CONTENT
PREFACE ix
1 INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION 1
Availability of Solar Energy 4
Limitations of Solar Energy 6
The Economics of Solar Systems 11
References and Suggested Readings 12
2 FUNDAMENTALS OF SOLAR RADIATION 13
The Physics of the Sun and Its Energy Transport 13
Thermal Radiation Fundamentals 14
Sun-Earth Geometric Relationship 22
Solar Radiation 39
Estimation of Terrestrial Solar Radiation 43
Models Based on Long-Term Measured Horizontal Solar Radiation 55
Measurement of Solar Radiation 63
Solar Radiation Mapping Using Satellite Data 71
Problems 75
References and Suggested Readings 77
3 METHODS OF SOLAR COLLECTION AND THERMAL CONVERSION 81
Radiative Properties and Characteristics of Materials 82
Flat Plate Collectors 89
Concentrating Solar Collectors 120
Solar Concentrator Summary 161
Problems 166
References and Suggested Readings 169
4 THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE AND TRANSPORT 173
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) 173
Types of Thermal Energy Storage 176
Design of Storage System 180
Energy Transport Subsystems 187
Problems 207
References and Suggested Readings 208
5 SOLAR-HEATING SYSTEMS 211
Calculations of Heating and Hot Water Loads in Buildings 211
Solar Water Heating Systems 222
Liquid-Based Solar-Heating Systems for Buildings 227
Solar Air-Heating Systems 236
Methods of Modeling and Design of Solar Heating Systems 244 Problems 254
References and Suggested Readings 256
6 SOLAR COOLING AND DEHUMIDIFICATION 259
Solar Space Cooling and Refrigeration 259
Solar Desiccant Dehumidification 284
Summary 290
Problems 290
References and Suggested Readings 294
PASSIVE METHODS FOR HEATING, COOLING, AND DAYLIGHTING 297
Introduction 297
Passive Space-Heating Systems 298
Passive Space-Cooling Systems 307
Daylighting Fundamentals 316
Problems 333
References and Suggested Readings 335
SOLAR THERMAL POWER AND PROCESS HEAT 337
Historical Perspective 337
Solar Industrial Process Heat 340
Examples of SIPH Systems 342
Long-Term Performance of SIPH Systems 350
TRNSYS-Computer Simulation Program 359
Thermal Power 359
Examples of Rankine Solar Thermal Power Plants 372
Stirling Cycle 376
Solar Distillation of Saline Water 393
Nonconvecting Solar Ponds 398
Problems 405
References and Suggested Readings 408
PHOTOVOLTAICS 411
Semiconductors 412
Analysis of Photovoltaic Cells 419
Manufacture of Solar Cells and Panels 430
Design for Remote Photovoltaic Applications 434
Problems 443
References and Suggested Readings 446
SOLAR PHOTOCHEMICAL APPLICATIONS 447
Photocatalytic Reactions 447
Solar Photocatalytic Detoxification 451
Solar Reactors 452
Kinetic Models 459
Useful Insolation 465
Catalyst Development 466
System Design Methodology 467
Gas Phase Photocatalytic Detoxification 472
Commercial/Industrial Applications 473
Solar Disinfection of Water and Air 476
Summary 477
Problems 477
References and Suggested Readings 478
CAPTURING SOLAR ENERGY THROUGH BIOMASS 483
Introduction 483
Biomass Feedbacks 484
Thermodynamic Calculations for Biomass Energy 492
Conversion of Biomass to Gaseous Fuels 501
Liquid Fuels from Biomass 507
Conversion of Biomass to Electricity 513
Economic Assessments 520
Problems 523
References and Suggested Readings 524
INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 527
Overview of Solar Economics 527
Life-Cycle Costing 528

Principles of Discounted Cash-Flow Analysis 529
Solar-System Life-Cycle Costs 536
Cost-Benefit Analysis and Optimization 544
Problems 559
References 561
APPENDIXES 681
INDEX