Solar System And Solar

Electricity
SSSSE
Subject code : EC 38106

UNITS
UNIT 1 : Introduction to Energy
Sources.
UNIT 2 : Solar Energy.
UNIT 3 : Solar PV Panel.
UNIT 4 : Design of Solar Module.
UNIT 5 : Solar Electric Power and
Government role.

Solar Energy.
1. Earths Geometry.
2. Earth-SUN Details.
3. Solar Energy.

Solar Energy.
Concept of Imaginary lines and
Reference Imaginary Lines.
Concept of Heat Zones of the Earth.
Earths Axis and its tilting Angle.
Types of Motion of Earth
Some facts on the Sun and its
Energy.

Concept of Imaginary lines and

Reference Imaginary Lines.
1. Equator.
2. Latitudes and parallel of latitudes
3. Prime Meridian.
4. Longitudes.

Concept of Heat Zones of the

Earth.
1. The Torrid Zone.
2. The Temperate Zone.
3. The Frigid Zone.

Types of Motion of Earth

1. Rotation and effect of

rotation.
2. Revolution and effect of
revolution.

Latitudes and parallel of

Latitudes
1. Equator.
Northern Hemisphere.
2. Tropic of Cancer.
3. Arctic Circle.
Southern Hemisphere.
4. Tropic of Capricorn.
5. Antarctic Circle.

Longitudes or Meridians
Prime Meridian.
Eastern Hemisphere.
Western Hemisphere.

1.

The Imaginary Lines on the

Earth (Latitude and
Longitude)
A system of reference points and lines has been
devised on the globe to help us locate a place
on the Earth.

2.

These are Imaginary (not real) lines drawn

horizontally or vertically to form a grid system or
a network of lines.

3.

The horizontal lines are called latitudes or

parallels of latitude

4.

The vertical lines are known as longitudes or

meridians.

Equator axis, Poles, Prime

Meridians

1. The Earth rotates on its axis.

2. The axis of the earth is an
imaginary line that passes exactly
through its centre and meets at two
opposite points known as the poles.
3. The top most point is North Pole.
4. The opposite pole is called the
South pole.

Equator axis, Poles, Prime

Meridians

5. Midway between the two poles is an imaginary

horizontal line called the Equator.
6. Equator divides the earth into two halves
Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
7. Number of horizontal lines parallel to the equator
are called latitudes or parallel of latitudes.
8. Latitude is the angular distance of a place
measured from the centre of the earth north or south
of the equator.

Characteristics of Latitudes
1.

Latitudes are horizontal imaginary lines,

running East-West.

2.

These lines are equally spaced and drawn

10 apart 111 Km in reality.

3.

Each degree is divided into 60 minutes (),

A minute is further divided into 60 seconds.
().
0
For example, the latitude of Delhi (India) is 28 35N.

Characteristics of
Latitudes
4. The latitudes are circles, which becomes smaller as on moves pole
wards.
5. The Equator is the biggest circle, while the north pole and the
south pole are point circle.
6. The Equator which is the biggest circle is equal to the
circumference of the Earth.
7. The total number of lines of latitudes are equal to 181.

Important Lines of latitude

Important Lines of latitudes.

There are five major lines of latitudes, which are
used as reference lines as they help to locate a
place on the globe.
0
1.The Equator is marked as 0 . The Equator
divides the earth into the Northern and the
Southern Hemisphere.
2.The Tropic of Cancer lies to the north of
Equator and makes an angle of 23.50 N.

Important Lines of
Latitudes.
3. The Tropic of Capricorn lies to the south of Equator
0
and makes an angle of 23.5 S.
4. The Arctic Circle lies 66.50 N. i.e. North of Equator.
0

5. The Antarctic Circle lies 66.5 S. i.e. South of

Equator.

Longitudes or Meridians
1. Latitude along cannot locate a place in the
globe.
2. Intersection of latitudes with another set of lines
running from north-south solves the problem!
3. Vertical lines are drawn on the globe from the
North Pole to the South Pole interesting the lines
of latitude.
4. These lines are also called Meridians which is a
Latin word meaning midday.

Longitudes or Meridians
5. Longitude is angular distance of a place from the
centre of the Earth in East or West direction of
the Prime Meridian.
6. The Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meridian)
passes through Greenwich, London, is used as
the zero line from which measurements are made
in degree East and West.
7. It indicates their position in the Eastern or
Western Hemisphere.

