Tag Archives: Solar Energy

Ecuador

Ecuador Solar PV

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Ecuador is in a prime location in terms of solar resource, being almost perpendicular the radiation received, unchanged during the year and with a constant angle of incidence; characteristics that give enormous potential for photovoltaic use.

Ecuador’s solar market has developed mostly in isolated facilities for rural electrification until recently.

The first photovoltaic grid connected plant is located in the northern province of Imbabura, with 998 kW nominal power.

Resultado de imagen de fotovoltaica imbabura

To boost photovoltaic generation, in 2012 Conelec renovated 04/11 regulation and set a preferential rate of U$D 0.40 per kW / h of generation.

Under that legislation, in January 2013, the Conelec signed permits for domestic and foreign enterprises to build 355 MW of photovoltaic energy in 91 projects (15 greater than 1 MW and 76 less than 1MW).

The granting of these permits received numerous criticisms of sectors stated that rate was too high compared to hydroelectric generation cost or the same photovoltaic in other countries of the region.

The Conelec revoked building permits of several projects because concessionaires failed to meet construction schedules because funding lack. In some cases because works were started without studies or authorizations.

Representatives of some projects construction companies said that delays and permits revocation were due a number of construction bureaucratic obstacles, in addition to lack of funding.

Initially, the National Finance Corporation (CFN) announced that would finance such projects, promise did not materialize.

Companies that completed their projects said they had no problems with control entities and requested they be allowed to take over the unfinished projects.

The stark reality is that by the end of 2013 operated in Ecuador 4 MW photovoltaic.

During 2014 new PV installed capacity was 22 MW, bringing the installed capacity in 26 MW in early 2015.

The accumulated installed capacity stagnated below 30 MW since during 2015 virtually no photovoltaic MW was added in the country.

Given that in January 2013 agreements for over 300 MW photovoltaic projects were closed, it is clear that progress is much slower than initially expected.

Resultado de imagen de fotovoltaica ecuador

Ecuador does not have a framework to regulate and promote the photovoltaic distributed generation.

According to the 2015 National Energy Balance, electricity generation corresponds to 45.6% hydropower; 0.3% wind energy; 0.1% solar energy and 1.6% biomass energy.

Solar energy in Latam with Sopelia.

Solar Thermal Energy

Solar Layout (Thermal)

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Solar Layout is the App for collectors and solar modules on site positioning.

This is the most intuitive Solar App of the market.

To use it on field is not necessary to have an Internet connection because it works from place latitude, obtained by GPS.

Today we will check solar thermal energy part.

To begin press left command shown in initial screen with the house, the solar collector and the user taking a hot shower.

fig-1

If our Smartphone GPS is not enabled, the App will ask us to activate it to locate our position.

Intermittent earth planet image immediately appear with the legend “Localizing”.

When our device GPS have located our position, the following screen appears to confirm it.

fig-2

By confirming our location the Solar Equipment Use Menu displays.

There are 3 applications in the Menu:

1- Hot water: represented by a shower image
2- Heating: represented by a radiator image
3- Outdoor pool conditioning: represented by a pool ladder image.

fig-3

By selecting one of the 3 applications, Options Menu will display.

There are 3 variables in the Menu:

1- Inclination: represented by collector and angle image
2- Orientation: represented by collector and cardinal points image
3- Distance: represented by 3 collectors rows image.

fig-4

By pressing the Inclination option, we get recommended inclination value for location and solar application selected, accompanied by some Tips considering collector type used.

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Pressing Orientation option, we obtain description of procedure to fix collectors orientation and access to recommended compass App discharge, if we don´t have it.

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Pressing Separation option, the Kind of Surface Menu is displayed for us to select the appropriate option (Horizontal / Non horizontal).

If the surface on which the collectors will be placed is horizontal, we only must enter Collector Height in cm data.

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If the surface on which the collectors will be placed is non horizontal, in addition to Collector Height in cm data, we must enter Surface Inclination Angle data.

We will enter a positive value if it matches the collector inclination direction and a negative value if it is different.

fig-8

In this way we obtain the Separation (distance) between collector’s rows in meters.

fig-9

Pressing i button Tips related to shadows and singular locations (snow, desert and rain areas) are deployed.

Download Solar Layout and placed solar thermal collectors on site in the most intuitive way with Sopelia.

Solar Energy

Solar Municipality Manual

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In September 2014 we sent to General Pueyrredón Municipality government in Argentina a draft with proposals.

