Renewable Energy

Sources

Renewable Energy Systems

August 3, 2020

Hemachandra G
Assistant Professor
CMR Institute of Technology
 Introduction

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Introduction

Renewable Energy
Sources

Solar collectors are heat exchangers.

 Introduction

Renewable Energy
Sources

Solar collectors are heat exchangers.

Absorbs the solar radiation, converts it into heat,

and transfers this heat to a fluid (usually air, water,
or oil).
 Introduction

Renewable Energy
Sources

Solar collectors are heat exchangers.

Absorbs the solar radiation, converts it into heat,

and transfers this heat to a fluid (usually air, water,
or oil).

The solar energy thus collected is carried from the

circulating fluid either directly to the hot water or
space conditioning equipment, or to a thermal
energy storage tank from which can be drawn for
use at night and/or cloudy days.
 Solar Collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Solar Collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources
Solar collectors can be classified according to their
collecting characteristics, the way in which they are
mounted and the type of transfer fluid they use.
 Solar Collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources
Solar collectors can be classified according to their
collecting characteristics, the way in which they are
mounted and the type of transfer fluid they use.
Collecting characteristics
 Solar Collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources
Solar collectors can be classified according to their
collecting characteristics, the way in which they are
mounted and the type of transfer fluid they use.
Collecting characteristics
A non-concentrating or flat plate collector is one in
which the absorbing surface for solar radiations is
essentially flat with no means for concentrating the
incoming solar radiation.
 Solar Collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources
Solar collectors can be classified according to their
collecting characteristics, the way in which they are
mounted and the type of transfer fluid they use.
Collecting characteristics
A non-concentrating or flat plate collector is one in
which the absorbing surface for solar radiations is
essentially flat with no means for concentrating the
incoming solar radiation.
A concentrating or focusing collector is one, which
usually contains reflectors or employs other optical
means to concentrate the energy falling on the
aperture onto a heat exchanger of surface area
smaller than the aperture.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
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 Contd...

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 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Mounting
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Mounting
A collector can be mounted to remain stationary,
be adjustable as to tilt angle (measured from the
horizontal) to follow the change in solar
declination or be designed to track the sun.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Mounting
A collector can be mounted to remain stationary,
be adjustable as to tilt angle (measured from the
horizontal) to follow the change in solar
declination or be designed to track the sun.
Tracking is done by employing either an equatorial
mounting or an azimuth mounting, for the purpose
of increasing the absorption of the daily solar
irradiation.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Mounting
A collector can be mounted to remain stationary,
be adjustable as to tilt angle (measured from the
horizontal) to follow the change in solar
declination or be designed to track the sun.
Tracking is done by employing either an equatorial
mounting or an azimuth mounting, for the purpose
of increasing the absorption of the daily solar
irradiation.
Types of fluid:
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Mounting
A collector can be mounted to remain stationary,
be adjustable as to tilt angle (measured from the
horizontal) to follow the change in solar
declination or be designed to track the sun.
Tracking is done by employing either an equatorial
mounting or an azimuth mounting, for the purpose
of increasing the absorption of the daily solar
irradiation.
Types of fluid:
A collector will usually use either a liquid or a gas
as the transfer fluid.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Mounting
A collector can be mounted to remain stationary,
be adjustable as to tilt angle (measured from the
horizontal) to follow the change in solar
declination or be designed to track the sun.
Tracking is done by employing either an equatorial
mounting or an azimuth mounting, for the purpose
of increasing the absorption of the daily solar
irradiation.
Types of fluid:
A collector will usually use either a liquid or a gas
as the transfer fluid.
The most common liquids are water or a
water-ethylene glycol solution. The most common
gas is air.
 Flat-plate Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Flat-plate Collector

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Flat plate collectors are divided in three main groups

according to how they are oriented:
 Flat-plate Collector

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Sources

Flat plate collectors are divided in three main groups

according to how they are oriented:

Flat-plate collectors facing south at fixed tilt

 Flat-plate Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

Flat plate collectors are divided in three main groups

according to how they are oriented:

Flat-plate collectors facing south at fixed tilt

One-axis tracking flat-plate collectors with axis

oriented north-south
 Flat-plate Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

Flat plate collectors are divided in three main groups

according to how they are oriented:

Flat-plate collectors facing south at fixed tilt

One-axis tracking flat-plate collectors with axis

oriented north-south

Two-axis tracking flat-plate collectors

 Flat-plate collectors facing south at fixed
tilt
Renewable Energy
Sources
 Contd...