Characteristic features of
Longitudes

1. Lines of Longitude are imaginary Vertical lines

from the North Pole to the South Pole (Direction).

2. These are drawn at an interval of 1 .

3. The lines of longitude are semicircles and are all of
the same length.
4. All meridians meet at the poles.

Characteristic features of
Longitudes

5. The Prime Meridian is the chief line of longitude

and is represented as 0o (Degree for prime Meridian).
6. There are 360 lines of longitude-180 East of the
Prime Meridian and 180 to its West
7. The lines of longitude help us in determining time.

1.

Important Lines of
Longitudes
o

The Prime Meridian (0 longitude) or Greenwich

Meridian.
o

2.

The 0 meridian and the 180 meridian make a

circle and divides the Earth into the Eastern and
Western Hemisphere.

2.

There is a change of day and date on

either side of this line (i.e. Prime meridian).

Indias Latitude and

Longitude
The Country is situated North of Equator between
a. 8 0 4 and 37 0 6 North latitude and
b. 68 0 7 and 97 0 25 East longitude.
c. Co-/ordinates of India: 21 0 N, 78 0 E.

Heat Zones of the Earth

1. Different places on the Earth receives different
amounts of sunlight. (Insolation).

2. Latitudes help to divide the earth into different

temperature zones or Heat zones.

3. Division helps to know the climatic conditions of

the different Zones on the Earth.

Heat Zones of the Earth

1. The Torrid Zone.
2. The Temperate Zone.
3. The Frigid Zone.

The Torrid Zone

1.This Zone is between the Tropic of cancer 23.50 N and Tropic

of Capricorn 23.50S.

2.The apparent movement of the Sun is within these two tropics

and the Sun is directly overhead throughout the year on this zone.

The Torrid Zone

3. The Tropic of cancer 23.50 N marks the Northern Limit of the

overhead Sun and the Tropic of Capricorn 23.50 S marks the
Southern Limit of the overhead Sun.

4. This zone is the hottest zone and is called the TROPICAL

zone.

The Torrid Zone

Example:
Southern India, Thailand, Singapore and
other countries of Southern Asia, Indonesia,
Northern Africa, Central and Northern South
America fall in this zone.

The Temperate Zone

1. There are two temperate Zones on the earth. The North temperate
Zone extends between the Tropic of Cancer 231/20 N and the Arctic
Circle 661/20 N, Tropic of Capricorn 231/20 S and the Antarctic Circle
661/20 S.

2. This zone receives slanting rays of the Sun throughout the year and
therefore is the region of moderate climate; neither too hot nor too cold.

The Temperate Zone

Example:
Europe, Northern Asia, North America, Great
Britain, Japan fall in northern temperate Zone,
while New Zealand, southern part of South
America, Australia and also South Africa lie in
the southern Temperate Zone.

The Frigid Zone

1. The Frigid zone extends between the Arctic Circle 66.5 0 N
and the North Pole (900N) in the Northern Hemisphere and
between the Antarctic Circle 66.5 0 S and the South Pole
0

(90 S) in the Southern Hemisphere.

2. This part of the earth are the coldest region, covered with ice
snow, hence the name Frigid Zone.
3. This zone being near the poles is also known as Polar
region.

The Frigid Zone

North Frigid Zone:
Northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Northern Russia
and the Scandinavian countries such as Norway,
Sweden, and Finland.

South Frigid Zone:

Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Antarctica.

Types of Earths Motion

Earth has two types of motions
Rotation
Revolution.

Types of Earths Motion

1. The Earth is constantly in motion. It not only
moves around the SUN, but also rotates on its N-S
axis from West to East.

2. While it is rotating on its axis it is also revolving

around the SUN. This is why we have changes of the
seasons and different climates in the regions.

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Rotation of the Earth.

The spinning of the earth
on its axis is

termed as the earths rotation.

An axis is an imaginary line running through
the middle of an object.
The axis of the earth is imaginary line joining
the two poles through the centre of the Earth.
One rotation takes exactly 23 hours, 56
minutes and 4 seconds and is called a mean
solar day.
The Earths rotation is responsible for the
daily cycles of day and night.

Rotation of the Earth.

Effects of the earths Rotation.
2. It gives us a day of 24 hrs.
3. It causes day and night.
4. It cases the deflections of winds and ocean

Revolution of the Earth.

