Solar Energy

Solar energy, here today, here tomorrow

Solar Energy

• What is solar energy?

Solar Energy

• 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.

Solar Energy

• 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).

Solar Energy

• When was solar energy first used to do work?

In 1860, Auguste Mouchout, used direct conversion of solar radiation into mechanical power.

Solar Energy

Mouchout's Solar collector.

Solar Energy

• Other prominent inventors include:

• William Adams

• Charles Tellier

• John Ericsson

• Aubrey Eneas

• Henry E. Willsie

• Frank Shuman

Solar Energy

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.

Solar Energy

Parabolic Trough

Solar Energy

Solar Tower

Solar Energy

Heliostats

Solar Energy

• Solar Tower

http://www.enviromission.com.au/project/video/video.htm

Solar Energy

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.

Solar Energy

• 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

Solar Energy

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.

Solar Energy

Multiple Exciton Generation Process

Nanotechnology

Quantum dots

Researchers are predicting 65% efficiency.

Solar Energy

Spray-On Solar-Power

Again, nanotechnology is being used to produce a composite that can be sprayed onto other materials.

Solar Energy

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

Solar EnergySolar Energy

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

Solar Energy

• Off Grid

• Grid Connected

• Grid Connected Distributed

• Grid Connected Centralized

Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Solar Energy

• 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.

Solar Energy

• The success or failure of these plans depend on many factors.

Cost Efficiency

Available Technologies

Government Support

Public Perception

Solar Energy

The problem with solar power has never been its appeal. It has just cost too much.

This concludes the solar energy presentation.

Thank You!