Lectures of a Course held at the Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy, November 11-18, 1981

Solar Energy Conversion and Photoenergy Systems theme in two volumes is a component of Encyclopedia of Energy Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty Encyclopedias. Any human activity needs energy and renewable energies are always present all over the world. Each location has its own specific renewable potential and it is our task to develop the suitable technologies to profit, at local level, this potential to not only produce the needed energy but also create economic activity and wealth. Solar energy, in particular, has the highest potential among all existing renewable energies and, in the context of the energy, water and climate change global problems mankind will face in the coming years, the substantial integration of solar energy technologies into our societies will an absolute needs in the short to medium term. The number of applications of solar energy is simply huge, covering a very wide range of human activities. Some of these applications are already technically and economically viable, being others still at research or demonstration level. In addition, it has been demonstrated the important benefits solar energy can provide to any area with medium-high solar irradiation level: from sustainability to energy independence, as well as economic development and knowledge creation. Due to this, solar energy development, from photovoltaic to solar thermal or power applications, has been very intense during the last years in all the, so called, “Sun Belt”. There is also the general consensus, at many countries, that we should accelerate the current solar energy pathway, increasing the research efforts to make economically feasible the applications that today are only technically feasible. This effort and the status of most of these applications have been discussed along this paper and within the articles of the topic. The Theme on Solar Energy Conversion and Photoenergy Systems with contributions from distinguished experts in the field, discusses solar energy related technologies and applications, some of which are already in commercial and practical applications and others are under research and testing level. The volumes provide an analysis and discussion about the reasons behind the current efforts of our society, considering both developed and developing countries, to accelerate the introduction of the huge solar energy potential into our normal daily lives. The two volumes also provide some basic information about the solar energy potential, history and the amazing trip of a photon from its creation in the Sun until its arrival to the Earth. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs.

Solar Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage: Materials, Technologies, and Applications focuses on the current state of solar energy and the recent advancements in nanomaterials for different technologies, from harnessing energy to storage. The book covers different aspects of advanced nanomaterials for solar energy, rapid developments in solar thermal and hot water systems, and PV and CSP technologies. In addition, sections cover storing harnessed solar/heat energy using different available energy storage technologies, including phase change materials (PCMs), batteries, and supercapacitors. Various applications such as agriculture and aquaculture, desalination, domestic appliances, and transport are also explored. Provides an overview of solar energy harvesting technologies, energy storage technologies, and the role of advanced nanomaterials in solar energy Explores applications of technology in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture, desalination and transport Includes discussion of current policies, strategies and socioeconomic analysis and challenges

Solar Thermal Systems and Applications: New Design Techniques for Improved Thermal Performance brings together the latest advances for the improved performance, efficiency, and integration of solar thermal energy (STE) technology. The book begins by introducing solar energy and solar thermal energy as a viable option in terms of green energy for industrial, commercial, and residential applications, as well as its role and potential within hybrid energy systems. This is followed by detailed chapters that focus on key innovations in solar thermal energy systems, covering novel approaches and techniques in areas such as flat plate solar collectors, modified evacuated tube solar collectors, solar parabolic trough collectors, linear Fresnel reflectors, photovoltaic thermal systems, phase change materials, nanotechnology, combined PVT-PCM systems, solar thermal systems and Trombe wall design, solar still units, and solar dish systems. Throughout the book, the coverage is supported by experimental and numerical modelling methods, and techniques are discussed and assessed with a view to improved electrical and thermal efficiency and performance. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students in solar energy, thermal engineering, hybrid energy systems, renewable energy, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, and materials science. This is also of interest to engineers, R&D professionals, scientists, and policy makers with an interest in solar thermal energy (STE) in an industrial, residential, or commercial setting. Introduces solar thermal energy (STE) and details the current state and future opportunities Reviews and analyzes the latest advances in solar thermal energy technology, design, methods, and applications Covers, in detail, the role of phase change materials and nanomaterials in STE systems

This book presents insights into the thermal performance of solar thermal collectors using both computational and experimental modeling. It consists of various computational and experimental case studies conducted by the authors on the solar thermal collector system. The authors begin by developing thermal modeling using a case study that shows the effect of different governing parameters. A few more experimental cases studies follow that highlight the energy, exergy, and environmental performance of the solar thermal collector system and to examine the performance of a modified solar collector system, illustrating performance improvement techniques. Finally, application of different evolutionary optimization techniques such as soft computing and evolutionary methods, like fuzzy techniques, MCDM methods like fuzzy logic based expert system (FLDS), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Grey relational analysis (GRA), Entropy-Jaya algorithm, Entropy-VIKOR etc. are employed.