Solar Energy MTLE 4962- Energy, Environment and Economy - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Solar Energy

MTLE 4962- Energy, Environment and Economy

Ziyu (Grace) Zhou

Overview

What is solar energy?

How does solar energy generated?

Photovoltaics Why do we care about solar?Common applicationsMoneyWhat is the future of solar?Solar Energy TreesPros and ConsTechnological ChallengesQuestion and Discussion

http://graphican.deviantart.com/art/Green-Energy-78673552

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is defined as energy derived from the sun in the form of solar radiation

First observed in 1839 by

Alexandre Edmund BecquerelBell’s Lab developed first PV device in 1954

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laiza-king-/

how-solar-energy-is-chang_b_10071270.html

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/china-solar-energy/

How does solar energy generated?

Use

photovoltaic cell (semiconductor material) to transfer solar energy into electricityPhotons strike and ionize semiconductor material on the solar panel, causing outer electrons to break free of their atomic bonds.The electrons are forced in one direction creating a flow of electrical currentSolar cells are not 100% efficient due to reflection and heat generation

https://in.pinterest.com/explore/semiconductor-diode/

Why do we care? - Applications

Solar Powered Transportation

Solar

TechnologiesSolar HeatingSolar LightingRooftop Solar

5 Common Applications

Solar Powered Transportation

Railroads, subways, buses,

planes and carsSolar Impulse 2 (12-2009)long-distance all-solar aircraftSolar buses in China (07-2012)Solar Spirit in AustraliaStudent designed solar car in 2011, 2013 and 2015

http://news.energysage.com/most-common-solar-energy-uses/

5 Common Applications

Solar Powered Transportation

Solar

TechnologiesSolar powered chargesE.g. Anker’s PowerPortSolar FlashlightsWearable solarE.g. Future Apple Watch

http://news.energysage.com/most-common-solar-energy-uses/

5 Common Applications

Solar Powered Transportation

Solar

TechnologiesSolar HeatingSolar water heaterSolar space heater

http://news.energysage.com/most-common-solar-energy-uses/

5 Common Applications

Solar Powered Transportation

Solar

TechnologiesSolar HeatingSolar LightingOutdoor solar lighting (energy storage)Join with LED or other lighting technologies

http://news.energysage.com/most-common-solar-energy-uses/

5 Common Applications

Solar Powered Transportation

Solar

TechnologiesSolar HeatingSolar LightingRooftop Solar

Save utility cost !

http://news.energysage.com/most-common-solar-energy-uses/

Why do we care？

-- To Save Money !

https://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/03/much-can-solar-panels-save/

What is the future of solar?

https://in.pinterest.com/explore/semiconductor-diode/

New Technology – Solar Energy Trees

Tree Leaves - Organic Solar Cells

Each leaf is a power converter

Multi-converter system: collect energy from solar, wind and heat temperature Trunks – 3D Printed Wood-based Biocomposites

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/3d-printed-solar-energy-trees/

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Disadvantages

1. Renewable/Sustainable1. Intermittent2.

Abundant/Good Availability2. Energy Storage (Expensive)3. Low

Maintenance

3. Pollution

(solar panel manufacture)

4. Silent

4. Exotic Materials vs Efficiency

5. Government Support

5. Require Space

……

……

Solar Energy Challenges

Energy Storage

Cost

Semiconductor material used as solar cellSolar panel manufactureElectricity generation?Low EfficiencyOnly about 20% - 40% efficiencySocial AwarenessReliabilityPre-investment

Question and Discussion

How to improve solar energy efficiency?

Technology Improvements

How to make solar energy more accessible to the general public?How to further reduce the cost?Do you want solar energy?

Reference

1.

"Green

Energy." On DeviantArt. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://graphican.deviantart.com/art/Green-Energy-78673552.2. "Solar energy." Dictionary.com. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/solar-energy

.3. King, Laiza

. "How Solar Energy Is Changing the World Using New Technologies." The Huffington Post. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laiza-king-/how-solar-energy-is-chang_b_10071270.html

.

4. Http

://www.facebook.com/luluchang79. "China is now the world’s largest solar power producer." Digital Trends. February 06, 2017. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/china-solar-energy/.

5. Photovoltaic

(Solar Electric)." SEIA. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://www.seia.org/policy/solar-technology/photovoltaic-solar-electric

.

6. "Semiconductor

Diode." Pinterest. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://in.pinterest.com/explore/semiconductor-diode

/.

7. "How

Much Are Solar Panels? Wrong Question. Ask How Much Solar Panels Can Save You."

CleanTechnica

. February 03, 2014. Accessed February 13, 2017. https://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/03/much-can-solar-panels-save

/.

8. Richardson

, Luke. "How is Solar Energy Used? The 5 Most Common Examples of Solar Power."

EnergySage

. December 14, 2016. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://news.energysage.com/most-common-solar-energy-uses

/.

9. "3D

Printed Solar Energy Trees."

AENews

. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/3d-printed-solar-energy-trees

/.

10. Agnes

Peterson et al. "Solar Energy Pros and Cons." Energy Informative. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://energyinformative.org/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/.

11. "Why

It Is Not More Widely Used." Problems With Solar Energy. Accessed February 13, 2017. http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/problems-with-solar-energy.shtml.