ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES 1

SOLAR ENERGY
TECHNOLOGY
Reference Books:
1. Mehmet Kanoglu, Yunus Cengel, John Cimbala -
Fundamentals and Applications of Renewable Energy-
McGraw-Hill Education (2019)
2. Sergio C. Capareda - Introduction to Renewable Energy
Conversions-CRC Press (2019)
3. Wenping Cao and Yihua Hu - Renewable Energy Utilisation
and System Integration (2016)
1
 SOLAR ENERGY

Solar Energy is the conversion of energy from sunlight into

electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), indirectly
using concentrated solar power, or a combination.

2
Types of solar energy systems

Solar energy

Solar PV Solar thermal

Flat Concentrated
PV PV
Electricity Heating

Photovoltaic/Thermal
Electricity (PV/T)

3
SOLAR THERMAL TECHNOLOGY

4
Background – mechanisms of applications

Heat
energy Light
energy

Solar
thermal Solar PV
systems systems

5
Solar thermal Power

Source: Solar Heat Worldwide 2020 - https://www.iea-shc.org/solar-heat-worldwide-2020

6
Solar thermal Power

Source: Solar Heat Worldwide 2020 - https://www.iea-shc.org/solar-heat-worldwide-2020

7
Solar thermal collectors
Collector Concentration Typical working
ratio temperature range
(oC)
Flate plate collector 1
Evacuated tube 1.5 - 2 60 - 120
collector
Parabolic trough 10 – 50 150 - 350
collector
Parabolic dish 200 – 500 250 – 700
collector
Central receiver 500 - > 3000 500 - > 1000
Source: Kutcher et al., (2019). Principle of sustainable energy systems. 3rd Edition, CRC Press

8
1. Solar water heating systems

Active solar water heaters

Hot water
out

Cold water
in

9
1. Solar water heating systems
Passive solar water heaters

Working principle: Temperature difference

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1. Solar water heating systems

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_water_heating#/ http://www.byexample.net/library/illustrations/
media/File:Batch_solar_thermal_collectorColour.jpg batch_collector/illustration_bc_view/index.html

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1. Solar water heating systems

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/industrial-
Solar water heater solar-water-heater-11438154133.html

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1. Solar water heating systems

Akershus Energy Park (Norway): https://www.greenvisits.no/product/akershus-

energy-park/

Solar district heating plant, Nordby,

Samsoe, Denmark

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-solar-
district-heating-plant-nordby-samsoe-
denmark-europe-34472041.html

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1. Solar water heating systems

Source: DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.10.303

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1. Solar water heating systems

15
2. Solar cooking stoves

https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/SciRefGui http://greenbusinesswatch.org/blog/solar-
des/solarovens.html cooking-offers-new-ways-to-eat

16
2. Solar cooking stoves

http://www.your-solar-energy- http://solarcooking.org/newsletters/scrapr10.htm
home.com/solar-ovens.html

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2. Solar cooking stoves
Flat-plate collector or evacuated tubes cooker
Thermally
insulated
cover

Cooking pot

Hot oil
storage

Isolation thermique

Flat-plate or evacuated tubes collector

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2. Solar cooking stoves

Compound Parabolic Evacuated tube cooker

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3. Solar Drying systems

https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme811/node/692

20
3. Solar Drying systems

https://www.meatsandsausages.com/drying-preservation/drying-food/solar-drying

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3. Solar Drying systems

Transparent Drying
chamber

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4. Solar water purifications

https://www.iwapublishing.com/news/distillation-treatment-and-removal-contaminants-drinking-water

23
5. Electricity generation

https://www.bls.gov/green/solar_power/

24
5. Electricity generation

https://www.bls.gov/green/solar_power/

25
5. Electricity generation

https://www.bls.gov/green/solar_power/

26
5. Electricity generation

https://www.bls.gov/green/solar_power/

27
6. Space – warming and lighting

http://loriskedelsky.info/small-passive-solar-house/

https://www.pinterest.at/pin/463941199084467624/

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SOLAR PV-THERMAL
APPLICATIONS

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Photovoltaic -Thermal (PVT) systems

http://www.grammer-solar.com/cms/en/solar-air/products/pv-hybrid-collector.html
Michael et al. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 62-88

Thermal (PV/T) system

30
PVT system

Michael et al. Renewable and Sustainable

Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 62-88

31
Photovoltaic -Thermal (PVT) systems

Hybrid solar PV and water heating system installation at KNUST Kumasi

Ghana

32
SOLAR PV APPLICATIONS

33
Direct electricity – Flat solarPV

Solar PV system converts sunlight directly into electricity

https://inhabitat.com/sneak-peek-20-stunning-
energy-efficient-homes-in-the-2011-solar-
decathlon/

34
Direct electricity – Flat solar PV

Solar PV system converts sunlight directly into electricity

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Direct electricity – concentrated solar PV
Solar cell

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/06/23/wind-solar-replace-coal-australia-2040/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrator_photovoltaics https://www.exploregate.com/

36
Solar PV–powered electric car

https://hypebeast.com/2019/7/lightyear-one-solar- https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/hyundai-sonata-
powered-electric-sedan hybrid-solar-roof/

Lightyear One car Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with a solar roof

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Solar PV –water pumping systems

https://barraksolarnrg.com/pumpingsystem.html

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Solar PV – Planning Processes
Need for Why? Potential
solar PV benefits?

