Solar Energy Chapter 1 Introduction Dr.
Esam Ahmad
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 General introduction to renewable energy technologies
Sun: It is the only star in our solar system located. Planets of the solar system
including earth orbit the sun. Solar radiation from the sun’s surface supports all
forms of life on the earth and drives the earth’s climate and weather. The sun
consists of 74% Hydrogen and 24% Helium by mass. The sun surface temperature
is about 5500K giving it a white colour as it observed from the space. However, it
appears yellow on earth due to atmospheric scattering. The sun develops it energy
through the nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei to helium.
Energy from the sun can be utilized through various natural and synthetic
processes.
Example 1: photosynthesis process
Energy from sunlight is converted to chemical energy (in form of
glucose) in plants through the process of photosynthesis.
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Solar Energy Chapter 1 Introduction Dr.Esam Ahmad
Nowadays, many conventional sources of energy such as oil, coal, and
natural gas were originally generated by photosynthesis process followed
by complex chemical reactions at high pressure and temperature. Wood
Also, wind energy is originated from solar energy due to temperature
differences in various region of the earth. Tide energy
Example 2: drying and preserving food, evaporating sea water to produce
salt
Solar energy is clean and has no impact on the environment. On the other
hand, burning fossil fuel causes environmental pollution.
Proven world reserves of fossil fuels in 2009 are shown in the table[1]:
Fossil fuel type Proven reserve Production rate/ day Remaining time
Oil 1341 billion barrels 87.4 million barrels 42
Natural gas 178.3 trillion m3 9.05 billion m3 54
Coal 948,000 million tons 21.9 million tons 120
Due to limited reserves of oil and NG, their prices will increase rapidly as
the reserves decrease. Therefore, energy prices will increase continuously
in the future. Therefore, renewable energy will be competitive with
conventional energy.
Other usages of solar energy include
- growing food (crops)
- drying cloths
- generating power and electricity
- heating and cooling buildings (actively or passively).
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Solar Energy Chapter 1 Introduction Dr.Esam Ahmad
- heating water for domestic and industrial applications
- desalinating water
-operating engines, pumps, and refrigerators
- chemical applications
1.2 Energy demand and renewable energy
Energy demand is expected to increase in the future to meet the demands
of expanding economies of the countries worldwide, even though
consistent efforts are directed to reduce energy demand by increasing the
energy use efficiency. Renewable energy technologies can fulfill
considerable portion of the growing demand of energy at competing price.
Selecting type of alternative energy source (solar, wind, …..etc) should be
based on economic, environmental, and safety considerations. “ Because
of the desirable environmental and safety aspects it is widely believed that
solar energy should be utilized instead of other alternative energy forms
because it can be provided sustainably without harming the environment”
[1].
Expected contribution of renewable energy by the middle 21th century [1]
Contribution of RE
Electricity market 3/5
Fuel market 2/5
This could be associated with other non-monetary benefits such as
reducing carbon dioxide CO2 emissions by 75% compared to levels of
1985.
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Solar Energy Chapter 1 Introduction Dr.Esam Ahmad
Furthermore, renewable energy systems benefits from modern
developments in various sciences such electronics, biotechnology, and
material.
Example Fuel cell and space program
Small size of most renewable energy systems can allow the renewable
energy technologies to progress faster than conventional energy
technologies.
The key elements to renewable energy –intensive future (Johanson et al.,
1993):
1- There would be a diversity of energy sources. (biomass, intermittent (
solar and wind) renewable energy, and geothermal in addition to
conventional energy sources)
2- Emphasis would be given to efficient mixing of renewable and
conventional energy supplies.
3- Biomass technologies would be used widely to produce liquid and
gaseous fuels which could be converted to electricity.
4- Intermittent renewable energy sources would fulfill considerable
portion of demand of electricity at competing cost without the need
for new electrical storage technologies.
5- Natural gas would play an important role in supporting renewable
energy industries. Example (NG-fired turbines + intermittent RE )
6- Intensive progress in renewable energy would stabilize energy prices
by diversifying energy suppliers .
7- Most generated electricity using RE technologies would be supplied
to large electrical grids without using electrical storage.
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Solar Energy Chapter 1 Introduction Dr.Esam Ahmad
1.3 Energy-related environmental problems
Combustion of fossil fuels is a significant source of various conventional
environmental pollutants such as carbon dioxide CO2, carbon monoxide
CO, sulfur dioxide SO2, and nitrogen oxides NOx. Emissions of these
pollutants increase as the consumption of energy generated from fossil
fuels keeps increasing. For example, the world oil consumption increases
from 87.4 million barrels/day in 2011 to 97.3 million barrels/day in 2022.
The major sectors consuming energy sources include electrical power,
transportation, heating, and industry. This increase is driven by growing
population of the world, 7.05 billion in 2011 to 7.95 in 2022, as well as
expanding economies. Today’s proven reserves of oil and NG could be
consumed with in a half century. This would increase the demand on coal
which has the most negative effects on the environment compared to oil
and NG. Three fossil fuel related environmental problems are presented
below.
1.3.1 Acid rain
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) generated from burning
fossil fuel are transported over long distance through the atmosphere and
deposited via precipitation on earth causing damage to ecosystem that is
vulnerable to excessive acidity.
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Solar Energy Chapter 1 Introduction Dr.Esam Ahmad
1.3.2 Ozone layer depletion
The ozone layer (O3) in the stratosphere absorbs most of the ultraviolet
(UV) radiation [0.24-0.32 μm] and part of the infrared (IR) radiation
maintaining a natural equilibrium for the earth. Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), halons (chlorinated and brominated organic compounds), and
nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with ozone layer of the stratosphere and
depleting it. As the ozone layer depleting, more ultraviolet (UV) radiation
can reach the ground causing harmful effects to humans and many
biological species. [ozone hole over Antarctica was 3 million km2 in 1993 and became
26.15 million km2 in 2023]
