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Solar Applications

June 21, 2011 By: Admin Category: Solar Power

Solar Energy Applications

Solar energy technologies use energy from the sun to produce heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling, for homes, commercial and industrial.

There are a variety of technological applications that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. Technology can be read further below.

Photovoltaics System

Solar cells work by converting sunlight directly into electricity. The electrons in the semiconductor material, the material used to capture sunlight, will move when the sun’s energy in the form of photons hit it. Solar energy is forcing the electrons to move, occur continuously, and consequently there is also a continuous electricity production. Process, which turns sunlight (photons) into electricity (voltage), called the photovoltaic effect.

Solar Cell Module

Solar cells are usually organized into modules that each module can consist of 40 solar cells. Some modules can be arranged to form a PV line fitted with a fixed angle facing south. Or even could be placed in a sun-tracking device, to get more solar energy throughout the day. Several rows of PV could produce enough power for a house. As for industrial applications or power companies, hundreds of lines of PV can be linked to form one large PV systems and sufficient to meet the electricity needs.

Thin Film Solar Cellthin film solar Solar Applications

Thin film solar cells use several layers of semiconductor material with a thickness in the micrometer scale. Technology allows to create solar cells integrated into rooftops to the skylights. Even solar cells are designed for applications having the same power with actual roof.

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Solar Bike

November 15, 2010 By: Admin Category: Solar Bike

THEKPV Solar Powered Bike by Terry Hope


thekpv solar powered bike Solar Bike

Terry Hope has created the THEKPV (The Hybrid Electric Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle), a solar powered bike that is powered by a 50W array of solar panels and has a capacitor for boosting its acceleration capabilities.

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Solar Forest

May 05, 2010 By: Admin Category: Solar Charger

Solar Forest by Neville Mars

solar power stations Solar Forest

Neville Mars has developed an electric vehicle charging stations which take the form of solar trees. Photovoltaic grove serves dual functions, acting as a go to clean renewable energy sources while providing a shady place to park the cars as they charge.

Individual trees in the forest consists of a series of photovoltaic leaf mounted on a tree branch. There is electrical outlet at the base of each trunk that can be used to charge your electric vehicle. [Via]

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Space Solar Power

February 25, 2010 By: Admin Category: Solar Cells

Space Solar Power System

space solar power Space Solar Power

Like the story of a fictional movie, but Japanese space agency plan so serious: In 2030 they will capture solar energy in space and sends it to Earth via laser or microwave.

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Solar Cells

December 24, 2009 By: Admin Category: General

Flexible Solar Cell by Spheral Solar Power


flexible solar cells Solar Cells

Car bonnets, roof tiles and building facades can quickly enter the colorful and flexible solar panels to complement their conventional resources. Spheral Solar Power has produced efficient and flexible solar cells, which produces electricity at a lower cost and open an array of new applications for renewable energy.

Like denim material consists of thousands of tiny silicon beads attached to aluminum foil – each bead acting as an individual solar cells and uneven surfaces offer a larger area for light collection. Production costs can be reduced through the use of recycled silicon and this, combined with the efficiency comparable to standards photovoltaic cells and the versatility of a flexible material make Spheral solar cells potential to dramatically expand the use of renewable energy.

Building design can take advantage of hundreds of colors, styles and shapes to smoothly integrate solar cells. Spheral cells can be used to reflect light from or transmit light into the building and expand their flexibility for use in the company logo.

In tile the cells can be incorporated into the curved substrate opening various markets applications and automobile manufacturer may have found an alternative aerodynamic to rigid photovoltaic cells that are not practical in terms of vehicle design.

roof solar cells Solar Cells

Commercial production of flexible cells are expected to begin in late 2003.

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Solar Cell

November 24, 2009 By: Admin Category: Solar Cells

What Does Solar Cell Mean?

You may have seen a calculator that has a solar cell? calculator that does not need batteries, and in some cases do not even have the off button. As long as you have enough light, so the calculator can be on at any time and forever. You may have seen larger solar panels, such as in housing or traffic lights, haven’t you? In this article I will review how solar cell work so it can deliver the energy and drive an electronic device.

