Photovoltaic glass is a type of glass that has the function of converting solar energy into electrical energy. It is a key component of photovoltaic modules and is usually made by coating a thin film of photovoltaic material on the surface of ordinary glass or integrating photovoltaic cells into the glass structure. It can not only transmit sunlight like ordinary glass but also generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect when exposed to sunlight.
The development of photovoltaic glass is closely related to the progress of photovoltaic technology. In the early days of the development of photovoltaic technology, the focus was mainly on the improvement of photovoltaic cells and modules, and the application of glass was mainly to protect the cells and improve light transmission. With the continuous development of the photovoltaic industry and the increasing demand for building integration, photovoltaic glass began to emerge. In the 1990s, some research institutions and enterprises began to study and develop photovoltaic glass with better performance and higher integration. In recent years, with the continuous progress of technology and the continuous reduction of costs, photovoltaic glass has been widely used in various fields such as photovoltaic power generation and building energy conservation.
Similar to the principle of general photovoltaic cells, when sunlight shines on the photovoltaic material layer on the surface of the photovoltaic glass or the photovoltaic cells integrated in the glass structure, the photons in the sunlight excite the electrons in the semiconductor materials of the photovoltaic cells, generating a potential difference and current. The generated direct current electricity can be used directly or converted into alternating current electricity through an inverter and then sent to the power grid or used for local consumption. The glass substrate of the photovoltaic glass also plays a role in supporting and protecting the photovoltaic cells and ensuring the light transmission and durability of the glass.
1. Power generation and light transmission: It has the dual functions of power generation and light transmission, which can not only convert solar energy into electrical energy but also allow sunlight to pass through to a certain extent, meeting the needs of lighting and energy collection at the same time.
2. High durability: The glass substrate and the photovoltaic material layer have good durability and weather resistance, and can withstand the influence of various weather conditions such as sunlight, rain, wind, and snow for a long time, ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of the photovoltaic glass.
3. Aesthetics and design flexibility: Photovoltaic glass can be customized in different shapes, sizes, colors, and transparencies according to the needs of architectural design, providing a wide range of design options and improving the aesthetics and unique charm of buildings.
4. Good heat insulation and sound insulation: In addition to the function of power generation, photovoltaic glass also has certain heat insulation and sound insulation properties, which can improve the indoor thermal and acoustic environment of buildings and reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning and heating systems.
5. Some intermittency: The power output of photovoltaic glass is affected by the intensity and duration of sunlight, and there is intermittency and instability. It needs to be coordinated and compensated by other power generation methods or energy storage devices to ensure the stability and reliability of the power grid.[!--empirenews.page--]
Some common terms in photovoltaic glass technology include photovoltaic material, thin film, crystalline silicon, conversion efficiency, light transmission, durability, heat insulation, sound insulation, shading effect, grid connection, etc. Understanding these terms is helpful for better understanding and operation of photovoltaic glass systems.