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SOLAR POWER INS J.BAU Departament de Tecnologia
Solar Power Video
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Solar Energy To produce: • Thermal energy:
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To heat water.
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To heat spaces.
Electricity •
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Solar cells.
Electricity using thermal energy •
Parabolic mirrors.
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Solar power plant.
What is solar energy? 3
Solar energy comes from the sun. The sun is a power source that provides heat and electricity to the earth. Solar energy has been around for millions of years, but no one knew how to capture it until 1883. In 1950 solar power was used to power satellites. Nowadays solar energy has a vast variety of uses, but basically it has two applications: • To be converted into thermal energy. • To be converted into electricity.
Solar Radiation in Spain 4
Figure 3 http://www.aemet.es/documentos/es/serviciosclimaticos/datos climatologicos/atlas_radiacion_solar/atlas_de_radiacion_2404 2012.pdf
Solar Radiation converted into thermal energy 5
• To heat water – for use in homes, buildings, or swimming pools. • To heat spaces – inside greenhouses, homes, and other buildings.
Solar Radiation converted into thermal energy 6
Solar Radiation converted into thermal energy: parabolic mirrors 7
F - principal focus of the parabolic mirror, FO - axis of revolution of the parabolic mirror Figure 4 From: Oracle Thinkquest Education Foundation URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/22915/reflection.html
Image 1 From: Blog for newenergydirection.com URL: http://newenergydirection.com/blog/2008/12/concentrated-solar-thermalpower/
Solar Tower/Stirling 8
Solar Tower/Stirling 9
Image 2 From: TreeHugger.com URL: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/worlds-largest-solar-power-towerspain.php
Image 3 From: Eco-Thinker URL: http://eco-thinker.com/do-it-yourself-solar-death-rayparabolic-mirror-dish/
Stirling Engine
Solar energy to electricity 10
Process of transformation of solar energy to electricity
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Advantages and disadvantages of Solar energy
Advantages Solar energy is renewable It’s harmless to the environment
Solar energy is free Disadvantages Making solar cells is expensive It only works in a sunny day It’s difficult to store solar energy