Spectral Characteristics of Solar Radiation: Applications in Photovoltaic Conversion

Spectral Characteristics of Solar Radiation: Applications in Photovoltaic Conversion brings together the multiple facets of the solar radiation spectrum, its interaction with solar cells and its impact on photovoltaic applications.

The first part of the book introduces spectral characteristics of solar radiation, covering measurements, estimation, and modelling techniques. The second section focuses on the application of this knowledge to the design and operation of photovoltaic devices.

This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, and graduate students with an interest in solar radiation, measurement, and modelling, solar energy conversion, and photovoltaics, as well as engineers, developers, and technicians involved in the development and operation of photovoltaics and solar power plants.

• Covers a broad range of factors related to the spectral properties of solar radiation.
• Takes a systematic approach, offering both detailed descriptions as well as mathematical tools.
• Enables the reader to gain a clear understanding of the key aspects in solar energy conversion for spectrally-dependent devices.

Viorel Badescu is Professor of Engineering Thermodynamics and affiliated with Candida Oancea Institute at Polytechnic University of Bucharest, in Romani. He has contributed over 300 papers and 40 books related to various fields in science and engineering. His research interests include terrestrial and space solar energy applications, including photo-thermal energy conversion by flat plate collectors and solar power plants, the physics of radiation, photovoltaic conversion of solar energy and solar radiation properties, and solar radiation distribution and forecasting. Prof. Badescu has been associate editor or editorial member of several international journals, including Space Power, Energy, Renewable Energy, and the Journal of Energy Engineering, and acts as a reviewer for more than 50 international journals. He is a member of the Romanian Academy and various other scientific societies, and has received 4 scientific awards, including the Romanian Academy Prize for Physics in 1979.

Marius Paulescu is Professor at the Faculty of Physics, West University of Timisoara, in Romania. He completed his habilitation in 2016 with a thesis on the estimation and forecasting of output power of PV systems. His research interests include physics of radiative transfer in the atmosphere, solar radiation modeling and forecasting and photovoltaic conversion of solar energy. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, 1 book, and 7 book chapters, all in the fields of solar radiation and photovoltaics. Prof. Paulescu has recently directed three research projects dealing with solar energy modeling and forecasting, and was part of the Management Committee of the large-scale COST Action Performance and Reliability of Photovoltaic Systems. In 2015, he received the Romanian Academy “Anghel Saligny” Prize for the book ‘Weather Modeling and Forecasting of PV System Operation’. He is a member of the Renewable Energy Committee of the Romanian Academy and the International Solar Energy Society.