Tag: Solar energy

Concentrated solar power

Concentrated solar power

02/06/17

“Is there a way to generate solar power without using photovoltaics?”

Solar PV systems are one of the most ingenious gifts that technologists have bestowed upon humanity. However, engineers are a rather creative people and like to do the same thing in multiple ways. So how can we “re-invent the wheel” when it comes to solar power? Well, we know that the sun produces sun rays. And if we focus these sun rays onto a focal point, then a large amount of energy can be transferred to an object that point. So what if we were to take a large array of concave lenses, focus all of the sunlight onto a source of water, and use the resulting energy to turn said water into steam to drive a turbine that generates electricity? This is the operating principle behind a system known as concentrated solar power and is commonly used in highly irradiated areas such as California, Spain, and South Africa.

Floating solar arrays

Floating solar arrays

01/18/17

“How can we achieve greater efficiency of solar arrays using water?”

Solar panel arrays are some of the most benevolent technologies in existence. However, they can often require large parcels of land, which could be expensive and take away from the possibility of being used for other activities. So how can we use our engineering mindset to circumvent this issue? Well, if our main quandary is that solar panels take up a large amount of land, why not take them off land? Specifically, what if we were to create solar panels designed to float on water? This is the operating principle behind floating photovoltaics (also known as “floatovoltaics”), which use a specialized form of solar panels placed in water reservoirs to generate clean electricity for the local area. Floating solar arrays are more efficient than traditional models and can be hidden from the public view, but designers of such systems must take into consideration the effects of increased wind speeds over water and the local habitat. Companies around the world are already suiting to take up the challenge of implementing these systems, with Kyocera of Japan, Sonomoa clean power of California, and Infratech industries of Australia investing money to build these models.

Spherical Sun Power Generators

Spherical Sun Power Generators

“Is the only thing we need for the next solar power revolution just a simple change of geometry?”
The current design of solar panels have a distinct bottleneck; their rectangular geometry leaves them inefficient for obtaining solar power from the sun since the sun’s rays will be in a sub-optimal direction for most of the time. Solar trackers can also be inefficient and are prone to damage in the rain, so how can we completely transform the way we collect solar power? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to figure this out. Our goal is to make the design of our solar producing unit so that the sun can be in an optimal angle at all times. If we think back to our geometry class, then we will remember that a sphere is symmetric from all directions. With this knowledge, the German architect Andre Broessel created a Spherical Sun Power Generator. The setup works as follows: A supporting structure will house a spherical lens. This spherical lens will have a dual tracking system structure at the back of it. In this tracking system will be solar cells, which will receive ample sunlight as a result of the focusing effect from the spherical lens. These spherical sun power generators allow for twice the conventional yield in a much smaller surface area, allowing it to even absorb the reflected sun light from the moon!

Grid-tied inverters

Grid-tied inverters

01/03/17

“How do solar panels connect to the main electrical grid?”

Residential solar panels are one of the hottest technologies on the market right now, with a 119% growth rate in the United States alone! However, this most innovative work of machinery comes with one contention. Solar cells will produce DC electricity, while the national grid is structured by AC electricity. Not only that, but solar panels may not be able to power the entirety of your residential unit, especially during power fluctuations. So how can we integrate this technology to achieve technological feasibility? Well, instead of just giving up, let’s be proactive and use our engineering mindsets to solve this problem. Fundamentally, we need some sort of component that can take in DC electricity and convert it into AC electricity. Well, thanks to the hard work of many researchers, a device known as a grid-tied inverter has been produced for this need. Grid-tied inverters will take the direct current electricity generated and convert it into alternating current electricity in sync with the surrounding grid. This technology is not only environmentally but economically green since any excess electricity generated will be sent over the grid, in which the local electric company will be obligated to remunerate you for the electricity being generated. Furthermore, if your housing unit is in need of electricity, then it will be able to siphon energy from the larger grid to complete your needs. There is one drawback to grid-tied inverters however. Due to the connected nature of the technology, when there is a grid blackout, and no micro-grid is present, your solar cells will be shut down as well, impeding a true self-sustaining system.

Solar cells

Solar cells

12/26/16

“How do solar panels produce energy?”

If you live in a sunny part of the world (such as California) then you probably have seen solar panels installed for all sorts of purposes. However, have you ever wondered what exactly causes them to work? Well, let’s explore. If we look closely, then it turns out that solar panels are composed of small solar cells stacked in arrays. These solar cells have semiconductors embedded in their build, so any photons that hit the solar panel will be absorbed. These photons will excite the electrons of this semiconductor to move, inducing a current. This current can then be used to power electrical devices, therefore enabling solar power generation!

Thin film solar cells

Thin film solar cells

12/25/16

“How can we make solar cells that are 350 times smaller than average?”

Most traditional solar panels rely on crystalline technologies for their embedded framework. However, is there a different way to manufacture solar cells altogether, and what are the side effects? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to build this new technology. We know, that the beating heart of every solar panel is the semi-conductor technology that converts light into energy. So what if we were to take a thin layer of small semi-conductors (such as cadmium-telluride[CdTe], and then deposit it onto a transparent substrate material such as metal, plastic, or glass? This is the operating principle behind thin film solar cells, whose manufacturing process results in a cheaper, smaller (around 350 times smaller in thickness) and flexible build but less efficient and heat resistant as well.

Polycrystalline solar panels

Polycrystalline solar panels

12/24/16

“How can we make the fabrication process for solar panels less expensive?”
Although monocrystalline solar panels are very useful devices, they might be too costly for an engineering team’s budget. So how can we create a less expensive fabrication process for solar panels? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to think about it. Much of the expense of monocrystalline solar panels comes from the waste generation during the ingot creation process, so wouldn’t it be logical to change this aspect? Specifically, instead of crystallizing the silicon, we pour it into a square cast to let it cool down? This is the fundamental idea behind the creation of polycrystalline solar panels. As a result of this manufacturing process, not only do these solar panels tend to have a flat, matte dark blue look to them, but they also happen to be cheaper than monocrystalline solar panels but simultaneously less efficient.

Monocrystalline solar panels

Monocrystalline solar panels

12/23/16

“What is the most efficient type of solar panel?”

When looking to purchase solar panels, you will be confronted with many possible options. One of these will be the type of solar panel that you plan to use. And as such, you might be curious, which version is the most efficient one available? Well, let’s think about how we could optimize the process. Solar panels are made out of silicon. One way to obtain the material we need to make solar panels is to take silicon rocks, melt them at their melting point of 1370 degrees celsius, and then lower a seed crystal into the liquid silicon, and then pull it up while rotating a crystal to form a silicon ingot. We can then cut this ingot in to wafers, which can then be fashioned together to make a monocrystalline solar panels.Monocrystalline solar panels can be easily identified by their black coloring and their rounded wafers. Not only does their fabrication process make monocrystalline solar panels the most energy efficient on the market, but they are also the most space-efficient, the most heat resistant, as well as the longest lasting. However, one must keep in mind that there are some deficiencies, as this process is very wasteful as well as expensive.

Solar outlets

Solar outlets

12/21/16

“How can we use sunlight to create an electrical outlet?”

It is well known that items powered by solar energy have a much cleaner impact on the environment. However, most of our electricity in our homes comes defiling non-renewable resources. So how can we replace our outlets with solar power alltogether? Well, let’s think about it. First, we need to obtain sunlight to create power. Well, In our homes, sun light often comes in through transparent windows. So what if we were to attach a suction-based device on to a window, attach a small solar panel to it, and then add on a electricity storing unit and outlet? This is the operating principle behind a solar outlet, and they are a most intriguing and practial way to make your home a greener place.