Introduction to solar energy,application of solar energy , solar distrillation.

1. Name of Subject: Renewable energy sources
Course category: Open Elective
Subject code: OECH-612
Main Topic: Introduction
Name of Teacher: Anil K. Chaudhary

2. Topics Covered
➢ Historical review and future prospect
➢ Fundamentals and Applications
➢ Solar thermal energy conversion system

3. Introduction to Solar Energy
Energy can be harnessed directly from the sun, even in cloudy weather. Solar
energy is used worldwide and is increasingly popular for generating electricity or
heating and desalinating water. Solar power is generated in two main ways:
1. Photovoltaics (PV), also called solar cells, are electronic devices that convert
sunlight directly into electricity.
2. Concentrated solar power (CSP), uses mirrors to concentrate solar rays.
These rays heat fluid, which creates steam to drive a turbine and generate
electricity. CSP is used to generate electricity in large-scale power plants.

5. Application
Of
Solar Energy

10. Application of Solar Energy
1. Solar water heating
A solar water heating unit comprises a blackened flat plate metal
collector with an associated metal tubing facing the general direction of the sun. The plate
collector has a transparent glass cover above and a layer of thermal insulation beneath it.
This system of water heating is commonly used in hotels, guest houses, tourist bungalows,
hospitals, canteens as well as domestic and industrial units.
2. Solar heating of buildings
(a) Collecting the solar radiation by some element of the building itself i.e. solar energy is
admitted directly into the building through large South-facing windows.
(b) Using separate solar collectors which may heat either water or air or storage devices
which can accumulate the collected solar energy for use at night and during inclement
days.
When the building requires heat then from these collectors or storage devices, the heat is
transferred by conventional equipment such as fan, ducts, air outlets, radiators and hot
air registers etc. to warm up the living spaces of a building.

12. Solar furnaces

13. Application of Solar Energy
When the building requires heat then from these collectors or storage devices, the heat is
transferred by conventional equipment such as fan, ducts, air outlets, radiators and hot air
registers etc. to warm up the living spaces of a building.
3. Solar Distillation
In arid semi and or coastal areas there is scarcity of potable water. The abundant sunlight
in these areas can be used for converting saline water into potable distilled water by the
method of solar distillation. In this method, solar radiation is admitted through a
transparent air tight glass cover into a shallow blackened basin containing saline water.
4. Solar Pumping
In solar pumping, the power generated by solar-energy is utilized for pumping water for
irrigation purposes. The requirement for water pumping is greatest in the hot summer
months which coincide with the increased solar radiations during this period and so this
method is most appropriate for irrigation purpose. During periods of inclement weather
when solar radiations are low then the requirement for water pumping is also relatively
less as the transpiration losses from the crops are also low.

14. Solar Distillation

15. Solar Pumping

16. Application of Solar Energy
5. Solar drying of agricultural and animal products
This is a traditional method of utilising solar energy for drying of agricultural and animal
products. Agricultural products are dried in a simple cabinet dryer which consists of a box
insulated at the base, painted black on the inner side and covered with an inclined
transparent sheet of glass. Solar drying, especially of fruits improves fruit quality as the
sugar concentration increases on drying.
6. Solar furnaces
In a Solar furnace, high temperature is obtained by concentrating the solar radiations onto
a specimen using a number of heliostats (turn-able mirrors) arranged on a sloping surface.
The solar furnace is used for studying the properties of ceramics at extremely high
temperatures above the range measurable in laboratories with flames and electric currents.
7. Solar cooking
A variety of fuel like coal, kerosene, cooking gas, firewood, dung cakes and agricultural
wastes are used for cooking purposes. This necessitated the use of solar energy for
cooking purposes and the development of solar cookers. A simple solar cooker is the flat
plate box type solar cooker. When this reflector is adjusted to reflect the sun rays into the
box, then a 15°C to 25°C rise in temperature is achieved inside the cooker box.

17. Solar drying of agricultural and animal products

20. Solar power generation