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Solar Energy

Explore how solar energy works with photovoltaic systems, cost trends, and technological advances. Learn about solar economics, energy payback time, and manufacturing methods for PV cells.

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Solar Energy

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  1. Solar Energy 1 Bruce Logue and Robert Chou The University of Texas at Austin Department of Chemical Engineering Fall 2006

  2. Overview • How Solar Energy Works • Types of Photovoltaic Systems • Flat-plate and Concentrator • Current Applications • Solar Economics • Price Trends • Costs • The Energy Payback Time • Advances in Technology • Thin-film • PV roofing panels • Nanomaterials

  3. How does solar energy work? • The Photoelectric effect • The PV cell layered with positive and negative charged semiconductor material 2 3

  4. Photovoltaic Systems 4 • System is constructed of Arrays • There are two types of systems • Flat Plate Systems • System can be in a fixed position or moving • Makes use of Direct and Diffuse sun light • Concentrator Systems • Moves relative to the sun • Requires less PV cell material 5 6

  5. Current Applications 7 9 8 10 11 12

  6. Solar Energy Economics • The cost of PV cells has been on decline since 70’s. • Decline due to advancements in efficiency and manufacturing techniques • Residential equipment costs can range from 10K to 100K 14 13

  7. Energy Payback Time (EPBT) • EPBT is length of time PV system takes to generate amount of energy put into system. • Three factors determine the EPBT: • Amount of illumination received by PV cells • Conversion efficiency of PV cell • Manufacturing technology used to make PV cell

  8. Manufacturing Methods • There are three methods to produce PV cells • Process cells on wafers sawed from silicon ingots • Ingots are either single or multicrystalline • Process cells on silicon wafers cut from multicrystalline ribbons • Deposition of non-crystalline silicon on inexpensive substrates 15

  9. Technological Advances • Thin-Film Technology • PV cells are continually processed on a sheet consisting of much less material than the typical PV cells. • Copper Solar Cells • Thin-Film PV cells are made with Cu to increase efficiencies greater than 12% compared to silicon 16 17

  10. Technological Advances • Solar Roof Panels • Shingles are combined with PV cells creating insulation that generates electricity • Nanomaterials • Solar cells incorporating nanomaterials are stronger, more flexible, and more efficient. 18 19

  11. References • Fast Solar Energy Facts. 14 Nov. 2006 <http://www.solarbuzz.com/     FastFactsIndustry.htm>. • Harlin, Kevin. "Building new power panels." The Times Union. LexisNexis     Academic. LexisNexis. 20 Nov. 2006 <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/     universe>. • Konarka, Textronic to Develop Solar Thin-fil PV Fabric. (2005, September 29). Renewable Energy Access. Retrieved November 19, 2006, from http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/productstory?id=37 • "Nanomaterials and Cost-effective Manufacturing Technologies Hold Key to     Development of Photovoltaic Technologies." PR Newswire US. LexisNexis     Academic. LexisNexis. 20 Nov. 2006 <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/     universe>. • PV Markets. 20 Nov. 2006 <http://www.ece.umr.edu/power/Energy_Course/energy/     Renewables/pv/French_site/pvmark.html>. • Recent Advancements in Solar Panel Technology by Shell Solar. 20 Nov. 2006     <http://www.solarexpert.com/PVadvancements.html>. • Residential Solar Power Costs & Savings. 15 Nov. 2006     <http://www.borregosolar.com/home/solar-power-costs-savings.php>. • Solar Energy Technologies Program. (2006,April 13). Retrieved November 10, 2006, from U.S. Department of Energy Web site: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/photovoltaics.html

  12. Images • Images Courtesy of • 1 – www.google.com • 2 – www.faqs.com • 3 - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ • 4 - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ • 5 - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ • 6 - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ • 7 - http://www.solarserver.de/solarmagazin/anlage-e.html • 8 – www.windturbine-1.com • 9 – www.treehugger.com • 10 - http://www.jaxa.jp/missions/projects/sat/astronomy/solar_b/index_e.html • 11 – www.palacefarm.com • 12 - http://howto.altenergystore.com • 13 - http://www.che.utexas.edu/course/che379&384/Topic8_3.pp • 14 - http://www.ece.umr.edu/power/ Energy_Course/energy/Renewables/pv/French_site/overview.html • 15 - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ • 16 - http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/productstory?id=37 • 17- http://www.solarexpert.com/PVadvancements.htm • 18- http://www.solar-components.com/pvshingl.htm • 19- http://newsroom.spie.org/x4436.xml

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