History and Overview of Solar Heat Technologies

History and Overview of Solar Heat Technologies
Author: Donald A. Beattie
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 306
Release: 1997
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780262024150

This final volume in a series that has surveyed advances in solar energy research since the oil shock of the early 1970s provides a broad overview of the U.S. solar thermal program. It summarizes the conclusions of each of the nine technical volumes in the series and offers lessons drawn from the program for future governmental efforts to foster specific technologies. Reading this history, it becomes clear that what was unique about the federal solar program was its attempt to create research guidelines that included commercialization as part of the expected outcome. The three contributors, all active participants in the solar project, are quite candid about what worked and what did not (and why). The result is a tale of bureaucracy and politics worth pondering as we debate the proper relationship between government and science.

Solar Resources

Solar Resources
Author: Roland Hulstrom
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 442
Release: 1989
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780262081849

Solar Resources takes stock of the resource - sunlight - on which any plan for solar heat conversion technologies must be based. It describes the evolution of theoretical models, algorithms, and equipment for measuring, analyzing, and predicting the quantity and composition of solar radiation, and it reviews and directs readers to insolation databases and other references that have been compiled since 1975. Following an overview of solar energy research by the editor, Raymond J. Bahm presents a comprehensive guide to available insolation databases and other information resources in the United States. Charles M. Randall and Richard Bird discuss the theoretical models and algorithms used to characterize the transference of solar radiation through the earth's atmosphere. Their chapter also addresses the important question of the accuracy of the data sets produced by the various modeling methods and algorithms. The National Weather Service (NWS) monitoring network and other major monitoring networks in the United States are discussed by Kirby Hanson and Thomas Stoffel. And Eugene Zerlaut covers the instrumentation used to measure total solar irradiance and spectral solar irradiance; he describes types of equipment, their manufacturers, procedures for calibration, and the accuracy of the data produced. Richard Bird and Carol Riordan explain the nature of spectral solar irradiance at the earth's surface, and John Jensenius describes the NWS Operational Solar Insolation Forecast System, which predicts the daily total global-horizontal insolation for two days. In the concluding chapter, Claude Robbins summarizes daylighting models and resources, and details methods for converting insolation date to illuminance data. Solar Resources is volume 2 in the series Solar Heat Technologies: Fundamentals and Applications, edited by Charles A. Bankston

Implementation of Solar Thermal Technology

Implementation of Solar Thermal Technology
Author: Ronal W. Larson
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 1014
Release: 1996
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9780262121873

Implementation of Solar Thermal Technology describes the successes and failures of the commercialization efforts of the U.S. solar thermal energy program, from the oil embargo of 1973 through the demise of the program in the early Reagan administration and its afterlife since then. The emphasis throughout is on lessons learned from the solar experience, with an eye toward applications to other projects as well as toward possible renewal of efforts at commercialization. Part I discusses the history of government involvement in solar development and the parallel development of the market for solar products. Part II looks at the histories of specific commercialization programs for five areas (active heating and cooling, passive technologies, passive commercial building activities, industrial process heat, and high-temperature technologies). Parts III-VIII focus in turn on demonstration and construction projects, quality assurance, information dissemination programs, efforts to transfer technology to industry, incentive programs (tax credits, financing, and grants), and organizational support. Solar Heat Technologies: Fundamentals and Applications, Volume 10

Solar Collectors, Energy Storage, and Materials

Solar Collectors, Energy Storage, and Materials
Author: Francis DeWinter
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 1116
Release: 1990
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780262041041

Solar Collectors, Energy Storage, and Materials covers the materials and basic components needed for solar thermal energy systems. Using thermal performance and durability as the major criteria, the twenty six chapters emphasize the modeling and assessment of devices rather than their application or cost. Each part begins with an overview and concludes with an assessment of current issues and opportunities. The contributors have been careful to document failures as well as successes in materials research. This is the fifth volume in a series that distills the results of the intensive research on and development of solar thermal energy conversion technologies from 1975 to 1986. Francis de Winter is President of the Altas Corporation, Santa Cruz, California and a member of the Santa Cruz Energy Advisory Committee. Contents: Solar Collectors. Collector Concepts and Designs. Optical Theory and Modeling of Solar Collectors. Thermal Theory and Modeling of Solar Collectors. Testing and Evaluation of Stationary Collectors. Testing and Evaluation of Tracking Collectors. Optical Research and Development. Collector Thermal Research and Development. Collector Engineering Research and Development. Solar Pond Research and Development. Reliability and Durability of Solar Collectors. Environmental Degradation of Low-Cost Solar Collectors. Energy Storage for Solar Systems. Storage Concepts and Design. Analytical and Numerical Modeling of Thermal Conversion Systems. Testing and Evaluation of Thermal Energy Storage Systems. Storage Research and Development. Materials for Solar Technologies. Materials for Solar Collector Concepts and Designs. Theory and Modeling of Solar Materials. Testing and Evaluation of Solar Materials. Exposure Testing and Evaluation of Performance Degradation. Solar Materials Research and Development.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy
Author: Michael E. Mackay
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2015
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0199652104

An introduction to the fundamental science and engineering of solar energy technologies. Gives a concise and detailed review of solar energy and its interaction with materials, and discusses photovoltaic devices and solar thermal technologies like the solar chimney, solar (power) tower, flat plate water heater, and electricity generation.

