1. MTLE 4962- Energy, Environment and Economy Ziyu (Grace) Zhou
Solar Energy
MTLE Energy, Environment and Economy
Ziyu (Grace) Zhou

2. Overview What is solar energy? How does solar energy generated?
Photovoltaics
Why do we care about solar?
Common applications
Money
What is the future of solar?
Solar Energy Trees
Pros and Cons
Technological Challenges
Question and Discussion

3. What is solar energy?
Solar energy is defined as energy derived from the sun in the form of solar radiation
First observed in 1839 by Alexandre Edmund Becquerel
Bell’s Lab developed first PV device in 1954
 In 1954, Bell Labs in the U.S. introduced the first solar PV device that produced a useable amount of electricity, and by 1958, solar cells were being used in a variety of small-scale scientific and commercial applications.

4. How does solar energy generated?
Use photovoltaic cell (semiconductor material) to transfer solar energy into electricity
Photons strike and ionize semiconductor material on the solar panel, causing outer electrons to break free of their atomic bonds.
The electrons are forced in one direction creating a flow of electrical current
Solar cells are not 100% efficient due to reflection and heat generation

5. Why do we care? - Applications
Solar Powered Transportation
Solar Technologies
Solar Heating
Solar Lighting
Rooftop Solar

6. 5 Common Applications Solar Powered Transportation
Railroads, subways, buses, planes and cars
Solar Impulse 2 ( )
long-distance all-solar aircraft
Solar buses in China ( )
Solar Spirit in Australia
Student designed solar car in 2011, 2013 and 2015
Solar impulse 2:  three-day trek across the Pacific Ocean (62 hours)

7. 5 Common Applications Solar Powered Transportation Solar Technologies
Solar powered charges
E.g. Anker’s PowerPort
Solar Flashlights
Wearable solar
E.g. Future Apple Watch
Anker’s powerport available in amazon:

8. 5 Common Applications Solar Powered Transportation Solar Technologies
Solar Heating
Solar water heater
Solar space heater

9. 5 Common Applications Solar Powered Transportation Solar Technologies
Solar Heating
Solar Lighting
Outdoor solar lighting (energy storage)
Join with LED or other lighting technologies

10. 5 Common Applications Solar Powered Transportation Solar Technologies
Solar Heating
Solar Lighting
Rooftop Solar
Save utility cost !

11. Why do we care？-- To Save Money !

12. What is the future of solar?

13. New Technology – Solar Energy Trees
Tree Leaves - Organic Solar Cells
Each leaf is a power converter
Multi-converter system: collect energy from solar, wind and heat temperature
 Trunks – 3D Printed Wood-based Biocomposites

14. Pros and Cons Advantages Disadvantages 1. Renewable/Sustainable
1. Intermittent
2. Abundant/Good Availability
2. Energy Storage (Expensive)
3. Low Maintenance
3. Pollution (solar panel manufacture)
4. Silent
4. Exotic Materials vs Efficiency
5. Government Support
5. Require Space ……
Crystalline Silicon are used most often, but are searching new mateirals

15. Solar Energy Challenges
Energy Storage
Cost
Semiconductor material used as solar cell
Solar panel manufacture
Electricity generation?
Low Efficiency
Only about 20% - 40% efficiency
Social Awareness
Reliability
Pre-investment
33.16% efficiency for Crystalline Si; 4-junction GaInP/GaAs//GaInAsP/GaInAs solar (2015) – 44% efficiency; thin film material: Cadmium telluride
or Copper indium gallium selenide

16. Question and Discussion
How to improve solar energy efficiency?
Technology Improvements
How to make solar energy more accessible to the general public?
How to further reduce the cost?
Do you want solar energy?

17. Reference
1. "Green Energy." On DeviantArt. Accessed February 13, Energy
2. "Solar energy." Dictionary.com. Accessed February 13,
3. King, Laiza. "How Solar Energy Is Changing the World Using New Technologies." The Huffington Post. Accessed February 13,
4. "China is now the world’s largest solar power producer." Digital Trends. February 06, Accessed February 13, energy/.
5. Photovoltaic (Solar Electric)." SEIA. Accessed February 13, technology/photovoltaic-solar-electric.
6. "Semiconductor Diode." Pinterest. Accessed February 13,
7. "How Much Are Solar Panels? Wrong Question. Ask How Much Solar Panels Can Save You." CleanTechnica. February 03, Accessed February 13, save/.
8. Richardson, Luke. "How is Solar Energy Used? The 5 Most Common Examples of Solar Power." EnergySage. December 14, Accessed February 13, uses/.
9. "3D Printed Solar Energy Trees." AENews. Accessed February 13, news.info/3d-printed-solar-energy-trees/.
10. Agnes Peterson et al. "Solar Energy Pros and Cons." Energy Informative. Accessed February 13,
11. "Why It Is Not More Widely Used." Problems With Solar Energy. Accessed February 13,