Solar Energy Systems and Carbon Pricing

Solar Energy Systems

• Solar energy systems are a key component of energy systems.
• Solar technologies cover various solar energy systems, including solar PV and PV/T systems, along with energy and exergy aspects, case studies, and closing remarks.
• The outline also includes topics on solar radiation and solar energy applications.

Carbon Tax

• A carbon tax is implemented in two regions.
• The tax rate is $65 starting from 2023.

Cap and Trade

• Cap and trade is implemented in two regions.
• The average price of the credit on auction is $36.

Global Carbon Prices

• A map displays global carbon prices (as of January 30, 2024).
  • Examples of specific regions and their prices include: European Union (€63.01), South Korea ($6.70), United Kingdom (£33.05), China ($9.80), California ($28.66), and New Zealand ($71.45).

100% Canada

• The initiative aims to transition to 100% wind, water, and solar (WWS) energy.
• Avoided mortality and illness cost is $107B per year, representing 4% of GDP.
• The benefits of the transition include reduced air pollution deaths (9,598 annually) and a return on investment in as little as 1.9 years through savings from air and climate costs.

Solar Data Measurements

• Pyrheliometers measure direct solar irradiance across a 300-4000nm range at normal incidence, possessing high accuracy and stability.
• Pyranometers measure both direct and diffuse solar radiation, generating a proportional response to sunlight intensity, correlating linearly to the angle between the sun's rays and vertical.

Photovoltaic Systems

• Photovoltaic (PV) systems encompass PV and PV/T (photovoltaic thermal) systems.
• Potential applications include space applications, stand-alone systems, grid-connected systems, hydrogen production, and others.

Solar Heat Engine

• Solar heat engine systems utilize components like solar collectors, concentrators, receivers, expanders, resorbers, ammonia-water pumps, electrical generators, solar tracking systems, inverters, and warm water storage.

Solar Thermal Collectors

• Classifies solar thermal collectors as non-concentrating (flat-plate collectors) and concentrating (compound parabolic, parabolic trough, solar tower, and parabolic dish) based on their design characteristics.
• Reports specific temperatures (T values) and efficiencies (η) for each type of collector.

PV-Electrolyzer Hydrogen Production Systems

• This system involves photovoltaic panels generating electricity which in turn is used by an electrolyzer to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Roof-top mounted transparent PV panels

• Transparent PV panels are mounted on rooftops for electricity generation.

Greenhouse with transparent PV panel mounted on roof

• A typical greenhouse setup now includes transparent solar panels on the roof to generate electricity while also supporting crop growth.

Hybrid PV Solar Water Heater and Active Solar Still

• Hybrid PV solar systems combine photovoltaic panels and flat plate collectors to heat water efficiently, with the setup being described as a hybrid PV-solar collector active solar still.

Photovoltaic Thermal (PV/T) System Applications

• PV/T systems are applied in air collectors, water collectors, and others.

Energy and Exergy Aspects

• Key formulas for calculating power (Ee = Pm = Vm Im = FF Voc Isc) and efficiency are included, referencing variables like FF, Voc, and Isc.
• The relationships between cell current, A and cell voltage, V, and different illumination levels are presented graphically.

Energy and Exergy Efficiencies of PV and PV/T Systems

• Formulas for calculating energy and exergy efficiencies for PV and PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) systems are detailed, including variables like Ee, Qs, Pm, and Qout.

Best Research-Cell Efficiencies

• A timeline graph depicts the increasing trend in solar cell efficiencies from 1975 to present.
• Various solar cell types, such as III-V multijunction cells, single-junction GaAs cells, and thin-film technologies, are included in the chart.

Case Studies

• Different case studies cover diverse applications of solar technology. Diagrams illustrating the technologies are presented.