Tag Archives: renewable energies

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.

Solar Thermal Energy

(Español) 10 Semanas Solares Térmicas

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Sorry, this entry is only available in European Spanish.

Solar Photovoltaic Energy

(Español) 10 Semanas Fotovoltaicas

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Sorry, this entry is only available in European Spanish.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy Wherever You Are

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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 way, finally we ended up postponing again and again this purpose.

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

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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 computer, smartphone or mobile device and Internet.

Being the 1st edition there is a 50% off list price.

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.

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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 2016 edition starts on September 19th and ends on November 25th.

You can register until 16 September inclusive in www.energiasrenovables.lat

If you are under 30 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 25 and live in Latin America, you can get a 50% scholarship and finished the course, apply to become Sopelia Trainee.

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

Solar Thermal Energy

Passive Solar Energy

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One of the most important issues in energy conservation areas and solar energy use is undoubtedly homes and workplaces air conditioning application.

This sector accounts about 40% of the total energy consumed. The savings can be achieved by using solar energy for heating is of the order of 60% to 80% depending on house design.

The principles of bioclimatic architecture should be applied in all new urban plans.

When speaking of passive solar architecture, we talk about modeling, selection and use of passive solar technology, which is capable of maintaining a comfortable and pleasant temperature home environment through the sun. This type of architecture is only a small part of the energy efficient buildings design and is considered as part of sustainable design.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar pasiva

There are three types of solar gain:

1) Direct solar gain: refers to the use of windows, skylights and blinds to control the amount of solar radiation reaching the inside of a housing, in combination with mass floors.

2) Indirect solar gain: is achieved through the skin of the building, designed with certain thermal mass. An example of this gain is also the garden roof.

3) Isolated solar gain: is the process in which the main thing is the sun heat passive capture, and then transport it inside or outside the home.

There are considerations to take into account in this type of architecture implementation, to give his best result:

* Building orientation

* Construction features

* Environment use

Resultado de imagen de energía solar pasiva

In existing buildings we can always intervene to improve thermal insulation, sun blinds open in winter or adding a glass gallery on the north side of the house if we are located in the southern hemisphere.

To heat the house with the sun, a clear winter north facade without many neighbors who clog the midday sun is needed.

Main glazings must be on the north facade. For example, if we are located in the southern half of Argentina we need 1.4 to 2 m2 of north glass for every 10 m2 stay we want to heat.

Windows should be closed with curtains or blinds at night to heat captured not escape. It is good to improve thermal insulation as far as possible and have thermal mass (building material in walls, floors) which accumulate the heat of the day to the night. For summer it is necessary to place eaves, awnings, vines, etc. that shade windows in.

You can acces more Spanish language content like this in Manual Técnico – Comercial de Energía Solar Térmica by Sopelia.

Solar Photovoltaic Energy

PV Profitability

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The profitability of a photovoltaic system must be analyzed with certain nuances.

The weightiest factor when deciding whether it is feasible or not, is the potential energy savings during their years of life.

In the case of an isolated photovoltaic system, economic factor is not the main determining factor in deciding whether or not installation (electrification of rural areas, marine signaling, energy demand in remote locations, etc.).

Isolated (Off-grid) Systems

Installation can be evaluated for 2 reasons:

1. A range of total supply needed

2. Power grid not reach where energy demand originates

In the latter case you can opt for laying a new distribution line from the nearest point of the overall grid or choose an autonomous system.

When great powers are not needed and consumption is moderate, the option of autonomous generator is more interesting. Obviously, the higher or lower placement solar radiation level is another determinative factor.

In abundant wind areas, a wind turbine or a wind combined with photovoltaic system may be the most convenient option.

In cases where is needed a fairly large power requiring a large number of solar modules while consumption was not high enough to justify the laying of a grid line, the diesel generator can be the best option.

If both budgets (solar isolated and line grid laying) are of similar magnitude (or even laying a grid line is slightly higher), it can be more interesting access to the electricity grid, which will ensure any consumer at any time of year.

Grid connected (On-grid) Systems

It consists of a module field and inverter which can convert DC generated into AC identical to that of the electricity distribution network, to inject energy produced by the modules into the grid.

In return, you can received a contribution (feed-in tariff) established by law for a period which generally ranges between 15 and 25 years.

To realize the economic study should first determine electricity production depending on the sunshine hours of installation location and installed peak power.

Annual electricity production is then multiplied by the contribution is allocated to the project.

Finally a cash flow is prepared detailing revenues (sale of electricity and taxes recovery) and expenses (initial investment, annual maintenance and insurance costs, administrative and financial annual expenses) for the entire period.

From the data obtained the recovery period and IRR of the investment is determined.

The other way is the net-metering.

In this case, the owner of the photovoltaic system can take power from the grid when their system can not provide enough to meet demand, and inject energy to the grid when their system produces above necessary to meet demand.

The solar module prices fell reaching the threshold of U$D 0.50/W Exworks for conventional crystalline silicon modules.

Simultaneously, the price of electricity generated from fossil fuels is increasing annually.

In fact, it is estimated that several European countries will reach grid-parity (equal price between PV and conventional electricity) in 2020.

In developing countries, photovoltaic systems connected to the grid will remain still an expensive option because of the high subsidies electricity generation and distribution receive; limiting their development.

The turnkey price of a fixed installation connected to the grid (modules, support structures, inverters, protections, measurement systems, project costs, installation and administrative permissions) ranges from U$D 2 and 5/W depending on the facility size and location.

You can access content like this in Spanish in the Manual Técnico – Comercial de Energía Solar Fotovoltaica de Sopelia.