1. The motion of the Earth around the SUN on its fixed

path is called Earths revolution. It takes 365 and days
to complete one revolution.
2. This time period of 365 and days that the earth takes
to go around the SUN is what we call a year.
3. The quarter day adds an extra day to our year of 365
days in every four years. This fourth year is called a leap
year, in which there are 366 days when February has 29
days years. This fourth year is called a leap year, in which
there are 366 days when February has 29 days.

Aphelion and Perihelion

1. Earths Orbit :The path along which the Earth
moves around the SUN is called the Earths Orbit.
2. Shape of Orbit: Earths orbit around the SUN
is not circular, but oval or elliptical in shape.
3. Orbital Plane: The plane formed by the orbit
is known as orbital plane.

Aphelion and Perihelion

An elliptical orbit causes the Earths distance from
the SUN to vary over a year.
1. Perihelion (Pere meaning near and helios meaning SUN)
On 3rd-Jan, the earth is closet to the SUN (147.5 million Km).
The Earth is said to be in Perihelion.
2. Aphelion (Ap = away and helios = SUN).
The Earth is farthest from the SUN on 4th- July (152.1 million
Km). The earth is then said to be in Aphelion.

Effect of Revolution and Tilt on

its axis
0

1. The axis of the earth is tilted slightly (23.5 )

with the plane of its orbit revolution.
2. This causes one part of the earth to lean
towards the SUN, and the other part to lean
away from it.
3. Hence different parts of the earths surface
receive varying amounts of sunlight and heat,
and we have change in seasons.

Effect of Revolution and Tilt on

its axis
1. Four distinct seasons are recognized which is the
combined effect of revolution of the earth and Tilt of the
axis. :
a. Summer
b. Autumn
c. Winter
d. Spring.
2. During these four seasons the lengths of days and
nights varies and this effect the amount of heat or cold
experienced.

Equinoxes and Solstices

As the position of the earth on its orbit changes we
find that
a.The Suns rays are direct over different places or
different latitudes.

b. At times the SUN shines over the Equator, and at

other times the SUN shines directly over the tropics.

Equinoxes and Solstices

Equinoxes. : The SUN is vertically overhead the equator
twice a year,
On 23rd September and On 21st March.
This two days are termed equinoxes. (meaning equal
nights : where equi means equal and nox means
night).
On this two days all parts of the world have equal
hours of day and night.

Equinoxes and Solstices

Solstices :
Twice each year, the tilt of the earths axis is most inclined
towards or away from the SUN.
This causes the Suns apparent position in the sky to reach its
northernmost or southernmost extreme.
These are called as Solstices (SOLSTICES means SUN
STOPS).
Summer and Winter Solstices: (The word solstice means
SUN standing STILL or SUN Reaching the Highest Point).

Equinoxes and Solstices

1. The position of Earth On June 21st in the northern
Hemisphere is called Summer Solstices. On June 21st the earth
is positioned in its orbit such that the North pole is leaning
23.50 towards SUN and the SUN is directly overhead the
Tropic of Cancer.
2. The Northern hemisphere has longest day of the year
(Summer Solstices), while southern hemisphere experiences
longest night on that day of the year (Winter Solstices).

Equinoxes and Solstices

1. The position of Earth On December 22st in the northern
Hemisphere is called Winter Solstices. On December
22nd the earth is positioned in its orbit such that the
South Pole is leaning 23.50 towards SUN and the SUN is
directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn.
2. The Northern hemisphere has longest night of the year
(Winter Solstices), while Southern hemisphere
experiences longest day on that day of the year (Summer
Solstices).

What controls the elevation of the Sun above the horizon?

Earths Tilt Primarily Determines Season

SOLAR ENERGY (SOLAR

RADIATION)
Energy from the sun in the form of ultra-violet, visible and
infra-red Electromagnetic radiation is known as solar
radiation
In the earths atmosphere, solar radiation is received
A.Directly (direct radiation),
B.By Diffusion in air, dust, water, cloud, etc., contained
in the atmosphere (diffuse radiation).
C.By Reflection by surface.
The sum of the above is referred to as global radiation.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Energy travel as waves and particles
Energy is the capacity to do work
E = M x C2
Where E is energy, M is mass and C is the speed of light
(300,000km/sec or 3x108 m/sec)

Energy has Electrical AND Magnetic properties

ALL object ABSORB and EMIT EM radiation

Electromagnetic Radiation
EM is Described in terms of Wavelength or Frequency
Wavelength distance between successive crests or
troughs in km, m, cm, mm
Frequency # {wave crest / time (1sec)} cycles/sec or
Hertz (Hz)
The longer the Wavelength () the lower the frequency
Frequency is inversely proportional to , so higher the
frequency the shorter the wavelength ()

