A Review Article on Electricity Generation from Solar Energy

A Review Article on Electricity Generation from Solar Energy

Abstract:

The solar energy produced by sunlight is renewable non-vanishing source of energy which is eco-friendly. The solar energy can be used to meet the energy demands of the world for a whole year. This solar energy is produced as per its demand in commercial, industrial and residential fields. It can easily be generated directly from sunlight. So it is very efficient and not associated with any environmental pollution. This review article is concerned with the solar energy from sunlight and its future aspects and trends. The article also tries to cover the working and types of solar panels and their applications and also various methods for promoting the benefits of solar energy.

Keywords: Renewable energy, Photo-voltaic cell, Solar panel, Modelling of PV Panel, Solar Concrete Collector

I. INTRODUCTION

The last ten years have become more important for per watt cost of solar energy device because of decreasing amount of renewable energy sources. It is growing as better technology in terms of cost as well as applications and certainly set to become economical in the coming years. The sunlight that earth receives every day is approximately above 1366 W. So an unlimited source of energy is available without any cost. The solar energy also has major advantage over other conventional source of power generations that it can be produced directly from sunlight by using smallest photo-voltaic cells. A large number of research activities have been carried out to develop solar cells, panels, and modules with high converting forms. Furthermore, solar energy demands lower manpower expenses as compared to conventional energy production technologies.

 II. SOLAR ENERGY

The amount of energy present in the form of radiations and heat is termed as solar energy as shown in fig.1. The heat and the radiant light from the sun is a natural source of energy based on a wide range of ever changing and developing technologies such as solar architecture, solar thermal energy, molten solar power plant, solar heating and artificial photosynthesis. The availability of solar energy on large magnitude provides highly appealing source of electricity. Only 30% of solar energy is returned back to space while the rest solar radiations are absorbed by clouds, ocean and masses.

Figure 1 Internal of Reaction of Solar energy

III. WORKING OF SOLAR ENERGY

Sunlight is converted to Direct current electricity by photovoltaic cell PV. The power from solar panel is controlled by charge controller which controls the power from reverse back in order to avoid panel damage. The electric power stored in battery is used in the absence of sunlight such as at night. Inverter connected to this system converts the Direct current (DC) into Alternating current (AC).

Figure 2 Working of solar energy

IV. MODELING OF PV PANEL

A. Solar Cell (Photovoltaic Cell)

Photovoltaic cells converts the solar radiations directly into electricity. It composition contains different kinds of semiconductor materials.  It may be of two types based on either positive charge or negative charge as shown in fig.1. Low cost and high conversion efficiency can be achieved by designing solar cells based on this cell technology. The photons of sunlight absorbed by the cell knocked out the electrons from silicon atom and are absorbed by a grid of metal conductors and produces a flow of electric direct current. Solar cell PV are composed of various chemicals.

Figure 3. Operation of Photovoltaic Cell

B. Photovoltaic Module

Solar cell circuits are sealed in an eco-friendly laminate and are the basic building blocks of PV system. Their general sizes are from 60W to 170W. Generally, the arrangement involves a large number of PV modules in series and parallel to fulfil the energy requirements.

C. Photovoltaic Panel

It consists of one or more PV modules arranged as a pre-wind, field instable unit. In this panel the arrangement of PV cells are in series connection. Solar panels are composed of individual PV cells that are linked together.

Figure 5. Photovoltaic Panel

D. Photovoltaic Array

It consists of several number of PV cells in parallel and series connection. Voltage of the module is increased by series connection whereas current in the array is increased by parallel voltage. During full sunshine, it can generate maximum 180W. The production of solar electricity is directly related to the total surface area. Greater the surface area, greater will be the production of solar electricity.

Figure 6. Photovoltaic array

V. SOLAR CONCRETE COLLECTORA. PARABOLIC TROUGH REFLECTORS

It consists of linear parabolic reflector that concentrates light onto a receiver that is positioned along the focal line of the reflector. It contains a receiver that is a tube placed directly above the middle of the parabolic mirror and fluid that is working fluid. When working fluid flows through the receiver, it is heated at 150-350 degree Celsius and then used as a source of heat for power generation system.

