Q1 Calculate the total output power (Watts) expected from the solar array on the roof.

. (Assume that the system is operating at the maximum power point under rated STC conditions) ( )( )( ) ( )( )( )

Q2 What does STC mean? What are these conditions? Standard Test Conditions are the conditions under which the cells receive their ratings. Generally manufacturers put the panels into a flash tester which is to deliver 1000W per meters squared, hold cell temperature of 25C (77F) and assume air mass of 1.5. Q3 How would the expected output power change if the system were not operating at STC? Show you calculations and justify assumptions. If the system were not operating at STC, it is either due to the change in ambient temperature (colder or hotter day), change in sunlight supplied (cloudy day, days with smaller amounts of sunlight, seasons when the sun is far away from the earth), or the change in air mass (maybe the sky is more or less humid). So for example, having changed the sunlight supplied, as of recently the skies have been cloudy so maybe the irradiance (watts per meters squared ) is less than 1000Wm-2 and is at 250Wm-2 because of the cloudiness. In this way, the expected power output would be the following: ( )( )( ) ( )( )( )

Q4 Calculate the Watts/kg expected for this installation assuming operation at STC (Consider only the weight of the solar panels and not the mounting equipment, etc. BONUS: how would this change if you included the mounting rack. Justify any assumptions or resources that you use.)

Q5 Find at least two other solar modules currently commercially available that could produce the same output power. Calculate the cost per Watt ($/W), cost per meters2 ($/W) and cost per kg ($/kg) for the photovoltaic modules at the current prices. 1. Unisolar 68 Watt PVL-68 Thin Film Solar Cell ($229.97); 2849 x 394 x 4 mm; 3.9kg ($/W) = $3.38 ($/m-2) = $204.87 ($/kg) = $58.97 http://www.spheralsolar.com/products/Unisolar-68-Watt-PVL%252d68-Thin-Film-SolarCell-.html 2. Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Flexible Solar Panel (from Solar) ($4.1-4.5/W) ($/W) = $4.10

3. ($/m-2) = $248.72 4. ($/kg) = $71.49 http://www.alibaba.com/productgs/513460737/amorphous_silicon_thin_film_flexible_solar.html Q6 Find historical data to plot the trend in PV module prices? For the same output power, how much would this system have cost 10 years ago. (You can change the time period based on the data you can find.)

Source: http://www.globalelectricity.org/Projects/Fiji/Solar-PV_fichiers/3-4%20Equipment%20Cost.pdf So with some tweaking, the price of the system on the roof of Zachary ten years ago would be around $5000. So that means individual panels would be around $312.50 per panel, excluding the installation cost and other equipment. So that said, PV prices actually have decreased over time in addition to becoming more efficient. Bonus: Comment on other cost considerations for this system that are not included in the questions asked. Suggestion: think about installation costs.

Other considerations that are not exactly included in the questions are the costs of batteries, inverters, installation costs, costs for repair and maintenance for not only the PV system but also the batteries, inverters and other equipment used.

Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency http://www.solarpanel.co.za/solar-power-calculator.htm http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cts=1331105325923& ved=0CE0QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcse.fraunhofer.org%2FDefault.aspx%3Fapp%3DLead genDownload%26shortpath%3Ddocs%252FBIPV-keynote-ICBEST.pdf&ei=Kw5XT8PZMSd2QWPq9yFDw&usg=AFQjCNFB0DfbXcCW2lu0esfqf74Kbr9R7g&sig2=EcqMwTyLcxWda TuoWAZ29Q