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:: SOLAR POWER OVERVIEW

Solar energy is our earth's primary source of renewable energy. It is a form of energy radiated by the sun, including light, radio waves, and X rays, although the term usually refers to the visible light of the sun. As oil prices have gone up and other energy sources remain limited, nations are increasingly searching for safe, reliable long-term sources of power. In this scenario solar energy proves to be an abundant energy source which can be put to use. Electricity generation from solar energy at present is no more a new concept to the world. Solar electricity being clean (pollution free), silent, limitless and free will play a great role in the times to come in the present energy driven civilization. Solar energy is useful in many ways, some are as listed :

• Generate electricity using photovoltaic solar cells.
• Generate electricity using concentrated solar power.
• Generate electricity by heating trapped air which rotates turbines in a Solar updraft tower.
• Generate hydrogen using photoelectrochemical cells.
• Heat and cool air through use of solar chimneys.
• Heat buildings, directly, through passive solar building design.
• Heat foodstuffs, through solar ovens.
• Heat water or air for domestic hot water and space heating needs using solar-thermal panels.
• Solar air conditioning

POWER GENERATION FROM SOLAR

Every second 657 million tons of hydrogen are converted to 653 million tons of helium in our sun. The missing 4 million tons are converted to light and heat energy via Einstein’s E=MC2 equation and radiated into space. At an average distance of 93 million miles from the sun, the earth collects approximately 4 lbs. of total energy, which supports life on earth as we know it. For every kWh of electricity generated by solar energy, the following emissions are avoided since that kWh need not be generated from a fossil fuel power plant. In one year, the approximate avoided emissions in lbs/year are:

SOLAR POWERPLANT SIZE
CO2
NOx
SOx
PARTICULATES
1 kW
2,508
6.3
5.2
0.36
10 kW
25,800
63
52
3.6
100 kW
258,000
1 630
520
36
1 MW
2,580,000
6300
5200
360

SOLAR POWER PLANT TYPES:
There are two ways to use solar energy to generate electricity;

• Photovoltaic type: Photovoltaic (PV) systems converts sunlight directly into electricity
• Thermal type: Solar thermal plants use heat to generate electricity.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT:
The sun illuminates the solar cells in the PV Array, which converts light energy into electricity. The electricity goes into an inverter and into the power lines to your home.
Modes of generation-
• Conventional Silicon based
- Monocrystalline technology
- Polycrystalline technology
- Thin film technology
• Concentrating PV (CPV): latest emerging

SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANT:
The main principle involved is to focus sunlight on a receiver, where the circulating fluid gets heated & thereby drives a steam engine to generate electricity.
Modes of Generation:
• Concentrating Type ( CSP)
> Line Focusing systems
- Parabolic Trough Systems
- Fresnel Trough Collector Systems
> Point Focusing systems
- Dish Stirling Systems / Concentrating Dish
- Solar Tower Plants using central Receiver System
• Non- concentrating Type
> Solar Updraft Tower Power Plants – Solar Chimney
> Solar Pond Power Plants

CURRENT SCENARIO IN MAHARASHTRA

Among the renewable sources of energy, solar energy has a huge potential for power generation in Maharashtra. There are 250-300 days of clear sun with an available average radiation of 4 to 6 kWh/sq.metre over a day. There is a capacity to generate 1.5 million units/MW/year through solar photovoltaic systems & up to 2.5 million units/MW/ year through solar thermal systems. Maharashtra is already in process to boost this enormous source and interested solar project developers can submit their proposals to MEDA.

Download list of grid connected solar power projects commissioned in Maharashtra