Exploring Solar Energy: Types, Applications, and Efficiency

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Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Solar Energy...............................................................................................................................4
Types of solar panels..................................................................................................................5
Monocrystalline......................................................................................................................5
Figure 3: Monocrystalline......................................................................................................5
Thin film amorphous..............................................................................................................5
Polycrystalline........................................................................................................................6
Figure 5: Polycrystalline........................................................................................................6
Conversion of Solar Energy.......................................................................................................7
Electricity Production.............................................................................................................7
Figure 6: Electricity Production..................................................................................................................7
Thermal Energy......................................................................................................................7
Economic development..........................................................................................................8
Solar Energy Technologies........................................................................................................8
Photovoltaic System...............................................................................................................8
Solar electricity......................................................................................................................9
Passive solar heating............................................................................................................10
Solar space cooling and heating...........................................................................................11
Uses of Solar Energy................................................................................................................11
Air conditioning...................................................................................................................11
Solar Balloon........................................................................................................................12
Solar chimney.......................................................................................................................12
Solar trash compacting bins.................................................................................................13
Solar Cooker.........................................................................................................................13
Working of solar Panels...........................................................................................................14
PN Distance..........................................................................................................................14
How to last solar panel.........................................................................................................15
Conclusion................................................................................................................................16
References................................................................................................................................17

Table Of Figures
Figure 1: Solar panel..................................................................................................................4
Figure 2: Solar panel (2)............................................................................................................4
Figure 3: Monocrystalline..........................................................................................................5
Figure 4: Thin film amorphous..................................................................................................6
Figure 5: Polycrystalline............................................................................................................6
Figure 6: Electricity Production......................................................................................................................7
Figure 7: Thermal Energy..........................................................................................................7
Figure 8:Photovoltaic System....................................................................................................8
Figure 9: Solar electricity...........................................................................................................9
Figure 10: Passive solar heating...............................................................................................10
Figure 11: Usage of solar energy.............................................................................................11
Figure 12: Solar Ballon............................................................................................................12
Figure 13: Solar Chimney........................................................................................................12
Figure 14: Solar Bins...............................................................................................................13
Figure 15: Solar Cooker...........................................................................................................13
Figure 16: Working of Solar panel...........................................................................................14
Figure 17: PN Junction.............................................................................................................14
Figure 18: Solar panel lasts......................................................................................................15

Introduction
This report will contain a brief knowledge of solar energy technologies. there are different
types of solar energy such as monocrystalline, thin film amorphous and Polycrystalline. the
function of solar cells will be explained using diagrams. Different type of solar technologies
will be explained. Photovoltaic cells and what is the need to use solar energy. .Solar power
contains vast renewable energy deployed throughout the world. Different diagrams are
mentioned for a better understanding of the solar energies.

Solar Energy
Solar energy is clean energy which is produced by sun rays and this energy doesn't harm the
environment. this energy is a renewable source of energy and these are produced by solar
panels which don't emit any harmful substances.
this energy is more than enough for the world to run unlike other resources such as fossil
fuels which are depleting at a very high rate. There is another variant which is wireless and
sends information about waste.
Figure 1: Solar panel
(source: Blm.gov, 2019)
Solar energy refers to the energy which is generated when semiconductor material absorbs
sunlight to produce electrical energy. it is P-type and N-type semiconductor present which is
used for the flow of electrons.
These are a renewable source of energy and are divided into 2 types of categories which are
active solar and passive solar. when photovoltaic techniques, solar energy water heating, and
concentrated solar energy are used in active solar techniques.
Earth absorbs around 71% of the radiations which helps in atmospheric circulation.
Figure 2: Solar panel (2)

(Source: Clean Energy Ideas, 2019)
Types of solar panels
Monocrystalline
This panel is the most developed and is the oldest technique. these are made from the crystal
structure. Czochralski method is used in this where the slicing of the ingot is called silicon
wafer. then these are formed in cells and the Czochralski method is performed for which
cylindrical ingots are formed in this silicon, ends are wasted as they are cut into four sides.
Figure 3: Monocrystalline
(Source: indiamart.com, 2019)
This panel converts 22% os sunrays into electricity and these panels are more efficient in
saving space saving. these work very well in warm weather. These panels are more
expensive.
Thin film amorphous
These are different from the upper to technology as this is new technology in which film
panel is made slim and contains film panel without a frame. these are made by combining
photovoltaic substances. some of the photovoltaic cells are cadmium telluride, dye-sensitized
cell, copper indium gallium selenide, and amorphous silicon.
They have low efficiency and has low-efficiency power. they have low cost as the materials
used are cheap. they have an efficiency of 7% to 13% and in the future, its efficiency would
rise to 10 to 16%. This market I growing at a rate of 60%.

