization, control and limitations of each technology, as well as a detailed economic study of the associated costs of implementation and management - Includes global case studies and models to exemplify the technological possibilities and limitations of each power generation method

The book is devoted to the spatial characterization of solar cells and PV modules. It is written both as a monograph as well as a succinct guide for the state-of-the-art spatial characterization techniques and approaches. Amongst the approaches discussed are visual imaging, electro- and photo-luminescence imaging, thermography, and light beam induced mapping techniques. Emphasis is given on the luminescence image acquisition and interpretation due to its great potential. Characterization techniques are accompanied by simulation tools. The contents are aimed at a readership of students and senior researchers in R&D as well as engineers in industry who are newcomers to the spatial characterization of either solar cells or PV modules. The concepts and approaches presented herein are based on but not limited to case studies of real thin-film PV devices. Key features:  Review of spatially resolved characterization techniques and accompanying SPICE simulations in photovoltaics  Use of spatially resolved characterization techniques and their combinations for the identification of inhomogeneities in small area CdTe and dye-sensitized solar cells  Case studies of electroluminescence imaging of commercial PV modules (c-Si, CIGS, CdTe, a-Si, tandem and triple junction thin-film-Si) The contents are aimed at a readership of students and senior researchers in R&D as well as engineers in industry who are newcomers to the spatial characterization of either solar cells or PV modules. The concepts and approaches presented herein are based on but not limited to case studies of real thin-film PV devices. Key features:  Review of spatially resolved characterization techniques and accompanying SPICE simulations in photovoltaics  Use of spatially resolved characterization techniques and their combinations for the identification of inhomogeneities in small area CdTe and dye-sensitized solar cells  Case studies of electroluminescence imaging of commercial PV modules (c-Si, CIGS, CdTe, a-Si, tandem and triple junction thin-film-Si)