Solar Thermal Energy

The purpose of this book is to give undergraduate and postgraduate students and engineers a resource on the basic principles and applications of solar energy systems and processes. The material presented in this book covers a large variety of technologies for the conversion of solar energy to provide hot water, heating, cooling, passive buildings, drying, and desalination. Chapter one provides a review of energy-related environmental problems and the state of the climate. Chapter 2, gives an analysis of solar geometry, analysis of basic principle of solar radiation , angles of solar radiation. The way to calculate incident solar radiation and solar angles. Solar collectors are the main components of any solar system. Chapter 3, after a review of the various types of collectors, the optical and thermal analyses of both flat-plate and concentrating collectors are given in This chapter two projects to produce hot water and steam from solar energy. Chapter 4, deals with the solar energy systems. Passive heating and cooling buildings systems are described, as well as the drying system and solar water desalination. Chapter 5, deal with energy storage systems.