Evaluation of the development potential of rooftop solar photovoltaic in Taiwan

Because of extensive exploitation, fossil fuels are gradually becoming depleted and global warming issues are increasing. Therefore, all nations must develop alternative energy resources to reduce the potential risk of exhausting the available fossil fuel energy supply and to resolve environmental degradation.The amount of sunlight and installed power capacity are crucial factors that influence solar photovoltaic (PV) efficiency. Among domestic and international studies, numerous scholars have proposed various installed power capacity assessment models, which typically calculate areas based on sub-fields, ground floors or per capita. However, an evaluation of the potential of solar PV power generation on rooftops indicated that the shadow effect caused by building structures substantially influence the amount of installed power capacity. This study aims to effectively compute the shadow areas (shaded areas) on rooftops. By using the Hillshade module, the buildings' elevation data and the solar azimuth and altitude angles at different hours were calculated to obtain the hourly sun/shade grayscale values. The grayscale values were then integrated into binary images to calculate the shadow areas on rooftops.This study suggests that the rooftop solar photovoltaic installation capacity is some 12,428.5 MW and power generation capacity 15,423.75 GWh in Taiwan.     

Assessment of global solar resource development

With the increasing severity of environmental problems, many countries have set energy transition targets to promote the realization of the Paris Agreement. There has been a global consensus on utilizing solar energy resources as alternatives to conventional sources to support this energy transition. In this regard, analyzing the “location,” “quantity,” and “quality” of global solar energy resources will not only assist an individual country to efficiently utilize these resources but also promote the realization of large-scale intercontinental resource utilization and complementation. This study established the basic database, model methods, and platform tools for global solar energy assessment, Then, a global solar energy resource assessment was conducted, which included the theoretical reserves (TRs), technical installed potential capacity (TPIC), and average development cost (ADC). A comparative analysis of the assessment results for all continents was also performed. After that, based on big data analysis and geographic information system (GIS) calculations, the distribution characteristics of the global solar power TPIC were calculated with the two core indicators, namely the capacity factor and ADC. Furthermore, a data-driven quantitative evaluation of the refined development potential of solar energy resources was performed. Finally, the reasonableness and coincidence analysis of the resource assessment results were verified using data from global and specifically Chinese photovoltaic (PV) bases.     

Neuro-fuzzy-based solar cell model

This work describes a hybrid soft-computing modeling technique that facilitates the modeling of newly installed solar cells, or solar cells with few historical measured data, over a range of expected operating conditions. The technique uses neuro-fuzzy models to predict solar cell short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage, followed by coordinate translation of a measured current-voltage response. The model can be extended beyond the bounds of measured data by incorporating a priori knowledge derived from theory and manufacturer's data. The solar cell model is developed and validated against measured data. The model requires fewer data than pure neural network models, and matches measured data more accurately than conventional solar cell models.     

A review of installed solar photovoltaic and thermal collector capacities in relation to solar potential for the EU-15

This article analyses the energy statistics of 15 European Union countries (EU-15), giving special emphasis to the installed solar photovoltaic and thermal collector capacity. The installed capacities per capita are analysed in relation to the solar radiation income of respective countries with the view to explore the relationship between the solar income and its utilisation as of the year 2006. In terms of the installed solar thermal collector capacity, Austria leads the statistics amongst the countries studied with 223W_th collector capacity per capita, followed by Greece with 207W_th. Except for Greece, it is observed that the countries with high solar radiation income are lacking to realise their solar potential. Regarding the installed photovoltaic power per capita, Luxembourg leads the pack by a wide margin with 47W_p capacity, followed by Germany with 30W_p. Fiscal instruments to invigorate the deployment of solar energy have also been identified in this work.     

Optimal design for a thermosyphon solar water heater

Through the use of TRNSYS, a transient simulation program, optimization of design parameters for a thermosyphon solar water heater was studied for two regions in Jordan represented by two cities, namely Amman and Aqaba. The optimum value of a parameter is defined as the value which maximizes the annual solar fraction of a system. This paper includes a good deal of information concerning sizing of common components of thermosyphon solar water heaters operated under certain condition (load volume, distribution profile and temperature) using weather data of Jordan. The results indicate that the solar fraction of the system can be improved by 10–25% when a proper choice is used for each studied parameter. It is also shown that the solar fraction of a system installed in Aqaba (hot climate) is less sensitive to some parameters than the solar fraction of a similar installed in Amman (mild climate).     

