Gain an in-depth understanding of the key components in photovoltaic power generation systems

Photovoltaic power generation technology is a technology that uses the photovoltaic effect at the interface of semiconductor materials to directly convert solar energy into electrical energy. The main components of this technology include solar panels (components), controllers and inverters, among which the key components are mainly composed of electronic components. Solar cells are connected in series and then packaged and protected to form a large-area solar cell module. Together with power controllers and other equipment, a photovoltaic power generation device is constructed. As of the end of June 2023, China's installed solar power generation capacity was approximately 470 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 39.8%; and new photovoltaic installed capacity increased by 154% year-on-year.

The photovoltaic power generation system consists of photovoltaic modules, controllers, inverters, batteries and other accessories (for grid-connected systems, batteries are not necessary). Depending on whether it relies on the public power grid, it can be divided into two types: off-grid systems and grid-connected systems. Off-grid systems operate independently and do not need to rely on the grid. This kind of system is equipped with a battery with energy storage function, which can ensure that the system can supply power to the load at night or when the weather is cloudy and rainy.

No matter which form of system it is, its working principle is similar: photovoltaic modules convert light energy into direct current, and the direct current is converted into alternating current through an inverter, ultimately realizing the function of electricity consumption or grid-connected power generation.

Photovoltaic modules are the core component of photovoltaic systems and consist of a series of photovoltaic panels. These panels are made of semiconductor materials that convert the energy of sunlight into electricity. Typically, photovoltaic modules are installed on rooftops or wide areas of ground to maximize sunlight reception.

The inverter is one of the most important components in the photovoltaic system. Its function is to convert the DC power output by the photovoltaic module into AC power. Alternating current can be easily connected to the power grid for household or industrial use. Inverters are efficient, stable and reliable.
The function of the photovoltaic combiner box is to collect the current output from the photovoltaic modules and combine them together. The combiner box usually contains multiple terminal blocks for connecting the PV modules to the inverter. It is waterproof, dustproof and corrosion-resistant, and can work stably in harsh environments.

The controller is the brain of the photovoltaic system and is responsible for monitoring and controlling the entire system. It can monitor the output power, system voltage, current and other parameters of photovoltaic modules in real time, and adjust the system based on these parameters to ensure the stable operation of the system. The controller also has a protection function to prevent system overload, short circuit and other abnormal situations.

Energy storage equipment is a device used to store electrical energy, and common ones include batteries and supercapacitors. Batteries can provide energy to the system when lighting conditions are poor and ensure the normal operation of the system; supercapacitors have the characteristics of rapid charge and discharge and can be used to smooth the system output current and improve the stability of the system.

Cables and connectors are used to transmit electric energy. Cables need to have good insulation properties and weather resistance to ensure the efficiency of electric energy transmission; connectors need to have good contact performance and stability to ensure the safety and reliability of the system.

Taken together, the photovoltaic power generation system consists of various components, each of which plays an important role, and together build an efficient and stable photovoltaic power generation system. When building a photovoltaic power station, strict quality control is required in every link to ensure the stable operation of the system.