ENERGY CONVERSION PROJECT FALL-2016

Name: Sosender Madas

Project: Energy Conversion

Topic: Solar Energy

Class: ME 346/ME 451

ENERGY CONVERSION PROJECT FALL-2016

Name: Sosender Madas

Project: Energy Conversion

Topic: Solar Energy

Class: ME 346/ME 451

Introduction:

This report provides information related to Emerging Sources of Energy, need for new sources of energy and

the challenges being faced in exploiting the New energy source in terms of capacity increase, continuous

availability and environmental impact etc.

Current Major sources of Energy:

Before going into current major sources of energy lets discuss, different sources of energy

1) Solar Energy:

This energy is generated using solar panels which absorb energy from sun and convert into thermal or

electrical energy. The main problem with this energy is only certain geographical areas has plentiful amount of

direct sun available.

2) Wind Energy

Wind is a form of energy which is produced by uneven heating of atmosphere by the sun. The wind turbines

convert kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power is used for running a

generator to produce electricity.

3)Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is produced form earth surface. The heat rocks present under the surface helps to heat the

water and generate steam which in turn run the turbines to generate electricity. The only disadvantage of this

energy is this can be generated only in certain geographical areas of the word. The largest group of this plant is

located at Geysers, a geothermal field in California, United states.

4) Tidal Energy

Tidal Energy uses rise and fall of tides to convert kinetic energy into Electrical energy. Huge investment and

limited availability of sites are major drawbacks of this energy.

5) Hydroelectric Energy

This energy is generated by constructing large dams near rivers. The power of water is used to run turbines to

generate electricity.

6)Bio Mass Energy

This energy is produced from organic material. Biomass energy generally includes plants, crops, trees, yard

clippings, wood chips and animal wastes. A large amount of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when

this energy is used in large amounts which in turn increases the temperature of the earth causing global warming.

9) Nuclear power

Nuclear power is used for running power generators to generate Electricity. The main drawback of this energy is

the disposal of nuclear waste and powerful radiation of gamma rays which is very harmful to human skin.

10) Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, and natural Gas)

Fifty percent of Electrical Energy production is the united states is obtained through Fossil Fuel specifically coal.

Primarily Coal and oil are being used to produce electricity and oil is converted into many other products like

gasoline which is used to run automobiles. Fossil fuels are becoming extinct and it is very important to find some

alternative forms of energy to save the environment from harmful pollutants. In this report, my focus will be on

Solar Energy, its implementation, merits and demerits and much more related information.

Energy Production in the United States:

From the above plot, we can see the dependence of fossil fuels to generate Electricity.

Solar Cell:

Before we go any further in our discussion let’s discuss some important information regarding Solar Cell.

Solar energy is directly converted into electricity by means of the photovoltaic effect. The first photovoltaic cell

was manufactured by Bell Laboratories in the 1950 decade. In the year 1955 first test was conducted on small

panels of cells mounted on the top of telephone poles for supplying power to telephone amplifiers. One more

significant cell i.e. silicon solar cell used in space vehicles and artificial satellites. Solar cells are in use only for

a limited number of applications, because of its high capital cost for generating a small amount of power.

Only semiconductors have the capability of generating electric power for practical applications. Commonly used

semiconductor materials are silicon, germanium, cadmium sulfide, and gallium arsenide. Research and

Development in the field of photovoltaic conversion are directed to produce inexpensive, long life and reliable

solar cell. A cell made from oxidized gallium arsenide, the currently active project has proven some improved

characteristics. Newly developed processes are expected to reduce the manufacture of the solar cell. There is still

research going on.

Cost:

The cost of silicon solar cell is getting reduced in recent years. In 1980 the price was in the range of $7 to $12 per

week. The Department of Energy tried to reduce the cost of solar cell modules to $3 per peak watt by 1982 and

to 70 cents per peak watt by 1986. A peak watt is the maximum power output of solar cell under bright noon

sunlight. The total cost of constructing solar power plant depends on the cost of producing a solar cell. Below is

a sample chart showing the price change variation of a solar cell. Right (The Week , n.d.)now, thin films are being

manufactured using Cadmium telluride which is inexpensive than silicon-based technologies. They reach about

10 to 13.1 percent efficiency.

See how the price is drastically reduced to 0.30 cents per watt which are better improvement of reducing the cost

of the Solar power plant.

Solar cells are interconnected in a matrix to form a module. One cell produces about 0.5 volts at room temperature.

So, 36 cells connected produces 18 volts equal to two batteries.

Construction:

The cells are connected and placed between a tough glass front and a back with a frame and sealed. ‘Dow corning'

which plays a major role in the solar energy industry is developing encapsulate technology to protect cells in the

modules. This technology keeps out moisture and contaminants which could cause the module to fail, so it is a

critical part of manufacturing process.

Source: Dow Corning Corporation, Solar Energy Industry, Midland Michigan

Rooftop solar panels: Benefits, costs, and smart policies

Economics of Rooftop Solar:

Between 2008 and 2014, residential, commercial, and institutional rooftop solar panels are increased by more

than 50% per year.

Source:http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2013-year-review

From the above plot, we can see some growth in solar energy in recent years. This is positive concern to further

increase the usage of solar energy. Rooftop solar is cost effective for domestic, Business and communities. New

inventions with the help of financial partners helped to reduce the price of household systems in the united states

by 45% from 2010 to 2014.