Figure 4: Thin film amorphous
(Source: Solar Voltaics Ltd, 2019)
Polycrystalline
This contains crystal seed which is placed in molten silicon and is allowed to cool down.
Before polycrystalline cells were more efficient than monocrystalline cells with 21.25%.
These are cost-free and quantity of silicon wasted is less. they are less immune heat so they
have high temperature made in mono cells.
The efficiency is 14% to 16% as there is a lower level of silicon purity. huge space is needed
to install these panels for high performance.
Figure 5: Polycrystalline
(Source: indiamart.com, 2019)

Conversion of Solar Energy
Electricity Production
Silicon cells are used in photovoltaic which converts electricity from sunlight. there is a
photovoltaic effect present which results in the movement of electrons. CSP known as
concentrated solar cells is used so that the sunlight is focused on a particular area to increase
the intensity. Solar power is the source of energy in the future.
Figure 6: Electricity Production
(Source: profile, 2019)
Thermal Energy
The heat energy is stored through radioactive and high intensity. there are nanoparticles
which contain high energy. these can be used to heat, cool or generate heat. steam producing
systems uses sunlight for boiling. Solar distillation can be used for cooking, pasteurization,
and drying.
Figure 7: Thermal Energy

Economic development
this is an effective technology for cost saving. These are cheaper and popularity is increasing
day by day. the supply is low but is made available in countries where countries have low
energy. 1 gigawatt is equivalent to 10 times the power fossil fuel would generate.
Solar Energy Technologies.
Photovoltaic System
Figure 8:Photovoltaic System
(Source: En.wikipedia.org, 2019)
These are installed on the rooftop as they receive a high amount of sunlight which is
converted into electricity. These solar panels are made of semiconductors which store the
charge and form a battery. when sunlight strikes on the panel electrons get charged and the
flow of electrons start which produce a difference in turn electricity is generated. this flow or
process is called a photovoltaic effect. There are 2 main components present which is
parabolic trough collector and evacuated tube collector. in parabolic trough collector, there is
a glass box which contains reflectors and double walled tubes which heat the fluid.

The efficiency of this solar cell is measured in terms of sunrays converting into electricity. a
normal solar cell's efficiency is about 15%.higher the arrays mean lower the cost that
increases the efficiency. The solar cells which were made in the starting were less than 4%
which is comparatively very low. Solar power contains vast renewable energy deployed
throughout the world. nowadays the main focus on the conservation of the environment
Solar electricity
In this, the electricity is generated in the throughout the day or until the last ray of sunlight.
There are 3 main components of the system which are the engine, parabolic trough, and
tower.
Figure 9: Solar electricity
(Source: Meehan, 2019)
The parabolic trough systems are long rectangular or curved shaped mirrors which
concentrate rays of sunlight. The system is tilted towards the sun so that the sun is in focus.
This makes the oil present in the pipe to boil or heat which is used to generate steam from
boiling the water.
The engine is in the form of a circular shape such as a satellite dish. this system concentrates
the heat to a particular point which causes the oil to expand which in turn rotate the turbine or
piston so that mechanical energy can be produced. this mechanical energy is then converted
to electrical energy.

The tower uses vast area of the field in which mirrors concentrate sunrays over the receiver.
This creates high temperature which melts the salt present in the receiver. This heating of salt
is used to generate electricity by steam generators. this can be stored for a longer time.
Passive solar heating
Figure 10: Passive solar heating
(Source: Ayre and Ayre, 2019)
This was discovered by Anasazi Indians thousands of years ago. the building's south side
receives maximum sunlight so large windows were installed in south side to receive
maximum sunlight. to absorb sunlight the walls and floors were placed directly in the
sunlight area and then these materials release heat energy afterward.
Trombe walls and sunspaces were used for other passive solar energy. sunspaces are the
place where most of the time sunlight is available. If proper ventilation is present in the room
then the heat energy would be spread into the entire room. the walls warm up during the day
and gradually throughout the night.
Daylight brightens the entire room or interior of the building. the light gets refracted in the
room.

Solar space cooling and heating
There are several buildings which need ventilation systems and this can be solved through a
solar-ventilation system which makes the environment warm and save money and energy.
The heat enters through holes present in the panels. There are 2 main components present
which is parabolic trough collector and evacuated tube collector which is in parabolic trough
shape, there is glass box which contains reflectors and double walled tubes which heat the
fluid. there is a vacuum present which acts as an insulator thus the heat stays for a longer
time. .
Uses of Solar Energy
Figure 11: Usage of solar energy
(Source: Delta Power, 2019)
Air conditioning
Passive solar, thermal energy, and solar PV can be used to operate the air conditioner. Adding
solar panels is the easiest way of improving home efficiency

Solar Balloon
Figure 12: Solar Ballon
This was introduced in 2015; this is a hybrid solar hot air balloon which comprises of dark
layer material as dark color absorbs maximum heat. the heat absorbed inside makes the
propane to burn and it turns to lift the balloon.
Solar chimney
Figure 13: Solar Chimney
This is used to improve ventilation by creating air heated system. In this, the chimney was
painted in black color and was placed in the direction of the sun. the efficiency of this system
depends on the size of the chimney.