SOLAR
THERMAL
ENERGY
ANTONETTE B. CAPARA BSEE 4 - 1
SOLAR THERMAL
SYSTEM
Solar thermal power generation
systems collect and concentrate
sunlight to produce the high-
temperature heat needed to generate
electricity.
Solar thermal collectors can absorb
nearly the entire solar spectrum.
Thus concentrated solar power (CSP)
technology is more efficient than
photovoltaic solar cells.
SOLAR COLLECTOR
Solar power has a low density per unit
area, so it is collected by covering a large
ground area.
Solar thermal collector essentially forms
the first unit in a solar thermal system.
It absorbs solar energy as heat and then
transfers it to heat transport fluid
efficiently.
The heat transfer liquid delivers this heat
to the thermal storage tank/boiler/heat
exchanger etc., to be utilized in the
subsequent stages of the system.
CONCENTRATING
SOLAR POWER
LOW TEMPERATURE
COLLECTORS (<100°C)
FLAT PLATE SOLAR
COLLECTOR
A flat plate collector is a black surface
placed at a convenient path of the sun.
The sun heats a dark flat surface, and then
the energy is transferred to water, air, or
other fluids for further use.
These are used for domestic household
purposes like water heating and space
heating etc. They operate in the
temperature range from 30 to 80° C.
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
COLLECTORS - LINE FOCUSING
(<400°C)
PARABOLIC TROUGH
COLLECTOR
The parabolic trough is the linear-focus
collector.
It consists of a cylindrical curved parabolic
mirror that reflects the sunlight onto a
tabular receiver positioned in the focus line
of the parabola.
The tubular receiver contains the fluid that
absorbs heat and transfers it via circulation
to the boiler or another device to produce
steam.
HIGH TEMPERATURE
COLLECTORS - POINT FOCUSING
(<400°C)
CENTRAL TOWER
COLLECTOR
In this system, multiple tracking mirrors
(heliostats) are positioned in the field around
a central receiver installed on a tower.
These systems are capable of reaching of a
much higher level of concentration than
linear system.
Typically 80 to 95% of the reflected energy is
absorbed into the working fluid which is
pumped up into the receiver.
The working fluid is used as heat source to
produce steam and convert it to electricity.
SOLAR WATER HEATER
A solar water heater is a device that provides hot
water for bathing, washing, cleaning, etc. using
solar energy.
It is generally installed on a terrace or where
sunlight is available. A tilted flat plate solar
collector with water as heat transfer fluid is
used.
SOLAR WATER HEATER
WORKING
THERMAL STORAGE SYSTEM
TWO-TANK DIRECT TWO-TANK INDIRECT SINGLE-TANK
SYTEM SYSTEM THERMOCLINE SYSTEM
The two-tank direct system The two-tank indirect system The single-tank thermocline system
stores hot and cold fluids in also separates hot and cold stores both hot and cold fluids in
separate tanks, allowing fluids, but uses a heat one tank, with a temperature
direct fluid exchange with exchanger between tanks, gradient (thermocline) separating
minimal heat loss. which increases energy the hot and cold layers, simplifying
efficiency by preventing direct the design but posing challenges in
fluid mixing. maintaining thermal stratification.
REFERENCES
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