Solar Power

In this presentation you will:

identify how solar power is used for large scale electricity production
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Introduction
The power of the Sun can be harnessed to generate electricity directly from solar panels.

The Suns energy can also be used to heat fluids or gas that can be used to drive turbines.

Both methods are now being used for large scale electricity production to replace production by fossil fuel power plants.
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Solar Electric
Solar electric power generation comes from using sunlight on photovoltaic cells (PV cells), commonly called solar panels.

Panels of cells are typically grouped together in huge numbers. Collectively they form a Solar Farm.

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Solar Electric Process

The solar cell is made up from layers of semiconductor material (the same material used for computer chips).
Solar PV cross section

Current

P-N junction

Sunlight on the surface of the cell causes electrons to move between the layers. When a load is applied across the surfaces this electron movement produces an electric current.

P-type semiconductor N-type semiconductor

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Solar Electric Process

As lots of cells are connected together, a lot of electricity is generated. For example a typical solar panel used on a home roof (1.6 m x 0.8 m) will produce 180 W.
Solar panel Solar cell

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Question 1
Solar cells are made from layers of what?

A) Plastic

B) Glass

C) Semiconductor material

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Question 1
Solar cells are made from layers of what?

A) Plastic

B) Glass

C) Semiconductor material

Solar cells are made from layers of semiconductor materials, the same material that is used to make computer chips.
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Indirect Methods

Pump Steam generated Generator

Turbines

The most common way is to use solar energy to heat water to steam. The steam is then used to turn turbines. The turbine is used to power a generator that creates electricity. Steam from the turbine is cooled back to water, then pumped around the system to be heated again. Next >

Solar Furnace
Lots of mirrors are positioned to reflect sunlight to a single collection point.

The water or heat transfer fluid at the collection point will typically reach temperatures of approximately 500 C, easily enough to generate steam to power turbines.

Collection point fluid heated to 500 C

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Solar Trough
A reflective trough is used to focus the Suns energy on a pipe passing through the focal point.

Heat transfer fluid (typically oil) running through the pipe is heated by the Suns energy.

Heat transfer fluid

This heat transfer fluid can then be used to heat water to steam, which runs the turbines.

Steam

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Solar Dish
A reflective dish is used to focus the Suns energy at a single point, generating a lot of heat.

A special engine called a Stirling engine is positioned at the focal point. It converts the heat into mechanical motion.

Stirling engine

This mechanical motion can be used by a generator to produce electricity.

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Question 2
Which part of a solar furnace and solar trough system will actually create electricity?

A) The light reflecting units

B) The heat transfer fluid

C) The steam turbine

D) The generator

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Question 2
Which part of a solar furnace and solar trough system will actually create electricity?

A) The light reflecting units

B) The heat transfer fluid

C) The steam turbine

D) The generator

All of the indirect methods of solar energy require a generator to actually produce the electricity.
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Solar Tower (Chimney)

A canopy covering a large area rises gently to a central tower. As the air under the canopy heats up, it rises towards and up the tower.

Cooler air is sucked in at the sides of the canopy. The air movement at the sides of the canopy, or at the base of the tower can be used to turn a turbine.

Turbine

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The Future of Solar Energy

Engineers around the world are currently evaluating the means of having a solar farm in Earths orbit.

Orbiting satellites would convert energy from the Sun into microwave energy.

The microwave energy created from the solar panels would be beamed to receiving stations on Earth which would turn it into electricity.

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Question 3
Which technology directly converts solar energy into electricity?

A) Photovoltaic cells

B) Solar furnaces

C) Solar troughs

D) Solar towers

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Question 3
Which technology directly converts solar energy into electricity?

A) Photovoltaic cells

B) Solar furnaces

C) Solar troughs

D) Solar towers

Photovoltaic cells (PV) convert sunlight directly into electricity.

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Summary
You should now be able to identify some solar energy power generation technologies, including:

Photovoltaic cells
Solar furnaces

Solar dishes
Solar troughs Solar towers

End