It was proposed energy efficiency and increased use, promotion and development of solar energy at municipal level.

We believe it can serve as reference for those municipalities that are not using their solar resource and want to start doing so.

The proposals include the following assumptions / premises:

I) Economic evaluation (initial investment, annual savings and investment recovery period) of energy efficiency measures to be applied and solar energy systems to incorporate.

II) Energy efficiency and solar energy promotion to improve environmental quality, develop a new economic sector and new jobs creation in the Municipality.

III) Academic, business and institutional sectors participation.

Resultado de imagen de eficiencia energética

1.1) Energy Efficiency Proposals

1.1.1.) Public buildings audit to identify areas in which implement energy efficiency measures.

1.1.2) Public buildings whose roofs can be used to install solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic modules relieving.

1.1.3) Facilities with intensive lighting use (more than 8 hours / day) relieving to evaluate luminaire replacement by LED, which can achieve savings ranging from 50% -80%. Evaluate motion detectors installation in transit areas and other lighting devices optimization measures.

1.1.4) Evaluate replacement of boilers and air conditioners equipment by biomass, solar thermal and heat pumps, which can achieve between 40% -60% savings.

1.1.5) Installing saving systems (aerators, valves, low consumption taps, etc.) and water reuse (rainwater recovery, rainwater infiltration, etc.) in public buildings and encourage its use in private sector.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar térmica

2.1) Solar Thermal Energy Proposals

2.1.1) Use of solar thermal energy compact equipment to provide hot water to houses in social housing programs and new developments.

2.1.2) Use of solar thermal collectors (flat and vacuum tube) with heat transfer fluids, heat exchangers and independent accumulation tanks; to obtain hot water in public buildings and municipal pools conditioning.

2.1.3) Use of solar thermal systems for new construction public buildings and facilities conditioning.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar fotovoltaica

3.1) Solar PV Energy Proposals

3.1.1) Use of solar photovoltaic systems for lighting and electrification of schools, medical centers, police stations and residential users in isolated localizations. 50W to 400W systems.

3.1.2) Implementation of photovoltaic solar energy in signs (sea, rail, road and air) and parking meters renovation or modernization.

3.1.3) Assess solar photovoltaic energy incorporation in OSSE and other municipality’s departments for:

– Water supply
– Water pumping / irrigation
– Cathodic protection
– Remote satellite systems, fire detection, telemetry and other systems that must provide services in remote or inaccessible places.

20W-50W (emergency kits), 100W-400W (repeaters) and more than 20 Kw (block valves).

3.1.4) Street lighting. Solar lamp with led proof in place to designate (industrial park, municipal office, etc.)

3.1.5) Photovoltaic grid connection project presentation for programs like GENREN (Ministry of Energy).

Resultado de imagen de sostenibilidad largo plazo

4) Long Term Policies

Municipality proposals within Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative framework.

4.1) Training

4.1.1) Renewable energies training activities development aimed at agents involved, whether installers, designers, professionals or companies; as it is one of the decisive factors linked to the continuous technology development.

4.2) Urban and Public Facilities

4.2.1) Implement the evaluation of solar technology architectural integration potential in facades and solar passive architecture principles application in new construction public buildings.

4.2.2) Provide treatment to solar ordinance proposal jointly presented by Puerto Hueche S.R.L. and the Clean Energy Research Group, UNMDP Law Faculty.

4.2.3) Public Lighting. Implementing solar and solar / wind street lighting utilization evaluation in all new developments making in each case the comparison with grid-connected conventional lighting system complete work needed.

4.3) Industry

4.3.1) Assess solar thermal energy equipment manufacturing feasibility in Municipality territory, considering that in Industrial Park related equipment manufacturers (heating and cooling) already exist.

4.3.2) Assess PV kits and PV lighting devices mounting feasibility. Synergy with UNMDP (Engineering Materials).

4.3.3) Promote the use of solar thermal energy in industrial sectors with practical applications:

* Brewing and malt
* Textile industry
* Liquid baths automotive paint cleaning and degreasing
* Food industry
– Hot water production for bottles cleaning and disinfecting
– Meat products, canned vegetables and canned fish washing, cooking, blanching and cleaning
– Canned sterilization
– Animal slaughter facilities cleaning.

And in service sector. Some examples:

– Hotels
– Urban waste collection and treatment
– Supermarkets and hypermarkets
– Laundry, carpets cleaning, upholstery, dry cleaners, etc.
– Car repair garages
– Glass containers recovery and reuse.

Solar energy development policies implementation with Sopelia.

