Using of solar energy in a small electricity generation system

Abstract

The paper presents the review of small solar power generation systems, high- and low-temperature. It focused on the study on organic Rankine cycles (ORC). Such a system using the HFC245fa as a working fluid, was constructed and tested experimentally. As a heat source the evacuated solar collectors were used. The ORC system with internal and external heat exchangers was build. The evaporator was heated with the medium circulating in the solar collector loop. Basic elements of the thermodynamic cycle were presented. The problems connected with power generation in such a system were discussed, especially the control and design of the generator and energy storage system. The ORC with heat regeneration has the maximum thermodynamic efficiency about 8% and its power output was about 2 kWel. Considered ORC system can also cooperate with another small heat source (waste heat) with the power input of 20 - 40 kW and the maximum temperature about 100°C