Solar Energy
Description
An authoritative reference, complete with applications, operating principles, and simple tools for construction, engineering, and design professionals
Solar Energy: Technologies and Project Delivery for Buildings enables mainstream MEP engineering, construction, and architectural design firms to meet the growing demand for solar energy in building projects. It provides technical and design information usually only known to solar energy specialists, and simplifies solar design and engineering processes. The sample documentation in this guide enables a staff engineer at a design firm to deliver a solar project just like a solar energy specialist. No other book provides the special tools and detailed information needed for the complete design of a solar energy system.
Numerous helpful features streamline the design process and guide the user through the fine points of solar energy systems. These include:
- Easy-to-use checklists, tips, and warnings to consider at each project step
- Cost data and detailed cost estimate tables
- Sample schematic diagrams and specifications for each technology measure
- Simple hand calculations for sizing and savings estimates (life cycle cost examples)
- Important codes and standards related to each technology
- Case-study examples and firsthand interviews with leading practitioners
Solar Energy: Technologies and Project Delivery for Buildings is an indispensable resource for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, as well as architects and construction professionals.
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ANDY WALKER, PhD, is Principal Engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Dr. Walker conducts engineering and economic analysis of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in government facilities, such as national parks and military bases, and corporate facilities, such as Frito-Lay North America and Anheuser-Busch. He has also taught energy-related classes in the mechanical and architectural engineering departments at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Colorado School of Mines, and Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Content
Foreword ¿ vii
Preface ¿ ix
Acknowledgments ¿ xi
CHAPTER 1 Delivering Solar Energy Projects ¿ 1
History and Current Use of Solar Energy 1
Advantages of Solar Energy 2
Solar Energy Project Delivery Process 6
Integration of Solar Energy into the Existing
Infrastructure 17
CHAPTER 2 The Solar Energy Resource ¿ 27
Structure of the Sun 27
Nuclear Fusion: The Source of the Sun's Power 28
The Spectral Nature of Solar Radiation 28
Position of the Sun in the Sky 30
Direct Beam, Diffuse, and Global Solar Insolation
in the Plane of a Solar Collector Surface 34
Incident Angle of Direct Beam Sun on a Surface 35
The Effect of Shade 42
Solar Resource Measurement 43
Solar Resource Maps and Data 45
Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) Weather Data 46
Forecasting the Solar Resource Hours or Days
into the Future 46
Diagnosis of Solar Energy System Performance Using
Solar Resource Data 47
Computer Tools for Analysis of Solar Position and Solar
Resources 47
Standards Related to Solar Resource Assessment 49
CHAPTER 3 Photovoltaics (PV, Solar Electricity) ¿ 51
Photovoltaic Cells and Modules 54
Voltage and Current Characteristics of PV Devices (the i-v curve) 56
Open-Circuit Voltage and Operating Voltage of a PV Cell 56
Dependence of Voltage and Current on Temperature 60
Different Types of Photovoltaic Devices 63
Standard Ratings and Performance Indicators for PV Modules 69
Energy Balance for a PV Module, Nominal Operating cell
Temperature (NOCT) 72
Power Output of a PV Module 73
Photovoltaic System Schematic Design 74
Photovoltaic System Components 78
Estimating the Cost of a Photovoltaic System 88
Estimating Electric Use and Solar Fraction 92
Recommended Applications 94
Simple Hand Calculation of Photovoltaic System Size and Energy Delivery 95
Estimating the Energy Cost Savings of a Photovoltaic (Solar Electric) System 97
Computer Tools for Analysis of Photovoltaic
Systems 106
Codes and Standards for Photovoltaic Modules and Systems 112
Operation and Maintenance of Photovoltaic Systems 114
Case Studies of Photovoltaic System Installations 115
Example: Procurement Specifications for Grid-Tied Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) System 118
CHAPTER 4 Solar Water Heating ¿ 128
Different Types of Water-Heating Solar Collectors 131
Solar Water Heating System Schematic Design 143
Solar Water Heating System Components 151
Estimating the Cost of a Solar Water
Heating System 165
Estimating Building Hot Water Use and Solar Fraction 169
Recommended Applications 171
Simple Hand Calculation of Solar Water Heating System Size and Energy Delivery 172
System Thermodynamics and Computer Tools for Analysis of Solar Water Heating Systems 179
Codes and Standards for Solar Water Heaters 185
Operation and Maintenance of Solar Water Heating Systems 187
Case Studies of Solar Water Heating System Installations 188
Example: Procurement Specifications for a Solar Water Heating System 191
CHAPTER 5 Solar Ventilation Air Preheating ¿ 200
Operating Principle of the Transpired Air-Heating Solar Collector 202
Solar Ventilation Air Preheat System Schematic 210
Solar Ventilation Air Preheat System Components 210
Design Considerations 214
Recommended Applications 216
Estimating the Cost of a Solar Ventilation Air Preheat System 218
Simple Hand Calculations for Size and Performance of a Solar Ventilation Air Heating System 220
Computer Tools for Analysis of Solar Ventilation Preheat Systems 228
Codes and Standards related to Solar Ventilation Air Preheating 230
Maintenance of Solar Ventilation Air Preheating Systems 230
Case Studies of Solar Ventilation Air Preheating System Installations 231
Example: Procurement Specifications for Solar Ventilation Preheat System 232
CHAPTER 6 Solar Space Heating and Cooling ¿ 237
Site Issues 238
Building Heat Loss 238
Solar Heat Gain through Windows and Opaque Surfaces 239
Materials and Building Components for Passive Solar Space Heating Systems 240
Thermal Storage 244
Heat Distribution Systems 247
Solar Space Heating (Passive or Active) System Schematic Design 248
Estimating the Cost of a Solar Space Heating System 254
Estimating Energy Use and Solar Fraction 255
Calculation of Solar Space Heating System Sizing and Energy Delivery 255
Computer Tools for Analysis of Passive Solar Systems 267
Codes and Standards Related to Passive Solar Heating 272
Operation and Maintenance of Passive Solar Heating Systems 273
Case Studies of Passive Solar Space Heating Systems 273
Example: Procurement Specifications for Passive Solar Thermal Storage Wall 274
CHAPTER 7 Case Studies of Solar Buildings ¿ 277
Case Study: Residence in Golden, Colorado 277
Case Study: Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, Las Vegas, Nevada 281
Case Study: Research Support Facility (RSF) Office Building, Golden, Colorado 285
Appendix A: Nomenclature ¿ 291
Appendix B: Unit Conversion Factors ¿ 294
Index ¿ 295