Today the demand for electricity has become a major requirement in all corners. The presence of power plants sometimes do not solve the need for electricity especially in remote areas where the terrain is always an excuse. Here an alternative energy that can be easily found in nature and can be used as an alternative free energy replacing conventional electricity, because it can turn on household electronics such as televisions, radios and lights.
solar cell p n Solar Cell
Solar cells made from pieces of a very small silicon coated with special chemicals to form the basis of solar cells. Solar cells generally have a minimum thickness of 0.3 mm is made from semiconductor materials incision with positive and negative poles. Each solar cell produces usually voltage 0.5 volts. Solar cells is an active element (semiconductor) that utilizes photovoltaic effect to transform solar energy into electrical energy.

solar cell diagram Solar Cell

Solar cells contain a connection (junction) between two thin layers made of semiconductor materials, each of which is known as a semiconductor type “P” (positive) and semiconductor type “N” (negative).

N-type semiconductor made of silicon crystals and there are also some other materials (typically phosphorus) within the limits that these materials can provide an excess of free electrons.

Electrons are sub atomic particles are negatively charged, so that the silicon alloy in this case known as N-type semiconductor (Negative). P-type semiconductor made of silicon crystal in which there is a small amount of other material (typically boron) which caused the shortage of material free electrons. Lack or loss of electrons is called a hole. Because there is no or lack of electrons electrically negative charged then the silicon alloys in this case as a semiconductor type-P (Positive).

Composition of a solar cell, the same as a diode, consisting of two layers, called PN junction. PN junction obtained by staining a pure semiconductor silicon (valence 4) with the impurity valence 3 on the left side, and one on the right impurity stained with valence 5.
 Solar Cell

solar1 labels Solar Cell

The effect of the electric field in a PV cell

 Solar Cell

solar2 labels Solar Cell

Operation of a PV cell

 Solar Cell

solar3 labels Solar Cell

Basic structure of a generic silicon PV cell

Thus formed on the left side that is not pure silicon again and called P type silicon, while the right side is called silicon type N. In the pure silicon there are two kinds of electrical charge carriers are balanced. Positive electric charge carriers called holes, while the negative are called electrons. After a desecration process, in the P type silicon formed holes (positive charge carriers) in a very large number compared with the electron. Therefore, in the P type silicon holes are majority charge carriers, while the electrons are minority carriers. Conversely, in the N type silicon is formed of electrons in a very large number so-called majority carriers, and holes called minority carriers.

In the silicon rod there was interaction between the P and the N. Therefore called the PN junction. When present, the P associated with the positive pole of a battery, while the negative polar associated with the N, then there is a relationship called “forward bias”.

Under forward bias, electrical currents arise in a series due to both types of charge carriers. So the electric current flowing in the PN junction is caused by the movement of electron and the movement of holes. An electric current is flowing in the direction of holes movement, but opposite direction with the movement of electrons. Just to further explain, electrons moving in the conductor material can lead to electrical energy. And electrical energy is called as an electric current that flows in the opposite direction to the movement of electrons.

But, if the P associated with negative pole of batteries and the N associated with positive pole, then now formed a relationship called “reverse bias”. In these circumstances, the hole (positive charge carriers) can be connected directly to the positive pole, while the electrons are also directly to the positive pole. So, clearly in the PN junction there is no movement of majority charge carriers either the holes or electrons. Meanwhile, the minority charge carriers (electrons) in the part P moves trying to reach the positive pole of the batteries. Similarly, the minority charge carriers (holes) in the N also moved to reach the negative pole. Therefore, in a state of reverse bias, in the PN junction there is also output current even in very small amounts (micro amperes). This current is often called the reverse saturation current or leakage current.

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Anything interesting in reverse bias. When the temperature of PN junction raised they will be able to enlarge leakage current. Means that if given the energy (heat), the minority charge carriers in the PN junction grows. Because the light is one form of energy, so if there is light that hit a PN junction may also produce enough energy to generate charge carriers. This symptoms are called photoconductive. Based on the photoconductive symptoms made of photodiode electronic components from PN junction.

In reverse bias, with increasing intensity of light that hit photodiode can increase the level of leakage current. Leakage currents can also be enlarged by increasing the battery voltage (reverse voltage), but the addition of leakage currents were not significant. When the batteries in the reverse bias circuit is removed and replaced with a load of resistance, the provision of light that can cause charge carriers both holes and electrons. If the illumination light is increased, current output was greater. Such symptoms are called photovoltaic. Light can provide enough energy to enlarge the number of holes in the P and the number of electrons on the N. Based on the symptoms of this photovoltaic electronic components can be created photovoltaic cell. Because usually the sun as a source of light, the photovoltaic cell is also called the solar cell (solar cells) or a solar energy converter.
So the solar cell is essentially a large photo diode and designed by referring to the photovoltaic symptoms so that could produce the greatest possible power. P type silicon is the very thin surface layer so that light can penetrate directly reach the junction. Part P is given ring-shaped nickel layer, as a positive output terminal. Under the P is the N type that is coated with nickel as well as the negative output terminal.