NO

Pre-installation
System Design
evaluation
Solar Solar PV
resource systems NO YES
Components
sizing
Order and
Solar radiation Stand-alone
installation
Meteorological data Grid-connected
Cost and space
YES
Site location
Orientation With/without back-up

Hybrid – combination Solar module technology Operation & maintenance;

Fixed or tracking
with other Module characteristics monitoring and evaluation
resources
systems

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solar radiation distribution
The revolution of the Earth around sun as well as tilt of the Earth’s
spin axis causes seasonal variations of the solar radiation.

The rotation of the Earth about its axis once during an

approximate 24 hours causes hourly variation of the solar
radiation.

40
Self-shading analysis of rows solar collectors

http://solarprofessional.com/articles/design-installation/pv-array-electrical-aggregation-strategies?v=disable_pagination

41
Total global solarradiation

Total global solar radiation on inclined surface is the sum of the direct
beam, diffuse and reflected radiation.

𝑫𝑪

B𝑪 Inclined
surface
R𝑪

On horizontal surface ( = 0), global solar radiation is:

42
Tracking systems

A tracking system increases solar module energy production by moving a module

over the course of a day, by adjusting module’s orientation to follow the sun’s
position.

43
Sun Peak Hour

Source: http://www.aurorasolarenergy.com/average-daily-sun-hours/

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MEASURED RADIATION

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Total solar radiation on horizontal surface

(kWh/ /day)
(kW/

Where HTH = total global radiation; HBH = direct beam radiation and HDH = diffuse radiation
In most weather/meteorological stations, HTH and H D H are normally measured

46
solar radiation data

Solar map
Gives a physical feel the variation of solar radiation
Quick identification of ‘good’ sites.
Based on numerical simulation/modelling

Satellite data
For example: Surface meteorology and Solar Energy
https://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse/

Ground measurement data

More accurate than satellite data
Meteorological stations

47
Solar maps

Source: https://solargis.com/maps-and-gis-data/download

48
Ghana solar radiation data

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Data information for solarenergy applications

Solar radiation data

Global radiation
Direct radiation
Diffuse radiation
Albedo (fraction of reflected global radiation)

Ambient site’ conditions

Temperature
Wind speed and direction
Dust (quantity and size)
Shadow casting objects
Ground surface conditions
Rain (requirement for cleaning)
Air quality (humidity, pollution)

50
Typical values ofalbedo for selected surfaces

Type of surface Reflection factor/albedo

Asphalt 0.10 – 0.15
Green forest 0.10 – 0.20
Wet ground 0.10 – 0.20
Dry ground 0.15 – 0.30
Grass-covered ground 0.20 – 0.30
Concrete 0.20 – 0.35
Desert sand 0.30 – 0.40
Old snow 0.50 – 0.75
Newly fallen snow 0.75 – 0.90

Source: Häberlin H (2012). Photovoltaics- system design and practice. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, 1st Edition

51
Why solarradiation data?

Solar energy conversion (SEC) technology selection

Flat PV
Concentrated PV
Thermal systems

Siting of SEC systems

Design of SEC systems
Performance SEC systems
Prediction
Monitoring

Cost of energy estimation

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Measurement instrumentation

Pyranometer

Unshaded pyranometer Shaded pyranometer Unshaded pyranometer

Total (total) solar radiation Diffuse solar radiation • Total solar radiation on inplane of
solar collector (module)

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Measurement instrumentation

Pyranometer

the upfacing one measuring global

solar radiation
Pyranometer set to
measure albedo
the downfacing one measuring
reflected solar radiation

54
Measurement instrumentation

Pyrheliometer

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/hukseflux- http://www.kippzonen.com/News/443/Reporting-back-from-the-
thermal-sensors-bv/product-88003-826371.html NREL-Pyrheliometer-Comparison-2013#.WL6qOnkzV9A

Measure direct beam solar irradiance

Mounted on an automatic tracking system to point precisely at the centre of the sun.

