Solar Energy Conversion

This lecture covers solar energy conversion devices and plants, including solar characteristics, energy states in matter, thermal transport basics, exergy analysis, solar thermal collectors, optics, concentrating technologies, solar electricity, semiconductors, electrochemistry, and computational exercises. It also discusses the proton-proton cycle, solar radiation, solar radiation flux, black body radiation, and solar radiation at Earth's surface. The lecture explores the spatial and temporal distribution of solar energy, the potential of solar energy, concentrated solar power, thermoelectrics, solar collectors, salinity gradient ponds, and solar electricity generation systems.