To obtain a large enough power required much of solar cells. Usually, solar cells arranged form the shape of the panel, and is called the photovoltaic panels (PV). PV as a source of electric power was first used in satellites. Then PV as an energy source for cars, so there are solar electric car. Now, in foreign countries, PV has started to be used as a roof or wall of the house. Sanyo has made even a semi-transparent PV that can be used as a substitute for glass.

After getting the output of the solar cell is a direct electrical current can be used to load utilized. But also the electric current can be used as a charge stored by the battery to be used when needed, especially at night because there was no sun.

If the solar cell is used for storage into the battery, then the resulting voltage magnitude must be above the battery specification. For example the battery used is 12 volts, the voltage produced by solar cell must be above 12 volts in order to perform charging.

We recommend that before carrying out the charging battery should be empty because the incoming flow will be filled with the maximum. The unit capacity of a battery is the Ampere-hour (Ah) and these characteristics are usually found on the label of a battery. For example a battery with 10 Ah capacity will fill up for 10 hours with the solar cell output currents of 1 Ampere.

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Solar Water Heating

November 15, 2009 By: Admin Category: Solar Heater

Benefits of Solar Water Heating

solar water heat1 Solar Water Heating

The fuel needed to heat water can be reduced by solar water heaters because it capture renewable energy, the sun. Many solar water heaters use a small solar electric (photovoltaic) module to power the pump needed to circulate the heat transfer fluid through the collector. Use of these modules allows solar water heater to operate even during a power outage.

Solar water heaters can also be used for hotels and motels, car washing, swimming pools, restaurants, and others.

There are many designs for solar water heaters. But, in general consists of three main components:
1. Solar collectors, which convert solar radiation into heat.
2. Heat exchanger / pump module, which transfers heat from solar collectors into drinking water.
3. Storage tank to store solar hot water.

The most common types of solar collectors used in solar water heaters is a flat plate and evacuated tube collectors. In both cases, one or more collectors are installed on the south facing slope or roof and connected to the storage tank. When there is enough sunlight, a heat transfer fluid, such as water or glycol, is pumped through the collector. When the fluid through the collector, he is heated by the sun. Fluid which is heated and then circulated to heat exchangers, which transfer energy into the water tank.

When the owner of the home using hot water, cold water from the main water into the bottom of the solar storage tank. Solar hot water at the top of the storage tank flows into the conventional water heater and then to the faucet. If the water at the top of the solar storage tank hot enough, no further heating is required. If the solar-heated water is not too hot (because the clouds long enough), a conventional water heaters heat water until the desired temperature.

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Solar Photovoltaic

August 29, 2009 By: Admin Category: Solar Cells

Solar Photovoltaic: Future Energy Sources



In general, energy sources are categorized into two parts namely non-renewable energy and renewable energy. Fossil energy sources are among the first group that the bulk of activity in the world using these conventional energy.

solar photovoltaic Solar Photovoltaic

It is no doubt that the solar photovoltaic is one source of environmentally friendly energy and is very promising in the future, because there is no pollution produced during the process of energy conversion, and more widely available source of energy in nature, namely the sun.

Fundamental issues in solar cell technology is a very low efficiency in turning solar energy into electrical energy, which to date the highest efficiency can be achieved no more than 20%, and even then in a laboratory scale.

For that in developed countries, research on solar cell is a very big concern, especially with the issue of environmental clean.