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 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Five tilt angles from the horizontal: 0o , latitude
minus 15o , latitude, latitude plus 15o , and 90o .
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Five tilt angles from the horizontal: 0o , latitude
minus 15o , latitude, latitude plus 15o , and 90o .
Data for a tilt of 0o , referred to as global horizontal
solar radiation, show how much solar radiation is
received by a horizontal surface such as a solar pond.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Five tilt angles from the horizontal: 0o , latitude
minus 15o , latitude, latitude plus 15o , and 90o .
Data for a tilt of 0o , referred to as global horizontal
solar radiation, show how much solar radiation is
received by a horizontal surface such as a solar pond.
Maximum yearly solar radiation can be achieved
using a tilt angle approx. equal to a site’s latitude.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Five tilt angles from the horizontal: 0o , latitude
minus 15o , latitude, latitude plus 15o , and 90o .
Data for a tilt of 0o , referred to as global horizontal
solar radiation, show how much solar radiation is
received by a horizontal surface such as a solar pond.
Maximum yearly solar radiation can be achieved
using a tilt angle approx. equal to a site’s latitude.
To optimize performance in the winter, the collector
can be tilted 15o greater than the latitude.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Five tilt angles from the horizontal: 0o , latitude
minus 15o , latitude, latitude plus 15o , and 90o .
Data for a tilt of 0o , referred to as global horizontal
solar radiation, show how much solar radiation is
received by a horizontal surface such as a solar pond.
Maximum yearly solar radiation can be achieved
using a tilt angle approx. equal to a site’s latitude.
To optimize performance in the winter, the collector
can be tilted 15o greater than the latitude.
To optimize performance in the summer, the
collector can be tilted 15o less than the latitude.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Five tilt angles from the horizontal: 0o , latitude
minus 15o , latitude, latitude plus 15o , and 90o .
Data for a tilt of 0o , referred to as global horizontal
solar radiation, show how much solar radiation is
received by a horizontal surface such as a solar pond.
Maximum yearly solar radiation can be achieved
using a tilt angle approx. equal to a site’s latitude.
To optimize performance in the winter, the collector
can be tilted 15o greater than the latitude.
To optimize performance in the summer, the
collector can be tilted 15o less than the latitude.
Data for a tilt of 90o apply to collectors mounted
vertically on south-facing walls and apply to
south-facing windows for passive solar designs.
 One-axis tracking flat-plate collectors with
axis oriented north-south
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 Contd...

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 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Data are presented for four different axis tilt angles
from the horizontal: 0o , latitude minus 15o ,
latitude, and latitude plus 15o .
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Data are presented for four different axis tilt angles
from the horizontal: 0o , latitude minus 15o ,
latitude, and latitude plus 15o .
These trackers pivot on their single axis to track the
sun, facing east in the morning and west in the
afternoon.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Data are presented for four different axis tilt angles
from the horizontal: 0o , latitude minus 15o ,
latitude, and latitude plus 15o .
These trackers pivot on their single axis to track the
sun, facing east in the morning and west in the
afternoon.
Large collectors can use an axis tilt angle of 0o to
minimize collector height and wind force.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Data are presented for four different axis tilt angles
from the horizontal: 0o , latitude minus 15o ,
latitude, and latitude plus 15o .
These trackers pivot on their single axis to track the
sun, facing east in the morning and west in the
afternoon.
Large collectors can use an axis tilt angle of 0o to
minimize collector height and wind force.
Small collectors can have their axis tilted up to
increase the solar radiation on the collector.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Data are presented for four different axis tilt angles
from the horizontal: 0o , latitude minus 15o ,
latitude, and latitude plus 15o .
These trackers pivot on their single axis to track the
sun, facing east in the morning and west in the
afternoon.
Large collectors can use an axis tilt angle of 0o to
minimize collector height and wind force.
Small collectors can have their axis tilted up to
increase the solar radiation on the collector.
Just as for the flat-plate fixed tilt collector, the
yearly and seasonal solar radiation can be optimized
by the choice of tilt angle.
 Two-axis tracking flat-plate collectors

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 Contd...

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 Contd...

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Data for two-axis trackers represent the maximum

solar radiation at a site available to a collector.
 Contd...

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Data for two-axis trackers represent the maximum

solar radiation at a site available to a collector.
Tracking the sun in both azimuth and elevation,
these collectors keep the sun’s rays normal to the
collector surface.
 Flat Plate Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

Glazi ng Sheet

Hot Water
OUT/

Cold Water
IN
Sealed Heat /
Endosu re
Foam or Aluminium
Insulation
Heat Absorbing Riser Tubes

Heat Absorbing Backplate

 Liquid-type Flat Plate Collector

Renewable Energy
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 Contd...

