San Carlos University of Guatemala
Faculty of Engineering
School of Sciences
Technical English 3
Section N
Date: 2/11/2022
Final Project Report
the Solar Energy
ID Number Name
202100488 DENIS DAVID CHOPOX TELEGUARIO
201809579 JENIFER NICOLE CATALAN BARILLAS
INDEX
INTRODUCTION 3
OBJECTIVES 4
General Objective 4
Specific Objectives 4
ABOUT THE TOPIC 4
Solar Energy 4
Solar Radiation 5
Direct Radiation 5
Reflected Radiation 6
Diffuse Radiation 6
Photoelectric Effect 6
Usage of Solar Energy on Earth: Photovoltaic Panels 6
Current and Voltage curve in a Photovoltaic Panel 7
Concentrators 8
Corrugated concentrators 9
Flat concentrators 9
Laboratory model. Design of an efficient solar panel 9
Structure Design 9
CONCLUSIONS 11
ANNEXES 12
REFERENCES 14
INTRODUCTION
Solar energy is one of the most abundant sources of energy available to mankind. If
a person could use all the energy received from the sun in one day, he or she could
cover all of the earth's energy needs for a year or more. For this reason, a thorough
understanding of the transport and behavior of solar energy through mathematical
modeling is needed to develop more efficient ways of utilizing this energy source.
This energy has always been used on Earth and is known to be the backbone of life.
However, it was not until 1839 that Edmund Becquerel discovered the photoelectric
effect, which defines the relationship between electric current when exposed to light
or radiant energy. From there, many other scientists began to file patents and
develop technologies that could harness solar energy. In this project, we are trying to
identify mathematical models that describe the motion and properties of solar
energy; furthermore, these models help explain some phenomena occurring on
Earth, such as global warming; and identify better ways to capture solar energy. By
analyzing the performance of solar energy, it is possible to determine how to reduce
the negative impact and the positive side. Therefore, in this report we look at the
work of several physicists and scientists who have developed mathematical models,
explain them in a more accessible way, and add some that can more intuitively
describe solar energy. A simple example of behavior is on the way. to the earth. As a
result, we found several mathematical models that describe the motion of photons as
they travel through space toward Earth, models that describe how they interact with
the Earth's atmosphere and surface, and how solar energy interacts in solar panels.
Converted into other energy that can be used by humans.
OBJECTIVES
General Objective
● Describe the theoretical foundations of the transmission of solar energy on
our planet.
Specific Objectives
● Establish the main concepts about solar energy and its motion.
● Explain the equations or functions that describe the movement of solar
energy.
● Explain a basic laboratory demonstration of the movement of solar energy.
ABOUT THE TOPIC
Solar Energy
The energy coming from the Sun is emitted in the form of electromagnetic waves,
allowing life to exist on Earth. The Sun is located 149.6 kilometers away from Earth,
and inside it more than 4 million tons of matter (hydrogen and helium) are
fussionated every second to transform those atoms into energy (National
Geographic Society, 2012).
There exists two main types of energy that can be obtained from the Sun:
photovoltaic energy, energy obtained from solar radiation; and solar-thermal energy,
obtained by generating energy from the heat generated in liquids, and then
transforming vapor into electrical energy. In this investigation, we are going to focus
on photovoltaic solar energy (National Geographic Society, 2012).
Solar Radiation
By nuclear fusion, energy is emitted in the form of electromagnetic waves of
particles, and this energy reaches Earth. The amount of energy that reaches Earth
depends on the composition of the atmosphere, and when it reaches Earth it is
known as solar irradiation and it is measured by the solar potency by unit of area
[W/m^2]. Solar irradiation varies from the position and rotation of Earth, but its
average on Earth’s surface is around 1000 W/m^2. Solar irradiation also reaches its
peak value on clear days (National Geographic Society, 2012).
Figure I. Graph showing the different types of solar irradiations.
Source:(Ortiz & Parra, 2019)
Direct Radiation
Occurs where there are no particles in between the path of the electromagnetic
waves coming from the Sun.
Reflected Radiation
Occurs when there are dense clouds, or when direct radiation reaches the soil. A
part of the radiation is absorbed by the Earth surface (or the clouds) and the
remaining radiation is reflected in other directions.
Diffuse Radiation
Occurs when there are particles in between the trajectory of the direct radiation,
causing the electromagnetic waves to change their direction, but not in a way that it
is completely reflected.
Photoelectric Effect
This effect is the base of the generation of electrical energy by the use of solar
panels to take advantage of the solar radiation. It was one of the most important
researches made by Albert Einstein, and the reason for him to obtain the Nobel’s
Prize of Physics in 1921.
If solar energy is analyzed in the form of waves, it can be measured in the form of
quantum of lights called photons. Therefore, the energy of photons can be
measured.
Also, if this energy reaches certain materials electrons detach and start to circulate,
provoking an electrical current. The current and voltage generated depends on the
energy of the electrons detached from the material. And this energy is the difference
between the photons reaching the material and the energy necessary to detach
them.
Usage of Solar Energy on Earth: Photovoltaic Panels
It is made up of photovoltaic cells whose size ranges same that consists of a
semiconductor material, usually Silicon but in a clearly crystalline state, because it is
capable of transforming solar radiation into electrical energy. Photovoltaic cells are
composed of two layers: one of type "n" (electron free) that originates from the
atomic bond of silicon with phosphorus and another type "p" (available hole) whose
origin comes from the atomic bond of silicon (Si) with boron (B). When solar radiation
is incident on the n-layer, the electrons scatter in order to find an equilibrium, while in
the p-layer they detect a region where holes are not available. The union of the two
layers produces an electric field and by means of an external conductor that
connects the negative layer with the positive one, the electrons circulate (current
electric)
A photovoltaic panel is made up of the union of photovoltaic cells connected in
series-parallel, located on a metal plate very well covered by a thermal insulator.
