Power Plant Construction and QA/QC Section 1.6– Solar Energy Engineering Technology Division

2 Overview Introduction Solar Resource Photovoltaic Technology (light to energy) Materials Conversion Solar Thermal (light to heat) Types Solar Microwave (light to energy to energy) Section 1.6– Solar Energy

3 Introduction Section 1.6– Solar Energy We are diurnal creatures; we operate in sunlight. Historically, light is power. With light, we have dominion over night to the extent of what is illuminated.

4 Solar Resource Section 1.6– Solar Energy On average, it takes energy between 10,000 and 170,000 years to leave the sun's interior and then be emitted from the surface as light Fusion Reactor

5 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Solar Resource Current Age; 4.5 billion years Duration; estimated at 10 billion years Distance from Earth: 93 million miles Light travel time; 8 minutes Photons (light, UV light, IR light), Electrons, Protons 2,000 watts per sq. meter

6 Photovoltaic - Basics Section 1.6– Solar Energy Most common – Solar cells or panels to generate electrical power.

7 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Photovoltaic Technology - Types

8 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Photovoltaic Technology - Conversion

9 Solar Thermal - Types Section 1.6– Solar Energy Solar Heat

10 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Solar Thermal - Types Trough Reflection

11 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Solar Tower Solar Thermal - Types Molten Salt Gas / Steam Hot Air

12 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Solar Thermal - Types Solar Dish

13 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Solar Thermal - Types Solar Pond

14 Section 1.6– Solar Energy Solar Microwave Geosynchronous Orbit

15 Questions? Section 1.6– Solar Energy