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Lecture

Light and Solar Energy Phenomena

In course

PHYS-118: Building physics

Ce cours traite des principaux phénomènes physiques observables dans le bâtiment et doit permettre à l'étudiant d'acquérir des connaissances de base dans le domaine de la physique du bâtiment. ...

Description

This lecture covers topics such as sound propagation, building physics, solar energy laboratory, geometric acoustics, statistical radiation, color perception, and colorimetry. It explores the properties of sound waves, undulatory phenomena, and the superposition of waves. Additionally, it delves into light propagation, optical selective solar absorber coatings, and the efficiency of photovoltaic power. The instructor discusses the use of echo in acoustics, the luminous properties of surfaces, and the orientation-dependent light properties. Furthermore, the lecture addresses the concept of point sources in energy intensity, the characteristics of an oven, and the energy flow resolution. The presentation also includes practical examples using a radiometer and the Lambert's cosine law.

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Instructors (2)

Jean-Louis Scartezzini

Director of EPFL Solar Energy and Building Physics Laboratory (1994-present); Founder & Director of ENAC Institute of Infrastructures, Resources and Environment (2002-2009); Founder & Director of EPFL Doctoral Program in Environment (2002-2009); Co-Director of EPFL Institute of Building Technology (1994-1997); Associate Professor of Building Physics at EPFL (1994-1997); Associate Professor of Building Physics at University of Geneva (1990-1997); Group Leader & Research Fellow at the EPFL Solar Energy Research Group (1981-1989); Research Fellow at the Applied Geophysics Institute of University of Lausanne (1980-1981).

Andreas Schueler

Studies of Physics at the University of Freiburg, Germany
Master of Science (Physics) from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
PhD degree from the University of Basel, Switzerland

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Related concepts (32)

Photovoltaic system

A photovoltaic system, also PV system or solar power system, is an electric power system designed to supply usable solar power by means of photovoltaics. It consists of an arrangement of several components, including solar panels to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity, a solar inverter to convert the output from direct to alternating current, as well as mounting, cabling, and other electrical accessories to set up a working system. It may also use a solar tracking system to improve the system's overall performance and include an integrated battery.

Nonlinear acoustics

Nonlinear acoustics (NLA) is a branch of physics and acoustics dealing with sound waves of sufficiently large amplitudes. Large amplitudes require using full systems of governing equations of fluid dynamics (for sound waves in liquids and gases) and elasticity (for sound waves in solids). These equations are generally nonlinear, and their traditional linearization is no longer possible. The solutions of these equations show that, due to the effects of nonlinearity, sound waves are being distorted as they travel.

Photovoltaic power station

A photovoltaic power station, also known as a solar park, solar farm, or solar power plant, is a large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic power system (PV system) designed for the supply of merchant power. They are different from most building-mounted and other decentralized solar power because they supply power at the utility level, rather than to a local user or users. Utility-scale solar is sometimes used to describe this type of project.

Acoustics

Acoustics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including topics such as vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. A scientist who works in the field of acoustics is an acoustician while someone working in the field of acoustics technology may be called an acoustical engineer. The application of acoustics is present in almost all aspects of modern society with the most obvious being the audio and noise control industries.

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaics (PV) is the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon studied in physics, photochemistry, and electrochemistry. The photovoltaic effect is commercially used for electricity generation and as photosensors. A photovoltaic system employs solar modules, each comprising a number of solar cells, which generate electrical power. PV installations may be ground-mounted, rooftop-mounted, wall-mounted or floating.

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