Introduction

Solar Wonders, 2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
1
Introduction to
Solar Energy

An overview of
the
technologies
and
applications

2
On July 4, 1997, the Pathfinder spacecraft bounced
to a stop on Mars. The next day, the rover
Sojourner rolled out of one of the lander petals
onto the surface of the planet to begin its mission
of exploration.

3

Sojourner was able to move around the planet and
examine rocks like this one named Yogi located
20 feet from the Pathfinder lander thanks to
the power generated by the solar panel on its
back.
4

To many students, exciting projects like
this are what solar energy is all about.

But there really is much more to solar
energy technologies, how they are being
used, and how they impact our lives today.
This presentation will introduce you to the
entire field of solar energy.

Dramatic as this was, it was just one use
of solar energy.
5
Lets begin our overview of
solar energy by asking:
What do you see here?

Take a close look
is this the profile of a
beautiful young lady,
or the face of an ugly,
old woman?

Theyre both here, but for
a variety of reasons that
make up your own
individual psychological
make-up, some of you see
one woman, some the
other.
6

When people think of solar
energy, the same thing often
happens. Some see it as
something for the future,
others see it as something
that is here today.

7
If you think solar energy is something
to be used in the future . . .
you may be picturing
something like this
solar array used by
the space shuttle to
provide for power
needs in outer space.
There are people who
think that solar
energy is something
not quite down-to-
earth and not ready
to use today.
8
However, there are other people who think of
solar energy as something thats been around for a
long time.

Solar collector for
heating water
A home in California in 1906
9
For hundreds of years, people have wanted to harness
the suns power for weapons, heating, and many other
uses to make their lives more comfortable.
10

Actually, the first solar water heating
collector appears to have been built
in the 18
th
Century by a Swiss
scientist who constructed a simple
wooden box with a glass top and a
black base. It trapped solar energy,
and the collector reached a
temperature of 190 degrees
Fahrenheit.
11
So which view of solar energy
-- for the future or for today
is correct?
Probably a little of both.

Solar energy will certainly play an important
role in the future energy needs of our
planet, but its also here today and ready
for hundreds of uses in homes, businesses,
and industry.
12

The sun is an inexhaustible power
supply. It brings enough energy to our
planet every single day to meet a full
years worth of energy for everyone on
Earth.

And during the past century back to 1891,
in fact, when the first solar collector was
manufactured in the United States, U.S.
industry has developed a variety of
products that have proven both reliable
and cost-effective in meeting all kinds of
energy needs.
13
The batteries in this solar-powered light in a
remote part of Key West, Florida, are charged by
the sun during the day to provide power for street
lighting at night.

14

But to many
people, solar power
today means just
reliable
calculators,
watches and other
simple home
products like this
lantern that use
solar power
instead of
electricity to
charge the
batteries.
15

They dont realize that millions of
people around the world use
solar energy because it is the
only available, reliable power
source for many of their basic
needs such as lighting and water
pumping.
16

Meanwhile, do-it-yourselfers
have long tried to build their
own solar systems to take
advantage of the free power
provided by the sun . . .
17
The owner of a small laundry in northern Florida
tried to build his own concentrating system for
water heating. (We dont know if the sign in the
background was put up before or after this
homemade system was built.)

18
But we do know that growing public concern
about environmental problems . . .

19
including global warming, acid rain and toxic air
emissions, has in recent years turned a great deal
of attention to environmentally friendly solar
energy systems.
20

The nonrenewable sources we use
today including coal, oil, kerosene,
diesel, propane and natural gas are
all limited in availability, and are also
partly to blame
2007 Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida.
21
Meanwhile, there is one energy source that is free
and inexhaustible. Its like a giant nuclear reactor
only this one is located 93 million miles away.

22

Its not uncommon
around the world to
see solar systems
used along with the
traditional ways of
life to become an
integral part of
peoples lives.
23
The house of the future?
This zero-energy
house in the
Netherlands has
30m
2
of PV panels
for power
generation and
12m
2
of solar
collectors for
water and space
heating.
24
No matter what the future will be like, one thing is
for certain: some type of energy will be needed to
power it.

25
What will that energy source be?
The answer ought to be obvious.

Its been up there all the time.
26
Discussion Questions
Why do you think solar energy is not used
more today?
Do you think governments should adopt
measures to use more solar energy in the
future, or rely on fossil fuels as long as
they are available?
What are some of the economic, social,
and environmental issues involved in the
use of solar energy?

Introduction

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Solar Wonders, 2007 Florida Solar Energy Center

You might also like