20 Solar Power

AENG 61
Agricultural Power and

Energy Engineering
SOLAR POWER
THE
SUN
“All power and
life on Earth,
from
photosynthesis
to fossil fuels,
originates from
the Sun”
OPTIONS OF USING RENEWABLE ENERGY
Structure and Main Parameters of the Sun
The Sun’s Electromagnetic Spectrum
Factors Affecting the Quantity of Solar
Radiation Reaching the Earth’s Surface
1. Intensity of
Radiation
Emitted by the
Sun
2. Astronomical
Factors
3. General
Transparency
of the
Atmosphere
SOLAR CONSTANT
rate at which the
radiant energy
from the sun is
received on a
surface at the top
of the atmosphere
perpendicular to
the sun’s rays when
the earth is at an
average distance
from the sun
Ranges from 1350 W/m2 to 1380 W/m2
average solar constant is 1368 W/m2 at an
average earth-sun distance of 1.496x1011 m
Astronomical Factors:
Elliptical Orbit of the Earth
responsible
for the varying
earth-sun
distance
Aphelion (sun is farthest from earth) = July 4

Perihelion (sun is nearest the earth) = January 3
Astronomical Factors: Parallelism
consistent
inclination of
earth’s axis of
spin with
respect to
plane of its
orbit (23.45 o)
SEASONAL VARIATION
Annual variation in extraterrestrial radiation (Ra)
at the equator, 20 and 40° north and south
Length of Time from Sunrise to Sunset for
Various Latitudes on Different Dates
Changing Position of the Sun
(as observed in the Northern Hemisphere – middle latitude)
ATMOSPHERIC TURBIDITY
any condition of the atmosphere which
reduces its transparency to radiation especially
to its visible portion
Factors affecting atmospheric turbidity

dusts
pollens
water vapor
suspended materials
Solar Radiation at the Earth’s Surface
COMMON AGRICULTURAL
APPLICATIONS:
Crop and Grain Drying

Solar-Thermal Conversion
Photovoltaics
Crop and Grain Drying
Classification of Sun Drying Methods

Sun Drying
Sun Drying
Simple Natural Convection-type Dryers

Solar Greenhouse Dryer

Solar Fruit Dryer

(Horizontal Drying
Chamber)
Solar Cabinet-type Dryer

Solar to Thermal Conversion:
Solar Radiation is converted to heat for
heating or cooling spaces and dwellings or the
heat can be further transformed to electricity
using solar thermal power plants
Use of solar collectors
Solar Collector:
A heat exchanger that absorbs the incoming
solar radiation, converts it into heat, and transfers
the heat to a fluid (e.g. air, water or oil)
Development of Solar Collectors:
In order of increasing efficiency and cost
Open container (trough) on

ground – heat flows easily to
the ground
Open trough off ground –

clear water is not a good
absorber; loses heat by
evaporation
Black closed container (tank)

– large heat loss especially to
wind; no overnight storage
Black tank insulated

underneath– heat loses
confined to upper surface
Sheltered black tank – cheap

but materials degrade
Metal tube and plate

collector and flooded plate –
fluid moves through the
collector; flooded plate more
efficient than metal tube and
plate
Double glazed flat plate –

better than (f); can operate up
to 100°C
Selective surface – αshort

>> εlong; reduced radiative
losses
EVACUATED TUBE
Combination of selective
surface and good convection
suppressant
Good performance at high
temperature
Types of Solar Collectors:
NON-CONCENTRATING/ CONCENTRATING/ SUN-
STATIONARY TRACKING
Has the same area for Usually has the concave

intercepting and reflecting surfaces to intercept
absorbing solar radiation and focus the sun’s beam to a
Permanently fixed in smaller receiving area, thereby
their position and do not increasing the radiation flux
track the sun Includes a mechanism for sun-
Suitable for low tracking
temperature Suitable for high temperature
applications applications
Solar
Collectors:
Types of Solar Collectors:
NON-CONCENTRATING CONCENTRATING
FLAT PLATE Collectors Concentrating versions of FPC

(FPC) and CPC
STATIONARY PARABOLIC TROUGH Collectors
COMPOUND (PTC)
PARABOLIC Collectors
LINEAR FRESNEL Reflectors (LFR)
(CPC)
and FRESNEL LENS Collectors (FLC)
EVACUATED TUBE
PARABOLIC DISH Collectors
Collectors (ETC)
(PDC)
HELIOSTAT FIELD Collectors
(HFC)
Non-Concentrating/ Stationary Solar Collectors:
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
One of the most
common designs
for water and air
heating in
agricultural and
domestic
applications
Water and air

are two common
working fluids
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS (Water Systems)
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS (Air Systems)
Should be
oriented towards
the equator (facing
south for NH and
north for SH)
Optimum tilt
angle is equal to
the latitude of the
location ± (10-15)°
Forced Circulation System
Thermosiphon System
COMMON DESIGNS
Header and Riser / Parallel Serpentine

