Question

average efficiency of the plant is estimated to be 21%. The average daily solar radiation value for Houston is 17.78MJ/m2 day. Determine the amount of electricity produced in kWhs annually.

Answer 1

37,888 kWh

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

• Average efficiency of the plant is 21%
• Average daily solar radiation in Houston is 17.78 MJ/m2 day

We need to determine:

• The amount of electricity produced annually in kWh

Convert the daily solar radiation to kJ/m2 day:

17.78 MJ/m2 day * 1000 kJ/MJ = 17,780 kJ/m2 day

Find the daily solar energy incident on the plant in kJ:

Multiply the solar radiation by the area of the plant (not given, assume 100 m2)

17,780 kJ/m2 day * 100 m2 = 1,778,000 kJ/day

Find the daily energy converted to electricity in kJ:

Multiply by the efficiency of 0.21

1,778,000 kJ/day * 0.21 = 373,380 kJ/day

Convert kJ to kWh:

373,380 kJ/day / (1000 kJ/kJ) * (1 kWh/3600 kJ) = 103.8 kWh/day

Multiply by 365 days to get annual production:

103.8 kWh/day * 365 days = 37,888 kWh/year