What is solar systems integration?

Solar systems integration involves developing technologies and tools that allow solar energy onto the electricity grid, while maintaining grid reliability, security, and efficiency. For most of the past 100 years, electrical grids involved large-scale, centralized energy generation located far from consumers.

How can solar energy be integrated?

By 2030, as much as 80% of electricity could flow through power electronic devices. One type of power electronic device that is particularly important for solar energy integration is the inverter. Inverters convert DC electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to AC electricity, which the electrical grid uses.

What is the future of solar photovoltaic?

IRENA (2019), Future of Solar Photovoltaic: Deployment, investment, technology, grid integration and socio-economic aspects (A Global Energy Transformation: paper), International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. This study presents options to fully unlock the world’s vast solar PV potential over the period until 2050.

How do solar panels work?

You're likely most familiar with PV, which is utilized in solar panels. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.

What are the benefits of solar energy transformation?

Floating PV is a prime example, with global cumulative installed capacity exceeding one gigawatt in 2018 and clear potential for rapid growth. Rooftop solar PV systems have spread rapidly thanks to supporting policies, such as net metering and fiscal incentives. Energy transformation brings socio-economic benefits.

What are the basics of solar energy technology?

Learn solar energy technology basics: solar radiation, photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), grid integration, and soft costs.