Solar Energy

Solar Mobile Tool

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Sergio came to potential client Mary´s home and asked to see the roof where the solar installations would be located.

Once up, Sergio began to manipulate his mobile phone.

“Do not bother,” Said Mary … “there is no coverage.”

This did not stop Sergio because his tool works based on the location of the mobile device through GPS positioning (internet connection is not required).

From location latitude all calculations are performed.

Sergio selected Solar Thermal Energy from Installation Type Menu first.

Then he confirmed the location on the Map and selected Heating from Installation Use Menu.

Resultado de imagen de inclinación panel solar

The inclination angle of the thermal collectors depends on the use of solar equipment.

Sergio query his mobile, getting the result and informs Mary that 50◦ is the optimal solar thermal collector’s inclination.

Mary, a little surprised, asked what would be the optimum orientation.

“The optimum orientation of the solar collectors is towards the Ecuador” tells Sergio.

Resultado de imagen de orientación panel solar

For guidance, Sergio used Compass App recommended by his tool that has cautiously already downloaded in his mobile.

The last missing data: separation between thermal collector’s rows.

Because surface was horizontal, only data needed was solar collector height in cm.

Sergio query his mobile, get the result and tells Mary that 4.42 m is the minimum spacing between rows.

Totally surprised, Mary tells Sergio where the solar photovoltaic installation would be located.

Sergio selected Solar Photovoltaic Energy option in the Installation Type Menu now.

Then he confirmed the location on the Map and selected On-Grid Connection from Installation Use Menu.

Sergio query his mobile, get the result and tells Mary that 34▫ is the optimum inclination for photovoltaic installation.

As in this case the module rows would be placed on a non horizontal surface, Sergio consulted Mary inclination of that roof sector, which is 20◦.

Sergio entered deck inclination angle from horizontal with a positive value because cover inclination direction coincides with modules inclination.

Finally Sergio told Mary numerous Tips available at i App button to consider for collection surface setting.

Sergio made a very good impression on Mary and demonstrated professionalism.

This App exists, was developed by Sopelia R+D+I and its name is Solar Layout.

Mary´s satisfaction was complete when Sergio told her how could download Solar Layout on his mobile and, in a very intuitive way, get herself recommended values at any geographic location.

Solar Thermal Energy

Solar Hydraulics

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Hydraulics is the physics field that studies fluid mechanics and is divided into Hydrostatic (liquids at rest) and hydrodynamics (liquid in motion).

density of a body d is called the mass m and volume V ratio:

d = m / V

specific gravity pe is the weight (= m g.) and volume ratio:

pe = m. g / V

Fluids (liquids and gases) always exert a pressure pr in all directions.

The pressure is the quotient between a force f (the exerted by the fluid) and the surface area S acted upon by this force:

pr = f / S

The pressure unit in the SI is the Newton divided by m2 (N / m2) and is called pascal.

Pressure exerted by gravity and the forces tending to compress the fluid is called static pressure.

The pressure resulting from movement of a fluid is called dynamic pressure.

Knowing the density or specific gravity of a fluid we can find the static pressure due to gravity at any depth h from either of the following two formulas:

pr = d. g. h

pr = pe. h

Resultado de imagen de presión estática en líquidos

The pressure difference is equal to the depths difference h between 2 points or vertical distance between them.

A typical static pressure, is the atmospheric pressure produced in all directions on the bodies placed on earth surface due to the large air column above them. The result of this all directions atmospheric pressure action produces no net force pushing the body to one side, tends to compress it.

In the case of a container, the atmospheric pressure acts inside and outside and therefore their actions cancel each other.

We are interested in knowing the excess pressure above atmospheric pressure that may be inside the container (tanks or pipes) through measuring devices (manometers).

If air can freely enter and leave a container through the edge of the lid, the liquid surface will only be subjected to atmospheric pressure. It is an open or non pressurized reservoir.

If we measured pressure at different heights in the tank with a manometer it will be equal to zero at the surface and maximum at the bottom.

If the container is now sealed and subjected to additional pressure p, transmitted through the pipes that communicate with distribution circuit; the measurement is equal to the previous one but increased in the value of p. Usually the small pressure difference caused by the height difference is negligible compared to the overall circuit pressure p.

Archimedes’s theorem allows us to know a body weight when it is immersed in a liquid.

This theorem can be applied to a same liquid portion.

Suppose that a liquid portion suffer a slight temperature increase relative to other liquid parts.

