End Use of Photovoltaic Technology in Norway

The overall objective of this project is to investigate the hypothesis that "solar electricity is a viable alternative even in Norway". Because of the project, we will know more about under what assumptions this is true, or - conversely - why the hypothes is is false. This will be achieved through the execution of two PhD-projects that will be carried out simultaneously. One of the candidates will work on field testing of various photovoltaic (PV) generators (solar modules and cells). A repeatable methodol ogy will be developed and implemented, and field tests of at least a year at several locations will be performed. The statistical analysis of the data will contribute to a knowledge base that will enable decisions regarding the larger scale use of PV syst ems in Norway to be based on scientific facts. In addition, the knowledge base can be used to create repeatable laboratory conditions for the testing of power electronics based interfaces to PV systems. The other main task of the first PhD-candidate is to build a laboratory tool - a test bench - that performs this task: to re-create actual measured responses of PV generators in the laboratory, including the effect of environmental parameters. This tool can be used in the optimization of power electronics converters for PV systems. The other PhD-candidate will work on building a laboratory model of an integrated electric energy system which includes a PV generator. This system will have both dc- and ac electrical distribution, and the candidate will work o n the control of such a system, including the issue of how to get maximum power out of the PV generator. The latter may in the laboratory setup be the test bench that the first candidate has developed. Elkem Solar is the industrial financing partner in th e project, and sees this project as important competence building in the general area of photovoltaics in Norway. The results could lead to industrial developement in Norway in end use of PV technology.