Tag Archives: energia solar en latinoamerica

Guatemala Solar PV

Since late 90s, the Guatemalan government has promoted investments in electrification through the Rural Electrification Plan (PER).

The arrival of photovoltaic systems in rural areas is turning community’s development as well as in private homes.

Also in industry and services sector, whose energy saving makes them more competitive and in agricultural activity in which applications such as photovoltaic irrigation pumps are being used.

Although these initiatives have numerous support from non-profit institutions and organizations, the initial cost of equipment acquiring remains a barrier.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved in 2015 a $ 55 million loan to help Guatemala improve and expand national electricity service coverage.

The executing agency is the National Institute of Electrification (INDE).

In 2015, the largest solar power plant in Central America and the Caribbean with 50 MW of installed capacity begin to operate.

In its second phase it reached 85 MW, approaching the 2 largest projects in Latin America located in Chile and Honduras (100 MW each).

Resultado de imagen de planta solar horus I

The 50 MW Horus I plant is located in Santa Rosa area, near Chiquimulilla village, is equipped with an east-west axis tracker and occupies a 175 hectares plot.

30 Guatemalan companies participated in its construction and its production represents approximately 1.25% of the energy produced annually in the country.

The second phase, Horus II, contributes with 35 MW more.

New distributors supply contracts (to 15 years), that began the May 1st of 2015 and suppose the substitution of fossil technologies by hydroelectric, solar and wind; have led to a tariffs drop.

In November 2016, the National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE) published information about energy matrix composition with 66.8% of renewable generation and 33.2% with non-renewable resources.

37% is hydroelectric generation, 21.6% coal and 24.2% biomass. The rest is solar, geothermal, wind, natural gas, biogas, diesel and bunker; according to information published by the CNEE.

Electric coverage reaches 90% of population and there is a surplus of 1000 MW in electrical energy generation that is exported to Central America. This translates into $ 100 million annual revenues.

According to Electric Subsector in Guatemala report published by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), up to June 2016 there are installed 3 photovoltaic plants connected to the national system with a power of around 85 MW.

In 2015 the contribution of solar power plants was 149.6 GWh, including the operation of Sibo in the municipality of Estanzuela, Zacapa, and Horus I and II in Chiquimulilla, Santa Rosa.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar guatemala

In the future agenda of electricity sector authorities there are at least 6 solar generation projects:

* La Avellana, Taxisco El Jobo (between 1 and 1.5 MW) and Medax Solar (1.7 MW); which will be located in Taxisco municipality, Santa Rosa

* Buena Vista (between 1 and 1.5 MW) and Solaris I (2.5 MW); which will operate in Jutiapa.

All you need is Sun. All you need is Sopelia.

Solar Layout (PV)

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 see PV solar energy part.

To begin press right command represented by the figure of house with the solar module and the cable with the plug in the initial screen.

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.

By confirming our location Solar Equipment Use Menu will display.

In the same we find 4 applications:

1- Winter use: represented by the snow image
2- All year use: represented by flower, sun, leaf and snow images
3- Spring / summer use: represented by flower and sun images
4- On-grid connection: represented by the plug image

By selecting one of the 4 applications, Options Menu will display.

There are 3 variables in the Menu:

1- Inclination: represented by module and angle image
2- Orientation: represented by module and cardinal points image
3- Distance: represented by 3 modules rows image

By pressing the Inclination option, we get recommended inclination value for location and solar application selected, accompanied by some Tips considering losses to take into account.

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

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 modules will be placed is horizontal, we only must enter Collector Height in cm data.

If the surface on which the modules 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 modules inclination direction and a negative value if it is different.

In this way we obtain the Separation (distance) between modules rows in meters.

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

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

Flat Plate Solar Collector

Within the solar collectors without concentration we find the flat plate.

They were the most used, but have lost ground in favor of vacuum tube.

In flat collectors, the collector is located in a rectangular box (housing), whose usual dimensions are between 80 and 120 cm wide, 150 and 200 cm high, and 5 and 10 cm thick (although there are larger models).

