SOLAR ENERGY

Max D. Lechtman

Paul W. Spinner

October 28,2005

1/17,000 of the Sun’s Output!According to John

To paraphrase Dennis:

Economics be damned, we have to reduce our usage of fossil fuels.

Max will discuss

Concentrating Solar Power Technologies

Passive Solar Considerations

Solar Tidbits

CSP Technologies

“…enough electric power for the entire country

could be generated by covering about 9% of Nevada—a plot of land 100 miles on a side–

with parabolic trough systems.”

www.energylan.sandia.gov/sunlab/

overview.htm

DOE’s CSP Technologies

• Troughs

• Dish/Engines

• Power Towers

Troughs

Troughs

• Suitable For Large Systems

• Grid-connected Power

• 30-200 MW size

• Proven Technology

• Available Today

Dish/Engines

Dish/Engines

• Modular

• Remote Applications

• Demonstration Installations

• High Efficiency

• Conventional Construction

• Commercial Engines Under Development

Sterling Engine

Stirling Engine

Power Towers

Power Towers

• Suitable For Large Systems

• Grid-connected Power

• 30-200 MW size

• Potentially Lower Cost

• Potentially Efficient Thermal Storage

• Need To Prove Molten Salt Technology

Cost Of Energy*

Trough Dish/Engine Tower

2000 11.8 17.9 13.62010 7.6 6.1 5.22020 7.2 5.5 4.22030 6.8 5.2 4.2

*Cents/kWh in 1997 $

Selected Passive Systems

• House Design Features– Overhang– Trombe Wall– Roof Vents– Solar Hot Water– Rock Bin– Earth Cooling

Solar Collection/Rejection

Solar House Features

Design for Solar

Design for Earth Cooling

Solar Tidbits

• Military– Tent and Uniform Fabrics– Pocket Battery Chargers

• Civilian– Backpacks– Radio Headsets– Wi-Fi in the Sky

Time Magazine, October 31, 2005

Paul will discuss

• Alternate Energy Sources

• Applications

• Limitations

• Drivers

• Indicators

Alternate Energy Sources- Historical

• Nuclear

• Hydroelectric

• Geothermal

• Rooftop Water

Alternate Energy Sources - Evolving

• Biomass (Ethanol, digesters)

• Wind

• Solar Reflector Arrays (Driven, Stationary)

• Photo-Voltaic (Panels)

Applications - Solar Power

• Remote power (Space, Wirefree)  

• Architectural

• SmallCommon Electronics                              

• Emergency

•  Military

• Grid supplements

Limitations

• High Cost    

        •  Climate   

• “Thin” - “Off” Daily        

                             

                           

• Require Storage

• Duplication

• Big Footprint

Who/What Drives Expansion Now?

• Competitive Costs • Legislation

(Subsidies) • Utilities (Rebates) • Emergencies

• Environmentalists • Scientists (Union of

Concerned) • Oil Companies

(BP/Exxon) • Politicians (Some)

Potential Drivers

• “Carbon Discharge” Tax

• Research Money (Public/Private)

• “Gas Guzzler” Tax

• Auto-maker Mileage Standards (SUV’s)

• Storms

Current Affairs - Indicators?

• California Governors‘ ”One MillionRooftop Solar Homes“

• DWP’s Rebates ($!50-$300 Million)

• Negative Federal Thrust - “More/Cheaper Fossil Fuel”

• Doesn’t Help Solar Energy -Aggravates Climate Warming

Reading List

• General Information:– www.ases.org– www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar.html– www.eere.energy.gov/solar/– www.homepower.com/– www.solarelectricpower.org/power/– www.solarenergy.net/– www.txses.org/epsea/

Reading List

• For the Engineers:– http://scitation.aip.org/dbt.jsp?KEY=JSEED

Journal of Solar Engineering 2000-2005

For the third world:– www.self.org/