Presented By:

Dr. Vijayakumar Gali

Dept. of EEE
Poornima University, Jaipur
What’s Solar Energy?
Solar energy Originates with the thermonuclear fusion
reactions occurring in the sun.
Represents the entire electromagnetic radiation (visible
light, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays, and radio waves).
This energy consists of radiant light and heat energy from
the sun.
Out of all energy emitted by sun only a small fraction
of energy is absorbed by the earth.
Just this tiny fraction of the sun’s energy is enough
to meet all our power needs.
Insolation
Insolation is the amount of solar radiation reaching the
earth. Also called Incident Solar Radiation.
Maximum value is 1000 kW/m2.
Components of Solar Radiation:
Direct radiation
Diffuse radiation
Reflect radiation
How much solar energy?

The surface receives about 47% of the total solar energy

that reaches the Earth. Only this amount is usable.
• Using present solar techniques some of the solar energy
reaching the earth is utilized for generating heat, electricity
etc….
• Even then the energy demand met by using solar energy is
very less.
Fossils

Bio-fuels
Hydro-based

Nuclear

SOLAR(0.8%)

Windmills
Why Solar Energy?

• The fossil fuels are non renewable sources so we can not

depend on them forever.
• Though nuclear energy is a clean and green energy ,as
said by Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam, there are always some
problems associated with it.
• So the only option we have is solar energy because it is a
nonpolluting and silent source of electricity and also low
maintenance and long lasting energy.
How solar energy is used
Solar Thermal Energy
Solar Heating
– Solar Water Heating
– Solar Space Heating
– Solar Space Cooling
Electricity Generation Using Solar Concentrators
Photovoltaic Cells
Solar Thermal Energy
Solar thermal technologies involve harvesting energy
from the sun for heating water or producing
electrical power.
Solar collectors are used for this purpose.
Three Types:
Flat-plate collectors
Evacuated-tube collectors
Integral collector-storage systems(Batch or Bread Box)
 Water
Heating
Passive systems
Thermosyphon
Collector storage systems
Active systems
Direct circulation systems
Indirect circulation systems
Hot air systems.
 Space
Heating
Active Solar Heating System
A system that uses water or air that the sun has heated
and is then circulated by a fan or pump.
Passive Solar Heating System
The house itself acts as the solar collector and storage
facility.
No pumps or fans are used.
This system makes use of the materials of the house to
store and absorb heat.
Passive Solar Heating System
Three Types:
Direct-Gain
Indirect-Gain
Attached Greenhouse
Space Cooling
The heat from a solar collector can also be used to cool a
building by using the solar heat as an energy source.
Electricity from Solar Energy
Solar power is described as the conversion of sunlight
into electricity. Sunlight could be changed into electricity
with the use of :

Directly using PV or photovoltaic or

Indirectly by Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
CSP is a power generation technology that uses mirrors
or lenses to concentrate the sun’s rays and,
That heat a fluid and produce steam.
The steam drives a turbine and generates power in the
same way as conventional power plants.
Other concepts are being explored and not all future
CSP plants will necessarily use a steam cycle.
Solar power is concentrated in various
ways:
There are now several devices and structures
created which focus and concentrate solar power.
Solar Parabolic Troughs
Stirling Dish
Solar Power Tower
The Linear Fresnel Reflector
Photovoltaics
•Converting solar energy directly into electrical
energy .
•Devices used are called solar panels.
•Solar panel is a group of solar cells.
•Solar cells work on the principle of photoelectric
effect.
Structure of a Solar Cell
A typical solar cell is a multi-layered unit consisting of a:
Cover - a clear glass or plastic layer that provides outer
protection from the elements. Transparent Adhesive -
holds the glass to the rest of the solar cell.
Anti-reflective Coating - this substance is designed to
prevent the light that strikes the cell from bouncing off
so that the maximum energy is absorbed into the cell.
Front Contact - transmits the electric current.
N-Type Semiconductor Layer - This is a thin layer of
silicon which has been mixed (process called doping)
with phosphorous.
P-Type Semiconductor Layer - This is a thin layer of
silicon which has been mixed or doped with boron.
Back Contact - transmits the electric current.
Working of A solar cell

