ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces solar systems that produce electricity — solar power towers and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. A solar power tower concentrates the sun’s energy to heat a working fluid that produces steam to generate electricity via a steam turbine. Solar PV systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar power tower systems have been built which use water, liquid sodium, or air as the heat absorbing media at the receiver. The advantage molten salt provides over the other fluids is the ability of the molten salt to store thermal energy. This allows the molten salt solar power tower system to operate and produce electricity when the sun is not shining. Solar PV systems use solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. Solar cells produce direct current and usually the direct current is inverted to alternating current. The most common solar cell material is silicon. PV systems vary greatly in size and complexity.