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 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Glazing: One or more covers of transparent material
like glass, plastics, etc. Glazing may be left out for
some low temperature applications.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Glazing: One or more covers of transparent material
like glass, plastics, etc. Glazing may be left out for
some low temperature applications.
Glass which transmits shorter wavelength solar
radiation, but blocks the longer wavelength
radiation from the absorber.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Glazing: One or more covers of transparent material
like glass, plastics, etc. Glazing may be left out for
some low temperature applications.
Glass which transmits shorter wavelength solar
radiation, but blocks the longer wavelength
radiation from the absorber.
Absorber: A plate with tubes or passages attached
to it for the passage of working fluid. The absorber
is usually painted flat black or electroplated with a
selective absorber.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Glazing: One or more covers of transparent material
like glass, plastics, etc. Glazing may be left out for
some low temperature applications.
Glass which transmits shorter wavelength solar
radiation, but blocks the longer wavelength
radiation from the absorber.
Absorber: A plate with tubes or passages attached
to it for the passage of working fluid. The absorber
is usually painted flat black or electroplated with a
selective absorber.
Header or manifolds: To facilitate the flow or heat
transfer fluid.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources Glazing: One or more covers of transparent material
like glass, plastics, etc. Glazing may be left out for
some low temperature applications.
Glass which transmits shorter wavelength solar
radiation, but blocks the longer wavelength
radiation from the absorber.
Absorber: A plate with tubes or passages attached
to it for the passage of working fluid. The absorber
is usually painted flat black or electroplated with a
selective absorber.
Header or manifolds: To facilitate the flow or heat
transfer fluid.
Insulation: To minimise heat loss from the back and
the sides.
 Air type collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Air type collectors

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 Air type collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources Air type collectors are more commonly used for
agricultural drying and space heating applications.
 Air type collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources Air type collectors are more commonly used for
agricultural drying and space heating applications.
Their basic advantages are low sensitivity to
leakages and no need for an additional heat
exchanger for drying and space heating applications.
 Air type collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources Air type collectors are more commonly used for
agricultural drying and space heating applications.
Their basic advantages are low sensitivity to
leakages and no need for an additional heat
exchanger for drying and space heating applications.
However, because of the low heat capacity of the air
and the low convection heat transfer coefficient
between the absorber and the air, a larger heat
transfer area and higher flow rates are needed.
 Air type collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources Air type collectors are more commonly used for
agricultural drying and space heating applications.
Their basic advantages are low sensitivity to
leakages and no need for an additional heat
exchanger for drying and space heating applications.
However, because of the low heat capacity of the air
and the low convection heat transfer coefficient
between the absorber and the air, a larger heat
transfer area and higher flow rates are needed.
Figure shows some common configurations of air
heating collectors.
 Air type collectors

Renewable Energy
Sources Air type collectors are more commonly used for
agricultural drying and space heating applications.
Their basic advantages are low sensitivity to
leakages and no need for an additional heat
exchanger for drying and space heating applications.
However, because of the low heat capacity of the air
and the low convection heat transfer coefficient
between the absorber and the air, a larger heat
transfer area and higher flow rates are needed.
Figure shows some common configurations of air
heating collectors.
Common absorber materials include corrugated Al or
galvanised steel sheets, black metallic screens or
simply any black painted surface.
 Air-type Flat Plate Collector
Some common configurations of air
Renewable Energy heating collectors
Sources
 Contd...

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 Contd...

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Unglazed, transpired solar air collector offers a
low-cost opportunity for some applications such as
preheating of ventilation air and agricultural drying
and curing.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
Unglazed, transpired solar air collector offers a
low-cost opportunity for some applications such as
preheating of ventilation air and agricultural drying
and curing.
Such collectors consist of perforated absorber sheets
that are exposed to sun and through which air is
drawn.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
Unglazed, transpired solar air collector offers a
low-cost opportunity for some applications such as
preheating of ventilation air and agricultural drying
and curing.
Such collectors consist of perforated absorber sheets
that are exposed to sun and through which air is
drawn.
The perforated absorber sheets are attached to the
vertical walls, which are exposed to the sun.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
Unglazed, transpired solar air collector offers a
low-cost opportunity for some applications such as
preheating of ventilation air and agricultural drying
and curing.
Such collectors consist of perforated absorber sheets
that are exposed to sun and through which air is
drawn.
The perforated absorber sheets are attached to the
vertical walls, which are exposed to the sun.
The most important components, whose properties
determine the efficiency of solar thermal collectors,
are glazing and absorber.
 Concentrating or focusing Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Concentrating or focusing Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources It uses mainly beam radiation.
 Concentrating or focusing Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources It uses mainly beam radiation.
Concentrating, or focusing, collectors intercept
direct radiation over a large area and focus it onto a
small absorber area.
 Concentrating or focusing Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources It uses mainly beam radiation.
Concentrating, or focusing, collectors intercept
direct radiation over a large area and focus it onto a
small absorber area.
These collectors can provide high temperatures more
efficiently than flat-plate collectors, since the
absorption surface area is much smaller.
 Concentrating or focusing Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources It uses mainly beam radiation.
Concentrating, or focusing, collectors intercept
direct radiation over a large area and focus it onto a
small absorber area.
These collectors can provide high temperatures more
efficiently than flat-plate collectors, since the
absorption surface area is much smaller.
However, diffused sky radiation cannot be focused
onto the absorber.
 Concentrating or focusing Collector

