Solar energy is solar radiation or sunlight that’s given off by the sun. Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect which is how electricity can be generated from sunlight, but the solar cell wasn 't invented until 1941 by Russell Ohl. which creates electricity or heat. Solar power cells convert solar radiation or sunlight into electricity, using the energy of photons to make an electric current within the solar panel. The electric current then flows out of the solar panel into an inverter that converts the DC power into an AC power, which is then used by the population. There are two types of these solar panels, there’s a passive and an active. Passive solar panels convert solar radiation into usable heat …show more content…
The main reason solar energy is getting so big is because of the advantages of the use of solar energy. The main advantage of solar energy is that the power source is infinite unlike fossil fuels which are limited. Scientist currently predicts that in the next forty to fifty years fossils fuels will expire. Also solar energy is cleaner, rather than fossil fuels, solar energy doesn’t give off pollution and also is water efficient. Nuclear power plants and gas power plants use up so much water to cool the plant down, solar panels however doesn’t need water for anything. Solar plants can also be set up in remote areas where other types of plants can’t be set. Also solar panels don’t need maintenance to run, it works on its own, besides annual cleaning to clean the solar …show more content…
Some solar panels only produce electricity when the sun is shining but scientist thing they may have a solution to change that. Scientist made carbon nanotubes which are atom-thin layers of carbon rolled into small tubes which absorbs the suns radiation and stores it. It can only generate heat, not electricity, but in the near future scientists believe that they can change that. It’s a major improvement over not being able to use anything when the sun isn’t shining. According to defense one, MIT/ Harvard team is currently looking into other types of photoswitching and under laying layers to possibly increase the amount of energy the carbon nanotubes can hold. Also the use of solar panels in wintry climates is the same, if snow covers the solar panel then the efficiency of the panel is highly reduced. The solar panel would still work but not work efficient enough. This problem can be solved with a tracker, which is a device that tilts and move towards the sun, which improve efficiency but cost tens of thousands of dollars. So places like Michigan that causes a problem in the winter time, but when its 30 degrees or lower and sunny outside solar panels tend to work better. Solar panels are built to last the most extreme weather conditions and last up to twenty to thirty years or more with annual cleaning and maintenance. Solar panels are very resistant and
Solar cells directly convert photons from the sun into electricity (Wikipedia). Solar cells that convert both solar and non-solar light are called photovoltaic cells (Wikipedia 2006). They are made of semi conducting materials, most often silicon (Aldous 2006). The simplest photovoltaic cells power watches and calculators while larger, more complex systems can add to the power grid and provide power for homes.
more and more companies are starting to use them. I believe that solar energy is better for our
The sun warms up the planet but people can also use that to warm up their own house. Not only does the sun help with heating but it can also help with other renewable energy sources. The sun is considered the most powerful energy source because it makes wind, is part of the water cycle by evaporating water, and it helps plants grow (West). Solar power uses the dark blue, tile looking machines known as photovoltaic devices that gather the energy and convert it into energy (Wieman). Since the sun does not always shine on the same spot, people need to choose the location of these devices wisely. When they have the device in the right position then they can start gathering power. Solar power collects solar energy from the sun, then “converts that into sugar and starches which then break down to create chemical energy” (Heinrichs, 12). This seems as a wonderful but not many people realize how...
The sun has been a major aspect of life since the beginning of time. People used many other forms of energy before electricity was discovered. There has been a debate over energy resources for years. Many people are worried about what current energy resources may be doing to the environment. Oil spills and nuclear power plant mishaps have only been a few accidents that have had a big impact on the environment and the people who inhabit it. There are plenty of energy sources that do not harm the environment and are still able to get the job done. Solar energy is one energy alternative that will insure the betterment of the country and, at the same time, protect the natural environment.
Solar power is a renewable alternative energy. The sun helps the solar power to produce energy and converted to electricity. The sun provides the earth with two major forms of energy, heat and light. There are three ways types of solar power solar cells, solar water heating and solar furnaces, but the most common solar power is solar is solar cells. How solar cells works is when there is a sunny climate the sun reflects in to the solar power so that it can get electricity. Most solar power systems utilize heat energy for heating will the others transform light into electricity. Solar Power is not only for house use but also for cars. Now in days, vehicles run on with solar power. According to (makeitsolar.com), it says, “PV panels as a direct power source that convert light energy into electricity to power their motors. When sun is not available, cars will not run, so, is better to have a car powered by batteries that can recharged with solar energy” describes how solar power is the better way to save electricity and could easily recharged when sun is available at no cost. Solar power is the better way to save electricity without using house power or car battery.