Resultado de imagen de cubierta colector solar plano

The face exposed to the sun is covered by a very fine glass, while the remaining five faces are opaque and are thermally insulated.

Inside the box, on the face that is exposed to the sun, is placed a metal plate (absorber).

This plate is attached or welded to a series of conduits through which a heat transfer agent (usually water, glycol, or a mixture of both) flows.

A selective surface treatment is applied to mentioned plate or is simply black painted, to increase its heat absorption.

Flat solar collectors work taking advantage of greenhouse effect (the same principle that can be experienced when entering a car parked in the sun in summer).

After passing through the glass (transparent for wavelengths between 0.3 μm and 3 μm) radiation reaches absorber surface, which is heated and emits radiation with a wavelength between 4.5 μm 7.2 μm, for which the glass is opaque.

Approximately half of this last radiation diffuses to the outside, being lost; but the other half returns inward and thus contributes to absorber surface further heating.

As it passes through the box, the heat transfer fluid heats up and increases its temperature at absorber expense, which temperature will decrease.

The heat transfer fluid then transports that heat energy to where it is desired.

Resultado de imagen de cubierta colector solar plano

The flat solar collector is formed by 4 main elements:

1) Transparent cover: it must possess the necessary qualities (suitable transmission and thermal conductivity coefficients) to provoke the greenhouse effect and to losses reduce; ensuring manifold water and air sealing, in conjunction with housing and joints; do not keep outer surface dirt adhering so that rain easily slips.

2) Absorber: receives the solar radiation and converts it into heat that is transmitted to the heat transfer fluid.

Shapes are diverse: metal plates separated by a few millimeters, a metal plate with welded or embedded tubes or two metal plates with a circuit inside.

Face exposed to sun must capture the largest radiation amount so it is usually black painted or endowed with a selective surface (very absorbent to radiation and with low emissivity).

Paints are cheaper than selective surfaces and have a better overall thermal behavior at near-ambient temperatures, but are marred by ultraviolet radiation continued action and temperature variations between day and night.

Selective surfaces generally have a better behavior and are obtained by several layers superposition (metal and metal compounds) or special surface treatments.

The most modern manufacturing technique is laser welding.

3) Insulation: it is used to reduce thermal losses in absorber rear part that must be of low thermal conductivity. Materials can be glass wool, rock wool, cork, polyethylene or polyurethane.

4) Housing: generally made of aluminum or stainless steel, it protects and supports manifold elements, also allowing manifold anchoring and holding to assembly structure. It must withstand temperature changes (dilatations) without tightness losing and must resist corrosion.

Solar energy wherever you are with Sopelia.

Guatemala Solar Thermal

In Guatemala, talking about solar radiation use for electric and thermal energy generation in homes seems a myth. And in the case of thermal, even more.

So far, according to Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) data, approximately two thirds of energy is produced with fossil fuels, which translates into high costs and environmental pollution.

A good part of that electricity is used in order to heat water for human consumption, especially for the shower.

During approximately 350 days a year there is sufficient solar radiation to meet 95% of hot water needs in Guatemala.

As in many countries of Central America, thermal energy generation from solar radiation is an industry almost unknown and often confused with electric energy generation.

The few households that have incorporated solar thermal energy experienced a minimum decrease of approximately 40% in their electric bill amount and will pay off the investment made in less than 3 years.

Resultado de imagen de solar térmica guatemala

Currently it is possible to find two types of solar heater systems technologies in the country: non-pressurized and pressurized.

The first is generally used for residential use because it is of little pressure and simple installation, and the second one is more used in industry and services sectors.

Experts and leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Costa Rica to promote quality assurance mechanisms implementation in solar water heaters use, in order to increase technology confidence and stimulate its development in the region.

Issues such as standards, testing, labeling and certification, as well as the use of quality infrastructure to support regional policies on the promotion of solar thermal energy were considered.

