Solar Energy Conversion

Introduction
Early development of solar thermal panel technology
This process creates mechanical energy which can be used to then generate
electricity.
The basic principal of solar thermal is to transfer solar radiation into heat via a
thermodynamic system which is essentially a generator or an engine.
Solar PV system is different from a solar thermal panel as a solar PV panel will
directly utilize the sun's energy to generate electricity.

There are records of solar water heating dating back over one hundred years to as
early as 1896 when it was invented in the United States.

The earliest examples of solar water heaters were essentially boxes that were painted
black and filled with water.

A major drawback of this system was that it took all day even in optimal conditions
for the water to heat up and would rapidly lose heat at night as there was no means of
insulation or heat retention.
Early development … cont.

The inventor Clarence Kemp developed a system that improved the solar
water heaters ability to retain heat.

His improvements to the system meant that solar water heating became
commercially viable on a wide scale for the first time.

The system was the first batch water heater and incorporated storage and
collection of hot water inside a wooden box.
Modern development of solar thermal
Major advancements in solar thermal energy are being made all over
the world with countries like Spain and Australia among the current
market leaders.
2007 Spain constructed Europe's first fully commercial solar towers.
The towers utilize a molten salt storage system to ensure power is
available twenty four hours a day.
Spain is currently the fourth largest manufacturer and a world leader
in solar technology and the majority of Spain's solar energy output is
exported across Europe.
The solar industry continues to be at the forefront of the energy
revolution helping to bring the switch from a fossil fuel driven economy
to a renewable energy driven future.
Potential for Solar Thermal Energy ---- SolarPACES
Source: Green Terra Firm,
greenterrafirma.com
Solar power
Flat-panel photovoltaic
Solar power
Flat-panel photovoltaic

Capacity
Rank Station Country Location
(MW)

1. Solar Star I and II United States 34°49′N 118°23′W 579

2. Topaz United States 35°23′N 120°4′W 550
3. Desert Sunlight United States 33°49′33″N 115°24′08″W 550
4. Longyangxia Dam Solar Park China 36°07′20″N 100°55′06″E 320
5. Ferme solaire de Cestas France 300
6. California Valley Solar Ranch United States 35°20′N 119°55′W 292
7. Agua Caliente United States 32°57′20″N 113°29′40″W 290
Solar power
Concentrated photovoltaic
Solar power
Concentrated photovoltaic
Solar power
Solar power
Flat-panel photovoltaic
Concentrated Photovoltaic
Solar power
Concentrated photovoltaic
Capacity
Rank Station Country Location
(MW)

1. Touwsrivier South Africa 33°24′51.67″S19°55′0.86″E 36

2. Alamosa United States 30
3. Navarra Spain 7.8
4. Hatch United States 5
5. Casaquemada Spain 1.9
6. Sevilla Spain 37°25′18″N 06°15′25″W 1.2
7. Victor Valley College CPV United States 34°28′31″N 117°15′46″W 1
(7.) Questa United States 36°42′31″N 105°37′09″W 1
Solar power
Concentrated Solar Thermal
Solar power
Concentrated Solar Thermal
Capacity
Rank Station Country Location
(MW)
1. Ivanpah United States 35°34′N 115°28′W 377
2. SEGS United States 35°01′54″N 117°20′53″W 354
3. Solana United States 32°55′N 112°58′W 280
4. Genesis United States 33°38′38″N 114°59′17″W 250
5. Solaben Spain 39°13′29″N 5°23′26″W 200
6. Ouarzazate Morocco 30°59′40″N 06°51′48″W 160
7. Solnova Spain 37°25′00″N 06°17′20″W 150
(7.) Andasol Spain 37°13′43″N 03°04′07″W 150
(7.) Extresol Spain 38°39′N 6°44′W 150
10. Crescent Dunes United States 38°14′N 117°22′W 110