55
Measurement instrumentation

Sunshine recorder

Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder CSD sunshine meter

Sunshine duration during a given period (e.g., within one day) is defined as the sum of
the time for which the direct solar irradiance exceeds 120 W/m2.

56
Measurement instrumentation

Wind speed and

direction
measurement

Rainfall
measurement

Ambient
temperature
measurement

Source: https://www.campbellsci.com/blog/et-station-components-to-maintain

57
Class exercise

Given that the total surface area of Ghana is 1,104,300 km2 and assuming
that average daily global solar radiation in the country is 5.05 kWh/m2/day.
Estimate the theoretical annual solar energy potential in Ghana.

58
Floating photovoltaic (FPV)
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are sited directly on bodies of water

Source: http://www.seaflex.net/applications/solar/ Source: https://solartribune.com/offshore-

solar-new-energy-opportunity-coastal-
communities/

Source: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/03/31/norwegian-
floating-pv-specialist-to-provide-tech-for-projects-in-greece/

59
Main components of FPV

Source: https://development.asia/explainer/what-makes-floating-solar-farms-cool-solution

60
Main components of FPV

Source: https://insights.globalspec.com/article/10355/snapshot-of-the-state-of-floating-solar-energy-systems

61
Advantages of FPV
Promotes land-use efficiency: Reduces land use conflicts. It requires no
construction on land or conversion of forest and farmlands for solar power
facilities.

Provides high-energy yield: The increased energy generation is due

to the natural cooling effect of the water, which reduces rises in temperature of the solar
modules,
the decreased presence of dust
Reduction or elimination of the shading of panels by their surroundings

Saves water resources: It reduces the evaporation of water in the reservoir

since the floating PV system blocks the sunlight, and limit the evaporative
effects of wind.

Boost hydropower production: utilization of existing electricity transmission

infrastructure at hydropower sites to
to manage periods of low water availability hydropower
smooth variable solar output by operating in a “load-following” mode

62
Challenges of FPV
Increased investment cost: driven by floating structures, anchoring and
mooring systems – accounting for possible water level variations, reservoir’s
bed type and depth, and extreme weather situations such as high winds and
waves.

Safety issues: floating solar involves water and electricity, more consideration
must be given to cable management and insulation testing than on land,
especially when cables are in contact with water.

Moving parts: could be subjected to constant friction and mechanical stress

Risk of degradation and corrosion: due to moisture – especially in more

aggressive coastal environments

Site selection: requires a thorough understanding of water-bed topography

and its suitability for setting up anchors for floats.

Other real or potential challenges???

63
Global potential of FPV

64
Parameters for performance assessment

Solar radiation data

Global radiation
Direct radiation
Diffuse radiation

Ambient site’ conditions

Temperatures
Air
Surface water
Reservoir temperature profile
Wind speed and direction

65
Bifacial module

(Source: Guo et al. Vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic modules: A global analysis. Energy 61 (2013) 447-454)

Bifacial solar modules have the capability to generate electricity by

capturing light from both sides of the module.

66
Bifacial module installations

http://www.energy-log.in/what-are-bifacial-solar-modules/

Bifacial module Solar PV installation in Germany

5700 bifacial panels

2 MW installed capacity
Facing East and to the west
Erected vertically in rows at approx. 10 m
intervals
https://www.hannovermesse.de/en/news/next2sun-
builds-europes-largest-bifacial-solar-park-98242.xhtml

67
Bifacial module performance

Bifacial modules performance depends on:

Albedo of the site ground
Diffuse radiation component relative to direct radiation component
Tilt angle/latitude
Installation height of the module

68
Bifacial module performance

More suitable for:

Ground /open field installations
Flat roof installations

69
Bifacial and monofacial performance

(Source: Guo et al. Vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic modules: A global analysis. Energy 61 (2013) 447-454)

Field testing suggests that a more moderate energy boost of 5–

30% can be achieved depending on site conditions.*
*https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57a12f5729687f4a21ab938d/t/5903c8f9d482e95dce5900f3/1493420284912/EPRI.pdf

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Bifacial and monofacial performance

http://www.energy-log.in/what-are-bifacial-solar-modules/

71
Suggested reading materials

Masters GM (2013). Renewable and efficient electric power systems. John

Wiley and Sons, Inc. Second Edition. (Note: Chapter 4 for solar radiation)

Duffie JA and Beckman WA (2013). Solar Engineering of Thermal

Processes,
Wiley and Sons
Capareda SC (2019) Introduction to Renewable Energy Conversions, 1st
Edition, CRC Press

Tian Y and Zhao CY. A review of solar collectors and thermal energy storage
in solar thermal applications. Applied Energy 104 (2013) 538-553

Solar Heat Worldwide 2020 - https://www.iea-shc.org/solar-heat-worldwide-

2020

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