Download - Solar Power C
In this presentation you will:
identify how solar power is used for large scale electricity production
Solar Power
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The power of the Sun can
be harnessed to generate
electricity directly from
solar panels.
The Sun’s energy can
also be used to heat
fluids or gas that can be
used to drive turbines.
Introduction
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Both methods are now
being used for large
scale electricity
production to replace
production by fossil fuel
power plants.
Solar Electric
Panels of cells are
typically grouped
together in huge
numbers. Collectively
they form a Solar Farm.
Solar electric power
generation comes
from using sunlight on
photovoltaic cells
(PV cells), commonly
called solar panels.
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Solar Electric Process
The solar cell is made
up from layers of
semiconductor material
(the same material used
for computer chips).
Solar PV cross section
Current
N-type semiconductor
P-N junction
P-type semiconductor Sunlight on the surface
of the cell causes
electrons to move
between the layers.
When a load is applied
across the surfaces this
electron movement
produces an electric
current.
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Solar Electric Process
As lots of cells are
connected together,
a lot of electricity is
generated. For example
a typical solar panel
used on a home roof
(1.6 m x 0.8 m) will
produce 180 W.
Solar cell
Solar panel
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Solar cells are made from layers of what?
A) Plastic
B) Glass
C) Semiconductor material
Question 1
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Solar cells are made from layers of what?
Question 1
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A) Plastic
B) Glass
C) Semiconductor material
Solar cells are made from layers of semiconductor materials, the
same material that is used to make computer chips.
Indirect Methods
The turbine is used to power a generator that creates electricity.
The most common way is to use solar energy to heat water to steam.
The steam is then used to turn turbines.
Steam from the turbine is cooled back to water, then pumped around the
system to be heated again.
Pump
Steam generated
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Generator
Turbines
Solar Furnace
The water or heat
transfer fluid at the
collection point will
typically reach
temperatures of
approximately 500 °C,
easily enough
to generate steam
to power turbines.
Lots of mirrors are
positioned to reflect
sunlight to a single
collection point.
Collection point fluid heated to 500 °C
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Solar Trough
Heat transfer fluid
(typically oil) running
through the pipe is heated
by the Sun’s energy.
A reflective trough is used
to focus the Sun’s energy
on a pipe passing through
the focal point.
This heat transfer fluid
can then be used to heat
water to steam, which
runs the turbines.
Heat transfer fluid
Steam
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Solar Dish
A special engine called
a Stirling engine is
positioned at the focal
point. It converts the
heat into mechanical
motion.
A reflective dish is used
to focus the Sun’s
energy at a single point,
generating a lot of heat.
This mechanical
motion can be used by
a generator to produce
electricity.
Stirling engine
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Question 2
Which part of a solar furnace and solar trough system will actually
create electricity?
A) The light reflecting units
B) The heat transfer fluid
C) The steam turbine
D) The generator
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Question 2
Which part of a solar furnace and solar trough system will actually
create electricity?
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A) The light reflecting units
B) The heat transfer fluid
C) The steam turbine
D) The generator
All of the indirect methods of solar energy require a generator to actually
produce the electricity.
Solar Tower (Chimney)
As the air under the
canopy heats up,
it rises towards
and up the tower.
A canopy covering a
large area rises gently
to a central tower.
Cooler air is sucked
in at the sides of the
canopy.
The air movement
at the sides of the
canopy, or at the base
of the tower can be
used to turn a turbine.
Turbine
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The Future of Solar Energy…
Orbiting satellites would
convert energy from the
Sun into microwave
energy.
Engineers around the
world are currently
evaluating the means
of having a solar farm
in Earth’s orbit.
The microwave energy
created from the solar
panels would be
‘beamed’ to receiving
stations on Earth which
would turn it into
electricity. Next >
Which technology directly converts solar energy into electricity?
A) Photovoltaic cells
B) Solar furnaces
C) Solar troughs
D) Solar towers
Question 3
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Which technology directly converts solar energy into electricity?
A) Photovoltaic cells
B) Solar furnaces
C) Solar troughs
D) Solar towers
Question 3
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Photovoltaic cells (PV) convert sunlight directly into electricity.