Solar energy is generated from thermonuclear fusion reactions in the sun and represents the entire electromagnetic spectrum that reaches Earth. It can be used to directly heat water or living spaces, and to generate electricity. There are various technologies to convert solar energy, including solar panels, power towers that use mirrors to heat liquid to drive turbines, and parabolic dishes and troughs that heat liquid to a higher temperature. While solar energy has advantages of being renewable and pollution-free, it also has disadvantages like high capital costs and intermittent availability depending on weather conditions. The goal is for solar energy to become more efficient and cost-effective to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

1. Solar Energy:Solar Energy:
The Ultimate RenewableThe Ultimate Renewable
ResourceResource
Group MembersGroup Members
M Humair KhanM Humair Khan M Asad YaseenM Asad YaseenWajahatWajahat
KazmiKazmi

2. What is Solar Energy?What is Solar Energy?
 Thermonuclear fusionThermonuclear fusion
reactionsreactions
 Represents the entireRepresents the entire
electromagneticelectromagnetic

3. Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages and Disadvantages
 AdvantagesAdvantages
 DisadvantagesDisadvantages

4. How much solar energy?How much solar energy?
The surface receives about 47% of the total solar
energy that reaches the Earth.

5. Putting Solar Energy to Use: HeatingPutting Solar Energy to Use: Heating
WaterWater
 Two methods of heating waterTwo methods of heating water
 Storage.Storage.

6. Heating Water: Active SystemHeating Water: Active System
Active System uses antifreeze so that the liquid does not
freeze if outside temp. drops below freezing.

7. Heating Water—Last ThoughtsHeating Water—Last Thoughts
 Efficiency of solar heating system is always less than 100%Efficiency of solar heating system is always less than 100%
because:because:
 Solar water heating saves approx. 1000 megawatts of energy aSolar water heating saves approx. 1000 megawatts of energy a
yearyear
 By using solar water heating over gas water heaterBy using solar water heating over gas water heater

8. Heating Living SpacesHeating Living Spaces
 Best design of a building:Best design of a building:
 Efficient heating:Efficient heating:
 Collection:Collection:
 Storage:Storage:

9. Heating Living SpacesHeating Living Spaces
Passive Solar
Trombe Wall
Passively heated
home in Colorado

10. Heating Living SpacesHeating Living Spaces
 A passively heated home uses about 60-75% of theA passively heated home uses about 60-75% of the
solar energysolar energy
 Reduce energy bills by 75%Reduce energy bills by 75%
 Energy is used for water and space heating.Energy is used for water and space heating.
 Major factor discouraging solar heating is lowMajor factor discouraging solar heating is low
energy prices.energy prices.

11. Solar-Thermal Electricity:Solar-Thermal Electricity:
Power TowersPower Towers
 General idea is to collect the lightGeneral idea is to collect the light
 Capital cost is greater than coal fired power plantCapital cost is greater than coal fired power plant
 Way to reduce costWay to reduce cost

12. Power TowersPower Towers
Power tower in Barstow, California.

13. Solar-Thermal Electricity:Solar-Thermal Electricity:
Parabolic Dishes and TroughsParabolic Dishes and Troughs
 The first SEGSThe first SEGS

14. Parabolic Dishes and TroughsParabolic Dishes and Troughs
Because they work best under direct sunlight, parabolic
dishes and troughs must be steered throughout the day in
the direction of the sun.
Collectors in southern CA.

15. Direct Conversion into ElectricityDirect Conversion into Electricity
 By photovoltaic cells.By photovoltaic cells.
 Battery needed as storageBattery needed as storage
 No moving partsNo moving parts

16. Solar Panels in UseSolar Panels in Use

17. Efficiency and DisadvantagesEfficiency and Disadvantages
 EfficiencyEfficiency  DisadvantagesDisadvantages

18. Final ThoughtFinal Thought
 GoalGoal
 RiskRisk
 Pollution freePollution free

19. The EndThe End