These cells, the same ones that are protected by anti-reflective glass and sealed by
a perimeter frame of tempered glass that serves as protection. The purpose of that
union is to increase the electrical energy but it is affected by the variation of incident
solar radiation and the internal temperature of the photovoltaic panel.
When coupling photovoltaic panels through series and parallel configurations, the
electrical energy will increase linearly, due to variations in voltage and current, where
it must be taken into account that the series connection increases the voltage while
maintaining
constant the current, while the parallel connection will increase the current keeping
the voltage constant. The useful life is approximately 25 years, after which the
performance decreases.
Types Characteristics Performance
Monocrystalline Pure crystallization process 16%
Polycrystalline Different crystallization process 14%
Amorphous Null Crystallization process, not very commercial 5%
Current and Voltage curve in a Photovoltaic Panel
The characteristic voltage, current and power values of a photovoltaic panel are a
function of temperature and solar irradiation. These electrical magnitudes are
represented by graphs which can be seen in the figure.
It is known as an open circuit when V = Voc, the panel voltage is maximum and its
current is almost zero. If the panel is connected with almost zero resistance, the
voltage is minimum and the current is called short circuit current ISC reaching its
current maximum.
As can be seen in figure 2.7, there are maximum values, both for voltage and
current, and at these values the panel does not generate energy, therefore a value
must be found.point (Vmp;Imp) where the maximum power Pmp generated by the
panel is obtained. The generated photocurrent is obtained from the following
equation:
Concentrators
Solar concentrators are devices composed of reflective materials that can be:
parabolic or flat mirrors and concentrating lenses, whose objective is to increase the
value of the irradiance, diverting the light from the surface to another, generally
smaller.
There are two types of concentrators: the focus and the fixed ones, where the focus
ones consist of a precise orientation and with great accuracy to follow the Sun and
the fixed ones allow to increase the intensity of solar radiation whose receiver angle
is large, therefore which allows you to have greater uptake. The main advantages of
solar concentrators is the reduction of investment costs, due to the price of the
reflecting surface, which is cheaper than an absorber.
Corrugated concentrators
The corrugated packaging supply chain has always been under pressure to reduce
lead times and minimum production order quantities, coupled with handling more
products and SKUs than ever before. Corrugated board converters are faced with an
increasing need to reduce supply chain inventory, in order to reduce costs and
waste, thereby improving environmental practices. At the same time, full color
printing, personalization and variable data printing for traceability present high value-
added market opportunities.
Flat concentrators
Flat concentrators are the easiest to design and most affordable, since most are
designed with mirrors or aluminum; These concentrators have a very large angle of
capture and low concentration, whose orientation must be horizontal from east to
west. Mirror concentrators have been designed where the light falls in a range from 0
to the largest acceptance angle following the laws of reflection.
As can be seen in the figure, the radiation is reflected by a horizontal mirror towards
a collector located at an angle Beta.
Laboratory model. Design of an efficient solar panel
In this section, the mathematical model of the reflective structure is determined,
applying the concepts of analytical geometry and trigonometry, in order to obtain the
limits and the general equation that determines the proposed reflective structure.
Structure Design
Initially, a structure is proposed with which it is intended to increase the radiation that
falls on the panel through a set of reflectors, which have certain dimensions and
must be located at a certain angle so that they project on the surface. panel surface
as much radiation as possible (Ortiz & Parra, 2019).
The following figure shows the 2D structure, detailing the dimensions to be
considered in order to carry out the respective calculations and thus obtain the
length data and established angles.
To better explain the analysis, the structure will be divided into two parts which are
shown in the figure.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Through research on Solar Power Transmission Modeling, it was learned that
photovoltaic systems are in a great electrical boom. For developing countries,
such as a large part of all of Latin America, it can be of great help because it
is feasible since it is a fairly affordable option, and its installation is not very
complex and a lot of energy can be collected for effective use.
2. The mathematical model of the reflective structure allows determining how
much surface can be increased to capture enough solar radiation, so that it
can be projected on the panel without shading problems. In addition, the
equations that allow obtaining the specific dimensions of all the materials that
are required to build a prototype have been proposed, thanks to the field of
mathematics and physics, all the calculations made are exact using theory
and fundamentals.
3. The implementation of the proposed system does not present representative
economic advantages in its useful life, but it does represent savings on the
ground since, when compared to another system, the proposed system
occupies only half. This saving of land could allow the development of another
proposed system and in this way, the economic advantage would begin to be
considered.
4. With the mathematical model, simulations were made which resulted that if
you work with high temperatures, the increase factor is reduced, since the
increase in radiation on the surface of the panel directly affects the
temperature, which in turn affects the final power of the panel. . Solar energy
will always be important for our lives, and using a model like the one
presented, large amounts of energy can be gathered, which, in turn, can
supply large sources of energy.
ANNEXES
Graphic 1. Comparisson between a normal solar panel, and the proposed solar
panel
Source: (Ortiz & Parra, 2019)
REFERENCES
BBVA. “What are solar panels, how do they work and what is their future?”
https://www.bbva.com/es/sostenibilidad/que-son-los-paneles-solares-como-
funcionan-y-cual-es-su-futuro/.
Jorge Aguilera Leocadio Hontoria. “Dimensioning of photovoltaic systems
freelancers.”
https://manuelberaun.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/dimensionado-de-sfv-
autonomos.pdf.
Oriol Planas. “Solar energy.” Photovoltaic panel, 2 September 2015,
https://solar-energia.net/energia-solar-fotovoltaica/elementos/panel-
fotovoltaico.
National Geographic Society. (2012, 14 noviembre). solar energy.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/solar-energy/
