The book delves into the diverse possibilities of harnessing and utilizing solar energy within the agricultural sector. It presents a comprehensive examination of the fundamental principles of solar energy resources and technologies, with a focus on their application in agriculture. The book contains a total of 23 chapters, with the first two chapters offering an in-depth analysis of the current and future prospects of solar energy use in the agricultural sector of India. The subsequent eight chapters (Chapter No. 3-10) provide a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of solar photovoltaic and thermal technologies. The final 13 chapters (Chapter No. 11-23) explore the various applications of these technologies in different farm operations and post-harvest processing within the agricultural sector. This book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and others seeking information on solar energy and its applications in agriculture.
Priyabatra Santra, Ranjay Kumar Singh, Surendra Poonia, Dilip Jain ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur Rajasthan 345 001, India.
1. Energy Requirements in Agriculture and Renewable Energy Options for Future2. A Brief Overview of Solar Energy Initiatives in India: Past, Present and Future3. Solar Passive Techniques for Cooling in Arid Region4. Theory of Solar Thermal Technology and its Application in Agriculture5. Fundamental Theories and Laws of Solar Radiation and Solar PV Technology6. Solar Cooker and Dryer: Basic Design Criteria7. Mathematical Model of Solar Air Heater for Performance Evaluation8. Basic Principles of Flat Plate and Evacuated Tube Collectors in Solar Water Heater9. Basic Principles of Solar Refrigeration and its Applications10. Theory on Solar Air Heaters and its Application in Cold Region11. Animal Feed Solar Cooker, Solar Candle Device and Passive Cool Chamber: Principles and Applications12. Concentrating Type of Collectors and their Potential Applications13. Solar PV Pumping System for Irrigation: Principles and Applications14. PVHybrid Structures for Cultivation of Crops in Arid Region15. Solar PV Devices for Application of Chemicals in Crop Fields: PV Operated Duster and Sprayer16. Field Performance of a Solar PV Pumping System: A Case Study with 1 HP Solar Pump17. Phase Change Material Based Solar Dryer for Value Addition of Agricultural Produce18. Application of PCM Materials in Temperature Regulation Inside Protected Agriculture System19. Economic Analysis of Solar Energy Devices20. Advances in Solar Photovoltaic Technology: Monocrystalline to Flexible Solar Panels21. Phase Change Materials -A Sustainable Way of Solar Thermal Energy Storage22. Passive and Hybrid Cooling Systems for Building in Hot and Dry Climatic Condition23. Solar Drying in Food Processing and Effect on Quality Parameters