Solar+-+Technology

Solar Technology



Solar Overview

Solar Energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that converts sunlight and heat into an electrical energy source.This is performed by the use of solar technologies such as photovoltaics (PV) or by the use of a concentrated solar power (CSP). Solar technologies are mostly categorized as either an active solar technology or a passive solar technology. Photovoltaic power, an active technology, is generated by the use of solar panels that are made of an amount of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. Concentrated Solar Power, a passive technology, is generated by using solar thermal collectors to harness the sun’s radiant. This heat energy is then concentrated into a central location where the energy can be converted at a conventional power plant.

Solar Economics

The economics behind solar panel technologies is estimated to be near $3.50 per watt. The cost has steadily decreased over a 5-6 year span. In 2005, the cost of solar panels was near $6.00 per watt. The overall cost goal of solar panels is focused on getting the price near $1.00 per watt. Since PV systems require no fuel costs and current standards for solar panel lifespan typically lasting 30 to 50 years, large scale investors in solar energy can see a return on investment within a 7 to 13 year span. As an outcome from these measures, it has been cost-effective for investors to install photovoltaics for free. In return, these investors require a long term power purchase agreement which is a 15 to 20 year contract between the electricity generator providerand a power purchase buyer.

Solar Applications

Current trends within solar energy tend to dictate how an application of solar energy is used. Solar technologies are largely categorized as passive technology or active technology. Passive solar technologies lean towards the selection of particular materials that are favorable towards thermal properties. Active solar technologies apply the use of photovoltaic panels, pumps, and fans to adapt radiant sunlight into a beneficial energy output. Active solar technologies are much more popular in terms of usage. Current applications include solar lighting, agriculture and horticulture, architectural planning, heating, cooling, ventilation, water treatment, and solar powered vehicles.

Solar Challenges

Solar energy’s challenge is the availability for nighttime use. Since solar energy isn’t readily available, the use of storage technologies must accompany the use of solar collection. A thermal mass system, which is a passive solar technology, is able to store solar energy that has been collected and converts the solar energy to a heat source. Some thermal mass systems are so efficient that solar energy can be collected and generate electricity at night or with cloudy weather.

Photovoltaic systems that aren’t tethered to an electrical grid conventionally used a system of rechargeable batteries to store the electrical energy collected. While with grid-tethered systems the converted electricity is sent back into the transmission grid. Since the power grid is storing electrical energy, no additional type of storage is needed. Overflow electricity from solar production is handled legally by ‘rolling back’ the meter every time a home produces more power than it consumes. Thermal mass systems regularly use commonly available materials with a high specific heat capacity such as water and earth resources.

The Future of Solar Technology

The future of solar technologies is bright indeed. Flexible thin-film solar cells technologies have the ability to bend freely and offer the same capabilities as current rigid model technologies. This flexible solar technology allows for more versatile uses for many new applications. A big leader in the use of this technology is the US military. Military items such as tents become self-reliant on energy when paired together with flexible solar technologies. In the case of production methods, solar technologies are seeing an increase in better photovoltaic materials. This allows for more cost effective manufacturing procedures which is then passed on to better pricing for consumers.

Proposed Focus Area



Arizona State University is the leading university for solar energy research. This is because Arizona has such an amazing access to sunlight. If a student within the technology entrepreneurship and management program were wanting focus their studies in solar energy, then their studies would be focused on the Alternative Energy focus area. A focus area must include 12 hours of classes that specifically deal with that students focused area. I student wanting to focus their studies on solar energy would most likely take these classes.
 * Alternative Energy Technology (ALT) 360: Renewable Energy Technology: Fundamentals and Integration
 * Alternative Energy Technology (ALT) 410: Solar Cell and Module
 * Operations Management Technology (OMT) 494: Design for the Developing World
 * Alternative Energy Technology (ALT) 494: Village Energy System

__Pre-requisites__ Mathematics- MAT 266: Calculus for Engineers II Physics - PHY 112: General Physics Chemistry - CHM 113: General Chemistry Microelectronics Engineering Technology - UET 331: Electronic Materials Electronic Systems Technology - EST 210: Circuit Analysis I

Sources

[] [] [] [] __Arizona State University - Professor Arunachalanadar Madakannan __ __ Arizona State University Industrial Liaison Officer – John Mitchell __

Bryan Azeka - TEM 194 - Spring 2012