• Photoelectric effect

When a light of certain frequency falls on the surface of

a metal
Electrons will absorb the energy
If incident light energy is greater than the work
function(minimum energy required to remove the
loosely bound valence electrons)of the metal
Then the photo electrons will be emitted and
The excess energy is converted to the kinetic energy of
electron.
• When solar panels are placed in the sunlight
, photons will strike the surface and emits
electrons.
• As a result electron hole pair is created in the
solar cell.
• When external circuit is connected to the solar
cell , electrons flow in the circuit and the
current is generated.
The Types of Solar Electric Systems
The Stand Alone System
Standalone, or off-grid, solar power systems consist of
solar panels and a battery bank.
Used in rural areas and regions where there is no
access to the utility grid.
Very good at giving economical electricity.
Grid-Tie Solar System
Very useful for homes that are already linked to
the utility grid.
Primary advantage is the cheap price of utility.
The system needs to be wired with an inverter that
creates ac electricity, which is needed for linking
to the utility grid.
 USES OF SOLAR ENERGY
• Heaters Green houses
water pumps
• Cars Desalination
• Lights Chilling
Solar ponds
• Satellites Thermal
•Commercial
Dryers use
• Calculators
• On an office building , roof areas can be covered with solar
panels .
• Remote buildings such as schools , communities can make
use of solar energy.
• In developing countries , this solar panels are very much
useful.
• Even on the highways , for every five kilometres ,solar
 Applications

Solar car

Solar heater Solar lights

 Advantages of solar power

The power source of the sun is absolutely

free.
The production of solar energy produces no
pollution.
The technological advancements in solar
energy systems have made them extremely
cost effective.
Most systems do not require any maintenance
during their lifespan, which means you never
have to put money into them.
Solar energy systems are now designed for particular
needs. For instance, you can convert your outdoor
lighting to solar. The solar cells are directly on the lights
and can’t be seen by anyone. At the same time, you
eliminate all costs associated with running your outdoor
lighting.
Solar energy can be used in remote areas where it is
too expensive to extend the electricity power grid.
It is estimated that the worlds oil reserves will last for
30 to 40 years. On the other hand, solar energy is
infinite (forever). Solar energy can be used in remote
areas where it is too expensive to extend the electricity
power grid.
 Solar cells are long lasting sources of energy which
can be used almost anywhere.
Solar cells are also totally
silent
 Disadvantages Of Solar Power
Initial Cost : The initial cost of purchasing and
installing solar panels always become the first
disadvantage. Although subsidy programs, tax
initiatives and rebate incentives are given by
government to promote the use of solar panels we are
still way behind in making full and efficient use of
solar energy.
Location: The location of solar panels is of major
importance in the generation of electricity. Areas which
remains mostly cloudy and foggy will produce electricity
but at a reduced rate and may require more panels to
generate enough electricity homes. Houses which are
covered by trees, landscapes or other buildings may not
be suitable enough to produce solar power.
Pollution: Most of the photovoltaic panels are made up
of silicon and other toxic metals like mercury, lead and
cadmium. Pollution in the environment can also
degrade the quality and efficiency of photovoltaic cells.
New innovative technologies can overcome the worst of
these effects.
Reliability: Unlike other renewable source which
can also be operated during night, solar panels prove
to be useless during night which means you have to
depend on the local utility grid to draw power in the
night.
Inefficiency: Since not all the light from the sun is
absorbed by the solar panels therefore most solar panels
have a 40% efficiency rate which means 60% of the
sunlight gets wasted and is not harnessed.
Installation areas: For home users, a solar energy
installation may not require huge space but for big
companies, a large area is required for the system to be
efficient in providing a source of electricity.
Thank you