15-10-2010, 03:00 PM
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Design and Implementation of Module Integrated Converters for
Series Connected Photovoltaic Strings.
by
Leonor L. Linares
B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007
Introduction
The sun radiates energy onto Earth by means of light or heat. Humans have been harnessing this energy for centuries, and it is one of many types that are considered a renewable energy resource, that is, one that is naturally replenished. Photovoltaic’s (PV) is the field in which new technologies and applications are being researched and implemented in order to convert the light radiated by the sun into a more usable form: electric power. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the production of photovoltaic cells, almost doubling every two years since 2002, making it the world's fastest-growing energy source . This growth in production and proliferating consumer demand has led to a world- wide interest in the development of new applications for photovoltaic technologies. This expansion in R&D reports has also been driven by federal and state subsidies and man- dates, which are in turn promoting a certain level of environmental consciousness in both the energy producer and the consumer. There are two important applications of photovoltaic’s under development that directly relate to the ¯eld of power electronics, making ground for new opportunities in applications for low, medium and high power, for both dc and ac systems. The ¯rst area of research is in low-cost thin ¯lm solar cells. Due to their reduced material, energy and handling costs these could be a cost competitive product even without economic subsidies. Theoretically, these can be fabricated and even printed as a flexible and low-weight, yet thin and durable material.