Photovoltaic technology: Basic concepts, sizing of a stand alone photovoltaic system for domestic applications and preliminary economic analysis

Abstract Short descriptive outlines, both for the processes that occur in the photovoltaic effect and the simplest form of a stand alone photovoltaic system, are described in the present paper. System sizing, description of a few small to medium capacity PV installations, preliminary economic analysis, the information needs for diffusing this technology into rural areas with particular reference to developing countries etc. are other main subtopics discussed here.