Renewable Energy
Sources It uses mainly beam radiation.
Concentrating, or focusing, collectors intercept
direct radiation over a large area and focus it onto a
small absorber area.
These collectors can provide high temperatures more
efficiently than flat-plate collectors, since the
absorption surface area is much smaller.
However, diffused sky radiation cannot be focused
onto the absorber.
Most concentrating collectors require mechanical
equipment that constantly orients the collectors
toward the sun and keeps the absorber at the point
of focus.
 Disadvantages in Focusing collector

Renewable Energy
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 Disadvantages in Focusing collector

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Sources

Only beam component is collected in case of

focusing collectors because diffuse component
cannot be reflected.
 Disadvantages in Focusing collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

Only beam component is collected in case of

focusing collectors because diffuse component
cannot be reflected.
Additional requirement of maintenance particularly
to retain the quality of reflecting surface against
dirt, weather, oxidation etc.
 Disadvantages in Focusing collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

Only beam component is collected in case of

focusing collectors because diffuse component
cannot be reflected.
Additional requirement of maintenance particularly
to retain the quality of reflecting surface against
dirt, weather, oxidation etc.
Non-uniform flux on the absorber whereas flux in
flat-plate collector is uniform.
 Disadvantages in Focusing collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

Only beam component is collected in case of

focusing collectors because diffuse component
cannot be reflected.
Additional requirement of maintenance particularly
to retain the quality of reflecting surface against
dirt, weather, oxidation etc.
Non-uniform flux on the absorber whereas flux in
flat-plate collector is uniform.
Additional optical losses such as reflectance loss and
the intercept loss, so they introduce additional
factors in energy balances.
 Flat plate Collector

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 Flat plate Collector

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 Flat plate Collector

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 Evacuated Tube Collector

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 Evacuated Tube Collector

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 Classification

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 Classification

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There are different types of concentrating or

focusing collector depending upon the concentrator
and receiver geometries.
 Classification

Renewable Energy
Sources

There are different types of concentrating or

focusing collector depending upon the concentrator
and receiver geometries.
These are as follows:
 Classification

Renewable Energy
Sources

There are different types of concentrating or

focusing collector depending upon the concentrator
and receiver geometries.
These are as follows:
1 Cylindrical parabolic collector/Parabolic trough
system.
2 Parabolic dish.
3 Mirror Strip Reflector
4 Fresnel Lens Collector
5 Compound parabolic collector
6 Central receiver collector/Power tower.
 Cylindrical parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources In order to deliver high temperatures with good
efficiency a high performance solar collector is
required.
 Cylindrical parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources In order to deliver high temperatures with good
efficiency a high performance solar collector is
required.
Systems with light structures and low cost
technology for process heat applications up to
400o C could be obtained with parabolic trough
collectors (PTCs).
 Cylindrical parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources In order to deliver high temperatures with good
efficiency a high performance solar collector is
required.
Systems with light structures and low cost
technology for process heat applications up to
400o C could be obtained with parabolic trough
collectors (PTCs).
PTCs can effectively produce heat at temperatures
between 50o C and 400 o C.
 Cylindrical parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources In order to deliver high temperatures with good
efficiency a high performance solar collector is
required.
Systems with light structures and low cost
technology for process heat applications up to
400o C could be obtained with parabolic trough
collectors (PTCs).
PTCs can effectively produce heat at temperatures
between 50o C and 400 o C.
PTCs are made by bending a sheet of reflective
material into a parabolic shape.
 Cylindrical parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources In order to deliver high temperatures with good
efficiency a high performance solar collector is
required.
Systems with light structures and low cost
technology for process heat applications up to
400o C could be obtained with parabolic trough
collectors (PTCs).
PTCs can effectively produce heat at temperatures
between 50o C and 400 o C.
PTCs are made by bending a sheet of reflective
material into a parabolic shape.
A metal black tube, covered with a glass tube to
reduce heat losses, is placed along the focal line of
the receiver.
Renewable Energy
Sources
Renewable Energy
Sources The surface of the receiver is typically plated with
selective coating that has a high absorption for solar
radiation, but a low emittance for thermal radiation
loss.
Renewable Energy
Sources The surface of the receiver is typically plated with
selective coating that has a high absorption for solar
radiation, but a low emittance for thermal radiation
loss.
When the parabola is pointed towards the sun,
parallel rays incident on the reflector are reflected
onto the receiver tube.
Renewable Energy
Sources The surface of the receiver is typically plated with
selective coating that has a high absorption for solar
radiation, but a low emittance for thermal radiation
loss.
When the parabola is pointed towards the sun,
parallel rays incident on the reflector are reflected
onto the receiver tube.
It is sufficient to use a single axis tracking of the sun
and thus long collector modules are produced.
Renewable Energy
Sources The surface of the receiver is typically plated with
selective coating that has a high absorption for solar
radiation, but a low emittance for thermal radiation
loss.
When the parabola is pointed towards the sun,
parallel rays incident on the reflector are reflected
onto the receiver tube.
It is sufficient to use a single axis tracking of the sun
and thus long collector modules are produced.
The collector can be orientated in an east-west
direction, tracking the sun from north to south, or
orientated in a north-south direction and tracking
the sun from east to west.
 Contd...

