1. ES 79- Renewable & Alternative Energy Systems
De Anza College- EMT Program
Spring Quarter 2002
Stephen J. Murphy P.E.

2. Renewable and Alternative Energy Systems
Solar Heating and Power Systems
Space Heating/Cooling
Domestic hot water heating/swimming pools
Photovoltaic (PV) Power
Wind Turbines/Energy Systems
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Fuel Cells
Biomass

3. Renewable and Alternative Energy Systems
Solar Heating/Power systems:
Solar “insolation” (incident solar radiation)
Energy balance
Greenhouse effect
“Solar constant”- 430 top of atmosphere
Solar geometry CRITICAL !
Altitude angle
Azimuth angle

4. Solar Heating/Power Systems
Historical Solar Energy Uses:
Steam generation/Steam engines
Desalinization plants
Solar cookers

5. Solar Heating/Power Systems
“Present-Day” Solar Energy Uses:
1973 Oil Embargo “jump-started” business
State solar tax credits initiated
Utility rebates/low cost financing packages
Domestic hot water (DHW)
Space heating
Photovoltaic Electricity Generation

6. Solar Heating/Power Systems
“Active Solar” heating systems
Solar Collectors
Low tech- i.e swimming pool (coiled plastic piping)
FPC design (Flat Plate Collector)
Efficiency of collector is critical factor !
copper sheet with black selective surface; high absortivity/low emissivity
South facing
Tilt angle = latitude
i.e. San tilt angle

7. Active Solar Heating Systems
System Types/Classifications:
Forced air:
Rock bed thermal storage with forced convection fans
Preheating for domestic water heating possible
Hydronics:
Domestic hot water/swimming pool
Space heating systems

8. Solar Heating/Cooling Systems
Passive Solar Heating/Cooling Systems:
Thermal Mass/Storage
Solar geometry
Summer shading devices
Overhangs
Deciduous trees
Mechanical blinds
Building envelope/insulation
Natural convection (no fans/pumps)

9. Passive Solar Heating/Cooling Systems
Direct Gain
Massive floor/wall design
Water storage containers
In-direct Gain
Trombe wall design
Solar greenhouses
Thermosiphoning