CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

20-1.

Using Eq. 20-3, compute the hour of sunrise on the shortest day of the year of 40 north latitude.

Solution: Eq. 20-3

sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
H = hour angle = 15 degrees per one hour from solar noon.
o
L = 40
o

= 0 - solar altitude at sunrise

o
= -23.5 - shortest day on winter solstice
sin 0 = cos 40 cos H cos (-23.5) + sin 40 sin (-23.5)
H = 68.6

or 68.6 / 15 = 4.573333 hrs from noon

= 12 - 4.573333
= 7.426667 from midnight
= 7:26 A.M. - - - Ans.
20-2.

Compute the solar azimuth angle at 32 north latitude on February 21.

Solution: From Table 4-13

Solar Time A.M.
7
8
9
10
11
12

7
18
29
38
45
47

73
64
53
39
21
0

= solar altitude
= solar azimuth
Eq. 20-4
cossinH
sin =
cos

for 90 o
Eq. 20-3.
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
o

L = latitude = 32
H = Hour Angle
= Declination angle
For February 21
N = 31 + 21 = 52
Eq. 20-2.
= 23.47sin

360(284 + N)
365

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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

= 23.47sin

360(284 + 52)
365

= -11.24
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 32 cos H cos (-11.24) + sin 32 sin (-11.24)
sin = 0.83178 cos H - 0.10329
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos(-11.24 )sinH
sin =
cos

0.98082sinH

= Arcsin
cos

Then: H = 15 x (No. of hours from Noon)

Ans.
Tabulation
Solar Time, A.M.
7
8
9
10
11
12

20-3.

H
75
60
45
30
15
0

6.43
18.22
29.00
38.10
44.44
46.76

72.44
63.41
52.46
38.55
20.83
0.00
o

(a) What is the angle of incidence of the suns rays with a south-facing roof that is sloped at 45 with the
o
horizontal at 8 A.M. on June 21 at a latitude of 40 north? (b)
What is the compass direction of the
sun at this time?

Solution:
o

S = 45
o
L = 40
At 8 A.M.
o
H = 4 x 15 = 60
o
On June 21, = 23.5
(a)

Eq. 20-3.
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 60 cos 23.5 + sin 40 sin 23.5
= 37.41
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos 23.5 sin 60
sin =
cos 37.41
= 30.83
Table 4-13, > 90
= 180 - 89.04 = 90.96
=

=0
= 90.96- 0 = 90.96
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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
cos = cos 37.41 cos 90.96 sin 45 + sin 37.41 cos 45
o
= 65 - - - Ans.
o

(b)
20-4.

Compass direction = 65 SE - - - - Ans.

As an approach to selecting the tilt angle of a solar collector a designer chooses the sum of IDNcos at 10
o

A.M. and 12 noon on January 21 as the criterion on which to optimize the angle. At 40 north latitude, with
2
values of A = 1230 W/m and B = 0.14 in Eq. (20-9), what is the optimum tilt angle?
Solution:
Eq. 20-9.
I DN =

A
exp(B sin)

A = 1230 W/m
B = 0.14
o
L = 40

At 10 A.M. January 21.

360(284 + N)
= 23.47sin
365
N = 21
360(284 + 21)
= 23.47sin
= 20.16
365
H = 2 x 15 = 30
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 30 cos (-20.16) + sin 40 sin (-20.16)
= 23.66
cossinH
sin =
cos

cos(-20.16)sin30
cos23.66
= 30.83
sin =

At 12 NOON January 21.

360(284 + N)
= 23.47sin
365
N = 21
360(284 + 21)
= 23.47sin
= 20.16
365
H = 0 x 15 = 0
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 0 cos (-20.16) + sin 40 sin (-20.16)
= 29.84
cossinH
sin =
cos
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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

sin =

cos(-20.16)sin 0
cos29.84

= 0.0
Then,
At 10 A.M., = 23.66, = 30.83
At 12 N.N., = 29.84, = 0.0
Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
Then cos = cos
Subsitute in Eq. 20-9.
At 10 A.M.
I DN cos =

A (coscos sin + sincos )

exp(B sin )

(1230)(cos(23.66)cos(30.83)sin + sin(23.66)cos )
exp(0.14 sin(23.66 ))
(1230)(0.786513sin + 0.401308cos)
cos =

I DN cos =
I DN

1.417449
I DN cos = 682.502sin + 348.238cos
At 12 NN.
I DN cos =

A (coscos sin + sincos )

exp(B sin )

(1230)(cos(29.84)cos(0.0)sin + sin(29.84 )cos )

exp(0.14 sin(29.84 ))
(1230)(0.867418sin + 0.497580cos)
cos =

I DN cos =
I DN

1.324933
I DN cos = 805.266sin + 461.928cos

Total:
T = (682.502 + 805.26)sin + (348.238 + 461.928)cos
T = 1487.77sin + 810.166cos
Differentiate then equate to zero.
T = 1487.77cos 810.166sin = 0
1487.77
tan =
810.166
o

= 61.43 - - - - Ans.
20-5.