Solar heating technology has arrived at a maturity, technological and of price, that nowadays allows developing national strategies as well as regional to promote water heating with solar energy.

Currently, less than 3% of solar thermal energy is used in Latin America and the Caribbean, so that better quality assurance mechanisms can lead to significant market growth.

Solar thermal energy can also be used to dry grains, especially coffee.

The drying system consists of solar collectors, recirculation pumps, water pipes, thermal insulation, storage tanks, precision fans and heat exchangers.

Solar collectors absorb solar energy, this is transmitted to the water that flows through the pipes. The hot liquid is stored in the central tank, from where it flows to the mechanized dryers. At this point, water-air heat exchangers dehydrate and heat the ambient air, drying the grains.

Resultado de imagen de secador solar café

In El Novillero village, Santa Lucía Utatlán, Sololá, there is the ecological park and protected area Corazón del Bosque, a project of the Artisanal Association for La Guadalupana Development.

Linking community benefit with natural resources sustainable use were concerns that originated this project, which to date generate 13 permanent and more than 800 temporary jobs.

Solar energy wherever you are with Sopelia.

Solar Layout (Thermal)

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 see 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

(Español) 10 Semanas Solares Fotovoltaicas

Sorry, this entry is only available in European Spanish.

(Español) 10 Semanas Solares Térmicas

Este cronograma representa la dosificación recomendada de dedicación para una correcta asimilación de conocimientos durante el curso e-learning de Técnico – Comercial en Energía Solar Térmica impartido por Sopelia.
Puedes recibir esta formación íntegramente desde tu computadora, smartphone o dispositivo móvil.
Supone dedicar entre 1 y 2 horas diarias entre lunes y viernes de cada semana.
* Semana 1: Introducción a la Energía Solar
1.1) El futuro de la energía solar
1.2) El Sol
1.3) Nociones básicas de Física
* Semana 2: Introducción a la Energía Solar
1.4) Nociones básicas de Electricidad
1.5) Nociones básicas de Energía
1.6) Energía del sol
1.7) Tablas
– Resolución Test 1 y 2 y Ejercicio 1
* Semana 3: Energía Solar Térmica – Equipos
2.1.1) Colectores
2.1.2) Sujeción y anclaje
* Semana 4: Energía Solar Térmica – Equipos
2.1.3) Fluido caloportador
2.1.4) Protección de la instalación
* Semana 5: Energía Solar Térmica – Equipos
2.1.5) Tuberías
2.1.6) Tanques acumuladores
2.1.7) Intercambiadores
* Semana 6: Energía Solar Térmica – Equipos
2.1.8) Grupos de bombeo
2.1.9) Aislamiento
2.1.10) Otros componentes
– Resolución Test 3 y Ejercicio 2
* Semana 7: Energía Solar Térmica – Instalaciones
2.2.1) Principios básicos
2.2.2) Diseño
2.2.3) Regulación
* Semana 8: Energía Solar Térmica – Instalaciones
2.2.4) Proyecto de un sistema de ACS
2.2.5) Cálculo de la superficie colectora
2.2.6) Cálculo de los demás elementos de la instalación
* Semana 9: Energía Solar Térmica – Instalaciones
2.2.7) Presentación de un proyecto
2.2.8) Otras aplicaciones
2.2.9) Ejecución y mantenimiento de la instalación
* Semana 10: Energía Solar Térmica – Instalaciones
– Resolución Test 4 y 5 y Trabajo Práctico final
Se trata de la formación en Energía Solar con la mejor relación calidad-precio del mercado.
Puede recibirse donde quiera que estés.
Solamente se necesita una computadora, smartphone o dispositivo móvil y conexión a Internet.
Por tratarse de la 1era edición hay un 50% de descuento sobre el PVP.

Esta acción de formación brinda capacitación técnico – comercial en aplicaciones domésticas de energía solar con el objetivo de difundir la tecnología y desarrollar recursos humanos para su incorporación al mundo laboral y empresarial.
La edición 2016 comienza el día 19 de septiembre y finaliza el día 25 de noviembre.

