m The sun bathes the earth with

more energy each minute than

the world consumes in one year.
›




m àunlight²solar energy²can be used to

generate electricity, provide hot water, and to
heat, cool, and light buildings.

m The solar energy knocks electrons loose

from their atoms, allowing the electrons to
flow through the material to produce
electricity

m This action is commonly referred to as àolar

Power
`n July 4, 1997, the Pathfinder spacecraft bounced to a
stop on Mars. The next day, the rover àojourner rolled
out of one of the lander petals onto the surface of the
planet to begin its mission of exploration.
 m    
m 
  

The generation of electricity from solar energy can be achieved

through two major technology alternatives. `ne uses the light from the
sun to generate electricity directly, (photovoltaic technologies), and
the other uses the heat from the sun to increase the temperature of a
working fluid which-in turn can be used to generate electricity, (solar
thermal technologies). Each of these major alternatives can, in turn, be
subdivided into variants of the major technology. Photovoltaic
technologies fall into crystalline, multi-crystalline, thin-film or
concentrator variants while the solar thermal technologies fall into
trough, power tower, dish engine and thermal electric variants.
àolar Power Generation in China

àolar Photovoltaic Power

Ä 1984: annual output 200 KM
Ä 1988: annual output 4.5 MW
Ä 2005: annual output 139 MW
Ä 2006: annual output 300 MW
Ä China: ranking the 3rd in the world
Ä àolar energy efficiency of monocrystalline silicon
cell : 11-13% (commercial), 25% (in lab)
China solar heat utilization

àolar heat utilization in China

Includes 5 parts:
Ä 

  
 

 

Ä 
 
Ä 

Ä 
 
Ä 


 


If you think solar energy is something
to be used in the future . . .

you may be picturing

something like this
solar array used by
the space shuttle to
provide for power
needs in outer space.
There are people who
think that solar energy
is something not quite
down-to-earth and not
ready to use today.
The father of àolar Power

àolar power has been around for much longer than

any us of would think. àolar research has been going
on for almost 150 years.

August Mouchot was the first (recorded) person to

develop a system that uses solar power. He developed
a simple heater that trapped the heat from the àun that
boiled water. Though this was a little use he soon
figured out how to add a reflector to the apparatus and
generate more sustainable heat at a higher
temperature.

He would later show that solar power could be used to

generate cold temperatures that were able to
m Making of Ice in 1878 at the Paris World Fair
m William Adams-1878 Developed the Tower of
Power design used today.

Mouchot later improved his engine and made it

more powerful. He got it to produce steam. Then
in 1878 Mouchot used the steam engine coupled
with a condenser to make ice.

William Adams improved on Mouchot¶s steam

engine by adding using mirrors instead of
polished steel. He generated 1200F and was able
to power a 2.5 hp engine. 2hp more than the one
Mouchot would develop.
Probably a little of both.

àolar energy will certainly play an important

role in the future energy needs of our
planet, but it¶s also here today and ready
for hundreds of uses in homes,
businesses, and industry.
m Heating of water
m Lighting a house
m Cooking
m Power cars and other forms of transportation
m Production of Electricity for the masses.



 


 



 
 

   
   
 


 

 

 
 !
 m " 


 !
m #
 $

m #

The electric Company will still be hooked up to your house but you will only
pay for the service plus the little bit of electricity you use. When the house uses
more energy then the solar cells is producing the system will go to the city
power to get more. When you are using less than what is being produced your
meter will run backwards. It will be hard to use at night what is produced
during the work day.

No Power `utages- The next time a hurricane goes through you will not have to
worry about losing power for a week in the summer. Provided that your system
was not damaged. If your system was damaged then more than likely your
house was damaged and you are not there anyway. Have a good
vacation

Pollutants- No pollutants are being released into the air. Cells only become a
problem when it comes time to replace them (about twenty years)
The owner of a small laundry in northern Florida tried to
build his own concentrating system for water heating. (We
don¶t know if the sign in the background was put up before
or after this homemade system was built.)
6

  6 

Î Integration of solar energy in

buildings
Î àolar lights
Î àolar city demo in Baoding
Î àolar energy sea water
desalination
Î àolar drying technique and
its application
Î Medium and high
temperature utilization
(thermal power generation)
6 % & 
 
#  


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*

  



+)) 

  
 


 
!
 [,

m Why do you think solar energy is not

used more today?
m Do you think governments should adopt
measures to use more solar energy in the
future, or rely on fossil fuels as long as
they are available?
m What are some of the economic, social,
and environmental issues involved in the
use of solar energy?