MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CAL POLY POMONA

INTERDEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO: Dr. Kevin R. Anderson
ORG: Mechanical Engineering

DATE: November 02, 2011

REF: Individual report

FROM: Chuanye Liu, G7 ME 407L Thu. Fall 2011

SUBJECT: Building-9 Roof Top Solar Thermal System Field Trip at Cal Poly Pomona

References:
[1] Dr. Kevin R. Anderson ME 407 Lab Mannual
[2] US Energy Diagram from LLNL 2009
https://www.llnl.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/images/energy-flow-annotated.pdf
[3] Solar panel STC and PTC conditions http://www.ambassadorenergy.com/pre-configuredsystems/stc-versus-ptc-panel-ratings/
[4] Solar panel price drops in the last year http://www.solarbuzz.com/facts-and-figures/retailprice-environment/module-prices
Purpose of the field trip
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The present and future condition of solar and PV energy.

Basic understanding of how a photovoltaic system works.
Basic understanding of how a solar cell/panel/array works.
Basic knowledge about grid tied inverter.
Developments in solar thermal and PV.
Our rooftop solar thermal system

Present and future condition of solar and PV energy

Mankinds total primary energy supply (TPES) was 433 Ej in 2002, including noncommercial biomass, equivalent to a continuous power consumption of 13.75 TW. The IEA
projects for 2030 a TPES of about 688 Ej, equivalent to 21.8 TW of power (IEA 2004). This
compares to the solar radiation intercepted by the Earth of 173,000 TW, of which 120,000 TW

strike the Earths surface. Solar energy is thus the primary energy source on our planets surface
and exceeds 8,000 times our primary energy supply. Fulfilling global energy needs as projected
for 2030 would require covering about 0.6% of emerged lands with 10% net efficient solar
conversion systems.
Another indication of the abundance of solar energy is, somewhat paradoxically, the
threat of climate change itself. The increases in the atmospheric concentrations of well-mixed
greenhouse gases from the pre-industrial to present time result mainly from the combustion of
fossil fuels for energy purposes (Figure 1). Solar energy has the potential to help solve this
problem it creates.

Figure 1. US Energy Diagram from LLNL 2009

Photovoltaic System
A photovoltaic system (or PV system) is a system, which uses one or more solar panels to
convert sunlight into electricity. It consists of multiple components, including the photovoltaic
modules, mechanical and electrical connections and mountings and means of regulating and/or
modifying the electrical output.
Solar cell/panel/array

Solar cell
When photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting
materials, such as silicon, the electrons are knocked loose from their atoms, causing an
electric potential difference. Current starts flowing though the material to cancel the
potential and this electricity is captured. Due to the special composition of solar cells, the
electrons are only allowed to move in a single direction.

Solar panel
The majority of solar panel modules use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells or
thin-film cells based on cadmium telluride or silicon. The cells must be connected
electrically to one another and to the rest of the system. Cells must also be protected from
mechanical damage and moisture. Most solar panels are rigid, but semi-flexible ones are
available, based on thin-film cells. Electrical connections are made in series to achieve a
desired output voltage and/or in parallel to provide a desired current capability. Separate
diodes may be needed to avoid reverse currents, in case of partial or total shading, and at
night. Reverse currents waste power and can also lead to overheating of shaded cells.
Solar cells become less efficient at higher temperatures and installers try to provide good
ventilation behind solar panels.
Solar array
Connecting solar panels in series or parallel forms a solar array, in order to match
up with the battery system, parallel voltages and polarities must match, blocking diodes
are included in the panel by the manufacture.

Grid tied inverter

Grid tie inverter (GTI) converts direct current electricity into alternating current
electricity and feeds it into an existing electrical grid. GTI is often used to convert direct current
produced by many renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or small wind turbines, into
alternating current used to power homes and businesses.
Developments in solar thermal and PV
Government-controlled Chinese solar industry has been unusually vitriolic recently.
These Chinese companies dumping solar panels into the United States at prices, aided by
government subsidies, lower than the cost of making and distributing them.
Building-9 rooftop solar thermal system at Cal Poly Pomona
The building-9 rooftop solar thermal system at Cal Poly has three 24V-208 Watt sharp
panels in series (Figure 2) with one Enphase 240 VAC MPP microinverter (Figure 3).

Figure 2. Rooftop solar thermal system

Figure 3.Enphase 240 VAC MPP microinverter

This system includes a grid tied inverter (Figure 4) to converts direct current electricity
produced by the solar panel into alternating current electricity.

Figure 4. Grid tied inverter

Another important component of this roof top solar thermal system is the single axis sun
light tracking system. It includes a sunlight sensor (Figure 5) and a drive actuator (figure 6). It is
used to minimize the angle of incidence between the incoming light and the solar panels. This
increases the amount of energy produced from a fixed amount of installed power generating

capacity. What worth mentioning is the stand off and drive actuator was remolded from a
discarded satellite receiver, which made the whole system much more cost efficient.

Figure 5. Sun light sensor

Figure 6. Single axis tracking system