Solar energy in a volume and efficiency in solar power generation

Solar power received on the surface of any object on the earth could be considered as the power absorbed in the entire volume of that object and hence measured in Watts per unit volume. In this paper, effectiveness of measuring power and energy per unit volume and the impact of height in system efficiency is analyzed. Variations in solar radiation intensity based on the angles of the Sun during the day and the year is briefly reviewed. It is shown how the wide ranges of these variations can affect efficiency of a solar power generating system and its energy delivery. Module of Irradiance and Collectivity Factors are introduced as parameters to estimate power/energy entering a volume and the efficiency of the system. Cost efficiency of the system is discussed considering all high cost items such as land, collector equipment and the supporting structure. A solar power-tracking concept is analyzed and shown how it would significantly increase the efficiency of the system. Feasibility of tracker in solar power generation is studied based on Tracking factor as defined here.