Module 1:

Agricultural Power Sources

Lesson 1: Solar Energy
 Objectives
• Know the components of converting solar
energy in to electricity.
• Understand the principles behind the
conversion of solar energy into usable
forms.
• Update on future technologies about solar
energy utilization.
The Photovoltaic Cell Technology
The Sunlight
Sunlight is made up
of tiny packages of
energy called
photons that are
radiated out from the
sun.
 The solar cell
• the key components used to
convert sunlight into
electricity
• solar modules are made of
semiconductors that are
very similar to those used to
create integrated circuits for
electronic equipment
• the most common type of
Solar Cell semiconductor currently in
(multicrystalline silicon) use is made of silicon
crystal
• Silicon crystals are
laminated into n-type and
p-type layers, stacked on
top of each other
• light striking the crystals
induces the “photovoltaic
effect,” which generates
electricity
 The electricity produced is called
direct current (DC) and can be used
immediately or stored in a battery.

 For systems installed on homes served by a

utility grid, a device called an inverter
changes the electricity into alternating
current (AC), the standard power used in
residential homes.
Processing wafers

Silicon atoms have

four "arms." Under
stable conditions, they
become perfect
insulators.
 By combining a small
number of five-armed atoms
(with a surplus electron), a
negative charge will occur
when sunlight (photons) hits
the surplus electron. The
electron is then discharged
from the arm to move
around freely. Silicon with
these characteristics
conducts electricity. This is
called an n-type (negative)
semiconductor, and is
usually caused by having the
silicon 'doped' with a
phosphorus film.
 In contrast, combining
three-armed atoms that
lack one electron results
in a hole with an electron
missing. The
semiconductor will then
carry a positive charge.
This is called a p-type
(positive) semiconductor,
and is usually obtained
when boron is doped into
the silicon.
Process of Conversion
Process of Conversion
Solar panel in Space
 JAXA Space Base Power
System (SBPS)
• Orbits 22,400 miles up
• If done to their specs, would produce 1GW
of power (enough to power 500,000
homes)
• Their plan uses 10,000 metric tons
• Electricity is then converted into
microwave which is then converted into
electricity at 80% efficiency.
 JAXA Space Base Power
System (SBPS)

• 48% of the converted energy will reach

consumers at the end of the line
 JAXA Space Base Power
System (SBPS)
• Their plan costs
about $ 1 Trillion
• Plans to put
mirror at both side
of the planet to
reflect sunlight at
all times
 Efficiency
• Efficiency is defined as the ratio of energy
output from the solar cell to input energy
from the sun.
• In addition to reflecting the performance of
the solar cell itself, the efficiency depends
on the spectrum and intensity of the
incident sunlight and the temperature of
the solar cell
 Advantages
• Produces clean energy
• No emissions
• No moving parts
• Doesn’t make any noise
• Doesn’t need water or fossil fuel to
produce power
• Can be located right where the power is
needed
 Let’s Apply!
1. What impact would the application of
solar energy bring in the field of
agriculture?

2. What are the possible constraints that

restrict our local farmers from benefitting
solar power technology.