Augmenting the output of solar PV by ground albedo and sky conditions

Since the past decade, electricity generation systems are significantly changing. The traditional energy source like fossil fuel is being replaced with renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. PV technology has the potential to shape a clean, reliable, scalable and affordable electricity system for the future. However, one of the main challenges with this technology is that the efficiency of PV modules in the real-time applications is significantly low as compared to the commercial efficiency quoted by manufacturers of PV modules. The reason for such a difference is due to the total incident radiation falling on PV modules. The total incident radiation is the sum of beam, sky-diffuse and ground reflected radiation (ground albedo) from various surfaces. Therefore, this book (experimental research) demonstrates the augmentation of PV modules output by investigating the real albedo values of seven foreground materials and the impact of sky conditions on these materials as well as on the output of PV applications. This book will help the professionals of solar PV technology to design the PV systems and predict the correct output of PV applications.