A Study of the Solar Energy Systems and Storage Devices

Following the 2008 severe electricity shortage in South Africa, domestic and industrial users faced incessant periods of black and brown outs. Some believed it was as a result of lack of capacity while others believed excessive energy demands could have resulted from the incredibly low cost of electricity provided by the national utility, Eskom. Research efforts have been directed towards this effect which resulted in massive construction of a mix of power generation projects which include coal, nuclear and renewable energy schemes such as solar and wind. The renewable energy resources are considered because of many advantages which they have over conventional, main stream generation. Examples are lower greenhouse gas emissions, renewable, reliable and even cheaper energy cost on the long term. This book contains an in-depth study of solar generation systems and grid electricity storage media which are aspects of the renewable energy resources. The first part is a detailed review of the photovoltaic cells, concentrated photovoltaic cells, concentrated solar power, solar updraft tower, space-based solar power and nantenna electromagnetic collectors.