1st Edition
Solar Energy Renewable Energy and the Environment
Drawing on the authors’ extensive research and project implementation around the globe, Solar Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment covers solar energy resources, thermal and photovoltaic systems, and the economics involved in using solar energy. It provides background theory on solar energy as well as useful technical information for implementing solar energy applications.
The book details the strengths, weaknesses, and applications of solar power generation technologies. It discusses the design and implementation of often-overlooked solar technologies, such as solar water pumping, distillation, detoxification, refrigeration, and village power. The text also examines photovoltaic power and how it is best suited for remote-site applications with small to moderate power requirements. Examples, real-world case studies, and lessons learned from technical failures illustrate how to best implement solar energy projects.
The time for clean energy solutions is here. Only through energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies can modern civilization extricate itself from the gathering "perfect energy storm." Focusing on one of the keys to lessen the potentially harmful impacts of the storm, this book discusses how to increase energy production from a clean energy source—the sun.
Introduction to Solar Energy
The Twenty-First Century’s Perfect Energy Storm
Renewable Energy for Rural Development
Renewable Energy Solutions
Global Solar Resource
Problems
Solar Resources
Introduction
Sun–Earth Geometric Relationship
Equation of Time
Structure of the Sun
Electromagnetic Radiation
Solar Spectral Distribution
Solar Constant
Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation
Terrestrial Solar Radiation
Measurement of Terrestrial Solar Radiation
Terrestrial Insolation on Tilted Collectors
References
Problems
Fundamentals of Engineering: Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Introduction
Conduction Heat Transfer
One-Dimensional Conduction Heat Transfer in a Rectangular Coordinate
Thermal Resistance Circuits
One-Dimensional Conduction Heat Transfer in a Cylindrical Coordinate
Convection Heat Transfer
Radiation Heat Transfer
Introduction to Thermodynamics
References
Solar Thermal Systems and Applications
Introduction
Solar Collectors
Tracking Systems
Solar Thermal Systems
References
Photovoltaic Cells by Jeanette Moore
Introduction
Crystal Structure
Cell Physics
Energy Bands
More about Electrons and Their Energy
Electrons and Holes
Direct and Indirect Band-Gap Materials
Doping
Transport
Generation and Recombination
The p–n Junction
Solar Cell Equations
Characterization
Efficiency
Current Research
Cell Applications
References
Problems
Photovoltaic Conversion Systems
Solar Benefits
Basic Module Electrical Concepts
PV Arrays
PV Array Tilt
PV Balance of Systems
PV System Utility
PV System Safety
PV System Testing Rules
References
Problems
Photovoltaic System Sizing and Design
Introduction
Solar Resource Sizing Considerations
Solar Trajectory
Solar Energy System Sizing Considerations
Solar Energy System Sizing
Solar Water Pumping System Sizing
Generic Water Pump Sizing Methodology
Electrical Codes for PV System Design
Stand-Alone PV Lighting Design Example
Bibliography
Problems
Photovoltaic Applications
Introduction
Grid-Tied PV
Japanese PV Development and Applications
Future Japanese Trends
Stand-Alone PV Applications
PV for Schools
PV for Protected Areas
PV Water-Pumping
Grounding and Lightning Protection for Solar Water Pumps
Solar Tracking for Solar Water Pumps
Operation and Maintenance of the Systems
The PV Array
PV Water-Pumping Results
References
Economics by Vaughn Nelson
Solar Energy Is Free, but What Does It Cost?
Economic Feasibility
Economic Factors
Economic Analysis
Life Cycle Cost
Present Value and Levelized Costs
Annualized Cost of Energy
Externalities
Solar Irrigation Case Study
Water Pumping Example
Summary
Problems
Institutional Issues
Introduction
Sustainability
Institutional Considerations
Stakeholders
Program Implementation
Institutional Models for Solar Energy Dissemination
Management and Ownership
Tariffs and Payment
Other Critical Issues
Summary
Problems
Energy Storage
Introduction
Batteries in PV Systems
Lead-Acid Battery Construction
Lead-Acid Battery Operation
Lead-Acid Battery Characteristics
Battery Problem Areas
Battery Maintenance
Battery Safety Precautions
Determination of Battery Failure
Battery Selection Criteria
Charge Controller Terminology
Charge Controller Algorithms
Charge Controller Selection Criteria
References
Bibliography
Solar Energy Glossary
Appendix A: Global Insolation at Latitude Tilt for Select Cities
Appendix B: Friction Loss Factors
Appendix C: Present Value Factors
Index
Biography
Robert Foster is a program manager in the College of Engineering at the Southwest Region Solar Experiment Station and the Institute for Energy and the Environment at New Mexico State University. He is currently on assignment in Kabul as the deputy chief of party for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Afghanistan Water, Agriculture, and Technology Transfer Program.
Majid Ghassemi is a visiting research scientist in the Institute for Engineering Research and Applications at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM Tech), where he is currently conducting research on energy-efficient wall panels for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Alma Cota is a chemistry professor and solar researcher at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez. She previously worked as a photovoltaic research assistant in the Southwest Region Solar Experiment Station at New Mexico State University.