EM Radiation
EM Travel through space
EM In a vacuum travel at the speed of light
EM Passes through liquids, solids, gases
EM radiation can be reflected, refracted
when crossing different mediums, as well as
absorbed

Radiation Laws
Perfect radiator- blackbody
Blackbody- at a constant temperature absorbs ALL
radiation that is incident on it and EMITS all radiant
energy it absorbs
All known objects emit and absorb all forms of EM
radiation

Direct Solar Radiation

Solar radiation at normal incidence in the

direct beam from the sun

Diffuse Solar Radiation

Scattered radiation on a horizontal surface

Global Solar Radiation

Sum of the direct beam plus the diffuse

component on a horizontal surface

Infra-red Radiation

Terrestrial infra-red radiation emitted by the

sky on the Earth's surface

Net Radiation balance

Combined downward solar radiation and sky

infra-red minus upward reflected solar
and terrestrial radiation

Turbidity

Measure of the amount of scattering in the

atmosphere

 Direct normal solar radiation

It is the part of sunlight that
comes directly from the sun
without
having
been
scattered by the atmosphere
perpendicular to the surface.
Indication of the clearness
of
the
sky.
(Atmosphere
condition
can
reduce direct bean
radiators on clear
day to the extent of
10%)

[Insolation is a measure of solar

radiation energy received on a
given surface area in a given time.
It is commonly expressed as
average irradiance in watts per
square meter (W/m2) per day.
In the case of photovoltaic it is
commonly measured as kWh/
(kWpy) (kilowatt hours per year
per kilowatt peak rating). ]

 Diffuse sky radiation

The diffuse solar radiation is that received from the SUN after its
direction has been changed by scattering by the atmosphere.
Diffuse radiation is typically of rather short wavelength, since
short wavelength radiation is scattered more by atmosphere.
During extremely cloudy days only diffuse solar radiation may
reach the ground.
Diffuse radiation is also called skylight, diffuse skylight, or sky
radiation and is the reason for changes in the color of the sky.

 Global Horizontal Radiation.

Total solar radiation; the sum of direct, diffuse,

and ground-reflected radiation;

However,

because

ground

reflected

radiation is usually insignificant compared to

direct and diffuse, for all practical purposes
global radiation is said to be the sum of direct
and diffuse radiation only.

Bifurcation of Total Incident

Solar Energy
Total Reflected : 30 % & Total Absorbed : 70 %

A. Reflected by atmosphere
: 06%.

B. Reflected by Clouds
: 20%.

C. Reflected by Earths Surface : 04 %.

1. Absorbed by Atmosphere
: 16 %.

2. Absorbed by clouds
: 03 %.

3. Absorbed by Land and Ocean : 51 %.

Bifurcation of Total Incident Solar Energy

Out of Total Energy Absorbed by land and
Ocean which is 51 % of total Solar Energy.

A. Carried to clouds and atmosphere by latent

Heat in water vapors
: 23 %.
B. Conduction and rising air
: 7%.
C. Radiation Absorbed by atmosphere
: 15 %.
D. Radiation Directly to Space from Earth : 6 %.

Sun and Its Details

Some facts on the Sun
149.6x106 km.

Mean distance from the Earth

Diameter

1.392 x104 km (109 x that of the Earth)

Volume

1.3 x106 x that of the Earth

Mass

1.993 x 1027 kg (3.32x105 times that of the Earth)

Density (at its center)

>105 kg m-3 (over 100 times that of water)

Pressure (at its center)

over 1 billion atmospheres

Temperature (at its center)

about 15 x106 K

Temperature (at the surface)

6000 K

Energy radiation

3.8 x1026 W.

The Earth receives

1.7x1018 W.

Note : 1 AU (Astronomical unit) is 1.5 x 10 Km

Solar energy
Solar radiation is relatively constant outside the earth's

atmosphere.
Local climate influences can cause wide variations in
available radiation on the earths surface from site to site.
(Note :Atmosphere condition can reduce direct bean
radiation on clear day by 10%).
Relative motion of the sun with respect to the earth
will allow surfaces with different orientations to intercept
different amounts of solar energy.

