1. Solar Energy

2. Solar energy has been an under-achiever Source: U.S. Department of Energy

3. http://symposium2011.serdp-estcp.org/Technical-Sessions/3C

4. 2500+ years –Passive – take advantage of ambient conditions 250+ years –Active Loop – capture, store, & deliver thermal energy 50+ years –Photovoltaics – convert sunlight into electricity 25+ years –Hybrid Systems - concentrating collectors & others Solar Energy Has A Long History

5. Passive solar collectors can be as simple as a house designed to take advantage of daylighting.

6. Passive solar heating recognizes the seasonal position of the sun.

7. Passive Day Lighting System tracking dish to collect sunlight visible spectrum transmitted using fiber optics packaged like a fluorescent light commercialization underway by Oak Ridge Lab

8. Active loops capture, store, and distribute heat.

9. Subtle details influence energy recovery for active loops

10. Photovoltaics capture, store, and distribute electricity.

11. How does a photovoltaic cell work? http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/solarcells.htm

12. Optimum Mounting Angle Solar tracking systems improve overall efficiency up to 30% by keeping panels perpendicular to the sun. A fixed panel set at the same angle as the latitude of the site will receive the maximum annual solar radiation. If the load demand is high in the winter (northern hemisphere), set the panel tilt at latitude plus 15°. If the load demand is higher in the summer (northern hemisphere) set the array tilt angle at latitude minus 15°.

13. Solana 280 MW CSP plant in Arizona 3 square miles of mirrors

14. Solar Energy Influenced by: atmospheric conditions geographic location time of day pollution season

15. Solar energy is impressive on sunny days…

16. …but there’s not much solar energy on cloudy days

17. Solar energy changes seasonally

18. Sizing a Photovoltaic Array daily energy requirements (kW-hr)/day Array Size in kW = Electric Loads How much solar energy is available? Average sunshine hours (hr/day)

19. Quantifying Home Electric Loads Search using some of the following terms –Residential –Electric –Calculator http://www.nhec.com/residential_energycalculators.php http://www.tampaelectric.com/TEHMEnergySaversCalc.htmlhttp://www.tampaelectric.com/TEHMEnergySaversCalc.html

21. Web-Based PV Array Sizing Combine the power of –Mapping programs –PV sizing algorithms –Satellite-based weather data –Databases of rebates, tax credits, and other incentives http://www.nrel.gov/eis/imby/

22. Solar energy challenges Better methods of energy storage Cheaper manufacturing methods Better installation techniques Higher efficiency

23. Is solar energy a viable option? pro’s free, renewable, and non-polluting provides day-lighting, heat, & electricity low maintenance independence con’s more expensive than conventional power energy source fluctuates must evaluate case-by-case