El plazo de inscripción es hasta el día 16 de septiembre inclusive en www.energiasrenovables.lat
Ya no tienes excusas, energía solar donde quiera que estés con Sopelia.

Free Solar Tools (IV)

On Internet we can find free tools for basic or low complexity solar systems dimensioning and for certain components or accessories estimation.

Sopelia research team has carried out an exhaustive search and testing from which a new corporate website section called Free Tools has been created.

Selected tools were classified into 4 categories.

Today we will analyze the fourth of them: Solar Photovoltaic.

In the first category we have already analyzed tools to obtain data about solar resource and other variables to be considered in energy estimation solar system will provide in our location.

In the second category we have analyzed tools to calculate the “load”, ie the energy demand to be met.

In the third category we have analyzed tools for solar thermal systems dimensioning and system accessories estimating.

Now we are going to analyze tools for solar photovoltaic systems dimensioning and to estimate others individual components of a system.

The order of the tools is not random. We have prioritized the most intuitive, the most universal and those that can be used online without download.

For this fourth category our selection is as follows:

1) Solar Calculator

Approximate calculation tool from which budget, production data and system performance study is automatically obtained.

A Navigation Guide and Manuals can be found at page bottom.

Resultado de imagen de calculadora solar fotovoltaica

2) Off-grid Solar Systems Calculator

Free online application for off-grid solar systems calculation.

It allows users to introduce new components from any manufacturer and product datasheets to be considered in the calculation.

Resultado de imagen de fotovoltaica aislada

3) Off-grid Systems Scale Calculator

Solar basic estimation of off-grid systems. Solar modules, batteries, controller and inverter calculation.

Resultado de imagen de fotovoltaica aislada

4) Solar Water Pumping Calculator

Calculator to obtain approximate energy needs figures for solar water pumping.

Resultado de imagen de bombeo solar de agua

5) Solar & Wind Energy Systems Calculation

Tool which determines requirements to meet solar and / or wind contribution for electrification and pumping needs.

Resultado de imagen de eólico solar

6) Grid Connected System Online Simulation

Online application to estimate production and economic income of a grid-connected system.

Resultado de imagen de fotovoltaica conecatada a red

7) Battery Bank Capacity Calculator

Calculator to estimate battery bank size needed to keep consumption by solar operation.

Resultado de imagen de baterías solares

8) Wire Section Calculator

Tool in JavaScript format for copper and aluminum DC wire calculation.

Resultado de imagen de cable solar fotovoltaica

Solar energy wherever you are with Sopelia.

Solar Skills

Many times the purpose of incorporating solar energy to our professional skills, scope of business or personal life has hovered in our head.

We have almost always run into the same barrier: time.

We are working or studying and we find it very difficult to have even a few hours a week.

It is rare to find training offerings that are not too short (few hours workshops) or too long (one or more years) and which in turn have an affordable price.

If we add the difficulty of having to move, because most are taught in presence, finally we ended up postponing again and again for this purpose.

Resultado de imagen de curso energía solar

In 2014 Sopelia gave, in collaboration with the Technology National University of Mar del Plata (Argentina), the Technical – Commercial Solar Energy Course in tele-learning (distance + presence) methodology.

In 2016 Sopelia updated and divided that training action in 2 Specific courses:

* Technical – Commercial Solar Thermal Energy

* Technical – Commercial Photovoltaic Solar Energy

Sopelia rode them on a Moodle 3.1 platform and the result is 2 courses in e-learning methodology.

This means you can receive Solar Energy training with the best market value wherever you are.

You only need a PC, Smartphone or Tablet and Internet.

Resultado de imagen de elearning

These two courses provide technical and commercial training in solar energy domestic applications with the aim of spreading the technology and develop human resources for incorporation into work and business world.

You will identify the most relevant aspects of solar energy within the current energy landscape.

