The drastic increase of humanity’s energy consumption results in an exponential rise in CO 2 emissions related to current predominant types of energy generation technology. The radiation exchange balance between the Earth’s surface and space has been altered by a significant increase in CO2 contents within the Earth’s atmosphere as observed over the last decades; […]

• Ease of installation • Significant reduction of system costs • Increased efficiency via low cell temperature operations • Increased reliability via pre-manufactured and pre-tested units • Standard AC output (“Plug and Play”) • Optional use of hot water as a by-product. 10.4.6.2 Further Development The combination of all suggested improvements leads to a gain […]

Since the foundation, support structure and mounting equipment are no longer required, significant reductions in installation costs and “turn-key” system costs are achieved. Together with improved aspects of maintenance and higher energy yields, PV electricity is becoming more available. Once the I-SHS has been placed at an appropriate site, it has just to be filled […]

10.4.6.1 Composition of the system This project has been carried out by Fabian Ochs, a master student of the author, during 2001/02. Figure 10.25 shows the basic layout of the system: The PV generator consists of two parallel-connected, frameless 30 Wp modules. Located in the foundation structure are a maintenance-free lead-acid battery (12 V, 105 […]

In September 1995 a TEPVIS-tank was ordered at a locksmith’s shop in Harare (Zimbabwe). The material used for the construction was galvanized steel [21] (see Fig. 10.20). Fig. 10.20. Tank for reduction of cell temperature and serving as module mount/ foundation, manufactured in Harare (Zimbabwe) by galvanized sheet steel (without internal convection aid). Two PQ […]

The second prototype built in 1994 had a much larger water tank which served also as the module’s foundation, its stand and mounting structure (TEPVIS – Thermal Enhanced PV module with Integrated Standing). It was tested with an M55 in Berlin (see Figures 10.17, 10.18, and 10.19) and showed an energy gain of up to […]

Research on an increase of PV-efficiency and electrical power output by means of a reduction in operating cell temperature has been carried out by the author since 1989 in a Ph. D. thesis (see Krauter 1993c). The energy consumption of an active cooling system would not be compensated by the gain in increased energy generation, […]

10.4.1 Real Operating Cell Temperatures Under Tropical Conditions To know more about real operating behavior under tropical climatic conditions, specifically about cell temperatures and the output power (at MPP), a module (M55 from SSI) was tested at the PV Labs of the UFRJ in Rio de Janeiro (22°54’ S; 43°13’ W), Brazil during an equinox […]