Solar Energy
Transcript of Solar Energy
Solar Energy
Solar energy, here today, here tomorrow
Solar Energy
• What is solar energy?
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• Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of energy.
• These photons contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum.
• We use this energy directly and indirectly.
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• Direct –
• Indirect –
The photons are absorbed by a surface, creating heat or electricity.
The heat produce could be changed into steam energy to do work (steam turbines).
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• When was solar energy first used to do work?
In 1860, Auguste Mouchout, used direct conversion of solar radiation into mechanical power.
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Mouchout's Solar collector.
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• Other prominent inventors include:
• William Adams
• Charles Tellier
• John Ericsson
• Aubrey Eneas
• Henry E. Willsie
• Frank Shuman
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All of the inventions produce gas under pressure, like steam, to do work.
The work that we are most interested in,
is the generation of electricity.
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Parabolic Trough
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Solar Tower
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Heliostats
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• Solar Tower
http://www.enviromission.com.au/project/video/video.htm
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Photovoltaic Cells – PV cells
• Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity through a photovoltaic (PV) cell, commonly called a solar cell.
• This is the photoelectric effect.
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• PV cells are commonly made from silicone.
• CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide) and CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) solar cell materials
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• President Bush on tour.
http://mfile.akamai.com/5913/wmv/whitehouse.download.akamai.com/5913/2006/02/20060220-2.v.asx
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From the discovery of the photoelectric effect in 1839, to the first module in 1954, the efficiency continues to increase.
The industry efficiency has grown from 3-6% to 33% and beyond.
NASA uses arrays that are 40% efficient.
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Multiple Exciton Generation Process
Nanotechnology
Quantum dots
Researchers are predicting 65% efficiency.
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Spray-On Solar-Power
Again, nanotechnology is being used to produce a composite that can be sprayed onto other materials.
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Members of the International Solar Agency
Australia Austria Belgium
Canada Denmark Finland
France Germany Italy
Mexico Netherlands New Zealand
Norway Portugal Spain
Sweden Switzerland USA
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Solar PV Use Is Growing Rapidly
• 2006: 5,600 MW Worldwide• $20+ Billion• Major Markets
Germany 750+ MW/yrJapan 350 MW/yrSpain 25 MW/yr?California 50-75 MW/yr
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• Off Grid
• Grid Connected
• Grid Connected Distributed
• Grid Connected Centralized
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• Not all the countries that have a solar implementation plan, are on the same footing. Some are doing better then others.
• Governments are providing large sums of money for incentives, R&D, and to help create receptive markets.
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• The success or failure of these plans depend on many factors.
Cost Efficiency
Available Technologies
Government Support
Public Perception
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The problem with solar power has never been its appeal. It has just cost too much.
This concludes the solar energy presentation.
Thank You!