SUN and its energy

Each second, the Sun turns (converts) more than four
million tonnes of its own mass mostly hydrogen and
helium into energy, producing neutrinos and solar
radiation, radiated in all directions.
Solar radiation is an electromagnetic wave emitted by
the Suns surface (The surface of the SUN is called
Photosphere) that originates in the bulk of the Sun where
fusion reactions convert hydrogen atoms into helium.

SUN and its energy

A tiny fraction half a trillionth of this energy falls on
Earth, after a journey of about 150 million kilometers,
which takes a little more than eight minutes.
Every second 3.89x1026J of nuclear energy is released by
the Suns core. This nuclear energy flux is rapidly
converted into thermal energy and transported toward
the surface of the SUN (star) where it is released in the
form of electromagnetic radiation.

SUN and its energy

The power density emitted by the Sun is of the
2
2
order of 64MW/m of which ~1368 W/m reach the
top of the Earths atmosphere.
The incoming energy received from the sun,
averaged over the year and over the surface area
of the globe, is one fourth of 1368 W/m2, i.e. 342
2
W/m .
During peak hour of the SUN, One hour of full
SUN provides 1000 Watt-hour/m2 (i.e 1 Kwh/m2)

SUN and its energy

In total, the Sun offers a considerable amount of power:

About 885 million terawatt-hours (TWh) reach the

earths surface in a year, that is 6200 times the
commercial primary energy consumed by humankind in
2008 and 4200 times the energy that mankind would
consume in 2035.

SUNs ENERGY

Solar rays can be distinguished according to their

wavelengths, which determine
a.VISIBLE light,
b.INFRARED radiation and
c.ULTRVIOLET radiation.
Visible light (400nm< <700nm) and constitutes about
40% of the radiated energy,
Infrared 50% ( > 700nm) and
Ultraviolet ( < 400nm) the remaining 10%.
(Note: small amounts of energy is present
approx 1% in the radio, microwave, X-ray and

Solar radiation interacts with gases and aerosols Scattering &

reflection
absorption (absorptivity) or
transmissivity (amount that reaches earths surface) of solar
radiation must equal 100%)

(albedo),

Global Solar Radiation

Loss of Solar Energy Reaching Earth Surface

When light travels from outer space to earth, solar energy is lost
because of following reasons:
Scattering: The rays collide with particles present in atmosphere
Absorption: Because of water vapor there is absorption.
Cloud cover: The light rays are diffused because of clouds.
Reflection: When the light rays hit the mountains present on the
earth surface there is reflection.

Indias Solar Belt

India lies in the solar belt of the world. Most parts of the country receives 4
to 7 Kwh of solar radiation per sq mtr per day with 250 to 300 sunny days
in a year.

Important Terms and Definitions

Extra Terrestrial Radiation : This are the radiation
outside the earths atmosphere. The Solar radiation
incident on the outer atmosphere of the earth is known
as extra terrestrial radiation.
Terrestrial radiation : The Solar radiation that
reaches earth surface after passing through the
earths atmosphere is known as Terrestrial radiation.

Important Terms and Definitions

Solar Insolation : The total radiation received at any
point on the earth surface is sum of direct and diffuse
radiation and is usually termed as Solar Insolation.
OR
Solar Insolation is the amount of solar energy that
strikes a square meter of the earths surface in a
single day.

Important Terms and Definitions

Irradiance : The amount of Electromagnetic energy
incident on the surface per unit time per unit area is
called irradiance.
Or
Irradiance is the rate of solar radiation falling on a
given area at a moment in time.
Irradiance is measured in units of kW/m2 (read
kilowatts per square meter.).

Important Terms and Definitions

Solar irradiance is essentially the solar insolation (power)

integrated with respect to time.
When solar irradiance data is represented on an average daily
basis, the value is often called PEAK SUN HOURS (PSH) and
can be thought of as the number of equivalent hours/day that
solar Insolation is at its peak level of 1 kW/m2.
The worldwide average daily value of solar irradiance on
optimally oriented surfaces is approximately 5 kWh/m2 or 5
PSH. ( i.e. 5 Units per square meter)

Important Terms and Definitions

Solar Constant: The rate at which solar radiation strike

earths upper atmosphere is expressed as the Solar constant.
The generally accepted solar constant is 1368 W/m2 .
OR
Solar Constant : Solar Constant is the rate at which solar
energy, at all wavelengths, is received per unit at the top
level of EARTHs Atmosphere. The solar constant average is
1368 Watts/ sqmtr. (1368 W/m2).

