ELECTIVE I
INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR
THERMAL ENERGY
Sustaining the Future
Presentation - 2024
Adriel Cedric Palces
202102481
Electrical Engineering
Overview of
Solar Thermal
Energy
Introduction
Solar thermal energy harnesses sunlight to generate heat,
which can be converted into electricity or used directly for
heating purposes.
Types of Solar Collectors
Flat-plate Evacuated Tube Concentrating
Collectors Collectors Collectors
Types of Solar Thermal System
Evacuated Tube
Flat-Plate Solar Collectors Concentrating
Collector Collectors
More efficient than
Used for low- flat-plate collectors, Focuses sunlight onto a
temperature suitable for both small area to generate
applications like residential and high temperatures, ideal
residential water heating industrial heating, for electricity generation
and space heating. especially in colder in power plants.
climates
Electricity
Generation
These systems often work by heating a fluid,
such as water or oil, to produce steam. The
steam drives turbines, which convert
mechanical energy into electricity. Power plants
using this technology typically feature parabolic
troughs, solar towers, or Fresnel lenses for
efficient sunlight concentration
Heat Transfer
Mechanisms
Concentrating Solar
Power (CSP)
CSP technologies concentrate sunlight to
achieve high temperatures necessary for
electricity generation. These systems are
efficient for utility scale power generation,
particularly in solar enriched region
Types of CSP Technologies
Power Towers
Parabolic Trough
(Central Receiver
Systems
Systems)
Linear Fresnel Dish/Engine
Systems Systems
CSP PRINCIPLES AND OPERATION
Parabolic Trough Systems
Parabolic mirrors are curved in a U-shape to focus
sunlight onto a receiver tube that runs along the focal
line of the mirror. The receiver tube contains a heat
transfer fluid, often synthetic oil, which is heated to
around 400°C. This hot fluid is then used to generate
steam that drives a turbine, producing electricity
Modularity and Scalable
Hybrid Integration to other
Energy Tech.
Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage
Central Receiver Systems
Thousands of mirrors called heliostats track the sun
and reflect sunlight onto a central receiver located
atop a tower. The receiver absorbs the
concentrated solar energy and heats a working fluid,
typically molten salt, which can reach temperatures
of 500°C to 1,000°C. This fluid is used to produce
steam to drive a turbine and generate electricity
Higher Efficiency
Large-Scale Molten Salt
Storage
Higher Energy Density
Linear Fresnel Reflectors
Flat mirrors (instead of parabolic ones) are used to
focus sunlight onto a series of fixed receiver tubes
positioned above the mirrors. The tubes contain a heat
transfer fluid, which absorbs the concentrated solar
heat and produces steam to drive turbines
Lower Cost since cheaper
to Manufacture
Compact Design suitable for
most location
Simple Maintenance
Dish/Engine Systems
A parabolic dish focuses sunlight onto a receiver located
at the dish's focal point. The intense heat is used to
power a heat engine, typically a Stirling engine, which
converts the thermal energy into mechanical work, and
this work drives a generator to produce electricity
Modularity and Scalable to Off-
grid
Highest Efficiency among CSP
No Water Requirement
CSP TECHNOLOGY USABILITY
Storage
Technology Efficiency Cost Application
Capability
Parabolic Moderate (~15- Yes (with Utility-scale,
Moderate
Trough 20%) molten salt) commercial
Power Excellent Large-scale
High (~25-35%) High
Towers (molten salt) utilities
Industrial,
Linear
Low (~10-15%) Low Limited compact
Fresnel
space
Very High Small-scale,
Dish/Engine High (per unit) No
(~30%) off-grid
Solar Water
Heaters
Solar water heaters use solar
energy to heat water for
domestic or industrial use. They
are one of the most common
and cost-effective solar
thermal technologies available.
System Types
Active Systems:
Use pumps to circulate water or a
heat-transfer fluid through the
system. Suitable for colder climates
where freezing may occur.
Example: Direct circulation systems
pump household water through
collectors and into the home
System Types
Passive Systems:
Rely on natural convection
(thermosiphon systems) to move
water through the system. While
less efficient than active systems,
they are more reliable and cost-
effective.
Example: Integral collector-
storage systems work best in
areas with abundant sunshine
System Types
PASSIVE AND ACTIVE SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS
Key Takeaways
from the lesson
Ways the public Implementation Environmental
can participate of renewable education and
energy at home awareness
Flat-plate collectors: Molten Salt Systems:
Most common, simple, The heat collected from Used in CSP plants,
and used primarily for molten salt can store
the sun is transferred to
water heating and solar heat for hours,
a working fluid (water,
space heating. allowing plants to
oil, or molten salt), generate electricity even
Concentrating
which can either be when the sun isn’t
collectors: Used in CSP
systems for generating
used immediately or shining.
stored for later use Latent Heat Storage:
electricity by focusing
Newer TES systems use
sunlight to achieve (thermal energy
phase-change materials
high temperatures. storage)
to store large amounts of
energy efficiently
References
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (2022). Solar thermal power plants. Retrieved from
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-thermal-power-plants.php
ScienceDirect. (2017). Solar thermal energy. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/solar-thermal-energy
Energy Education. (n.d.). Solar collector. Retrieved from
https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Solar_collector
Penn State. (2023). Lesson 7: Solar thermal power plants. EME 811: Solar Thermal Energy for Utilities and
Industry. Retrieved from https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme811/node/685
U.S. Department of Energy. (2023). Concentrating solar thermal power basics. Retrieved from
https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/concentrating-solar-thermal-power-
basics#:~:text=CSP%20technologies%20use%20mirrors%20to,an%20engine%20to%20generate%20el
ectricity
U.S. Department of Energy. (2014). Solar water heaters. Retrieved from
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/solar-water-heaters
Bestank Manufacturing Corporation. (n.d.). Solartech solar heaters. Retrieved from
https://bestank.com/products/heaters/solartech-solar-heaters
ELECTIVE I
Thank You
For Your
Attention
To a more Sustainable and Innovative Globe
ADRIEL CEDRIC A. PALCES
BSEE 4-1