Dual functioning flat plate thermal solar collector

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cost effectiveness of a self-constructed and installed flat plate solar energy collector. The report analyzes the theoretical energy output of the solar collector, the experimental measured energy output and the theoretical insulation properties of the collector as constructed and installed.The results obtained indicate the collector is cost effective because of its insulation property when installed inside a single glazed window. The collector produces a relatively small energy income as a solar energy collector.     

Economic impact of solar thermal electricity deployment in Spain

The objective of the work is to estimate the socio-economic impacts of increasing the installed solar thermal energy power capacity in Spain. Using an input–output (I–O) analysis, this paper estimates the increase in the demand for goods and services as well as in employment derived from solar thermal plants in Spain under two different scenarios: (a) based on two solar thermal power plants currently in operation (with 50 and 17 MW of installed capacity); (b) the compliance to the Spanish Renewable Energy Plan (PER) 2005–2010 reaching 500 MW by 2010.     

Long-term power-to-gas potential from wind and solar power: A country analysis for Italy

Challenges related to variability of renewable energy sources (RES) recently arose in many countries and several solutions based on energy storage were proposed; among them, a promising option is Power-to-Gas (P2G), able to recover excess and unbalanced electrical energy. In this work, an assessment of long-term P2G potential is performed on a country scale, based on the analysis of electrical system historical data series, rescaled in order to consider the evolution of load and installed wind and solar capacity. In a long-term perspective, it is assumed the complete exploitation of the technical potential of the RES, which represents an upper deployment boundary with current technology. Once satisfied the electric load, residual energy to the P2G system and hydrogen production are calculated on a hourly basis; P2G installed capacity is a consequence of the assumed target on minimum operation on a yearly basis. The Italian case is analyzed, evidencing that the recovered excess energy from RES could substitute nearly 5% of current natural gas consumption or about 7% of national fuel consumption when used for hydrogen mobility. A range of options and a sensitivity analysis on assumptions is presented, showing scenarios with up to 200 GW of installed RES and a 50% additional load with respect to current one. In addition, the extension of the model to a zonal grid structure evidences the impact of transmission lines saturation that may increase gas production up to 50%. Results are compared with the German case, considered in a previous work, evidencing differences due to the diverse energy production mix.     

Highlights of mainstream solar cell efficiencies in 2021

Solar photovoltaic(PV)technology is expected to play a key role in global carbon neutrality.The global new installed solar PV capacity over the past 20 years ha...     

Payback of solar systems

A variety of solar conversion systems is studied in a dynamic economical model in which the real cost of energy inflates. Payback times and dates of probable market entries are estimated. A distributed system to convert solar energy into heat and electricity in direct proximity to the consumer (Solar One system) is economically attractive even for solar cells with well below 10 per cent conversion efficiency when these can be installed in flat plate collectors for less than $30/m², in addition to the collector cost.     

Hydrogen production characteristics of a bioethanol solar reforming system with solar insolation fluctuations

The development of a bioethanol steam reforming system (FBSR) is considered as a means of distributing energy using PEM fuel cells. Small-scale solar collectors (collection areas on the order of several m²) are installed in a house as a method for applying the FBSR. However, the temperature distribution of a reforming catalyst fluctuates under conditions of unstable solar insolation. Therefore, heat transfer analysis applied in reforming the catalyst layer of the reactor and the temperature distribution and transient response characteristics of the gas composition of the process were investigated. As a case study, meteorological data for representative days in March and August in Sapporo, Japan were recorded, and the hydrogen production speed, power generation output and amount of electricity purchased were analyzed. The results showed that although fluctuations in solar insolation affected the efficiency of the FBSR, the average efficiency of each representative day exceeded 40%. By installing two solar collectors, each with a collection area of 1 m², 21–25% of the average power demand of an individual house can be supplied.     

Evaluation of property tax bonus to promote solar thermal systems in Andalusia (Spain)

This paper evaluates the effects of a property tax bonus to promote the installation of solar–thermal energy systems in buildings in Andalusia (southern Spain). The propensity score matching methodology is used. The treatment group consists of municipalities of Andalusia that established property tax bonuses in their municipalities in 2010. The control group consists of municipalities that did not. The response variable measures the number of new square meters of solar thermal systems installed in 2010. The analysis leads to the conclusion that municipalities that established a property tax bonus had installed, on average, 102.245 to 122.389 square meters more. These results indicate that the percentage increase in squares meters installed in municipalities which adopted the tax bonus promotion ranged from 70.74% to 98.38%. These percentages were lower for rural municipalities (49.00% to 77.06%).     