Source: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2013-year-review

Plot showing yearly installed solar Capacity (solar investment tax credit(ITC) is one of the most important federal

policy support mechanisms to support deployment of solar energy)

Dropping prices of solar panels is due to technology advancements. Global solar production is increased from

24000 (MW) in 2010 to 40000(MW) in 2014. PV margins in the united states are further benefited from soft

costs, such as those related to sales, permitting, inspection, and the profit margins of retailers and installers.

Ownership options:

The success of solar energy is also due to ownership structures. Many homeowners are taking advantage or third

part ownership options. Under solar lease and property agreements, customers pay little or nothing up front for

roof systems, and they get electricity from the system for a long period. The system (maintenance and

responsibilities) completely depend on the project developers, which may be private companies or electric utilities

themselves. In 2014, more than 70% of new residential systems were the third party owned. Of the 1.2 gigawatts

of residential solar installed in the U.S last year, 72% was the third party owned (TPO) in the form of leases. The

remaining part is owned by customers itself through loans. This info is from GTM research, U.S Solar Residential

Financing 2015-2020. According to their report, three companies financed 56% of all U.S residential solar

installations in 2014. Among them Solar City 12%, Sun run’s 10%, and Vivint Soar’s 12%. Some other leading

finance providers are Sun power, NRG Home solar, sun nova and clean Power Finance.

Small visual plot of Companies

Some obstacles for installing this wonderful Energy:

Cost: Solar energy requires 156.30$ to generate one-megawatt hour whereas coal generates the same for $99.6

and natural gas $65 to $132 per megawatt-hour, currently research is involved in the price reduction of solar cells.

Infrastructure: Installation of new solar energy into existing grids poses many challenges. Sometimes due to

weather conditions fluctuations can occur in voltage which is a serious concern for home based electronic

appliances. This problem can be fixed but it is little expensive. Using power generators which inject extra power

when the power falls below required frequency, but Mohamed Elnozahy of electrical engineering at Canada

University of waterloo said that even generators will not help to solve this problem because “This will increase

the cost of solar electricity, which is already much higher than other sources,".

Some experts predict that without increasing the number of frequency regulation generators, solar power won’t

even be able to supply 5% of existing power.

Solution to this problem:

Magdy Salama (Professor of Electrical Engineering) at the University of waterloo suggested a solution, which

involves developing a new “Bilayer architecture” for the distribution of solar power. This architecture consists of

three layers AC layer (alternating current) which covers the existing electric grid and a DC (direct current) layer

which collects the solar energy from the sunlight. A “Controlled Inverter Interface” is used to control the power

flow between these two layers.

The architecture will be challenging to adopt but "will ensure that solar electricity is completely decoupled from

AC networks," ElNozahy(student of Magdy Salama) explained.

Willet Kempton a professor in the college of Earth, Ocean and Environment at the University of Delaware

highlighted another problem which is "islanding". It refers to the condition where a distributed generator

continues to power a location even though the electric grid is shut down. This is very dangerous to utility workers

who may not realize that circuit is still powered. Kempton disagreed with the above a research and stated that

he is working with an inverter that is totally reliable in detecting islanding. In a study published in journal or

power sources, he and his team predicted that combination of the wind, solar power, and improved fuel cell will

fully power a large electrical grid of 99.9 percent of the time by 2030 at costs compared to today electricity

charges.

Solar Power Generation: (additional information)

The calculations of solar radiation are based on the solar constant. The distance between earth and sun is known

as Astronomical Unit. (A.U). The solar constant has been evaluated by many investigators. The latest and most

precise determination of solar constant were made during 1966 and 1967. The value of the solar constant is

136.1Mw/cm^2 reported by Drummond and Hickey. The Johnson solar constant, which was widely used during

past times has a value of 140.3 Mw/cm^2.

Conclusion:

Finally, the development of new energy source is important for our future generation. From the report observation

is done, that lot of obstacles and difficulties are being faced to completely substitute all electric grids with solar

energy. But apart from these problems this energy is a wonderful concept to free our environment from harmful

gasses. Right now, there is lot research is going on a large-scale production of solar energy, focusing on the

importance of solar energy in the society. Hope the dream of the big project “Solar Energy” will be seen in the

coming generations.

References

(1). Retrieved from CFF Conserve Energy Future: http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/different-energy-sources.php

SEIA(Solar Energy Industries Association). (n.d.). Retrieved from GTM Research and Solar Energy Industries Association

(SEIA): http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2013-year-review

Dow Corning Solar Solutions. (2.). Retrieved from https://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/06-10028_solar-

energy-the-basics.pdf

gtm . (3). Retrieved from A wood mackenzie Business: https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/72-of-us-

residential-solar-installed-in-2014-was-third-party-owned

INSIDE SCIENCE . (4). Retrieved from Scaling Up Solar Power May Demand Updated Electric Grid:

https://www.insidescience.org/news/scaling-solar-power-may-demand-updated-electric-grid

Solar Cell. (5.). Retrieved from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell

The Week . (6). Retrieved from The 3 biggest obstacles to a solar energy boom: http://theweek.com/articles/463150/3-

biggest-obstacles-solar-energy-boom