The document summarizes information about solar energy, including:
1) It defines solar energy as energy from the sun and describes the two types as thermal energy and electric energy.
2) It provides details on the historical milestones in the development of solar energy technology from 1838 to 1904.
3) It explains how solar panels work to convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect and describes the process of electricity production and distribution.
4) It outlines some of the practical applications of solar energy such as for powering homes, street lights, water pumps, and vehicles.
2. What is Solar Energy?
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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).
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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
6. • 1838 - Edmund Becquerel observed
materials which turn light into energy
• 1876 - 78 - William Adams, wrote the
first book about Solar Energy called: A
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• 1860- Auguste Mouchout, used
direct conversion of solar radiation
into mechanical power.
• 1895 - Aubrey Eneas formed the first
Solar Energy company
• 1904 - Henry Willsie built 2 huge
plants in California to store generated
power. He was the first to successfully
use power at night after generating it
during the day
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1838 - Edmund Becquerel observed
materials which turn light into energy
1876 - 78 - William Adams, wrote the
first book about Solar Energy called: A
Substitute for Fuel in Tropical
Countries and was able to power a 2.5
horsepower steam engine
1860- Auguste Mouchout, used
direct conversion of solar radiation
into mechanical power.
1895 - Aubrey Eneas formed the first
Solar Energy company
1904 - Henry Willsie built 2 huge
plants in California to store generated
power. He was the first to successfully
use power at night after generating it
during the day
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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
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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
9. • Begun as far back as in the mid 70’s
solar photovoltics programme of the
Government of India is one of the
largest in the World
• Reliefs offered by government on
SPV manufacturers and users of SPV
based products :
* 100% depreciation in the first year of
installation of the systems
* No excise duty for manufacturers
* Low import tariff for several raw
materials and components
* Soft loans to users, intermediaries
and manufacturers.
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• Begun as far back as in the mid 70’s
solar photovoltics programme of the
Government of India is one of the
largest in the World
Reliefs offered by government on
SPV manufacturers and users of SPV
based products :
100% depreciation in the first year of
installation of the systems
No excise duty for manufacturers
Low import tariff for several raw
materials and components
Soft loans to users, intermediaries
and manufacturers.
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Cont’d
Systems Capacity Uses
Community lighting systems 1KW to 2.5 KW Small household lighting system
Portable solar lanterns 10Wp SPV module lighting 7 W CFL lamp for 3
hours a day
Street lights 75Wp SPV module Charging 100-130AH battery to
run a 11W CFL lamp for dusk to
dawn operation
Fixed home lighting systems 35-50Wp SPV module powering two CFLs -- 9 or 11W ,
work 4-5 hours /day,
run a small TV set or a fan
Water Pumping 1KW DC motor shallow pumping
13. Solar Energy Advantages
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Saves you money
After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is
practically FREE.
Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your
cost.
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Environment friendly
It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not
subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal), sustainable and
helping to protect our environment.
As we see previously ,it does no pollute air.
Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or
smog. It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas
emissions. By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost
and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of
radioactive waste.
Cont’d
14. Solar Energy Advantages (cont’d)
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Low/ no maintenance
Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for
decades.
Once installed, there are no recurring costs. They operate silently, have no
moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to
add any fuel. More solar panels can easily be added in the future when
your family's needs grow.
Cont’d
15. Solar Energy- Main Drawbacks
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The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy
system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting
materials used in building one.
The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable
utility-supplied electricity.
Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a
good level of efficiency.
The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun,
although this problem can be overcome with the installation of
certain components. The production of solar energy is influenced
by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air. Similarly, no solar
energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery
backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem.
As far as solar powered cars go - their slower speed might not
appeal to everyone caught up in today's rat race.
Cont’d
16. No!
But it can do much more
than it does now.
“Old guys” don’t know
about
solar design.
It is up to the “New
Graduates”
to promote solar.
Cont’d
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