Promotion of Solar Energy Lets save our earth

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resourcessuch as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heatwhich are renewable (naturally replenished). These are also known as nonconventional sources of energy. In the past century, it has been seen that the consumption of non-renewable sources of energy has caused more environmental damage than any other human activity. Electricity generated from fossil fuels such as coal and crude oil has led to high concentrations of harmful gases in the atmosphere. This has in turn led to many problems being faced today such as ozone depletion and global warming. Therefore, alternative sources of energy have become very important and relevant to todays world. They stand out as a viable source of clean and limitless energy. Source / forms of renewable energy: 1) Solar Energy; 2) Wind Energy; 3) Hydel Energy; 4) Biomass; 5) Geothermal Energy etc.

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used. Solar powered electrical generation relies on heat engines and photovoltaic. Solar energy's uses are limited only by human ingenuity. To harvest the solar energy, the most common way is to use solar panels. India receives 47 kWh/m2/day solar radiation with 250300 sunny days in a year. Highest annual radiation: Western Rajasthan. Lowest annual radiation: North-eastern region.

Benefits of Solar energy: No contribution to global warming or greenhouse effects Fuel is freely available. No dependence on any other fuel. Almost negligible maintenance. Generate the energy you need and where you need it. Reduced vulnerability to power loss when it acts as backup. Systems are easily expandable Solar power is silent power. No contribution to noise pollution

Photovoltaic System:

Typical output of a module (30 cells) 15 Volt with 1.5A current. Photovoltaic are thin wafers of silicon. Light carries energy in to cell. Cell converts sunlight energy in to electrical energy. Ref.: Books.

PV technology classification: Silicon Crystalline Technology: a) Mono Crystalline PV Cells. b) Multi Crystalline PV Cells Thin Film Technology: a) Amorphous silicon PV cell b) Poly crystalline PV Cell (Non silicon based). Research stage. Silicon Crystalline Technology: It is very stable in operation and most widely used technology and covers approximately 86% of PV market. Average efficiency is 10 16%. Mono crystalline PV Cells are made using saw-cut from single cylindrical crystal if silicon and its operating efficiency id 15%.

Multi crystalline PV Cells are made from ingot of melted and re-crystallized silicon. Its operating efficiency is 12% but accounts for 90% of crystalline market.

Thin Film Technology: Silicon deposited in a continuous on a base material such as glass, metal or polymers. Thin-film crystalline solar cell consists of layers about 10m thick compared with 200-300m layers for crystalline silicon cells. Though it relatively cheaper than the crystalline technology but stability is poor.

Amorphous silicon PV Cell: The most advanced of thin film technologies, with operating efficiency ~6 % and makes up about 13% of PV market.

A typical block diagram of solar generating plant:

Solar Photovoltaic power plant in India: In 11th , 5 Year (2007 2012) plan Governments encourages solar generationand a total capacity of 50 MW to be supported during eleventh plan. Some existing plants in India are as follows. 200 kWp Grid interactive plant at Khatkarkalan (District Nawanshehar): (2003) 50 KWp Grid Interactive Power Plant at village Bajak, District Bathinda Several Grid interactive plants in Lakshadweep of 100 kW capacity each. 50 Kilowatt Grid Interactive Solar Power Plant at Niel Island and another plant of 50 kW capacity at Havelock Island of A&N Islands