Energy from the Sun

Workshop

Introduction to Photovoltaics
Electricity Basics

Electrical Current how many electrons

Voltage how hard theyre pushed
Power what they can accomplish
Circuit where they can go
Series Circuit one pathway only
Parallel Circuit so many choices!
Parallel vs. Series Circuits
Parallel circuits Series circuits
maintain potential maintain electrical flow
(voltage is constant) (current is constant)
Current is divided Voltage is divided
among components among components
If one light goes out, Easy to open circuit
the others stay lit quickly
DC vs. AC
Direct Current Alternating Current
Battery power EASY to generate
Electronics use Can be transformed in
Requires prohibitively voltage
high voltage to Can be limited while
transmit over long keeping voltage high
distance Can be transmitted
over long distance
without super-high
voltage
Photovoltaics
PV Cell
Conversion Efficiency
 PV Array
Components

oPV Cells
oModules
oArrays
PV System Components
Net Metering
Net Metering Participation
PV Array Fields
Source: Solarbuzz, a part of The NPD Group
 Clean
Sustainable
Free
Provide electricity to remote
places

Advantages of Solar Energy

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Less efficient and costly equipment

Part Time
Reliability Depends On Location
Environmental Impact of PV Cell
Production
Classroom Photovoltaics

Experiments help students understand the

conditions needed for optimal power
production
Focus of secondary-level solar curriculum
Use digital multimeters
Using a Digital Multimeter

Indicates
voltage from
alternating
DC Voltage
current. Do not
Scale
use.

DC Current
Resistance Scale
Scale. Do
not use.
For More Information

If you have questions, we have answers:

www.need.org our website
info@need.org questions about NEED
cturrel@need.org questions about this
workshop
1-800-875-5029 NEED main office phone
number