Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Solar Energy: Fundamentals and Applications

Description

This lecture covers the generalities and fundamentals of solar energy, including characteristics, optics, radiation, semiconductor physics, electrochemistry, and thermochemistry. It also delves into solar fuels, solar electricity, solar heat, and various technologies like solar thermal collectors and concentrated solar power. The lecture discusses computational projects and laboratory experiments related to semiconductor physics, electrochemistry, and solar energy systems.

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Physics

Thermodynamics: Statistical mechanics

Energy engineering

Solar power: Topics in solar power

Related concepts (32)

Concentrated solar power

Concentrated solar power (CSP, also known as concentrating solar power, concentrated solar thermal) systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight into a receiver. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat (solar thermal energy), which drives a heat engine (usually a steam turbine) connected to an electrical power generator or powers a thermochemical reaction. As of 2021, global installed capacity of concentrated solar power stood at 6.

Solar power

Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power. Photovoltaic cells convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect. Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight to a hot spot, often to drive a steam turbine.

Solar energy

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating), and solar architecture. It is an essential source of renewable energy, and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on how they capture and distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power.

Solar thermal energy

Solar thermal energy (STE) is a form of energy and a technology for harnessing solar energy to generate thermal energy for use in industry, and in the residential and commercial sectors. Solar thermal collectors are classified by the United States Energy Information Administration as low-, medium-, or high-temperature collectors. Low-temperature collectors are generally unglazed and used to heat swimming pools or to heat ventilation air. Medium-temperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for heating water or air for residential and commercial use.

Solar panel

A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that generate electrons when exposed to light. The electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current (DC) electricity, which can be used to power various devices or be stored in batteries. Solar panels are also known as solar cell panels, solar electric panels, or PV modules. Solar panels are usually arranged in groups called arrays or systems.

Related lectures (41)

Exergy Concept Extension

Explores the extension of the exergy concept, emphasizing irreversible processes and the ideal conversion of blackbody radiation.

Solar Energy Conversion

Explores solar energy conversion devices, thermal transport basics, solar thermal collectors, semiconductors, electrochemistry, and concentrated solar power.

Solar Energy: Basics in Thermal Transport and Solar Systems

Covers the basics of energy states in matter, thermal transport, and solar systems, emphasizing the importance of electrochemistry in solar energy applications.

Solar Energy Conversion: From Irradiation to Electricity

Explores the conversion of solar energy into electricity and heat, covering PV panel efficiency, concentrating systems, and hydrogen fuel production.

Solar Energy Conversion Devices