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 Contd...

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I
I
I
I
I
Par abolic Sh aped
I

--
Reflective Trough
Fluid Out

R eflective Coating
or Mirrors

E /
/

/,0·
/
/

r�"-/-- Collector
/
Rotational W
Fuid IN
Axis Supports
 Parabolic Dish

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 Parabolic Dish

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 Contd...

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 Contd...

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A parabolic dish reflector is a point-focus collector.
 Contd...

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A parabolic dish reflector is a point-focus collector.
It tracks the sun, concentrating solar energy onto a
receiver located at the focal point of the dish.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
A parabolic dish reflector is a point-focus collector.
It tracks the sun, concentrating solar energy onto a
receiver located at the focal point of the dish.
The dish structure must track fully the sun to reflect
the beam into the thermal receiver.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
A parabolic dish reflector is a point-focus collector.
It tracks the sun, concentrating solar energy onto a
receiver located at the focal point of the dish.
The dish structure must track fully the sun to reflect
the beam into the thermal receiver.
The receiver absorbs the radiant solar energy,
converting it into thermal energy in a circulating
fluid.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
A parabolic dish reflector is a point-focus collector.
It tracks the sun, concentrating solar energy onto a
receiver located at the focal point of the dish.
The dish structure must track fully the sun to reflect
the beam into the thermal receiver.
The receiver absorbs the radiant solar energy,
converting it into thermal energy in a circulating
fluid.
Fluid in tum runs the turbine and generate a power.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
A parabolic dish reflector is a point-focus collector.
It tracks the sun, concentrating solar energy onto a
receiver located at the focal point of the dish.
The dish structure must track fully the sun to reflect
the beam into the thermal receiver.
The receiver absorbs the radiant solar energy,
converting it into thermal energy in a circulating
fluid.
Fluid in tum runs the turbine and generate a power.
The need to circulate heat transfer fluid throughout
the collector field raises design issues such as piping
layout, pumping requirements, and thermal losses
 Contd...

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Sources
 Contd...

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Sources
The receiver absorbs the radiant solar energy,
converting it into thermal energy in a circulating
fluid.
 Contd...

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Sources
The receiver absorbs the radiant solar energy,
converting it into thermal energy in a circulating
fluid.
The thermal energy can then be either converted
into electricity using an engine-generator coupled
directly to the receiver or transported through pipes
to a central power conversion system.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
The receiver absorbs the radiant solar energy,
converting it into thermal energy in a circulating
fluid.
The thermal energy can then be either converted
into electricity using an engine-generator coupled
directly to the receiver or transported through pipes
to a central power conversion system.
Parabolic dish systems can achieve temperatures in
excess of 1500 o C.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources
The receiver absorbs the radiant solar energy,
converting it into thermal energy in a circulating
fluid.
The thermal energy can then be either converted
into electricity using an engine-generator coupled
directly to the receiver or transported through pipes
to a central power conversion system.
Parabolic dish systems can achieve temperatures in
excess of 1500 o C.
Because the receivers are distributed throughout a
collector field, like parabolic troughs, parabolic
dishes are often called distributed receiver systems.
 Advantages

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Sources
 Advantages

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Sources
Because they are always pointing at the sun, they
are the most efficient of all collector systems.
 Advantages

Renewable Energy
Sources
Because they are always pointing at the sun, they
are the most efficient of all collector systems.
They typically have concentration ratios in the range
of 600-2000 and thus are highly efficient at thermal
energy absorption and power conversion systems.
 Advantages

Renewable Energy
Sources
Because they are always pointing at the sun, they
are the most efficient of all collector systems.
They typically have concentration ratios in the range
of 600-2000 and thus are highly efficient at thermal
energy absorption and power conversion systems.
They are modular collector and receiver units that
can function either independently or as part of a
larger system of dishes.
 Advantages