From light into electricity

In a simple solar photovoltaic consists of the p-type and n junction semiconductor material (pn junction semiconductor) that if by the sun there will be a flow of electrons, electron flow is well known as the electric current flow. While the structure of the solar cell is as shown in Figure 1.

solar photovoltaic1 300x220 Solar Photovoltaic

Figure 1. Structure of a thin layer of solar photovoltaic in general

The main part of the energy changes of sunlight to electricity is the absorber, however, each layer is also very influential on the efficiency of the solar cell. Sunlight consists of various types of electromagnetic waves in a spectrum can be seen in figure 2. Therefore here absorber is expected to absorb as much solar radiation derived from sunlight.

solar photovoltaic2 Solar Photovoltaic

Figure 2. The spectrum of solar radiation

More detail can be explained that the sun consists of a photon-photon, if it happen to solar cell surface material (absorber), will be absorbed, reflected or simply passed (see Figure 3), and only photons with certain energy level that will liberate electrons from atomic bonds, so that electrical current flows. Energy levels is called band-gap energy which is defined as the amount of energy required to discharge electrons out of its covalent bond so that there electric current flow. To free electron from its covalent bond, photon energy (hc/v) must be slightly larger or above than the band-gap energy. If the photon energy is too much of the energy band-gap, then the extra energy will be converted in the form of heat in a solar cell. Therefore it is important to the solar cell to regulate the materials used, namely by modifying the molecular structure of the semiconductor used.

solar photovoltaic3 300x118 Solar Photovoltaic

Figure 3. Radiative transition of solar photovoltaic

Of course, that the efficiency of solar cell can be high if the photons from sunlight to be absorbed that as much, then reduce reflection and increase recombination and conductivity of the material.

To be able to make that a photon is absorbed can be as much, then the absorber must have an energy band-gap with a wide range, making it possible to absorb sunlight so energy has a variety of these. One of the many materials being studied are known CuInSe2 is one of the direct semiconductor.

So many advantages of solar photovoltaic as described above was not a polemic and not just stop, saying there was a solar photovoltaic is true when the energy change process there is no pollution produced, but have we calculated how much pollution has been generated in the process manufacturing, small compared to the resulting efficiency. Now the challenge here is indeed how to increase efficiency, which would affect its economic value.

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Solar Heat

July 05, 2009 By: Admin Category: Solar Heater

Active and Passive Solar Heat


solar heat Solar Heat

Utilization of solar energy in architecture can be done in two ways: passive and active. Utilization of passive do when solar power does not need to converted first into electricity. Deep utilization of the passive is also included on space heating (using the greenhouse gases) for the region with temperature of the air low, and water heating. Also, techniques to prevent heating the air in the room on the building in the area, including Tropical into the use of the passive type, where component of sunlight, which consists of: light and heat, only used on components’ light ‘it – the need for natural lighting in buildings.

Passive design strategies will be very different between the buildings that are on climate Tropical and climate Sub Tropical / cold. At the Tropical climate, direct radiation from the sun tend to be avoided by building in order to heat gain in the building to be low, so the increase of air temperature in the building can be prevented. While in Sub-Tropical climate, the design strategy is a passive step of the Tropical climate strategy in the acquisition of heat sun tend to be maximized (except in the summer), solar radiation through that fall directly on the building so that temperature increase occurs in the building, considering the air temperature around is low.

In utilizing the solar actively using the photovoltaic, should also simultaneously architect implement the strategy of passive design. Without the application of passive design strategies, energy use in buildings very likely remain high when visual and thermal comfort must be achieved. In situations such as this, the electric power comes from solar power conversion by solar cells does not become too much meaning. With dimensional solar cell panel which needs large electricity for the achievement of thermal comfort and visual on the building difficult to fulfill. Still electrical energy required for engine cooling air with a large capacity, because the air temperature in a high building, also required electricity for lights in the torch-lighting building a dark room when the strategy passive design that lead to the energy savings are not applied. Role of solar power to replace electricity necessary to achieve the building comfort (thermal and visual) finally failed because the building was not designed in such a form so that comfort achieved without the many electric energy consumption. Electricity generated by the photovoltaic possibility will not be large enough to cool down and illuminate the building. In other words passive design considerations for the use of energy in buildings in this case can not be ignored.

In the passive design, objectives of architecture work that would be achieved – that is comfortable and aesthetic, are generally made integral. Each step in the preparation of the components to form the jacket, simultaneous will result in the achievement of buildings comfort and aesthetic. Be not so with the case where the design of active solar cell panels can be arranged separate components with the preparation of building casing. In other words, the achievement of building aesthetic in active design done in a more flexible and separate with the strategy of comfort achievement, although in fact the architects are required to thought to integrate a comprehensive comfort needs with aesthetics – between needs using a solar cell panel with place them on the integrated shroud of the building so that the panels at once can be a building aesthetic element.

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pixel Solar Heat

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