Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. They have increased in efficiency since first being developed in 1954. Solar energy is a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, which are being depleted. It can power homes by generating electricity that either feeds directly into a home's electrical system or stores excess in batteries. When connected to the electric grid, any extra power generated can be exported back to offset power drawn from the utility company.

1. SENTHUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
4020532 / GREEN ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION
SEMINAR PRESENTATION
S E M I N A R T O P I C
S O L A R P A N E L
S U B M I T T E D B Y
L A T H I K A . M
( 2 2 2 1 9 9 7 4 )

2. What is Solar Energy?
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•
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The most precise Solar Energy definition : Energy
from the sun.
But what is solar energy really?
There are two types of solar energy: Thermal
Energy & Electric Energy
Thermal Energy: Thermal Energy is everywhere. It’s
lights up our days. It heats the earth, our bodies and
our homes. It dries our clothes . All for free!
Electric Energy: Electric Energy uses the power of
the sun to produce electricity through solar cells,
otherwise known as Photovoltaics (PV).

3. •
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The Sun
Diameter: 1.39E9 m (120 x greater than earth)
Distance from earth = 1.495E11 m (93 million miles) ± 1.7%
Center: Density ≅100 x density of water and T>1E6 K
Powered by hydrogen fusion
Composed of layers. The outer layer is the photosphere
Effective blackbody temperature of 5777 K
Cont’d

4. Cont’d
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World Energy Conservation
predicted estimation about the rate
of utilization of energy resources
shows that the coal deposits will
deplete within the next 200 to 300
years and petroleum deposits will
deplete in next few decades
The most advantage using Solar
Energy is that this is distributed
over a wide geographical area,
ensuring that developing regions
such as India have access to
electricity generation at a stable
cost for the long-term future
The huge consumption of fossil
fuels has caused visible damage to
the environment in various forms
WHY SOLAR ENERGY

5. HISTORICAL MILESTONES
• 1954 -Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson
and Daryl Chaplin of Bell
Laboratories discovered the use of
silicon as a semi-conductor, which
led to the construction of a solar
panel with an efficiency rate of 6%.
• 1956 -The first commercial solar cell
was made available to the public at a
$300 per watt
very expensive $300 per watt
• 1958- Vanguard I the first satellite
was launched that used solar energy
to generate electricity.
• 1970- The
The E
Ene
ner
rg
gy
y C
Cr
ri
is
si
is
s !
!
(O
(OPE
PEC
Co
oi
il
l
embargo)
embargo) Solar energy history was
made as the price of solar cells
$2
0
dropped dramatically to about $20
peperr
w
w
a
a
t
t
.
t
t
.
•
•
•
•
1954 -Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson
and Daryl Chaplin of Bell
Laboratories discovered the use of
silicon as a semi-conductor, which
led to the construction of a solar
panel with an efficiency rate of 6%.
1956 -The first commercial solar cell
was made available to the public at a
very expensive $300 per watt
1958- Vanguard I the first satellite
was launched that used solar energy
to generate electricity.
1970- The Energy Crisis ! (OPEC oil
embargo) Solar energy history was
made as the price of solar cells
dropped dramatically to about $20
per watt.
Cont’d

6. 1) Sunlight hit the solar panel (photovoltaic/
PV) and absorbed by semi-conducting
materials such as silicone.
2) Electrons are knocked loose from their
atoms, which allow them to flow through the
material to produce electricity. This process
is called the photovoltaic (PV) effect.
3) An array of solar panels converts solar
energy into DC (direct current) electricity.
4) The DC electricity enters an inverter.
5) The inverter turns DC electricity into 120-volt
AC (alternating current)
6) The AC power enters the utility panel in the
house.
7) The electricity (load) is then distributed to
appliances or lights in the house.
1) Sunlight hit the solar panel (photovoltaic/
PV) and absorbed by semi-conducting
materials such as silicone.
2) Electrons are knocked loose from their
atoms, which allow them to flow through the
material to produce electricity. This process
is called the photovoltaic (PV) effect.
3) An array of solar panels converts solar
energy into DC (direct current) electricity.
4) The DC electricity enters an inverter.
5) The inverter turns DC electricity into 120-volt
AC (alternating current)
6) The AC power enters the utility panel in the
house.
7) The electricity (load) is then distributed to
appliances or lights in the house.
Cont’d
DISCOVER THE SOLAR PANEL

7. 8) When more solar energy is generated it can be
stored in a battery as DC electricity and will
continue to supply your home with electricity in
the event of a power blackout or at nighttime.
9) When the battery is full the excess electricity can
be exported back into the utility grid, if your
system is connected to it.
10) Utility supplied electricity can also be drawn form
the grid when not enough solar energy is
produced
11) The flow of electricity in and out of the utility grid
is measured by a utility meter, which spins
backwards (when you are producing more energy
that you need) and forward (when you require
additional electricity from the utility company).
The two are offset ensuring that you only pay for
the additional energy you use from the utility
company. This system is referred to as "net-
metering".
8) When more solar energy is generated it can be
stored in a battery as DC electricity and will
continue to supply your home with electricity in
the event of a power blackout or at nighttime.
9) When the battery is full the excess electricity can
be exported back into the utility grid, if your
system is connected to it.
10) Utility supplied electricity can also be drawn form
the grid when not enough solar energy is
produced
11) The flow of electricity in and out of the utility grid
is measured by a utility meter, which spins
backwards (when you are producing more energy
that you need) and forward (when you require
additional electricity from the utility company).
The two are offset ensuring that you only pay for
the additional energy you use from the utility
company. This system is referred to as "net-
metering".
Cont’d

8. Thank You