This chapter discusses the primary utilization of solar energy, its storage, its advantages, and disadvantages, and it explains several solar devices to understand the concept better.
1.2.1. Solar photovoltaic principles The working principle of solar PV (SPV) cells is based on the PV or photoelectric effect for semiconductor materials. These formulate that, in certain circumstances, an electron (e −) of a semiconductor material can absorb an energy packet known as photon.
How solar energy is generated?
The PV technology convert visible spectrum to electricity and thermal collectors use both infrared and visible spectrum for energy generation. So the energy generation from solar radiation can be in the form of electrical energy or thermal Energy. The various conversion paths of solar energy is described in the Fig.2
The generation of thermal energy from solar can be realized using various solar reflecting collectors. Most of the technology works on the principle of reflection, radiation and convention or based on the thermosiphon effect. Sun is a gigantic star, with diameter of 1.4 million kilometer releasing electromagnetic energy of about 3.8 x 1020 MW.
What are the three basic principles used for solar space heating?
The three basic principles used for solar space heating are Collection of solar radiation by solar collectors and conversion to thermal energy Storage of solar thermal energy in water tanks, rock bins,etc. Distribution by means of active (pumps) or passive (gravity) methods. 5.6 Principle of solar dryer
When was solar energy invented?
... Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is a renewable energy source that is both abundant and clean. In 1839, the photovoltaic was first introduced by Henri Becquerel, but the first p-n junction solar cell was invented in 1940 at Bell's lab by Russell Shoemaker Ohl .
... He found that, through the PV effect, solar energy can be captured by a semiconductor device and thus the device was named as PV device. In 1894, Fritts created the first PV cell with an efficiency of 1% .