A demonstrative study for the wind and solar hybrid power system

In March 1995, a small scale wind and solar hybrid power system was installed at Ashikaga Institute of Technology. Until now, the authors have acquired the data of the output of the hybrid power plant along with wind speed, wind direction, and the solar radiation, in order to demonstrate a complementary relationship between solar energy and wind energy.After nine months operation of the system, the authors confirmed that there exists a complementary relationship between solar energy and wind energy. We also found, however, that the power output by wind does not have much prospect compared to that by solar cell especially in summer season in Ashikaga area.     

Demonstration plant of a multi wick solar still

A solar distillation plant of capacity 70 litres/day (annual average) has been installed at the Centre of Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India. The system has been working for the last 1 year, and its performance is found to be satisfactory. It meets the requirements of distilled water in the Institute.     

Design of a solar collector for year-round climatization

Solar heating systems in buildings have increasingly been studied in the past two decades. In several applications the primary energy demand is now for both heating and cooling, and modern solar collectors should be designed to provide climatization during the whole year. Solar systems are seldom applied in Europe, and large buildings, such as office buildings and schools, continue to be built with mechanical ventilation systems.The study presented in this paper is part of a European XVII Thermie project entitled “Pilot project for photovoltaic, energetic and biohousing retrieval in a school”, whose aim was to install a photovoltaic plant and solar air collectors coupled with a sun breaker structure at a scientific high school in Umbertide, in central Italy.This paper describes the research and development activities concerning a solar air collector suited for winter heating and summer ventilation, which was installed at the high school. The collector physical and numerical modelling of heat transfer and fluid flow in winter operation is presented. The system performance has been estimated as a function of different parameters in order to provide a tool for the design process. Furthermore, the climate in the area has been simulated through the available experimental data, and the system behavior under these conditions is presented.The collectors were installed at the scientific high school in Umbertide in spring 2001. Summer ventilation cooling is under testing and an experimental test period is foreseen next winter to validate the design of the collectors and their performance.     

沼气、太阳能生态海岛

提出了沼气、太阳能生态海岛模型.利用太阳池淡化海水,为官兵提供饮用水,在太阳池底铺设换热器,为官兵提供生活用热水,并对沼气池进行加热.利用海岛官兵的生活废弃物生产的沼气进行炊事,大约可以满足51%左右的炊事用能需求.     

Facade systems with variable solar control using thermotropic polymer blends

Thermotropic layers integrated into glazing or transparent insulation systems reversibly reduce the total solar energy transmittance by becoming opaque when heated. Characteristics of both systems have been measured as a function of temperature and incidence angle, including the total solar energy transmittance for a thermotropic heat-mirror insulating glazing unit (IGU). Properties of complex thermotropic glazing systems have been simulated, starting from data characterising the thermotropic layer. The results show good agreement with measured data. A prototype system sample of a thermotropic heat-mirror IGU was integrated into an outdoor test facility and a thermotropic TEIF (transparent exterior insulation and finish) prototype system was installed into the facade of a demonstration house. Both systems have been monitored and showed the expected switching properties, resulting in the desired overheating protection. Computer simulations of the building integration of the thermotropic TEIF system have been performed, showing a strong dependence of the optimum switching temperature on the total solar and internal gains of the building.     

Residential application of refrigerant-charged solar collectors

A fluorocarbon (trichlorofluoromethane) loaded solar collector system was installed and evaluated. It demonstrated 83 per cent energy recovery at a low collector temperature difference of approx. 10°C. The maximum peak energy picked up by the collector surface was 2.8 MJ/m² · hr (250 Btu/hr-ft²). The heat-transfer medium is relatively nontoxic, noncorrosive and nonfreezing in cold climates. In this application it circulates by natural convection; therefore, the system requires no pump or electronic control in the primary loop.     

World's largest and tallest solar recladding

Buildings requiring new wall cladding either to repair existing facades or to upgrade thermal performance and improve the appearance of the building can incorporate a solar cladding system which also acts as a heater in addition to the recladding requirements. In the past two years, unglazed SOLARWALL^® air heaters have been installed on numerous recladding projects and this paper will summarize two of those installations in Canada; one which is believed to be the largest solar heating system of its kind and the other, the tallest solar heating panel system.