You will define, describe and analyze the most important features of solar energy.

You will know the composition, understand the operation, design and maintenance of facilities to implement thermal and photovoltaic solar energy projects.

It is a training aimed at students and technical careers graduates, technical schools graduates, engineers, architects, professionals and installers of related sectors (air conditioning, electricity, rural), people with experience in renewable energies, environmental professionals and individuals interested in incorporating solar energy into their lives.

The 2017 1st edition starts on April 18th and ends on June 30th.

You can register until April 15th inclusive in www.energiasrenovables.lat

If you are under 35 years old and live in Latin America, with the course completed, you can apply to be Sopelia Country Manager in your country of residence.

And if you are under 30 and live in Latin America, you can get a grant of 50% and finished the course, become Sopelia Trainee.

If you speak Spanish you have no excuses, Solar Energy wherever you are with Sopelia.

Solar Cells On The Market

PV cells marketing began with monocrystalline silicon.

Based on perfectly crystallized silicon sections, they have achieved yields between 16% and 20% (24.7% in laboratory).

Later, polycrystalline silicon appeared, more economical, less efficient, but with the advantage of being able to be manufactured in a square shape; in order to take advantage of the rectangular surface available in a module.

They are based on silicon bar disorderly structured sections in small crystals form.

They have a lower performance than monocrystalline (19.8% in laboratory and 14% in commercial modules) being their price generally lower.

Resultado de imagen de células solares de silicio

Then appeared thin-film technologies with similar performances to silicon modules at high temperatures or under diffuse radiation conditions.

Following are detailed thin-film modules of different semiconductor materials:

Amorphous silicon (TFS): also based on silicon, which in this case does not follow any crystalline structure.

Usually used for small electronic devices (calculators, clocks, etc.) and small portable modules.

Its maximum yield in laboratory has been of 13% being 8% in commercial modules.

Gallium Arsenide (GaAs): highly efficient cells to be used in special applications such as satellites, space exploration vehicles, etc.

GaAs Tandem cells are the most efficient solar cells, reaching values of up to 39%.

Cadmium telluride (CdTe): 16% laboratory yield and 10% in commercial modules.

The drawback is that cadmium tellurium is a toxic substance. That is why manufacturing companies are working on their modules recycling process.

The next step in this evolution is represented by so-called Tandem cells that combine two or more distinct semiconductors.

Because each type of material takes advantage of only a part of solar radiation electromagnetic spectrum, by combining two or more materials it is possible to take advantage of a greater part of it.

First Tandem solar cells slope are CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenium).

In this case bond is not p-n type like in silicon, but a complex heterounion with which yields of 11% are obtained.

The second Tandem solar cells variant are CIS (copper-indium-selenium). With yields of 11% in commercial modules.

Another Tandem solar cells are the CZTS (copper-zinc-tin-sulfur-selenium) with yields of 9.6%.

Resultado de imagen de células solares CIGS

Finally we find plastic solar cells based on polymers.

They are a type of flexible solar cell that can come in many forms including organic solar cells.

They are lightweight, potentially disposable, inexpensive to manufacture (sometimes using printed electronics), customizable at molecular level and their manufacturing has less impact on the environment.

They have a yield of approximately 5% and are relatively unstable to photochemical degradation.

For this reason, the vast majority of solar cells are based on inorganic materials.

Polymer solar cells do not require sun optimum orientation as the plastic collects energy up to 70° from sun to sun axis outdoor (and in any orientation indoor).

Its application field is mainly mobile phones and laptops.

Resultado de imagen de células solares polímeros

Currently underway tests to produce solar cells with new materials include colloidal quantum dots and halide perovskites.

Advances in solar energy are unstoppable and their use at a massive level depends a lot on these, as the space needed to capture a certain amount of energy will be reduced and the performance of the systems will increase.

This is an extract of contents included in Technical-Commercial Photovoltaic Solar Energy Manual and e-learning training of Sopelia.

Solar energy wherever you are with Sopelia.