Advances in Solar Energy Technology, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1987
Volume 3 Heating, Agricultural and Photovoltaic Applications of Solar Energy

This volume is the third in the series of the book entitled, 'Advances in Solar Energy Technology'. The purpose of writting this multiple volume book is to provide all the relevant latest information in the field of Solar Energy (Applied as well as theoretical) to serve as the best source material at one place. Attempts are made to discuss topics in depth to assist both the students (undergraduate, pos- graduate, Research Scholars) and the professionals (consulting, design, contracting firms). The third volume discusses the heating, agricultural and photovo1taic applications of Solar Energy. Chapter 1 deals with solar cookers, one of the important application area for developing countries. After discussing the history of solar cookers, eight types of direct solar cookers, two types of box solar cookers and two types of advanced solar cookers are discussed in detail. The performance studies carri~d out on direct type and on box type solar cookers are also presented. A test procedure for rating a box type solar cooker is also introduced. The limitations and advantages of various cookers are discussed briefly in the chapter. Desalinated water for drinking purposes, for industrial and agricultural applications is required. The topic of Solar Distillation is discussed in detail in chapter two. Solar Distillation has a long history and in this chapter various kind of solar stills like conventional solar still, tilted tray solar still, wick type solar still, mUltiple effect diffusion solar still, multistage flash distillation, etc.

1 Solar Cookers.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 History of solar cookers.- 1.3 Solar cooking.- 1.4 Types of solar cooker.- 1.5 Direct or focussing type solar cooker.- 1.6 Indirect or box type solar cooker.- 1.7 Advanced solar cookers.- 1.8 Performance of solar cookers.- 1.9 Testing of solar cooker.- References.- 2 Solar Desalination.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 History.- 2.3 Single effect basin type solar still.- 2.4 Tilted tray solar still.- 2.5 Wick type solar still.- 2.6 Multiple effect diffusion solar still.- 2.7 Multistage flash distillation.- References.- 3 Solar Food Drying.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 History of solar drying.- 3.3 Basics of solar drying.- 3.4 Types of solar dryers.- 3.5 Theory and simulation models.- 3.6 Energy requirements for grain drying.- References.- 4 Solar Powered Water Pump.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 History of solar pumps.- 4.3 Components of solar energy pumps.- 4.4 Typical solar pump systems.- References.- 5 Solar Greenhouses.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 History.- 5.3 Basics of plant growth.- 5.4 Greenhouse design.- 5.5 Energy conservation techniques.- 5.6 Heating and cooling of greenhouses.- 5.7 Typical greenhouse designs.- 5.8 Performance prediction of crop yield and thermal environment in greenhouse.- References.- 6 Solar Cells.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 History.- 6.3 Fundamentals of photovoltaic conversion.- 6.4 Efficiency losses.- 6.5 Efficiency of solar cell.- 6.6 Basic modelling of solar cells.- 6.7 Silicon solar cells.- 6.8 Gallium arsenide solar cells.- 6.9 CdS/Cu2S solar cells.- 6.10 Cadmium telluride solar cell.- 6.11 Photovoltaic sunlight concentrators.- References.- Appendices.- Appendix 1 Conversion factors.- Appendix 2 Physical properties of some solid materials.- Appendix 3 Physical properties of some building and insulating materials..- Appendix 4 Physical properties of some liquids..- Appendix 5 Physical properties of some liquid metals..- Appendix 6 Physical properties of saturated water..- Appendix 7 Physical properties of saturated steam..- Appendix 8 Physical properties of some gases..- Appendix 9 Physical properties of dry air at atmospheric pressure..- Apprndix 10 Freezing points of aqueous solutions..- Appendix 11 Properties of typical refrigerants..- Appendix 12 Extraterrestrial solar spectral irradiance at mean Sun-Earth distance..- Author Index.

Title is also available as part of a set: Advances in Solar Energy Technology (978-90-277-2433-5)