Renewable Energy
Sources
Because they are always pointing at the sun, they
are the most efficient of all collector systems.
They typically have concentration ratios in the range
of 600-2000 and thus are highly efficient at thermal
energy absorption and power conversion systems.
They are modular collector and receiver units that
can function either independently or as part of a
larger system of dishes.
Dish type Concentrating solar power (CSP) converts
solar heat into electricity by focusing solar radiation
onto a receiver containing a heat-engine known as a
Stirling engine
 Mirror Strip Reflector

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Sources
 Mirror Strip Reflector

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 Mirror Strip Reflector

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 Fresnel lens collector

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 Fresnel lens collector

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 Fresnel lens collector

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 Fresnel lens collector

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 Fresnel lens collector

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 Contd...

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 Contd...

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Sources

Fresnel lenses are used as solar concentrators since

they offer high optical efficiency along with minimal
weight and low cost.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources

Fresnel lenses are used as solar concentrators since

they offer high optical efficiency along with minimal
weight and low cost.
Though Fresnel lens concentrators have been used
in solar energy concentration systems since 1960’s.
 Contd...

Renewable Energy
Sources

Fresnel lenses are used as solar concentrators since

they offer high optical efficiency along with minimal
weight and low cost.
Though Fresnel lens concentrators have been used
in solar energy concentration systems since 1960’s.
The linear Fresnel reflector is a series of mirrors that
arranged in different angles to fulfil the
concentration function.
 Compound parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Compound parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
It is also called CPC or wins ton collector.
 Compound parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
It is also called CPC or wins ton collector.
It is a non-focusing type.
 Compound parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
It is also called CPC or wins ton collector.
It is a non-focusing type.
Compound parabolic concentrators can accept
incoming radiation over a relatively wide range of
angles.
 Compound parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
It is also called CPC or wins ton collector.
It is a non-focusing type.
Compound parabolic concentrators can accept
incoming radiation over a relatively wide range of
angles.
It has a trough like arrangement with two parabolic
mirrors.
 Compound parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
It is also called CPC or wins ton collector.
It is a non-focusing type.
Compound parabolic concentrators can accept
incoming radiation over a relatively wide range of
angles.
It has a trough like arrangement with two parabolic
mirrors.
Because of this arrangement, it collects both beam
& diffuse radiation.
 Compound parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
It is also called CPC or wins ton collector.
It is a non-focusing type.
Compound parabolic concentrators can accept
incoming radiation over a relatively wide range of
angles.
It has a trough like arrangement with two parabolic
mirrors.
Because of this arrangement, it collects both beam
& diffuse radiation.
CPCs are usually covered with glass to avoid dust
and other materials from entering the collector and
thus reducing the reflectivity of its walls.
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

The orientation of a CPC collector is related to its

acceptance angle (θc ).
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

The orientation of a CPC collector is related to its

acceptance angle (θc ).
Also depending on the collector acceptance angle,
the collector can be stationary or tracking.
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

The orientation of a CPC collector is related to its

acceptance angle (θc ).
Also depending on the collector acceptance angle,
the collector can be stationary or tracking.
A CPC concentrator can be orientated with its long
axis along either the north-south or the east-west
direction and its aperture is tilted directly towards
the equator at an angle equal to the local latitude.
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources

The orientation of a CPC collector is related to its

acceptance angle (θc ).
Also depending on the collector acceptance angle,
the collector can be stationary or tracking.
A CPC concentrator can be orientated with its long
axis along either the north-south or the east-west
direction and its aperture is tilted directly towards
the equator at an angle equal to the local latitude.
As the acceptance angle of the concentrator along
its long axis is wide, seasonal tilt adjustment is not
necessary.
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Compound Parabolic collector

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Absorber

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
Specification requirement of an absorber coating for
a flat plate collector is as follows:
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
Specification requirement of an absorber coating for
a flat plate collector is as follows:
1 It must not degrade under ultraviolet exposure.
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
Specification requirement of an absorber coating for
a flat plate collector is as follows:
1 It must not degrade under ultraviolet exposure.
2 It must withstand temperature up to 200o C.
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
Specification requirement of an absorber coating for
a flat plate collector is as follows:
1 It must not degrade under ultraviolet exposure.
2 It must withstand temperature up to 200o C.
3 It must withstand many temperature cycles over
±40o C .
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
Specification requirement of an absorber coating for
a flat plate collector is as follows:
1 It must not degrade under ultraviolet exposure.
2 It must withstand temperature up to 200o C.
3 It must withstand many temperature cycles over
±40o C .
4 It must withstand many cycles of low to high
relative humidity.
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
Specification requirement of an absorber coating for
a flat plate collector is as follows:
1 It must not degrade under ultraviolet exposure.
2 It must withstand temperature up to 200o C.
3 It must withstand many temperature cycles over
±40o C .
4 It must withstand many cycles of low to high
relative humidity.
5 It must not chalk, fade, or chip.
 Absorptive Coatings