Plot the efficiency of the collector described in Example 20-3 versus temperature of fluid entering the
absorber over the range of 30 to 140 C fluid temperatures. The ambient temperature is 10 C. If the collector
2
is being irradiated at 750 W/m , determine the rate of collection at entering fluid temperatures at (a) 50 C and
(b) 100 C.

Solution: Refer to Example 20-3.

t = 10C
tai= 30 to 140 C

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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

Ii = 800 W/m2
Fr = 0.90
a = 0.90
c1 = c2 = 0.87
Eq. 20-12.
qa

(t t )U
= A = c1 c2 a ai Fr
I i
I i

(t 10)3.5

= (0.87)(0.87)(0.9) ai
(0.9 )
800

Tabulation:
tai
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
Plot:

(a)

qa
qa

0.534
0.495
0.456
0.416
0.377
0.338
0.298
0.259
0.219
0.180
0.140
0.101

At 50 C, Ii = 750 W/m

= (I i c1 c2 a U(t ai t ))Fr

= [(750)(0.87)(0.87 )(0.9) (3.5 )(50 10)](0.9 )

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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

qa/A = 334 W/m - - - Ans.

(a)
qa

At 100 C, Ii = 750 W/m

A

= (I i c1 c2 a U(t ai t ))Fr

qa

= [(750)(0.87)(0.87)(0.9 ) (3.5)(100 10)](0.9 )

A
2
qa/A = 176 W/m - - - Ans.
20-6.

A 1.25- by 2.5-m flat-plate collector receives solar irradiation at a rate of 900 W/m2. It has a single cover
plate with = 0.9, and the absorber has an absorptivity of a = 0.9. Experimentally determined values are Fr
2

= 0.9 and U = 6.5 W/m .K. The cooling fluid is water. If the ambient temperature is 32 C and the fluid
temperature is 60 C entering the absorber, what are (a) the collector efficiency, (b) the fluid outlet
temperature for a flow rate of 25 kg/h, and (c) the inlet temperature to the absorber at which output drops to
zero?
Solution:
(a)

Eq. 20-12.

(t t )U
= c1 c2 a ai Fr
I i

c1 = c2 = 0.90
a = 0.90
Fr = 0.90
2
U = 6.5 W/m .K
(60 32)3.5 (0.9)

= (0.9 )(0.9 )

900

= 0.701 - - - Ans.
(b)
qa
=

A
I i

A = 1.25 x 2.5 = 3.125 m

Ii = 900 W/m2
= 0.701
qa= IiA
qa = (0.701)(900)(3.125
qa = 1972 W
qa= wcp(tao - tai)
w = 25 kg/s
cp = 4190 J/kg.K
1972 = (25)(4190)(tao - 60)
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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

tao = 127.8 C - - - Ans.

(c)

If qa = 0

Eq. 20-11
qa
= 0 = (I i c1 c2 a U(t ai t ))Fr
A
0 = ((900)(0.9)(0.9 ) (6.5)(t ai 32))0.9
tai = 144.2 C - - - Ans.
20-7.

Two architects have different notions of how to orient windows on the west side of a building in order to be
most effective from a solar standpoint-summer and winter. The windows are double-glazed. The two design
o
are shown in Fig. 20-15. Compute at 40 north latitude the values of IT from Eq. (20-14) for June 21 at 2 and
6 P.M. and January 21 at 2 P.M. and then evaluate the pros and cons of the two orientations.
See Fig. 20-15.

Solution:
Eq. 20-14
I T = I DN (cos )
(a)
For notion (a).
o

At 40 north latitude, June 21 at 2 P.M.

o
= 23.5
o
H = 2 x 15 = 30
o
L = 40
Eq. 20-3
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 30 cos 23.5 + sin 40 sin 23.5
= 59.85
Eq. 20-4
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos23.5sin30
sin =
cos59.85
= 65.91
Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
= tilt angle = 30
For facing west, Eq. 20-6.
=
= 60
= 65.91- 60 = 5.91
cos = cos 59.85 cos 5.91 sin 30 + sin 59.85 cos 30
cos = 0.99866
= 87
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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

Fig. 20-6, Double Glazing

= 0.11
I T = I DN (cos )
I DN =

exp B
sin
2

A = 1080 W/m in Mid-summer

B = 0.21 in summer
IT =

(1080)(0.99866)(0.11)

exp 0.21

IT = 93.06 W/m

sin59.85

40 north latitude, June 21, 6 P.M.

