MEEG 452
Solar Energy Engineering
3 Cr.
Course objectives:
- Understand the science of Solar Energy.
- Understand the utility of different Solar Energy Technologies.
- Determine potentials of solar resource for energy saving.
- Analyze the physical principles relating to the operation and design of solar electrical and thermal applications.
- Design solar electrification, pumping, heating and other systems.
- Evaluate various solar thermo-chemical and thermodynamic processes.
- Evaluate performances of the different types of thermal energy devices.
- Use different numerical and simulation tools for design, performance evaluation and techno-economic viability of heating and cooling systems, and Photovoltaic electrification plants.
Course Plan
Fundamentals of Solar Energy (4 Hrs)
- Solar Spectrum and Radiation
- Instruments
- Sun-Earth Angles
- Selected Heat Transfer Topics
Solar Thermal Utilities (Flat Plate Solar Thermal Collectors. FPSTC) (6 Hrs)
- Basics of FPSTC
- Energy Balance Equation
- Temperature Distribution
- Overall Heat Loss Co-efficient, Heat Removal Factors and Flow Factors
- Practical Issues of FPSTC
- Case Studies
Application and Design of Solar Heating Systems (12 Hrs)
- Solar water heating-active and passive systems
- Building heating-active, passive and hybrid systems
- Specific applications in: solar dryers, solar cookers and swimming pools
- Design, sizing and evaluation of solar thermal system
- f-Chart method
Solar Electrical Utilities (Photovoltaic, PV) (12 Hrs)
- Background and Basics of Solar PV
- Components of PV
- Types of PV Utilities
- Design, sizing, operation and maintenance of PV Plants for electrification and pumping
- Case Studies and Plant Visits
Solar Energy Storage Devices
- Introduction to Batteries Technologies
- Types of Batteries
- Other Electrical Energy Storage Technology
- Introduction and Types of Thermal Storages
- Daily and Seasonal Storages
- Case Studies
Exposure to Analysis Tools (8 Hrs)
- PVsyst, HOMER and TRNSYS for Beginner level introductions
REFERENCE TEXTS
1. Economic, Technical and Renewable Comparison. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
2. Adomatis, R. (2013). Modeling and analysis of PV, Thermal and Electrochemical Solar Energy Systems.
3. Boyle, G. (1996). Renewable Energy, Power for a Sustainable Future. Oxford University Press.
4. D. Chianese., D. Pittet., J.N. Shrestha., D. Sharma., A. Zahnd., M.R. Upadhyaya., S.Thapa., N.Sanjel., M. S. (2009). Development of PV grid-connected plants in Nepal.
5. Duffie, A.J., Beckman, A. W. (2013). Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes. John Wiley and Sons.
6. Garg, H.P., Dayal, M., F. (2007). G. Physics and Technology of Solar Energy – Volume 1. Solar Thermal Applications, Springer.
7. Garg, H.P., Mullick, S.C., Bhargava, A.K., Reidal, D. (2005). Solar Thermal Energy Storage. Springer.
8. Goswami, D. Y. (2000). Principles of Solar Engineering. Taylor and Francis.
9. Grag, H. P., & Kandpal, T. C. (1999). Laboratory Manual on Solar Thermal Experiments. New Delhi: Narosa Publishing House.
10. Green, M. A. Solar Cells: operation principles, technology and system application. Unv. of NSW.
11. H.P Garg, J. P. (2007). Solar Energy Fundamentals and Applications (8th ed.). Tata McGraw-Hill Publications.
12. I Diner, M. R. (2002). Thermal Energy Storage. John Wiley & Sons Publications.
13. N.K Banal, K. Manfred. Renewable Energy Sources of Conversion Technology. Tata Mc Graw Hill.
14. Nayak, & S.P, S. (2008). Solar Energy: Principles of Thermal Collection and Storage. Tata McGraw Hill.
15. Office of Energy Efficiency Services/ Ministry of Industry, Principles and Practices of Energy Conversion System.
16. Patel, M. R. (2005). Wind and Solar Power Systems: Design, Analysis and Operation (2nd ed.). New York: Tailor & Francis CRC Press.
17. Rai, G. Solar Energy Utilization. Khanna Publications.
18. Sorensen, B. (2004). Renewable Energy: its physics, engineering, use, environmental impacts, economy and planning aspects (355th ed.). Elsevier Academic Press.
19. Sorensen, B. (2011). Renewable Energy. Elsevier, Academic Press.
20. Tiwari, G. (2014). Solar Energy (Fundamentals, Design, Modelling and Applications). Narosa Publication House.
21. Twidell, J.W., W. A Renewable Energy Sources. EFN Spon Ltd.
22. Solar Water and Pool Heating Manual. (2006), (January).
23. Energy, A., & Centre, P. Training Manual on.
24. Lafta, F., & Hashim, A. (2019). Design of Solar Pond for Electricity Production, (February).
25. Shakya, S. R. (2014). Training Manual for Engineers on Solar PV System, (July 2011). https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.3156.9607