REPORT ON ACHIEVING 400-5000C USING SOLAR POWER

Introduction and History of Solar Thermal Power Plant

The Earth receives 174 pet watts (PW) of incoming solar radiation (insolation) at the upper atmosphere. Approximately 30% is reflected back to space while the rest is absorbed by clouds, oceans and land masses. The total solar energy absorbed by Earth's atmosphere, oceans and land masses is approximately 3,850,000 exajoules (EJ) per year. In 2002, this was more energy in one hour than the world used in one year. Photosynthesis captures approximately 3,000 EJ per year in biomass. The amount of solar energy reaching the surface of the planet is so vast that in one year it is about twice as much as will ever be obtained from all of the Earth's non-renewable resources of coal, oil, natural gas, and mined uranium combined.

There is a great amount of power in the solar energy that arrives on Earth. This powerful energy is measured in units called watts per square meter. The Earth is like a hug solar collector that turns sunlight into natural forces such as wind, rain and growing plants. Power from the sun that reaches the earth at noon on a clear day is about 1,000 Watts per square meter. This would be the same as a 100-Watt light bulb completely focused on a surface the size of a large notebook.

Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive or active depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques use photovoltaic panels, pumps, and fans to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar techniques include selecting materials with favorable thermal properties, designing spaces that naturally circulate air, and referencing the position of a building to the Sun. Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy and are considered supply side technologies, while passive solar technologies reduce the need for alternate resources and are generally considered demand side technologies.

1.1 The Benefits and Detriments of Solar Power:
Solar energy is unsurpassed by any other form of energy. The reasons for using solar power over any other form of energy are numerous:
• It is delivered everywhere, every day.
• It is completely free to use, collect, and store.
• It is free from transportation costs.
• It is free from pollution.

• It is an unlimited resource.
• It is the most reliable source of energy.

By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of solar power, you can see that solar has many advantages and few disadvantages.
The advantages of solar power are:
• Stable
• Reliable
• Abundant
• Free for everyone (after the costs of the equipment and setup)
• Available everywhere
• The most cost-efficient form of energy, if used correctly
• Clean power (zero emissions, zero health risks)
• Zero CO2 emissions during use
• Preserves our natural environment, air quality, and limited water supplies
• No delivery costs
• No pollution
• Almost maintenance free
• Eligible for tax rebates when you set up solar panels
• You can profit from your extra solar energy
• Generates local jobs
• Provides greater energy security over the long term

The disadvantages of solar power are:
• High capital cost
• Production of solar panels creates pollution (PV)
• The sun is not always available, so solar is an intermittent power source
• Disposal issues of old solar panels (PV) and lead acid batteries.

1.2 Potential of Solar Energy in India:
India is located in the equatorial sun belt of the earth, thereby receiving abundant radiant energy from the sun. The India Meteorological Department maintains a nationwide network of radiation stations, which measure solar radiation, and also the daily duration of sunshine. In most parts of India, clear sunny weather is experienced 250 to 300 days a year. The annual global radiation varies from 1600 to 2200 kWh/m2, which is comparable with radiation received in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The equivalent energy potential is about 6,000 million GWh ofenergy per year. Figure shows map of India with solar radiation levels in different parts of the country. It can be observed that although the highest annual global radiation is received in Rajasthan, northern Gujarat and parts of Ladakh region, the parts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh also receive fairly large amount of radiation as compared to many parts of the world especially Japan, Europe and the US where development and deployment of solar technologies is maximum.