Captura de radiação solar

Abstract

The capture of solar radiation to meet the demand for electricity has been consolidated as one of the best forms of power generation from renewable, clean and sustainable means. New studies and larger investments in the sector have been implementing materials of better quality and performance in the capture and processing, as well as providing the cheaper parts. Photovoltaic solar energy is currently after hydroelectric and wind, the third more relevant in terms of installed capacity in the world.

Introduction

With the growth of need of energy and also the global environmental worry, the constant process in renewable energy technologies, are stimulating new opportunities for application of renewable energy resources. Solar energy is the most abundant, inexhaustible and clean of all the renewable energy resources. The use of the energy generated by the sun, the Earth's inexhaustible time scale, both as a source of heat and light, is today, without a doubt, one of the most promising energy alternative to meet the challenges of the new millennium. And when it comes to energy, we should remember that the sun is responsible for the origin of almost all other energy sources. In other words, the energy sources are ultimately derived from the sun's energy. It is from the energy of the sun that gives the evaporation cycle of the source water, allowing impoundment and the consequent generation of electricity (hydro). The solar radiation also induces large-scale atmospheric circulation, causing wind. Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the finest ways to harness the solar power. This technology has been studied and improved, and over the years the growth of it is huge, it has been increasing exponentially according to some studies. This essay is going to discuss if the Photovoltaic Technology can be framed in Moore’s Law.

Photovoltaic Technology

Photovoltaic conversion is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity without any heat engine to interfere. The PV effect was discovered in 1839 by Becquerel while studying the effect of light on electrolytic cells. He noticed appearance of a potential difference at the ends of a semiconductor material structure produced by light absorption. In 1884, Charles Fritts produced the first photovoltaic cell using selenium, photoconductivity characteristic of this material was discovered by Smith in 1873. A long period was required to reach sufficiently high efficiency. Solar cells developed rapidly in the 1950s owing to space programs and used on satellites. The first modern solar cell was presented in 1954 was only two square centimeters in area and a 6% efficiency, generating electrical power 5 mW. The energy crisis of the 1970s greatly stimulated research and development (R&D) for PV. The 1973 energy crisis has renewed and expanded interest in terrestrial applications. However, to make it economically viable power conversion, it would be necessary at that time, reduce by 100 times the production cost of the solar cells relative to those cells used in space exploration. Has changed, too, the profile of the companies involved in the sector. In the United States, the oil companies decided to diversify your investments, encompassing the production of energy from solar radiation. In 1993, the production of photovoltaic cells reached 60 MWp mark and virtually complete in Silicon "ranking" of the materials used. Silicon, the second most abundant element in the earth, has been explored in various forms: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous.

Photovoltaic devices are rugged and simple in design requiring very little maintenance because of its resistance to extreme weather conditions and