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

Solar Energy

• 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!