Solar energy harvesting and its applications

it is the process of converting solar energy into electrical energy.

1. Solar energy harvesting and its applications By , I.AFFRIN, Ladydoak college, Madurai.

2. WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY HARVESTING ? It is the process of capturing and storing solar energy which is radiated from the sun. Then it is converted from light or heat energy to electrical energy by suitable method.

3. WHY DO WE NEED SOLAR ENERGY HARVESTING ? Solar energy is free and rather available in many parts around the world. In just 1 year, the sun can provide the earth with 15,000 times more energy than the atomic and fuel energy actually needed during the year. If the fossil fuel resources are consumed at the present rate, all the fossil fuels will exhaust. This will create an unprecedented energy crisis on the earth.

4. METHODS OF SOLAR ENERGY HARVESTING SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS which is a heat-absorbing panels and a series of attached circulation tubes to generate electricity. CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER that uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate the sun’s rays to heat the fluid and produce steam which drives a turbine and generate power. PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY

5. PHOTO VOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY(PV) Photo voltaic solar cells Produces electricity from the sun’s radiation By photovoltaic effect The term photo stands for light and voltaic stands for generating potential difference. When sunlight hits a cell the energy knocks electrons in outermost of atom,allowing them to flow through material to produce electricity.

6. CONVENTIONAL SOLAR CELLS A device which directly converts solar energy into electric energy is a called a SOLAR CELL. These solar cells are usually made from semiconductors. Examples: silicon,germanium etc.., When sunlight falls on a semiconductor with impurity, a potential difference is created.

7. NANOSTRUCTURED SOLAR CELLS Based on dye sensitized colloidal titanium dioxide film. Anode-transparent electrode catalytic conductor- platinum electrode. Electrolyte- between films and platinum electrode. charge separation takes place at the interface between titania and dye molecules thus leading to an increase of light harvesting

8. RECENT RESEARCH IN SOLAR ENERGY HARVESTING

9. “MAKING BETTER SOLAR PANELS BY MIMICKING BUTTERFLY POSTURE” Experts from the University of Exeter has examined new techniques for generating photovoltaic (PV) energy which converts light into power

10. White butterflies as solar photovoltaic concentrators The team of scientists had investigated how to replicate the wings to develop a new, lightweight reflective material that could be used in solar energy production They showed that by mimicking the v-shaped posture adopted by Cabbage White butterflies to heat up their flight muscles before take-off , by replicating the simple mono layer of scale cells in wing-structure , the power-to-weight ratio of the overall solar energy structure is increased 17-fold, making it vastly more efficient.

11. German Architect Andre Broessel and his company has created a spherical sun power generator prototype called the beta.ray I t gives twice the yield of a conventional solar panel in a much smaller surface area . The beta.ray comes with a hybrid collector to convert daily electricity and thermal energy at the same time. At night time the Ball Lens can transform into a high-power lamp to illuminate simply by using a few LED’s. The station is designed for off grid conditions as well as to supplement buildings’ consumption of electricity and thermal circuits like hot water.

12. APPLICATIONS OF SOLAR ENERGY HARVESTING

13. Scott Brusaw , a former electrical engineer, has figured an innovative solar panels in hexagons that can connect to create a road way. A project called Solar Roadways which can generate power and can use its power to light up the road at night time or to send driving alerts to drivers who are on the road. It can be used to keep roadways cleaned and melt the snow that falls on them . He launched a highly successful campaign which raised over 2 million dollars. These roadways will be seen soon in U.S.A.

14. Beta.ray which is used to recharge electric car

15. U SES OF SOLAR CELLS. Solar cells are used to mainly provide electric energy to the satellites and space probes. to provide electricity for street lights, T.V, electronic calculators and wrist watches. to provide electricity to off shore oil rigs and light houses . In agriculture, photovoltaics are used to pump water, power lighting.

16. IMPACTS OF SOLAR ENERGY Solar energy is the cleanest form of energy. It causes absolutely no environmental pollution. Its use should be encouraged by all the governments of world. so appropriate technology should be installed to harvest solar energy .

17. REFERENCES K. Jones, Colorado State University Extension,Harvesting Energy from the Sun Solar Photovoltaics.mht Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Volume 26,Solar energy harvesting with the application of nanotechnology. Making better solar panels by mimicking butterfly posture. watts Up With That.mht The Roadways Of The Future Will Be Made Out Of Solar Panels.mht

18. THANK you