Solar Energy - The Future Option?
Forty-Seventh Series
by Harald Ries
Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland
Visiting Scholar, Enrico Fermi Institute
Is solar energy a serious option for society? Can it ever provide a significant part of mankind's energy needs? What systems are needed to harness and convert this form of energy? We will review the scientific principles behind the use of solar energy, from the fusion processes inside the sun, to the quantity and quality of solar radiation reaching the earth; from domestic hot water systems to solar power plants; from the photosynthesis of green plants to photovoltaic cells. We will look at the theoretical maximum efficiencies for the conversion of light and at what is needed in order to approach these limits. At the end you will be able to form an educated opinion on the highly polarized issue of energy, sustainable development, climate control, and conservation.
| March 28. | What is energy? What is entropy? |
| April 4. | How much energy do we need? |
| April 18. | Why does the sun shine? |
| April 25. | Thermodynamics of light |
| May 2. | Maximum efficiency for the conversion of light energy |
| May 9. | Thermal collectors |
| May 16. | Thermal storage and heat transfer |
| May 23. | Concentrators |
| May 30. | Quantum collectors |
| June 6. | Conclusions: How it can be done? |