Photovoltaic Solar Energy

Photovoltaic solar energy is the electric energy obtained directly from the sun (free and inexhaustible energy source).

Photovoltaic solar energy will represent no less than 7% of the world's electricity generation in 2030, which implies its six-fold increase compared to the current figure. The technological innovations in progress, the continuous economies of scale, the greater automation of production and economic pressures will make their costs go down even more. IRENA estimates that the average cost of electricity from photovoltaic installations could fall by more than 50% between 2015 and 2025, and that the world's capacity to generate photovoltaic solar electricity could reach 1,760 GW by 2030.

When we talk about solar installations we have to define what type of system we are going to project according to the objectives we want to achieve. There are 3 well-defined types of photovoltaic solar installations:

• Off-Grid or Island: These are the systems of solar installations that are completely disconnected from the electricity grid. These systems are completely independent and are often used in isolated areas without access to the network or in cases where complete independence is desired.

• On-Grid, Grid-Tied or connected to the network: This type of systems use solar panels and inverters that are assembled on the existing electricity grid contributing their production. In this way a substantial saving is achieved in the cost and in the cases where the electrical production exceeds what is consumed they deliver it to the network to be used.

• Hybrids: They are the current trend in places with access to the network where you want to lower the costs of electricity. These systems combine the best of the two previous systems, incorporating batteries and being able to operate as off-grid, but taking advantage of the electrical network in case the batteries or panels are not enough. In addition, if there is a surplus in the electrical production of the panels, they can dump it to the existing power grid to be used by other users.

KERN focuses on three areas of action:

• Off-grid installations: photovoltaic plants (on land or on deck) with storage (batteries)
• On-Grid installations: photovoltaic plants (on land or on deck) connected to the network
• Solutions for self-supply (industrial and residential)

In all of them, KERN carries out "turnkey" installations