COMMON DESIGNS - PARALLEL
Higher flow rate of hot
water than serpentine
Lower temperature
rise than serpentine
Uneven flow
distribution from the
various riser
Can work effectively in

thermosiphon mode
COMMON DESIGNS - SERPENTINE
More uniform but
lower flow rate of hot
water than parallel
Higher temperature
rise than parallel
Cannot work effectively

in thermosiphon alone
and needs a pump for
better circulation
COMMON DESIGNS – PARALLEL -SERPENTINE
Combines
the features of
parallel and
serpentine
arrangements
Nicomel, 2011
COMMON DESIGNS – PARALLEL -SERPENTINE
Nicomel, 2011
COMPOUND PARABOLIC COLLECTORS

Can accept incoming
radiation over a relatively
wide range of angles due
to multiple internal
reflections created by
configuring the absorber
plate into a parabola
EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS
Use liquid-vapor
phase change
materials to transfer
heat at high efficiency
EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS
Concentrating/Sun-Tracking Solar Collectors:
CONCENTRATING
VERSIONS OF FPC
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
FRESNEL COLLECTORS
Linear Fresnel-Type
Parabolic Trough
Fresnel Lens Collector

PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS
Considered to be the most efficient of all collector
systems since they always point to the sun
HELIOSTAT FIELD COLLECTORS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANT
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Photovoltaic (PV) Modules
Solid-state devices that convert sunlight
directly into electricity
Has no moving parts, highly reliable and
requires little maintenance
No greenhouse gas emissions and operates
silently
Can be built virtually in any size (modular)
Cost effective in areas that are remote from
utility grids
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Cells
Building blocks of
PV modules
Made of
semiconductor
materials (e.g. silicon)
and converts photon
energy to electricity
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Effect
When light strikes a PV cell, it imparts energy

to some electrons to free them
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Construction of a PV Cell
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Silicon Structure
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Doping
Adding atoms with different number of electrons
to create an unbalanced number of electrons to the
base material (silicon)
PHOTOVOLTAICS
P-N Junction
A dividing line
between the p-
type and n-type
material which
creates a potential
barrier
Creates an
electric field that
allows the
unidirectional flow
of electrons in the
cell
PHOTOVOLTAICS
P-N Junction
PHOTOVOLTAICS
P-N Junction
“The movement of
electrons to the p-type
silicon and holes to the
n-type silicon builds up
a fixed potential barrier
at the junction
opposing the further
movement of free
carrier and creating an
equilibrium state” (an
electric field is created)
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Solar Cell
Operation
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Cell, Module, Array
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Module Mounting Methods
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Module with
Dual Axis Sun
Tracker
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Systems: Common Components
1. PV Module
2. Charge Controller
3. Energy Storage Unit/Battery
4. Inverter
5. Other Accessories
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Systems: Major Components

PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Systems
Stand Alone System

PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Systems
PV-Fossil Hybrid System

PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Systems
Off-Grid System
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV Systems
Grid Connected System

APPLICATION
PV Systems
Domestic: Solar Home System

APPLICATION
PV Systems
Water Pumping
APPLICATION
PV Systems
Irrigation Systems
APPLICATION
PV Systems
Travelling Clinic: Refrigeration in the Desert

APPLICATION
PV Systems
Street Lighting
APPLICATION
PV Systems
Solar Car or Tractor

APPLICATION
PV Systems
Solar Tractor
APPLICATION
PV Systems/Solar Collectors
Solar Incubator (Paras, 2007)

APPLICATION
PV Systems/Solar Collectors
Solar Incubator

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AENG 61

Agricultural Power and

Aphelion (sun is farthest from earth) = July 4

Factors affecting atmospheric turbidity

Crop and Grain Drying

Classification of Sun Drying Methods

Simple Natural Convection-type Dryers

Solar Greenhouse Dryer

Solar Fruit Dryer

Solar Cabinet-type Dryer

Open container (trough) on

Open trough off ground –

Black closed container (tank)

Black tank insulated

Sheltered black tank – cheap

Metal tube and plate

Double glazed flat plate –

Selective surface – αshort

Has the same area for Usually has the concave

FLAT PLATE Collectors Concentrating versions of FPC

Water and air

Forced Circulation System

Header and Riser / Parallel Serpentine

Can work effectively in

Cannot work effectively

COMPOUND PARABOLIC COLLECTORS

Fresnel Lens Collector

When light strikes a PV cell, it imparts energy

PV Systems: Major Components

Stand Alone System

PV-Fossil Hybrid System

Grid Connected System

Domestic: Solar Home System

Travelling Clinic: Refrigeration in the Desert

Solar Car or Tractor

Solar Incubator (Paras, 2007)

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