o
= 23.5
o
H = 6 x 15 = 90
o
L = 40
Eq. 20-3
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 90 cos 23.5 + sin 40 sin 23.5
= 14.85
Eq. 20-4
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos23.5sin90
sin =
cos14.85
= 71.58
But Table 4-13,
> 90
= 180 - 71.58 = 108.42
Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
= tilt angle = 30
For facing west, Eq. 20-6.
=
= 60
= 108.42- 60 = 48.42
cos = cos 14.85 cos 48.42 sin 30 + sin 14.85 cos 30
cos = 0.542703
= 57.13
Fig. 20-6, Double Glazing
= 0.68
I T = I DN (cos )

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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

I DN =

exp B
sin
2

A = 1080 W/m in Mid-summer

B = 0.21 in summer
IT =

(1080)(0.542703)(0.68)

exp 0.21

IT = 175.65 W/m

sin14.85

At 40 north latitude, January 21 at 2 P.M.

360(284 + N)
= 23.47sin
365
N = 21
360(284 + 21)
= 23.47sin
= 20.16
365
o

= -20.16
o
H = 2 x 15 = 30
o
L = 40
Eq. 20-3
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 30 cos (-20.16) + sin 40 sin (-20.16)
= 23.66
Eq. 20-4
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos(-20.6)sin30
sin =
cos23.66
= 30.83
Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
= tilt angle = 30
For facing west, Eq. 20-6.
=
= 60
= 30.83- 60 = -29.17
cos = cos 23.66 cos (-29.17) sin 30 + sin 23.66 cos 30
cos = 0.747434
= 41.63
Fig. 20-6, Double Glazing
= 0.76
I T = I DN (cos )

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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

I DN =

exp B
sin
2

A = 1230 W/m in December and January

B = 0.14 in summer
IT =

(1230)(0.747434)(0.76)

exp 0.14

IT = 493 W/m

sin23.66

Then:
2
June 21, 2 P.M. IT = 93.06 W/m
June 21, 6 P.M. IT = 175.65 W/m

January 21, 2 P.M. IT = 493 W/m

(b)

For notion (b).

o

At 40 north latitude, June 21 at 2 P.M.

o
= 23.5
o
H = 2 x 15 = 30
o
L = 40
Eq. 20-3
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 30 cos 23.5 + sin 40 sin 23.5
= 59.85
Eq. 20-4
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos23.5sin30
sin =
cos59.85
= 65.91
Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
= tilt angle = -30
For facing west, Eq. 20-6.
=
= 60
= 65.91- 60 = 5.91
cos = cos 59.85 cos 5.91 sin (-30) + sin 59.85 cos (-30)
cos = 0.499066
= 60.06
Fig. 20-6, Double Glazing
= 0.65

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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

I T = I DN (cos )
I DN =

exp B
sin
2

A = 1080 W/m in Mid-summer

B = 0.21 in summer
IT =

(1080)(0.499066)(0.65)

exp 0.21

IT = 274.8 W/m

sin59.85

40 north latitude, June 21, 6 P.M.

o
= 23.5
o
H = 6 x 15 = 90
o
L = 40
Eq. 20-3
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 90 cos 23.5 + sin 40 sin 23.5
= 14.85
Eq. 20-4
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos23.5sin90
sin =
cos14.85
= 71.58
But Table 4-13,
> 90
= 180 - 71.58 = 108.42
Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
= tilt angle = -30
For facing west, Eq. 20-6.
=
= 60
= 108.42- 60 = 48.42
cos = cos 14.85 cos 48.42 sin (-30) + sin 14.85 cos (-30)
cos = -0.0988
= 95.67 > 90
Therefore
IT = 0.00 W/m

At 40 north latitude, January 21 at 2 P.M.

360(284 + N)
= 23.47sin
365
N = 21

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CHAPTER 20 - SOLAR ENERGY

360(284 + 21)
= 20.16
365

= 23.47sin
o

= -20.16
o
H = 2 x 15 = 30
o
L = 40
Eq. 20-3
sin = cos L cos H cos + sin L sin
sin = cos 40 cos 30 cos (-20.16) + sin 40 sin (-20.16)
= 23.66
Eq. 20-4
cossinH
sin =
cos
cos(-20.6)sin30
sin =
cos23.66
= 30.83
Eq. 20-8.
cos = cos cos sin + sin cos
= tilt angle = -30
For facing west, Eq. 20-6.
=
= 60
= 30.83- 60 = -29.17
cos = cos23.66cos(-29.17)sin (-30)+ sin 23.66 cos(-30)
cos = -0.05238
= 93 > 90
Therfore
IT = 0.00 W/m

Then:
2
June 21, 2 P.M. IT = 274.80 W/m
June 21, 6 P.M. IT = 0.00 W/m

January 21, 2 P.M. IT = 0.00 W/m

Ans.
Design (b) is most effective on June 21 at 2 P.M. but least effective on June 21 at 6 P.M. Design (a) is most effective
on January 21, at 2 P.M.

-000-

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