1 4/9/2015 (c) Michael Shonka, Solar Heat &

Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Energy Overview

Presented by

Michael Shonka Solar Heat & Electric

www.SolarOmaha.com

Solar Energy

2 4/9/2015 (c) Michael Shonka, Solar Heat &

Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Agenda

Overview

Current market conditions and energy trends

Renewable energies

Types of solar

Research efforts

Economic impact of solar

3 4/9/2015 (c) Michael Shonka, Solar Heat &

Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Goals

By the end of this presentation you should

be able to;

define passive and active solar,

understand the definitions for the three

types of solar systems - air, water and electric,

know the best applications for the types

of solar systems, and

validate the cost effectiveness of solar.

4 4/9/2015 (c) Michael Shonka, Solar Heat &

Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Overview

The need for energy is constant and rising. Traditional sources are costly and require long lead times to build.

Renewable (solar/wind/biomass) energy sources can be implemented rapidly and can contribute to the grid from multiple locations (distributed generation).

Extensive research on technologies, market opportunities and financial programs has reduced the investment risk, improving returns.

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Current Market Conditions

Global problems requiring local solutions - same situation in Europe as Asia as US

Growth in energy demand - constant and accelerating

Awareness of finite energy resources -

energy costs include social and environmental

Technology can make a difference -

but it requires more investment and planning

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Current Energy Trends

Mostly not good…

China could consume the world’s petro in 25 yrs.

US still builds / buys the “wrong cars”

Ethanol is transitional… water costs are too high

Battery technology is 50 years old

Main problem – we have few options

Insufficient research funding… poor strategies

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Global Solar Radiation

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Insolation: The rate of delivery of solar

radiation per unit of horizontal surface.

Nebraska averages 3.5 to 4 vs. 5.5 to 6 for

Arizona. The measurement is in kWh/m2/day.

Nebraska is 15th best nationally.

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Renewable Energies

Nebraska imports >95% of its energy

Hydropower (1% of Nebraska’s energy source)

Solar – 9th nationally

Wind – 4th nationally

Biomass – methane recovery

Geothermal – mostly heat pumps

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar: Passive and Active

Passive – sun warms an object and heat migrates through natural diffusion

- Sunroom on the south side of a house warms the dark tile floor which radiates into the adjacent room

Active – requires energy to move heat from one location to another

- Solar collectors using a pump to warm water and return the fluid to a tank

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Types of Solar: Thermal and Electric

Solar Thermal –

Warm Air - hollow collectors

Hot Water - copper absorbers

Solar Electric – silicon and polymers

Used in all markets –

residential, commercial, and industrial

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Warm Air Systems

Best use: daytime space heating

Secondary: domestic hot water

Cost: least expensive

Recommendations:

One 4’x8’ collector for about

400 ft2 with short duct runs.

Usually have a minimum of

two collectors.

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Air Collector

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Air – 5 Collectors, 3 Zones

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

B

WAS

B

WAS

CAR

B

WAS

CAR CAR

Northeast

Bedroom

Closet

North

Bedroom

Closet

Front room

Staircase

Kitchen

Ceiling

Lav Sink

Ceiling

Master

Bedroom

Closet

CAR = Cold Air Return

WAS = Warm Air Supply

B = Blower +

Back-draft damper

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Air & Radiant Floor Aircraft Hanger

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Air & Radiant Floor Aircraft Hanger

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Hot Water Systems

Best use: domestic hot water

Secondary: storage and space heating*

Cost: low to moderate

Recommendations:

Minimum of two 4’x8’

collectors with 60-80 gallon

tank for closed loop or

drainback systems.

* Can be tied to

radiant floor or

forced air furnace

Closed Loop vs. Drain Back Systems

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

22 4/9/2015 (c) Michael Shonka, Solar Heat &

Electric, www.solaromaha.com

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Hot Water – Flat Plate vs. ETs

Higher Temperature, but drawbacks.

Evacuated Tubes

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

s

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Hot Water - Condos

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Hot Water & Storage System

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Hot Water - Apartments

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Hot Water - Hospital

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Radiant Floor Layout – Solar Heating

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar – Radiant Floor

Solar Hot Water

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Space Heating in a

Greenhouse

Fan Coil for Space Heating

Solar Tank

Pumps: 1. Tables 2. Fin Tube 3. PEX 4. Solar

3.

4.

2. 1.

Solar Heat and Electric:

www.SolarOmaha.com

Solar Heating a Greenhouse

The water is circulated through four different circuits for space heating;

1. perimeter fin tube,

2. tubing underneath plant tables,

3. perimeter PEX tube, and

4. a water to air fan coil.

Solar Greenhouse - Year Around Use

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

Solar Greenhouse - Radiant Table

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

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Electric, www.solaromaha.com

MCC Solar Lab

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Solar Thermal

Thank you

for your

time and consideration. For more information: Michael Shonka www.NebraskansForSolar.org

402-590-5900 www.NEO.ne.gov

mshonka@qwest.net www.energy.IOWA.gov

www.SolarOmaha.com www.NREL.gov