Bodies expand by its temperature increasing and when increasing its volume density decreases as mass remains unchanged.

Resultado de imagen de presión estática en líquidos

If d1 is the new density of the portion considered (d1 < d):

Weight of the liquid portion: p = m. g = V1. d1. g

Thrust acting on the liquid portion: E = V1. d. g

Where V1 is the volume of the liquid portion

Resultado de imagen de termosifón

These are the called fluids natural convection currents, in which hot parts tend to rise. Natural circulation or thermosyphon systems are based on this phenomenon for supplying hot water by solar collectors.

This content is part of “Solar Energy Introduction” eBook and solar e-learning of Sopelia.

Ecuador

Ecuador Solar Thermal

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In most of the Ecuadorian territory, for domestic hot water applications, the type of collector recommended is the flat collector.

The solar radiation levels and atmospheric conditions allow this type of collector to provide optimal yields and to minimize installation overheating risk.

Only in mountain areas, where environmental conditions are more stringent, it is advisable to use vacuum evacuated tube, U-pipe or heat pipe collectors.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar térmica en Ecuador

The country has atlas of solar and wind resources developed by CONELEC and MEER respectively. However both are based on satellite images, they have not been validated with field measurements and its resolution is not good.

Following this the INER developed a project that involved the installation of 17 weather stations in Cuenca canton and 10 weather stations in Chimborazo province, in addition to the placement of sensors for repowering existing meteorological stations in Chimborazo province.

With the data obtained methods of estimating solar radiation were applied to complete historical data series. So far preliminary solar resources maps have been drawn.

This project seeks to validate information about solar resource in the country and the proper use of the sun as energy supply resource.

An Alliance for Energy and Environment in the Andean region with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Program led hot solar water to Ecuadorian Páramo region.

The Ecuadorian Páramo includes the communities of Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Bolivar, located more than 3,800 m above sea level.

The project initially focused on solar hot water use in schools and community centers and then extended to all the inhabitants.

Training workshops related to installation, use and maintenance of solar thermal systems were performed by the Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum Progressio (FEPP).

Program also sought to generate money income for participants from installation, repair and maintenance of equipment. It was possible to train 54 people, including 19 women.

44 systems were installed in 42 schools, directly benefiting 2,186 boys and 2,206 girls, plus an old people center attended by 32 people. In a community agroindustrial plant where medicinal plants are processed consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) could be reduced.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar térmica en Ecuador

In another initiative, MEER and MIDUVI delivered solar collectors to population.

Nationally are 2,632 households beneficiary with the installation of these collectors granted to fund housing bond through the MIDUVI.

The delivery was made after a family’s selection process with suitable houses for solar collector’s installation, which had to have water connection and roof slab.

If there is no solar radiation to cover the water tank demand, there is an auxiliary system based on electricity.

The solar thermal collectors cost is still very high in Ecuador compared to fossil fuels operating systems.

Given country radiation levels, besides these isolated initiatives would be wise to develop policies for solar thermal systems mass use.

Solar energy with Sopelia.

Solar Energy

Where Draws Its Energy The Sun ?

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The Sun is an average star, its radius is about 700,000 km and its mass equivalent to that obtained joining around 300,000 planets same to Earth.

Just a century ago, it was unknown how the sun could produce so much amount of energy as it radiates into space.

All theories raised led to the same conclusion: the Sun could not have a higher age of about 20 million years. If the Sun was older, he should have cooled.

Resultado de imagen de energía del sol

Darwin raised his studies of rocks formation and erosion, and the very slow evolution of life. For his theories made sense, he needed a greater age of the Sun; at least hundreds of millions of years, or perhaps billions of years.

In order to provide a solution to the problem, it had to wait until radioactivity discovery and acceptance of the surprising notion that mass and energy are interchangeable in some way, according to Einstein’s equation E = mc2

Sir Arthur Eddington was the first to evaluate all the data and dared to speculate that nuclear fusion, the process that creates heavy elements from the fusion of lighter ones, could be responsible for the large energy production from the sun.

We now know that the sun actually burns hydrogen, the lightest gas in the universe and transforms it into helium.

A hydrogen nucleus (proton) from the Sun must wait an average of about 5,000 million years to dive into merging with another hydrogen nucleus to form deuterium. If it happen faster, the Sun would have spent all their fuel long ago and we would not be here.

The second step, in which helium-3 is produced from deuterium and hydrogen, happens on average every 1.4 seconds; and the last step, helium production, takes 240,000 years. The energy released during the melting process becomes photons, that is, into light.

