Combined Solar Energy System

Methodology
Combined Solar Energy System
The solar cogeneration system which has been decided to be installed at Pasta Factory has
operations similar to traditional CHP. This system best suits those facilities wherein hot water is
used in huge volumes daily (Allouhi, 2019). The conventional CHP systems use the waste heat
which is generated via natural gas turbines (while generating electricity) to heat water. Though
the operating manner of solar cogeneration is somewhat similar, non-renewable resources are not
utilized by it. Therefore, solar cogeneration can be executed by those industries which are
habitual to conventional cogeneration. Minimized emissions of greenhouse gases and stability in
energy prices are benefits of solar cogeneration as against the conventional cogeneration. The
solar energy availability also tends to match with the greatest hours of demand.
Capturing as well as transforming sunlight into both hot water as well as electricity, solar
cogeneration minimizes the GHG emissions far quickly in comparison to the traditional
systems, therefore best serving the consumers having love towards a sustainable
environment. In respect to the industrial/commercial scale consumers, solar cogeneration
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has turned out to be one of the most cost-efficient solar energy choices owing to the
amalgamation of PV and SHW into 1 single system. Utilizing 86% of the energy sent by
the sun, solar cogeneration gains extra heat (which is scattered as waste by the basic PV
panels) and sends it at a distance from the solar collector for generating beneficial hot
water (DinAli & Dincer, 2019).
There is a liquid under the PV cells which is made up of anti-freeze as well as corrosion
detergent. This liquid is channelled to minimal millimetres in the cells’ back for heat
absorption. This undertakes water heating simultaneous to cell cooling. 4-10% excessive
electricity can be generated via cooling of the PV cells.
When compared with some other solar system tech., these systems offer 3times more
efficiency.
For offering both hot water and electricity, proven PV as well as solar thermal tech. are
amalgamated into an individual system by the solar cogeneration/ hybrid solar/solar cogen. Even
after huge improvements, only 15-20% energy of the sun can be trapped by the basic PV panels
(G. McCormick & Suehrcke, 2018). The remaining energy becomes waste heat. However, solar
cogeneration improves the system’s efficiency up to 75% by heating water with that waste heat.
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This way, approx. 3 times more GHG emissions are reduced by it in comparison to the
conventional PV. It also minimizes the local VOC as well as emissions of NOx and nitrogen
dioxide from natural gas burning. If NOx and VOC pollution is avoided, it can lead to fines
prevention as well as lifting the regulatory burdens in some districts having quality air. As
compared with the traditional PV or SHW systems, solar cogen systems tend to emit approx. 50-
60% less lifecycle GHS. It also provides payback times in a range of 3-5 years. This is generally
½ to 2/3 of the independent SHW or PV systems (He, Xiao & Li, 2017).
The modules of solar cogen have off-the-shelf components (proven) which have immediate site
assembling and design compatible with the present equipment of hot water.
A closed-loop heat-exchanger is used for heating the water to nearly 70°C. As per the
requirements of the facility, the water is quickly utilized, fed inside boilers for heating at raised
temperatures, or stored on a temporary basis to be used when no sun is there. The present power
supply of the facility directly gets fed by the created electricity.
Numerous industrial and institutional industries find solar cogen as attractive owing to the dual
advantages of electricity and heat. It benefits all those facilities which require electricity and hot
water in huge volumes including the food processing industry, health-care institutions, fitness
facilities and others.
Cleaning, dishwashing, showers, cooking and cleaning are the most general hot water application
from the solar cogen. Therefore, the institutional institutes supporting huge community can be
immensely benefitted. For fueling the showers and laundry, the University of Arizona just
planned towards the installation of solar cogen arrays on one of its dormitories’ rooftop (Kalda,
Kovtun & Sokolan, 2013). Recently, the installation of a rooftop solar cogen system was signed
up by Facebook, with respect to its fitness center which is at its latest corporate campus (Menlo
Park, California).
If amenities are fueled with the solar electricity and hot water, huge energy savings can be made
by the cafeterias, hospitals, correctional facilities and hotels. 2 latest case studies have been
offered by California i.e. agricultural equipment’s manufacturer as well as Winemaker.
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Energy consumption in the typical pasta industry
There are 2 major processes which consume the max. The energy in producing fresh pasta i.e.
1) Pasteurization: utilizes nearly 35% of the factory’s entire electricity and approx. 78
percent of the thermal energy.
2) Drying: Utilizes 10% of the entire electricity and nearly 22% of the total thermal energy.
Anemometer is used to manually test all the measures regarding the requested as well as
absorbed electrical power (Colak, Erbay & Hepbasli, 2012). Therefore, energy examination may
permit to design highly efficient thermal systems by eradicating/minimizing the present
inefficiencies. In regards to the industrial (high temp.) drying applications, the energy analysis
turns out to be highly important.
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