Solar Power

Before the bell rings get out your notes and begin answering the following based on your row… Row 1- (closest to the front!)- What are the three types of fossil fuels, and which do you believe is the “best”? Row 1- (closest to the front!)- What are the three types of fossil fuels, and which do you believe is the “best”? Row 2- What is wind energy? How is it harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 2- What is wind energy? How is it harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 3- What is hydroelectric energy? How is it harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 3- What is hydroelectric energy? How is it harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 4- What is the difference between wave and tidal energy? How are they harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 4- What is the difference between wave and tidal energy? How are they harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 5- What is biomass? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 5- What is biomass? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 6 (if there is one)- What is geothermal energy? How is it harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Row 6 (if there is one)- What is geothermal energy? How is it harnessed? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

2 Types of Solar Heating Systems What is a Passive System What is a Passive System Uses an architectural design which enhances the absorption of solar energy without mechanical power Uses an architectural design which enhances the absorption of solar energy without mechanical power Is used to reduce heating costs but must have a backup system. Is used to reduce heating costs but must have a backup system. Uses roof overhangs to shade windows in the summer, and in winter allows sunlight to penetrate into a room. Uses roof overhangs to shade windows in the summer, and in winter allows sunlight to penetrate into a room. Uses building materials that absorb heat energy Uses building materials that absorb heat energy

Look at the overhanging roof

Solar Heating Systems ? What is an Active System ? Requires mechanical energy through pumps and fans to move air or water carrying heat to areas where heat is stored. Requires mechanical energy through pumps and fans to move air or water carrying heat to areas where heat is stored. Energy is collected in a flat plate collector Energy is collected in a flat plate collector They have been used in to heat homes but also solar water heaters, solar pool heaters, and space heating systems. They have been used in to heat homes but also solar water heaters, solar pool heaters, and space heating systems.

Why do we need this boiler?

What is Solar Electric (2 types)? Photovoltaic Cells Photovoltaic Cells A device made of silicon cells which changes sunlight directly to electricity through the release of electrons. A device made of silicon cells which changes sunlight directly to electricity through the release of electrons. Many uses (calculators, wristwatches, appliances, satellites, space shuttles, and some road signs.) Many uses (calculators, wristwatches, appliances, satellites, space shuttles, and some road signs.) Expanding globally Expanding globally Have been used on the roof tops of buildings Have been used on the roof tops of buildings

Solar Electric Type 2: Solar Thermal Technology Solar Thermal Technology Uses mirror-lined dishes or panels that rotate with the sun and collect solar energy Uses mirror-lined dishes or panels that rotate with the sun and collect solar energy CSP- Concentrating solar power CSP- Concentrating solar power Converts the sun’s energy into heat which is then used to generate electricity. Converts the sun’s energy into heat which is then used to generate electricity. There are three types of CSP technologies: trough, dish/engine, power tower There are three types of CSP technologies: trough, dish/engine, power tower

Parabolic Trough Power plants use a curved trough which reflects the direct solar radiation onto a receiver (also called absorber or collector) running along the trough, above the reflectors Power plants use a curved trough which reflects the direct solar radiation onto a receiver (also called absorber or collector) running along the trough, above the reflectors

Dish Design A dish system uses a large, reflective, parabolic dish (similar in shape to satellite television dish). A dish system uses a large, reflective, parabolic dish (similar in shape to satellite television dish). parabolic It focuses all the sunlight that strikes the dish up onto to a single point above the dish, where a receiver captures the heat and transforms it into a useful form. It focuses all the sunlight that strikes the dish up onto to a single point above the dish, where a receiver captures the heat and transforms it into a useful form.

Power Tower Use an array of flat, moveable mirrors (called heliostats) to focus the sun's rays upon a collector tower (the receiver). Use an array of flat, moveable mirrors (called heliostats) to focus the sun's rays upon a collector tower (the receiver). heliostats This tower has a steam turbine to create electricity. This tower has a steam turbine to create electricity.

CSP Video Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here

Solar lighting Parabolic collectors focus sunlight into a fiber optic system to illuminate buildings Parabolic collectors focus sunlight into a fiber optic system to illuminate buildings

Fiber Optic Lighting

Impacts of solar Energy No air pollution. No air pollution. Inexhaustible supply. Inexhaustible supply. Lack of consistent sunlight in most areas. Lack of consistent sunlight in most areas. Requires large areas to produce a lot of energy. Requires large areas to produce a lot of energy. Still too expensive to compete with fossil fuels in most cases. Still too expensive to compete with fossil fuels in most cases. Cannot be stored…unless converted into a battery. Cannot be stored…unless converted into a battery.