Figure 7. Parabolic Trough Reflectors

B. Fresnel

In a Fresnel lens, the surface is designed to produce refraction, while the large material between the two surfaces does not have any hindrance in the refraction. It has role in raising the temperature further and also in heating of furnace. The surface modification of metallic material can be out by its installation. The application of solar energy in the field of high and very high temperature can be carried out by this equipment. This equipment can achieve that temperature within a few seconds. The reflective area can be reduced by 34.3% by Fresnel concentrator as compared to a parabolic of same diameter. The manual adjustment in order to track the sun requires a 20 minutes series of action and has been proved to be a major disadvantage with this device.1888

Figure 8. Fresnel Reflector

C. Parabolic Dish

It is identical in appearance to a large satellite dish, but contains mirror like reflectors and absorber working as the focal point. It utilized dual axial sun tracking. The efficiency of 30% can be achieved by it. MW level in the solar planet has been produced by this dish. This is one of the highest conversion performance of the concentration solar power technology.

Figure 9. Parabolic Dish

D. Central Receiver

It usually utilized in large scale plants that are generally generating the more amount power. It also termed as “Power Tower”. It works by focusing a field of thousand number of mirrors on to a receiver positioned at the top of a centrally located Tower. The receiver receives the sun’s heat transfer fluid, which is employed to generate stream turbine positioned at the foot of the tower for generation of Electricity.

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VI. MERITS OF SOLAR ENERGY

Up to 20% of the energy cost can be saved by using solar energy. It can be employed in remote locations. It has easy installation without requirement of any cords, wires etc. Rooftop is used for its generation and there is no need of new and every commercial or domestic user can generate their own electricity. It is generated from the widely available sunlight without any cost, eco-friendly and renewable energy source. It does not need any additional fuel, because it does not has any additional moving parts other than sunlight to generate power. It does not has any need of fuel and water.

VII. DEMERITS OF SOLAR ENERGY

It cannot generate power in the absence of sunlight. It has high initial cost. It needs more space to generate large amount power. Inverter is required for alternating Direct current and also its storage is required at night. The production of PV systems having single silicon crystals is challenging technically and energy and time consuming.

VIII. APPLICATIONS OF SOLAR ENERGY

.

It is utilized in many applications including

Ø electricity

Ø evaporation

Ø heating water

Ø heating and cooling of buildings

Ø water pumping

Ø cooking food etc.

Figure 11 Application for heating water Figure 12 Application for Water pumping Fig.13.Application for cooking food

IX. CONCLUSION

Solar energy is now becoming more popular because of its economic benefits. Solar energy can give electricity 24x7, even at night and on cloudy days by on battery backup. Continuous power supply can be managed by using with inter-grid system. It has more benefits in comparison to various other forms of energy such as petroleum deposits and fossil fuels. It is an alternative which is consistent and promise in order to fulfil the high energy demand. Research on solar energy and solar cells is on the way for further future perspectives worldwide.

REFERENCES

[1] Shruti Sharma, Kamlesh Kumar Jain, Ashutosh Sharma a review on “Solar Cells: In Research and Applications”,Materials Sciences and Applications, 2015, 6,1145-1155 Published December 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/msa.2015.612113

[2] Askari Mohammad Bagher, Mirzaei Mahmoud Abadi Vahid, Mirhabibi Mohsen. “Types of Solar Cells and Application”. American Journal of Optics and

Photonics.Vol. 3, No. 5, 2015, pp. 94-113. doi: 10.11648/j.ajop.20150305.17

[3] Book of “Wind and Solar Power Plants” by Mukund Patel, CRC Press

[5] Book of “Solar Energy” by Dr. S. P. Sukhatme. Tata McGraw Hill Publication.

[6] Gaurav A. Madhugiri, S. R. Karale, “High solar energy concentration with a Fresnel lens: A Review”Vol.2, Issue.3, May-June 2012 pp-1381-1385 ISSN: 2249-6645.