Advanced Photovoltaic System Design

Book excerpt: Part of the Art and Science of Photovoltaics series High-performing photovoltaic systems require a design that produces more electricity in kilowatt hours for less cost. The growing demand for such high-performing PV systems calls for trained, skilled PV professionals. Advanced Photovoltaic System Design goes beyond the basics and provides students with the information and knowledge to understand, design, and recognize high-performance PV systems. Every step of the design process adds up incrementally to sizeable and measureable energy production increases, longer system and component lifespans, and less maintenance costs. Advanced Photovoltaic System Design emphasizes the importance of each step of the design process and proper decision-making. About the Series: The Photovoltaics (PV) industry stands on the brink of a revolution. The appeal of a new and growing industry has brought an influx of new PV professionals to the market, but the availability of educational resources has not kept pace with market demands. This gap has led to serious quality and performance issues that the industry will need to face in the decades ahead. The Art and Science of Photovoltaics series was developed to fill this education gap. Each book in the series goes beyond simple systematic processes by tackling performance challenges using a systems perspective. Readers do not learn PV design and installation steps in a vacuum; instead they gain the knowledge and expertise to understand interrelationships and discover new ways to improve their own systems and positively contribute to the industry.