Resultado de imagen de energía del sol

A photon starts its journey to Earth at the speed of light, but immediately after encounters an electron, which deflects the incident photon in a random direction. This happens again and again.

A photon takes on average more than 20,000 years to travel the 695,000 kilometers from the center of the sun to the solar surface, which represents a speed of 4 meters per hour.

After this long and erratic journey, the photon covers the remaining 149 million kilometers to Earth with the usual light speed, and 8 minutes later arrives at its final destination.

Currently, the Sun burns 600 million tons of hydrogen every second, making it 596 million helium tons.

The remaining 4 million tons is fully converted into energy.

If we apply the formula E = mc2 (where E is energy, m for mass, and c is the speed of light), we see that 4 million tons of matter equivalent to 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilowatt-hours of energy.

Approximately a million times the total amount of energy the world uses in a year.

The Sun releases all that energy every second.

I think it would be smart to take it.

What do you think about that ?

This text is part of Introduction to Solar Energy ebook, sold exclusively at Amazon and solar e-learning of Sopelia.

Solar Energy

One Click From The Sun

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Without moving from his chair and just making a click, he had access to the solar e-learning training site with best market price – value.

Then he received his Username and Password for Virtual Classroom full access.

The Virtual Classroom is a fully interactive environment through which you can:

* Access course content

* Access to resources and supplementary materials related

* Communicate with the tutor or other participants through forums or private mode with messaging.

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Course setting is divided into 3 areas: Central Zone, Side Blocks and Header.

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The Central Zone is the core of the course and is where all the information necessary for its development is being structured as follows:

+ Information Zone: contains the documents to organize the study

+ Communication Zone: includes internal communication course fórums

+ Content Zone: contains information on which should work to overcome course.

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On the left, Side Blocks are arranged.

Side Blocks contain the following information:

– Tutoring: tutor access information with email address

– Persons: where you can view a list of people who are doing the course

– Online users: where people who at that time are connected to the platform appear. If a person is connected with his name and an icon, by clicking on it you may send a message

– Navigation: allows you to move within the course through a series of hyperlinks to each of the sections, as an alternative system to use screen navigation

– Administration: the participant can see the ratings of the different activities and scoring test scoring.

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At the top is the Header.

The following parameters are scattered and arranged in the Header:

* Profile: to edit basic user information, such as name, password, include our image, email and some additional parameters

* Ratings: access the same menu commented before on Side Blocks

* Posts: similar to menu messages commented before commented on Side Blocks

* Preferences: to change platform configuration to that most interested for our user.

Overall, during the course development shall:

1) Check the schedule to organize the study. Information provided indicates recommended dates

2) Study the content of each topic

3) Check the doubts of each of the topics in the consultation fórum

4) Do assessment tests for each of the topics.

Tests and practice exercises should be performed before course expected closing date (11/28/2016).

Campus will be available 24 hours a day and tutors will be available through forums, receiving response in no more than 48 hours.

The training begins next September 19th and registration ends on September 16th.

You can receive it fully from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone.

No more excuses, solar energy wherever you are with Sopelia.

Solar Energy

Sopelia Country Manager in Latin America Countries

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If you want to join the Sopelia Network in Latin America for 2017 period you can send your request.

The Sopelia Network allows:

– Being part of a solar energy experts powerful networking at regional level

– Access to a medium that provides an opportunity to promote projects, research, activities and personal initiatives

– Participate in sectoral researchs to increase Sopelia benefits and enrich personal background

– Expose your profile in Sopelia

– Represent Sopelia in solar industry events

– Have the wide Sopelia offer and support to market

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What are the requirements to be Sopelia Country Manager ?

* Have completed a Technical-Commercial Training (thermal or photovoltaic) in Sopelia

* Have less than 30 years

* Reside in a Latin American country

* Provide valuable content to Sopelia (between 300 and 500 words) relating to solar sector in your country (minimum 1 Quarterly article) in native language and English

* Maintain a proactive approach to promote Sopelia products and services in your country of residence

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Sopelia Country Manager Profile:

+ Technical, environmental, renewable energy, economy, science, architecture or engineering degree

+ Native language and English advanced level

+ Experience in developing editorial content

+ Develop activity in the field of renewable energies, environment or linked industry

If you meet the requirements and you are interested in joining the Sopelia network, send a message to www.sopelia.com Contact section indicating Ref .: Country Manager + country of residence in the subject of your message.

Professionally development in a sector with huge potential with Sopelia.