In this presentation you will:

identify how solar power is used for large scale electricity production

Solar Power

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The power of the Sun can

be harnessed to generate

electricity directly from

solar panels.

The Sun’s energy can

also be used to heat

fluids or gas that can be

used to drive turbines.

Introduction

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Both methods are now

being used for large

scale electricity

production to replace

production by fossil fuel

power plants.

Solar Electric

Panels of cells are

typically grouped

together in huge

numbers. Collectively

they form a Solar Farm.

Solar electric power

generation comes

from using sunlight on

photovoltaic cells

(PV cells), commonly

called solar panels.

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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

N-type semiconductor

P-N junction

P-type semiconductor 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.

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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 cell

Solar panel

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Solar cells are made from layers of what?

A) Plastic

B) Glass

C) Semiconductor material

Question 1

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Solar cells are made from layers of what?

Question 1

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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.

Indirect Methods

The turbine is used to power a generator that creates electricity.

The most common way is to use solar energy to heat water to steam.

The steam is then used to turn turbines.

Steam from the turbine is cooled back to water, then pumped around the

system to be heated again.

Pump

Steam generated

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Generator

Turbines

Solar Furnace

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.

Lots of mirrors are

positioned to reflect

sunlight to a single

collection point.

Collection point fluid heated to 500 °C

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Solar Trough

Heat transfer fluid

(typically oil) running

through the pipe is heated

by the Sun’s energy.

A reflective trough is used

to focus the Sun’s energy

on a pipe passing through

the focal point.

This heat transfer fluid

can then be used to heat

water to steam, which

runs the turbines.

Heat transfer fluid

Steam

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Solar Dish

A special engine called

a Stirling engine is

positioned at the focal

point. It converts the

heat into mechanical

motion.

A reflective dish is used

to focus the Sun’s

energy at a single point,

generating a lot of heat.

This mechanical

motion can be used by

a generator to produce

electricity.

Stirling engine

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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?

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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.

Solar Tower (Chimney)

As the air under the

canopy heats up,

it rises towards

and up the tower.

A canopy covering a

large area rises gently

to a central 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…

Orbiting satellites would

convert energy from the

Sun into microwave

energy.

Engineers around the

world are currently

evaluating the means

of having a solar farm

in Earth’s orbit.

The microwave energy

created from the solar

panels would be

‘beamed’ to receiving

stations on Earth which

would turn it into

electricity. Next >

Which technology directly converts solar energy into electricity?

A) Photovoltaic cells

B) Solar furnaces

C) Solar troughs

D) Solar towers

Question 3

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Which technology directly converts solar energy into electricity?

A) Photovoltaic cells

B) Solar furnaces

C) Solar troughs

D) Solar towers

Question 3

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Photovoltaic cells (PV) convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Summary

End

Photovoltaic cells

You should now be able to identify some solar energy power generation

technologies, including:

Solar furnaces

Solar dishes

Solar troughs

Solar towers