Photovoltaic Systems Engineering

The primary purpose of this textbook is to provide a comprehensive set of photovoltaic (PV) knowledge and understanding tools for the design, installation, commissioning, inspection and operation of PV systems (commonly comprising solar cells, solar modules and solar panels). In recent years, more PV systems have been installed worldwide than any other electricity source. New, more efficient, more reliable and more cost-effective components and processes are rapidly appearing, along with continuously changing codes and standards. To keep up with the rapid changes, understanding the underlying principles is essential.

In addition to practical system design and installation information, this edition includes explanations of the basic principles upon which the design and operation of PV systems are based, along with a consideration of the economic and environmental impact of the technology. Numerous design examples are presented to assist the reader in incorporating the basic principles, components, codes and standards.

The book begins with basic sunlight parameters, system electronic components, wiring methods, structural considerations and energy storage methods Emphasis is on grid-connected systems, but a chapter on stand-alone systems is also included. Homework problems in each chapter focus on basic principles of the chapter but also include open-ended design problems to challenge the reader’s creativity and understanding.

Roger Messenger is professor emeritus of Electrical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a Registered Professional Engineer, a former Certified Electrical Contractor, and a former NABCEP Certified PV Installer, who has enjoyed working on a field installation as much as he enjoys teaching a webinar or working on the design of a system or contemplating the theory of operation of a system. His research work has ranged from electrical noise in gas discharge tubes to deep impurities in silicon to energy conservation to PV system design and performance. He worked on the development and promulgation of the original Code for Energy Efficiency in Building Construction in Florida and has conducted extensive field studies of energy consumption and conservation in buildings and swimming pools.

Since his retirement from Florida Atlantic University in 2005, he has worked as Vice President for Engineering at VB Engineering, Inc, in Boca Raton, FL and as Senior Associate at FAE Consulting in Boca Raton. While at VB Engineering, he directed the design of several hundred PV designs, including the 1 MW system on the roof of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. While at FAE Consulting, he led the design of an additional 6 MW of systems that were installed. Since 2020 he has reviewed over 60 MW of residential systems, including more than 8 MWh of residential Battery Energy Storage. He has also been active in the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association and The Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, has served as a peer reviewer for the U. S. Department of Energy and has served on the Florida Solar Energy Center Advisory Board. He has conducted numerous seminars and webinars on designing, installing and inspecting PV systems. In May, 2024 he received a Florida Solar Energy Industries Association Hall of Fame award for extraordinary contributions to the Florida Solar Industry.

Homayoon “Amir” Abtahi, is currently Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from M.I.T. in 1981 and joined Florida Atlantic University in 1983. In addition to his academic activity, he has a wealth of practical experience, much of which has been obtained as a volunteer. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Florida and is a member of ASCE and SAE. He has held LEED Certification since 2007, is ESTIDAMA Certified in the United Arab Emirates and is a Certified General Contractor and a Certified Solar Contractor in the State of Florida. His interests range widely from PV to PEM Fuel Cells, integrated capacitor/battery power modules and Atmospheric Water Generation.

In 1985, he installed the first known solar power system in Venezuela and was responsible for the first known application of solar power for post hurricane emergency power and lighting and Ham Radio communication operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in St. Croix in 1989 and Hurricane Marilyn in St. Thomas in 1995. In 1989, he published the first comprehensive catalog of 12-V appliances for use with PV systems.

Recently, he has been involved with PV installations in the Caribbean, South America, Bangladesh and India. In the 2008-2010 time period, he was responsible for design and installation of over 100 residential and 20 commercial/industrial PV systems. Over the past 15 years, he has had responsibility for design and installation of 1 Million BTUD of solar hot water and solar process heat. Along with the PV and thermal applications, he has had experience with heat exchangers, MEP plan review, LEED projects, tracking PV, Micro-turbines, parabolic trough solar and other hybrid applications.