Advances in Solar Energy Technology

Advances in Solar Energy Technology
Author: H.P. Garg
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 554
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9400937954

The purpose of writing this three volume 'Advances in Solar Energy Technology' is to provide all the relevant latest information available in the field of Solar Energy (Applied as well as Theoretical) to serve as the best source material at one place. Attempts are made to discuss topics in depth to assist both the students (i.e. undergraduate, postgraduate, research scholars etc.) and the professionals (i.e. Consultancy, design, and contracting firms). Chapter 1 starts with a brief history of solar houses (active heating), one of the oldest and still the widely used application of Solar Energy. Various methods of build ing heating and other general aspects such as building form and functions are also described. Various components of active solar heating of building like solar collector, storage system, control unit, auxiliary heat source, etc. are discussed very briefly. Three types of solar active heating of buildings like Solar air systems, solar liquid systems, and solar assisted heat pump systems are discussed in detail in this chapter. Design details and performance of nine typical solar houses which are in use in different climatic conditions and using some newer concepts are also discussed in depth in this chapter.

Advances in Concentrating Solar Thermal Research and Technology

Advances in Concentrating Solar Thermal Research and Technology
Author: Manuel Blanco
Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2016-11-10
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0081005172

After decades of research and development, concentrating solar thermal (CST) power plants (also known as concentrating solar power (CSP) and as Solar Thermal Electricity or STE systems) are now starting to be widely commercialized. Indeed, the IEA predicts that by 2050, with sufficient support over ten percent of global electricity could be produced by concentrating solar thermal power plants. However, CSP plants are just but one of the many possible applications of CST systems. Advances in Concentrating Solar Thermal Research and Technology provides detailed information on the latest advances in CST systems research and technology. It promotes a deep understanding of the challenges the different CST technologies are confronted with, of the research that is taking place worldwide to address those challenges, and of the impact that the innovation that this research is fostering could have on the emergence of new CST components and concepts. It is anticipated that these developments will substantially increase the cost-competiveness of commercial CST solutions and reshape the technological landscape of both CST technologies and the CST industry. After an introductory chapter, the next three parts of the book focus on key CST plant components, from mirrors and receivers to thermal storage. The final two parts of the book address operation and control and innovative CST system concepts. - Contains authoritative reviews of CST research taking place around the world - Discusses the impact this research is fostering on the emergence of new CST components and concepts that will substantially increase the cost-competitiveness of CST power - Covers both major CST plant components and system-wide issues

Let It Shine

Let It Shine
Author: John Perlin
Publisher: New World Library
Total Pages: 546
Release: 2022-02-15
Genre: House & Home
ISBN: 1608687929

The definitive history of solar power and technology Even as concern over climate change and energy security fuels a boom in solar technology, many still think of solar as a twentieth-century wonder. Few realize that the first photovoltaic array appeared on a New York City rooftop in 1884, or that brilliant engineers in France were using solar power in the 1860s to run steam engines, or that in 1901 an ostrich farmer in Southern California used a single solar engine to irrigate three hundred acres of citrus trees. Fewer still know that Leonardo da Vinci planned to make his fortune by building half-mile-long mirrors to heat water, or that the Bronze Age Chinese used hand-size solar-concentrating mirrors to light fires the way we use matches and lighters today. With thirteen new chapters, Let It Shine is a fully revised and expanded edition of A Golden Thread, John Perlin’s classic history of solar technology, detailing the past forty-plus years of technological developments driving today’s solar renaissance. This unique and compelling compendium of humankind’s solar ideas tells the fascinating story of how our predecessors throughout time, again and again, have applied the sun to better their lives — and how we can, too.

A Golden Thread

A Golden Thread
Author: Ken Butti
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1981-05-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9780442213794

Concentrating Solar Power Technology

Concentrating Solar Power Technology
Author: Keith Lovegrove
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 709
Release: 2012-10-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0857096176

Concentrating solar power (CSP) technology is poised to take its place as one of the major contributors to the future clean energy mix. Using straightforward manufacturing processes, CSP technology capitalises on conventional power generation cycles, whilst cost effectively matching supply and demand though the integration of thermal energy storage. Concentrating solar power technology provides a comprehensive review of this exciting technology, from the fundamental science to systems design, development and applications.Part one introduces fundamental principles of concentrating solar power systems. Site selection and feasibility analysis are discussed, alongside socio-economic and environmental assessments. Part two focuses on technologies including linear Fresnel reflector technology, parabolic-trough, central tower and parabolic dish concentrating solar power systems, and concentrating photovoltaic systems. Thermal energy storage, hybridization with fossil fuel power plants and the long-term market potential of CSP technology are explored. Part three goes on to discuss optimisation, improvements and applications. Topics discussed include absorber materials for solar thermal receivers, design optimisation through integrated techno-economic modelling, heliostat size optimisation, heat flux and temperature measurement technologies, concentrating solar heating and cooling for industrial processes, and solar fuels and industrial solar chemistry.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Concentrating solar power technology is an essential guide for all those involved or interested in the design, production, development, optimisation and application of CSP technology, including renewable energy engineers and consultants, environmental governmental departments, solar thermal equipment manufacturers, researchers and academics. - Provides a comprehensive review of concentrating solar power (CSP) technology, from the fundamental science to systems design, development and applications - Reviews fundamental principles of concentrating solar power systems, including site selection and feasibility analysis and socio-economic and environmental assessments - Provides an overview of technologies such as linear Fresnel reflector technology, parabolic-trough, central tower and parabolic dish concentrating solar power systems, and concentrating photovoltaic systems