Important Terms and Definitions

Peak Sun Hours: How much energy will be available from the
Sun
a.At required location
b.At different times of the year
is given by the term Peak Sun Hours.
(The Term Peak SUN Hours, represent the average amount
of SUN available per day throughout the Year).
It is presumed that at "peak sun", 1000 W/m of power
reaches the surface of the earth.
One hour of full sun provides 1000 Wh per m = 1 kWh/m representing the solar energy received in one hour on a
cloudless summer day on a one-square meter surface directed
towards the sun.

Important Terms and Definitions

Photon.

An

elementary

particle

that

is

the

carrier

of

electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths.

The photon is different from many other elementary particles,

such as the electron, because it has no mass. That means that
it travels (in vacuum) at the speed of light.

Solar Radiation Data.

1.

Generally

available

from

government

owned

meteorological departments in each country and /or from

large PV module suppliers who have obtained the data.
2.

NASA has developed a website which provides data for

any place around the world. (www.eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse/).

3.

India receives solar energy in the of the order of 4 to 7

Kwh/m2 for 300 to 330 days in the year.

Solar radiation on India

Indian Solar energy potential:
1.India is located in the equatorial sun belt of the earth,
thereby receiving abundant radiant energy from the sun.
2. The India Meteorological Department maintains a
nationwide network of radiation stations, which measure
solar radiation, and also the daily duration of sunshine.
3.In most parts of India, clear sunny weather is experienced
250 to 300 days a year. The annual global radiation varies
from 1600 to 2200 kWh/m2, which is comparable with
radiation received in the tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Solar radiation on India

Indian Solar energy potential:
1.The equivalent energy potential is about 6,000 million
GWh of energy per year.
2.It can be observed that although the highest annual global
radiation is received in Rajasthan, northern Gujarat and parts
of Ladakh region, the parts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh also receive fairly large amount of
radiation as compared to many parts of the world especially
Japan, Europe and the US where development and
deployment of solar technologies is maximum.

Solar radiation on India (Source: TERI)

Solar radiation on India

Indian Solar energy potential:
1.The equivalent energy potential is about 6,000 million
GWh of energy per year.
2. The highest annual global radiation is received in
Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and parts of Ladakh region.
3. The parts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh also receive fairly large amount of radiation as
compared to many parts of the world especially Japan,
Europe and the US where development and deployment of
solar technologies is maximum.

Solar Energy
Solar energy can be used through two different
routes, namely,
Solar Thermal Energy and
Solar Electric Energy (Solar Photovoltaic).
(Photo (Light) +Voltaic (Produces voltage) =
Photovoltaic system)

Solar Power
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP): systems
are based on a series of mirrors or reflectors
that focus the sunlight into a central photo
receptor
These systems tend to be very large and
produce hundreds of megawatts of power.
Australia will invest $320 million to construct
the worlds largest solar power plant
The plant, which will be built in Victoria
state, will have a capacity of 154 megawatts
and will be built over the next several years,
with a completion date set for 2013

Parabolic Trough

The largest solar thermal-electric installation of its kind in the world,

the Luz project in Californias Mojave Desert, has a peak output of some
350 megawatts and occupies several square kilometers of land

Solar Power Tower

In 1995 Solar One was converted into Solar Two, by adding a second ring
of 108 larger 95 m (1,000 ft) heliostats around the existing Solar One,
totaling 1926 heliostats with a total area of 82,750 m (891,000 ft)

Solar Dish

Stirling Energy Systems solar dish technology is the worlds most efficient
device for the conversion of solar energy to grid-delivered electricity,
nearly twice as efficient as any alternative solar technology.

Plant Locations

Direct normal solar radiation

Land Ownership
Road Access
Local transmission infrastructure
capabilities and loadings
State-level policies and regulations

Solar Collector
Solar Thermal is a clean, highly efficient
means of using renewable energy from
the sun to provide hot water for
domestic, commercial and industrial
process . Put in simple terms, if you
place a container full of liquid in the
garden on a sunny day, in a short time
the contents of the container become
warm. Solar Collectors work in much the
same way, but are very more efficient.

 A sealed circuit of fluid containing a

special mix of glycol and water is
pumped around the system through the
Solar panels where it is heated and
passed through a special solar coil within
the hot water tank. The heat is then
transferred to the main body of water
within the tank, once up to temperature,
this water is ready for use in the house,
office or factory.