Renewable Energy
Sources Many varieties of absorptive coating are being used,
ranging from flat black paint to baked enamel.
Flat black absorber coatings have high absorptivity.
Specification requirement of an absorber coating for
a flat plate collector is as follows:
1 It must not degrade under ultraviolet exposure.
2 It must withstand temperature up to 200o C.
3 It must withstand many temperature cycles over
±40o C .
4 It must withstand many cycles of low to high
relative humidity.
5 It must not chalk, fade, or chip.
6 It must not be so thick that heat conduction
through the paint to the metal absorber is
impeded.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources

One or more sheets of glass or other diathermanous

(radiation transmitting) material is used as
transparent covers.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources

One or more sheets of glass or other diathermanous

(radiation transmitting) material is used as
transparent covers.
Following are its important functions:
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources

One or more sheets of glass or other diathermanous

(radiation transmitting) material is used as
transparent covers.
Following are its important functions:
1 It must reduce convective losses from the absorber
plate.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources

One or more sheets of glass or other diathermanous

(radiation transmitting) material is used as
transparent covers.
Following are its important functions:
1 It must reduce convective losses from the absorber
plate.
2 It must suppress radiative heat losses from the
absorber plate.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources

One or more sheets of glass or other diathermanous

(radiation transmitting) material is used as
transparent covers.
Following are its important functions:
1 It must reduce convective losses from the absorber
plate.
2 It must suppress radiative heat losses from the
absorber plate.
3 It must protect the absorber from the elements
and from excessive UV exposures.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources

One or more sheets of glass or other diathermanous

(radiation transmitting) material is used as
transparent covers.
Following are its important functions:
1 It must reduce convective losses from the absorber
plate.
2 It must suppress radiative heat losses from the
absorber plate.
3 It must protect the absorber from the elements
and from excessive UV exposures.
4 A glazing material must be resistant to UV
radiation.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
1 They must be reasonably impact resistant.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
1 They must be reasonably impact resistant.
2 Thin or no tempered glass panes are questionable
because of the risk of damage from hail, birds, and
vandalism.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
1 They must be reasonably impact resistant.
2 Thin or no tempered glass panes are questionable
because of the risk of damage from hail, birds, and
vandalism.
3 They must be resistant to significant temperature
shock.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
1 They must be reasonably impact resistant.
2 Thin or no tempered glass panes are questionable
because of the risk of damage from hail, birds, and
vandalism.
3 They must be resistant to significant temperature
shock.
4 Sudden rain will cause rapid overall limb changes.
A leaf on a stagnant collector can cause high
localized thermal stresses.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
1 They must be reasonably impact resistant.
2 Thin or no tempered glass panes are questionable
because of the risk of damage from hail, birds, and
vandalism.
3 They must be resistant to significant temperature
shock.
4 Sudden rain will cause rapid overall limb changes.
A leaf on a stagnant collector can cause high
localized thermal stresses.
Thus, heat tempered glass is absolute necessity for
outer collector glazing.
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
1 They must be reasonably impact resistant.
2 Thin or no tempered glass panes are questionable
because of the risk of damage from hail, birds, and
vandalism.
3 They must be resistant to significant temperature
shock.
4 Sudden rain will cause rapid overall limb changes.
A leaf on a stagnant collector can cause high
localized thermal stresses.
Thus, heat tempered glass is absolute necessity for
outer collector glazing.
Generally, plastic glazing can easily withstand the
temperature shocks. Non-UV inhibited plastic
 Glazing

Renewable Energy
Sources The following are the specification requirement of
glazing materials:
1 They must be reasonably impact resistant.
2 Thin or no tempered glass panes are questionable
because of the risk of damage from hail, birds, and
vandalism.
3 They must be resistant to significant temperature
shock.
4 Sudden rain will cause rapid overall limb changes.
A leaf on a stagnant collector can cause high
localized thermal stresses.
Thus, heat tempered glass is absolute necessity for
outer collector glazing.
Generally, plastic glazing can easily withstand the
temperature shocks. Non-UV inhibited plastic
 Insulation Materials

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Insulation Materials

Renewable Energy
Sources A solar flat plate collector must be insulated against
excessive heat losses on its back side and on its
edges as follows:
 Insulation Materials

