Harnessing the Sun’S Energy: Combination of Art and Renewable Energy

By Engr. Julian Kelechi Igbo

Man has utilized energy for millions of years. Unfortunately, our usage of fossil fuel has given rise to global warming and climatic changes. Thankfully, there are better energy alternatives that do not pollute the environment.

Engr. Julian K. Igbo relies on his education and professional experiences to delve into renewable energy alternatives, define energy, illustrate energy at work, and explore all aspects of solar energy and how it works. Guided by results from his extensive research, Igbo examines efficiency ratings for solar panels, shares factors to be considered before installing solar panels, and explores the differences between active and passive solar systems. Included in his guidebook is an examination of battery banks and wind energy, information on how to locate continents on the hemisphere, and a list of safety precautions.

Harnessing the Sun's Energy is a guide for students and professionals that utilizes research and facts to explore the application and usage of solar/renewable energy sources that will protect our environment for generations to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491799512

Engr. Julian Kelechi Igbo

Engr. Julian Kelechi Igbo holds several degrees and certificates from institutions in Nigeria, Switzerland, and Great Britain. He has been involved in many projects, seminars, and workshops for professional and educational initiatives, and organized a solar/ renewable energy workshop in Switzerland. Julian is a member of Energy Institute, Member European Energy Centre (MEEC).

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Copyright © 2016 Engr. Julian Kelechi Igbo.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-9950-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-9951-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016911983

iUniverse rev. date: 09/23/2016

CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1: Brief History of Energy and the Environment

Chapter 2: Renewable/Alternative Energy

Chapter 3: Energy

Power

Kinds of Energy

Stored Energy

Transferring Kinetic Energy from Snooker Stick to the Ball

Energy at Work

Energy Stored or Transferred

Mechanical Energy

Sound Energy

Thermal Energy (Heat)

Temperature

Heating of Water in Two Different Bowls (Typical Example)

Chapter 4: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation

Proportion of Heat Loss and Wind Speed, M/S.

Chapter 5: Chemical Energy

Electrical Energy

Chapter 6: Gravitational Energy

Gravitational Potential Energy

Elastic Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy Formula

Chapter 7: Solar Energy/Solar Photovoltaics

Solar Energy

Chapter 8: Photovoltaics (PV)

PV and Cold

Chapter 9: PV Module Efficiency Rating

Chapter 10: PV Module Life Circle

Watt Peak (WP)

Typical Solar Cells

Grid and off-Grid System

Solar Angle Direction Sketches

Chapter 11: Maximum Power Point (MPPT)/Peak Power (VPP)

MPPT Controller

Chapter 12: Active and Passive Solar Energy Systems

Active Solar Energy System

Passive Solar Energy

Chapter 13: Structural Figures of Solar Panels

Polycrystalline and Monocrystalline Solar Modules

Solar Energy Project Work Carried out in Nigeria

Picture of the First Solar Tree in Africa

Chapter 14: Angle/Tilt Positions

The Sun’s Incidence Angle

Degree in Minutes

Compass

Directing Solar Modules during Installation

Diffuse and Direct Solar Radiations

Chapter 15: Different Types of Solar Modules (Panels)

Different Forms of Mounting Solar Modules

Roof Mounting of Solar Modules

PV Roof Mounting Systems

Chapter 16: Solar Panels: Parallel/Series Connections

Solar Array Connection in Parallel with Connectors

Solar Panel, Series Connections

Chapter 17: Identical Solar Cells

Chapter 18: Battery Banks

The Work of Battery Banks

Chapter 19: Solar Connectors

Chapter 20: Power Inverters

Square Wave Power Inverters

Some Inverter Pictures

Solar Panel, Battery, Inverter, and Household Electric Bulbs

Chapter 21: Current and Voltage Measuring Instruments

Voltage Measuring Instrument

Circuits

Chapter 22: Quadrants (First, Second, Third, and Fourth Quadrants)

Chapter 23: Longitude/Latitude

Location of Areas

Location of Continents on the Hemisphere

Calculations of Longitudes and Latitudes

Chapter 24: Horsepower

Chapter 25: Energy Units

Chapter 26: Always Obey Safety Signs (AOSS)

Chapter 27: Maintenance

Chapter 28: Safety Precautions

Chapter 29: Wind Energy (Wind Power)

References

Appendix

SOLAR RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

To my mother, the late Madam Justina M. Igbo, whose memory remains always evergreen, and those who fight for peace, unity, progress, and education for all

The improvements in standards of living and the protection of our environment have led mankind to harness the sun’s energy and utilize energy sources that do not pollute the environment. One cannot always rely on fossil energy.

Fossil energy comes from animals and plants that died millions of years ago. However, fossil fuels are not friendly to human beings and