This document discusses solar energy and is authored by a group of 5 students from the Department of Civil Engineering. It provides an overview of solar energy, including: 1. Solar energy harnesses the sun's light which contains energy that can be converted to electricity through solar panels using silicon or other materials. 2. The advantages of solar energy are that it is free, non-polluting, and can be used in remote areas. However, the disadvantages include reliance on sunlight and expensive infrastructure. 3. The typical components of a solar energy photovoltaic system are panels, mounting equipment, inverters, tracking mounts, disconnect switches, wiring, and meters.

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20/5/15
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
TITLE: SOLAR ENERGY
GROUP MEMBERS
1.KHIDIR MOHMED NOUR
2.IBRAHIN AIDID ROOBEL
3.C.RAHMAAN C.SAMAD SH. MUHMED
4.HAARUUN C.LAAHI MOHMED
5.IBRAAHIN ABDI MOHMED
SEMESTER EIGHT(C 4)
SHIFT: AFTERNOON

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RESOURCE OF SOLAR ENERGY
The sun's light (and all light) contains
energy. Usually, when light hits an object the
energy turns into heat, like the warmth you feel
while sitting in the sun. But when light hits
certain materials the energy turns into an electrical current instead, which we can then harness
for power.
Old-school solar technology uses large crystals made out of silicon, which produces an electrical
current when struck by light. Silicon can do this because the electrons in the crystal get up and
move when exposed to light instead of just jiggling in place to make heat. The silicon turns a
good portion of light energy into electricity, but it is expensive because big crystals are hard to
grow.
Newer materials use smaller, cheaper crystals, such as copper-indium-gallium-selenite, that can
be shaped into flexible films. This "thin-film" solar technology, however, is not as good as
silicon at turning light into electricity.
In order to have a hope of replacing fossil fuels, scientists need to develop materials that can be
easily mass-produced and convert enough sunlight to electricity to be worth the investment.
ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE OF SOLAR ENERGY
1.1 ADVANTAGE
1.Solar energy is free although there is a cost in the building of ‘collectors’ and other equipment
required to convert solar energy into electricity or hot water.
2. Solar energy does not cause pollution. However, solar collectors and other associated
equipment /machines are manufactured in factories that in turn cause some pollution.
3. Solar energy can be used in remote areas where it is too expensive to extend the electricity
power grid.
4. Many everyday items such as calculators and other low power consuming devices can be
powered by solar energy effectively.

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5. It is estimated that the world’s oil reserves will last for 30 to 40 years. On the other hand, solar
energy is infinite (forever).
1.2 DISADVANTAGE
1. Solar energy can only be harnessed when it is daytime and sunny.
2. Solar collectors, panels and cells are relatively expensive to manufacture although prices are
falling rapidly.
3. Solar power stations can be built but they do not match the power output of similar sized
conventional power stations, they are also very expensive.
4. In countries such as the UK, the unreliable climate means that solar energy is also unreliable
as a source of energy. Cloudy skies reduce its effectiveness.
5. Large areas of land are required to capture the suns energy. Collectors are usually arranged
together especially when electricity is to be produced and used in the same location.
6. Solar power is used to charge batteries so that solar powered devices can be used at night.
However, the batteries are large and heavy and need storage space. They also need replacing
from time to time.
HOW SOLAR WORKS
We can change sunlight directly to electricity using solar cells. Every day, light hits your
roof's solar panels with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts those photons
into electrons of direct current ("DC") electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and
into an inverter and other electrical safety devices. The inverter converts that "DC" power
(commonly used in batteries) into alternating current or "AC" power. AC power is the kind of
electrical that your television, computer, and toasters use when plugged into the wall outlet.
A net energy meter keeps track of the all the power your solar system produces. Any solar
energy that you do not use simultaneous with production will go back into the electrical grid
through the meter. At night or on cloudy days, when your system is not producing more than
your building needs, you will consume electricity from the grid as normal. Your utility will bill
you for the "net" consumption for any given billing period and provide you with a dollar credit
for any excess during a given period. You can carry your bill credit forward for up to a year.

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COMPONENTS OF SOLAR ENERGY PV
Here is a list of the PV system basics:
1. Panels: PV panels, which cost anywhere from $2.40 per watt to over $5 per watt, are the
single biggest expense of a PV system.
2. Mounting equipment: Mounting your PV panels is of critical importance. First, you need to
mount the panels where they'll get maximum sunshine over the course of a year.
3. DC-to-AC inverters: Inverters take the low-voltage, high-current signals from the PV Panels
and convert them into 120VAC which is directly compatible with grid power.
4. Tracking mounts: Tracking mounts mechanically move the PV panels over the course of a
day so that they directly face the sun at all times.
5. Disconnect switches: Disconnect switches are of critical importance, and they need to be
mounted within easy reach. Every member of your family should know exactly how to turn the
PV system off for safety reasons.
6. Wiring and fuse box connections: Wiring, conduit, and connections to your household main
fuse box are minor hardware expenses, but they comprise a big chunk of the labor when you're
installing a PV system.
7. Utility power meters: Conventional power meters are capable of spinning backward, but
utility companies usually change to a special digital meter when you connect to the grid because
most solar customers go to the TOU (time-of-use) rate structure.
WHAT ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY?
The first way to look at solar energy is by how it is converted into useful energy. There
are two types in this first group...
1. Passive Solar Energy
2. Active Solar Energy

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The second way look at solar energy is by the type of energy it is converted into. There are three
types in this second group...
1. Solar Thermal Energy..
2. Photovoltaic Solar Power.
3. Concentrating Solar Power.
ELECTRICTY PRODUCTION
Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly
using photovoltaic (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). CSP systems use
lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. PV
converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.
Solar power is anticipated to become the world's largest source of electricity by 2050, with solar
photovoltaic and concentrated solar power contributing 16 and 11 percent to the global overall
consumption, respectively.
REFERENCES
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/solar7.htm
Contactor License: C10/932914
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http://www.solartechnologies.com/cm/About-Solar-Power/how-does-solar-power-
work.html
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Utilities Commission
http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/solar_basics/how.php
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-basic-components-of-a-home-solar-power-
system.html
http://www.solar-energy-at-home.com/types-of-solar-energy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energy