Renewable Energy
Sources A solar flat plate collector must be insulated against
excessive heat losses on its back side and on its
edges as follows:
1 Back side - 3 .5 inch of fiberglass insulation or 2
inch of foam insulation.
 Insulation Materials

Renewable Energy
Sources A solar flat plate collector must be insulated against
excessive heat losses on its back side and on its
edges as follows:
1 Back side - 3 .5 inch of fiberglass insulation or 2
inch of foam insulation.
2 Side - 1 inch of fiberglass or 0.5 to 0.75 inch of
foam insulation.
 Insulation Materials

Renewable Energy
Sources A solar flat plate collector must be insulated against
excessive heat losses on its back side and on its
edges as follows:
1 Back side - 3 .5 inch of fiberglass insulation or 2
inch of foam insulation.
2 Side - 1 inch of fiberglass or 0.5 to 0.75 inch of
foam insulation.
The following are the specifications
1 Must withstand the maximum collector stagnation
temperature rating (200o C) without damage.
Foam materials shrink due to excessive heat.
 Insulation Materials

Renewable Energy
Sources A solar flat plate collector must be insulated against
excessive heat losses on its back side and on its
edges as follows:
1 Back side - 3 .5 inch of fiberglass insulation or 2
inch of foam insulation.
2 Side - 1 inch of fiberglass or 0.5 to 0.75 inch of
foam insulation.
The following are the specifications
1 Must withstand the maximum collector stagnation
temperature rating (200o C) without damage.
Foam materials shrink due to excessive heat.
2 The maximum stagnation temperature must not
cause evaporation or sublimation of substances in
the insulating materials such as the binder of the
fiberglass.
 Heliostat electric generating plant

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Schematic of Solar electric Generation

Renewable Energy Solar Thermal Energy Collectors I

Sources

wing electricity to
Boiler
a fluid tempera
snel system, but 1
us, it cannot achi
Natural
fthe parabolic di Solar steam fuel
Solar
pump Superheater
M
Steam
�-----1 generator
Cooling
ity from a cen tower
and deliver it via Condenser
heat-transfer fl
pumping requi
Figure 3.15 Schematic of solar electric generation
 Schematic of Solar Air Heating system

Renewable Energy
Sources

Auxiliar"'-____L....Hot
air

Pebble Building
rock
bed

-<vCold
' - - - - - ~ .-------------;-::,_:-:-_:-::
__:-: - __: -_
: :-: - ___: -: :-: - __: -:_:-: --_;_.-i-------+--~-L Air
: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~Co~trol!! - - - - - - - - - - - -~ -·
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- -- - - -- -- - -
: return
 I. Collector(s) to capture solar energy.
2. Circulation system to move a fluid between the collectors to a storage tank
3.
Schematic of Active Hot water system
Storage tank
4. Backup heating system
5. Control system to regulate the overall system operation
hieved.
Renewable Energy
Sources A typical active water heating system that exhibits effectiveness, reliability, and low maintena
e unit is is shown in Figure 3 .17.
ry limit
r
Sun rays�i;lecto
cted but � sor

ugh the ��
s� ������ Cold water
+-

during
collector
, where
ature-is Drainback

i
tank with
Distelled heat
water exchanger
Solar
controller
e tank.
angular Pump
. Small Source: http://biddecor.blogspot.in/2015/02/solar-water-heating.html
ifreeze
special Figure 3.17 A typical hot water system
 Schematic of Active Space Heating system

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Schematic of Passive Hot water system
114 I Chapter 3
Renewable Energy
Sources

� Water distributed
through the house
�

Insulated box Cold water

 Thermosiphon system

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Rice solar dryer system

118 I Chapter 3
Renewable Energy
Sources

Moist air out

-1111111111111 -.
t v t t
Rack IV
t IV t t
Rack Ill
t Ill t t
Rack II
t II t t
Rack I
t I t t

Solar collector

Black pebbles
stone
Cold
air
input
 Rock-bed solar dryer system

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Solar Pond

Renewable Energy
Sources
 Assignment-2

Renewable Energy
Sources Explain the configurations of the following solar
thermal collectors (i) Air Flat Plate Collectors (FPC)
(ii) Glazed FPC (iii) Unglazed FPC (iv) Unglazed
Perforated FPC (v) Back-pass FPC (vi) FPC with
Flat Reflectors (vii) Liquid Flat Plate Collector and
(viii) Evacuated tube collectors (ETC).
What are concentrating type solar collectors?
Explain in detail the following concentrated solar
thermal collectors (STC) (i) Compound Parabolic
STC (ii) Fresnel STC (iii) Parabolic Trough STC
(iii) Cylindrical Trough STC and (iv) Parabolic Dish
STC.
State the advantages and disadvantages of
concentrated collectors over a flat plate collector
Renewable Energy
Sources