Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 28 views

    Solar Energy: The Ultimate Renewable Resource

    Uploaded by

    rbanand
    Solar energy originates from the sun's thermonuclear fusion reactions and represents the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Solar water heating can save 1000 megawatts of energy per year, equivalent to eliminating emissions from two coal plants, and a family can save 1200 pounds of pollution per year by using solar water heating instead of gas. While solar water heating is relatively low in the US, other countries like Cyprus and Israel have much higher usage, with it being the predominant form of water heating. The efficiency of solar panels is typically around 10-14% currently, but costs of solar electricity generation are still higher than coal, around $0.50-1 per kilowatt hour compared to $0.08-0.20 per kil

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Solar Energy: The Ultimate Renewable Resource

    Uploaded by

    rbanand
    28 views9 pages
    Solar energy originates from the sun's thermonuclear fusion reactions and represents the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Solar water heating can save 1000 megawatts of energy per year, equivalent to eliminating emissions from two coal plants, and a family can save 1200 pounds of pollution per year by using solar water heating instead of gas. While solar water heating is relatively low in the US, other countries like Cyprus and Israel have much higher usage, with it being the predominant form of water heating. The efficiency of solar panels is typically around 10-14% currently, but costs of solar electricity generation are still higher than coal, around $0.50-1 per kilowatt hour compared to $0.08-0.20 per kil

    Original Description:

    solar

    Original Title

    Solar Energy 9 1

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Solar energy originates from the sun's thermonuclear fusion reactions and represents the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Solar water heating can save 1000 megawatts of energy per year, equivalent to eliminating emissions from two coal plants, and a family can save 1200 pounds of pollution per year by using solar water heating instead of gas. While solar water heating is relatively low in the US, other countries like Cyprus and Israel have much higher usage, with it being the predominant form of water heating. The efficiency of solar panels is typically around 10-14% currently, but costs of solar electricity generation are still higher than coal, around $0.50-1 per kilowatt hour compared to $0.08-0.20 per kil

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    28 views9 pages

    Solar Energy: The Ultimate Renewable Resource

    Uploaded by

    rbanand
    Solar energy originates from the sun's thermonuclear fusion reactions and represents the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Solar water heating can save 1000 megawatts of energy per year, equivalent to eliminating emissions from two coal plants, and a family can save 1200 pounds of pollution per year by using solar water heating instead of gas. While solar water heating is relatively low in the US, other countries like Cyprus and Israel have much higher usage, with it being the predominant form of water heating. The efficiency of solar panels is typically around 10-14% currently, but costs of solar electricity generation are still higher than coal, around $0.50-1 per kilowatt hour compared to $0.08-0.20 per kil

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    of 9

    Solar Energy: The Ultimate Renewable Resource

    What is Solar Energy?


    Originates with the thermonuclear fusion reactions occurring in the sun. Represents the entire electromagnetic radiation (visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, xrays, and radio waves).

    Heating WaterLast Thoughts


    Efficiency of solar heating system is always less than 100% because: % transmitted depends on angle of incidence, Number of glass sheets (single glass sheet transmits 90-95%), and Composition of the glass Solar water heating saves approx. 1000 megawatts of energy a yr, equivalent to eliminating the emissions from two medium sized coal burning power plants. By using solar water heating over gas water heater, a family will save 1200 pounds of pollution each year. Market for flat plate collectors grew in 1980s because of increasing fossil fuels prices and federal tax credits. But by 1985, when these credits were removed and fossil fuel prices were low, the demand for flat plate collectors shrunk quickly. While solar water heating is relatively low in the US, in other parts of the world such as Cyprus (90%) and Israel (65%), it proves to be the predominate form of water heating.

    Heating WaterLast Thoughts


    Efficiency of solar heating system is always less than 100% because: % transmitted depends on angle of incidence, Number of glass sheets (single glass sheet transmits 90-95%), and Composition of the glass Solar water heating saves approx. 1000 megawatts of energy a yr, equivalent to eliminating the emissions from two medium sized coal burning power plants. By using solar water heating over gas water heater, a family will save 1200 pounds of pollution each year. Market for flat plate collectors grew in 1980s because of increasing fossil fuels prices and federal tax credits. But by 1985, when these credits were removed and fossil fuel prices were low, the demand for flat plate collectors shrunk quickly. While solar water heating is relatively low in the US, in other parts of the world such as Cyprus (90%) and Israel (65%), it proves to be the predominate form of water heating.

    Heating Living Spaces


    A passively heated home uses about 60-75% of the solar energy that hits its walls and windows. The Center for Renewable Resources estimates that in almost any climate, a well-designed passive solar home can reduce energy bills by 75% with an added construction cost of only 5-10%. About 25% of energy is used for water and space heating. Major factor discouraging solar heating is low energy prices.

    Solar Panels in Use


    Because of their current costs, only rural and other customers far away from power lines use solar panels because it is more cost effective than extending power lines. Note that utility companies are already purchasing, installing, and maintaining PV-home systems (Idaho Power Co.). Largest solar plant in US, sponsored by the DOE, served the Sacramento area, producing 2195 MWh of electric energy, making it cost competitive with fossil fuel plants.

    Efficiency and Disadvantages


    Efficiency is far lass than the 77% of solar spectrum with usable wavelengths. 43% of photon energy is used to warm the crystal. Efficiency drops as temperature increases (from 24% at 0C to 14% at 100C.) Light is reflected off the front face and internal electrical resistance are other factors. Overall, the efficiency is about 10-14%.
    Cost of electricity from coalburning plants is anywhere b/w 8-20 cents/kWh, while photovoltaic power generation is anywhere b/w $0.50-1/kWh. Does not reflect the true costs of burning coal and its emissions to the nonpolluting method of the latter. Underlying problem is weighing efficiency against cost. Crystalline silicon-more efficient, more expensive to manufacture Amorphous silicon-half as efficient, less expensive to produce.

    Solar Panels in Use


    Because of their current costs, only rural and other customers far away from power lines use solar panels because it is more cost effective than extending power lines. Note that utility companies are already purchasing, installing, and maintaining PV-home systems (Idaho Power Co.). Largest solar plant in US, sponsored by the DOE, served the Sacramento area, producing 2195 MWh of electric energy, making it cost competitive with fossil fuel plants.

    Final Thought
    Argument that sun provides power only during the day is countered by the fact that 70% of energy demand is during daytime hours. At night, traditional methods can be used to generate the electricity. Goal is to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. Currently, 75% of our electrical power is generated by coal-burning and nuclear power plants. Mitigates the effects of acid rain, carbon dioxide, and other impacts of burning coal and counters risks associated with nuclear energy. pollution free, indefinitely sustainable.

    You might also like