• Semester 5, position 4

Achieving academic competences in the field of solar energy utilization – mastering knowledge of solar-to-thermal energy conversion.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Analyze the potential of solar energy utilization at a given location; Explain the functions and relevant characteristics of the main components of solar thermal systems (solar collectors, energy storage units, heat exchangers, etc.); Apply mass and energy balance to the components of solar systems; Present schematics of basic solar thermal systems for different applications.

Areas of solar energy utilization. Solar radiation: characteristics, potential, available energy at a given location on Earth. Fundamentals of heat transfer in solar system components: Radiation (laws of blackbody radiation, gray and real bodies, radiative properties of materials, selective surfaces), Convection, Conduction, Combined heat transfer. Main components of solar thermal systems: Solar collectors (types, operating temperature ranges, design, operating principles, heat transfer, thermal and other characteristics); Thermal energy storage units (types of storage, design, energy balance); Heat exchangers (characteristics, energy balance); Heat transfer fluids (relevant properties); Piping and other system components and their characteristics. Solar systems for different applications.

Solar radiation – determination of characteristics, potential, apparent motion of the Sun on the celestial sphere, and available energy at a given location. Examples of heat transfer in solar system components: radiation, convection, conduction, and combined heat transfer. Determination of relevant characteristics of solar thermal system components: solar collectors; thermal energy storage units; heat exchangers; heat transfer fluids; piping and other system components. Determination of the energy performance of a selected solar system.

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1. Lecture notes 2. Printed literature 3. Laboratory 4. Computer programs 5. Catalogues

Total assigned hours: 75

New material: 20
Elaboration and examples (recapitulation): 10

Auditory exercises: 5
Laboratory exercises: 3
Calculation tasks: 3
Seminar paper: 15
Project: 0
Consultations: 0
Discussion/workshop: 4
Research study work: 0

Review and grading of calculation tasks: 2
Review and grading of lab reports: 2
Review and grading of seminar papers: 3
Review and grading of the project: 2
Test: 2
Test: 2
Final exam: 2

Activity during lectures: 5
Test/test: 30
Laboratory practice: 5
Calculation tasks: 10
Seminar paper: 20
Project: 0
Final exam: 30
Requirement for taking the exam (required number of points): 35

Gojak, M., Rudonja, N.: Solar Thermal Systems, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 2024.; Kalogirou, S.: Solar thermal collectors and applications, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 231–295, 2004.; Duffie, J. и Beckman, W.: Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006.; Labudović, B.: Fundamentals of the Application of Solar Thermal Systems, Energetika Marketing, Zagreb, 2010.; Lorenzini, G., Biserni, C., Flacco, G.: Solar Thermal and Biomass Energy, WIT Press, Southampton/Boston, 2010.