Overview of Solar Thermal Technologies

6 Questions

What is the main focus of the RET 353 course?

Harnessing solar power for producing electrical energy

How does Solar PV Energy differ from Solar Thermal Energy Conversion?

Solar PV Energy uses the photovoltaic effect directly, while Solar Thermal Energy converts solar heat into mechanical power.

Who designed the world’s first commercial solar water heater?

Klerence Kemp

What did Augustin Mouchot demonstrate in 1878 using solar energy?

An ice cream making machine

In early 20th century, what sparked a boom in the solar heating market?

People started using black painted boxes to trap solar heat for daily use

How does Solar Thermal Energy differ from Solar PV Energy in terms of energy conversion?

Solar Thermal Energy indirectly generates mechanical power, leading to electricity production, while Solar PV Energy converts sunlight directly into electrical energy.

Study Notes

Solar Thermal Energy Overview

Solar thermal energy is the technology and methods to harness solar power for producing electrical energy or heating in industrial and daily use.

Difference between Solar Thermal Energy and Solar PV Energy

Solar PV energy is the direct conversion of solar radiant energy into electrical energy using the photovoltaic effect.
Solar thermal energy is an indirect method of power conversion, using heated fluid to generate mechanical power and produce electricity.

History of Solar Thermal Energy Conversion

Early efforts involved heating water for daily use using black painted boxes to trap solar heat.
Klarence Kemp designed the world's first commercial solar water heater.
The solar heating market saw a boom in the early 20th century.

Notable Innovations

Augustin Mouchot demonstrated an ice cream making machine in 1878 using solar energy.
Frank Shuman demonstrated a solar engine in 1897, working by reflecting solar energy onto boxes filled with ether to power a toy engine.