What is solar energy? To fully comprehend this, background information must be presented. How did we get to the point we are at now? Most people look to the 1973 oil embargo, where Arab delegates announced they’d no longer be shipping petroleum oil to countries, such as the U.S., who had supported Israel in their conflict with Egypt. About the same time as this was announced, members of OPEC agreed to quadruple world oil prices. Focus then turned to solar energy. With barely any oil being imported, the Federal government started putting close to $400 million per year for research on solar energy. The facts were and still are ever-present: oil, coal, and nuclear energy are depletable, causing a massive amount of pollutive particles to go up into the air, which in turn causes a bounty of problems. On the other hand, solar energy is clean and renewable with no bad after effects. The actual definition of solar energy is “energy from the sun that’s converted into thermal or electric energy.” The terminology used when discussing solar energy may be complex and difficult to understand to the average Joe. This is because not much has been done to try and explain the uses or even the way this system operates to the public. The money allocated by the government has seemed to go towards research instead of encouraging and educating the people about the benefits of renewable energy. The breakdown shows us that ...
From the early times of human beings, trying to find ways to harness the suns energy for their daily lives , we have come long ways since the first solar panels now we have other ways to create energy but those aren’t safe they’re dangerous and hazardous to the environment. The future begins with change and we can’t do that if we’re still doing the same things to, burning fossil fuels and power plants are the main sources of today’s pollution. Solar panels are a great thing for this time in age, harnessing the sun’s rays for energy pollutant free air.
Solar panels are systems that generated heat or electricity by using the energy to be carried ray of the sun. Solar energy panels absorbs the sun’s energy with the aid of dark surfaces located inside panels. After obtained heat, water is heated by transferring water by solar energy panel.
Solar power is energy efficient, what is meant by that is that solar power cannot ever run out as long as it is installed properly. Solar power cells is a source of electrical energy that converts a powerful source of energy such as the sun into electricity, using it’s energy to create electrical currents within the solar panel. Solar panels produce electricity using technology called “Solar Photovoltaic (PV)”.
Solar energy is very important now and will be in the future. It is useful alone but may need some help to stay reliable and affordable. Using solar energy to generate power is in a growing phase. It is becoming more and more popular every day. Solar energy systems are ready for more use across the world. Solar energy will help the environment and help people save money. Solar energy helps in many different ways but, there is more out there to catch the flaws that solar has. Solar energy has been used for a while and people need to realize that there are better options than just purely solar; one of these options is better because it has more reliability, a lower cost and a higher rate of energy production.
Solar energy is one of the useful resources, which do not impact on the environment. Today, most people use fossil fuel, which is nonrenewable and cause pollution, rather than other sources. Also, fossil fuel can make the air unhealthy by releasing carbon dioxide; therefore, solar energy is great because it is renewable energy and it is replaced. Solar energy has many uses some of them can be dangerous and some of them can be useful and helpful for the environment; therefore, there are environmental advantages of solar energy. Overall, solar energy is an alternative source and can be used in many ways: to protect the environment since it is non-polluting and clean, can be used in remote
Photovoltaic cells directly convert solar energy into electrical energy through a chemical action taking place in solar cells. They act on the principle of photo-voltaic effect, which develops an emf on absorption of ionizing radiation from sun. It is the most popular technology when it comes to converting solar energy to electric energy. Because of its design, it can even be installed on building roofs making it very popular among
... and monthly water filling. Solar energy is the cleanest and purest form of energy, allowing for cleaner air overall in our environment. There is great hope for a lot more solar panels to be installed worldwide. Solar is a viable alternative energy with solar panels becoming more affordable and more efficiently designed.
Another alternative energy source is solar energy. This is predicted to be the most promising source of energy for the future, but there are still a few things that need improving to make it work in the most efficient way. Solar energy is produced when photovoltaic cells in solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it to energy. The energy from the cells is converted to electricity in an inverter and can be used or stored for later use. Solar energy is both renewable and sustainable. It is also a clean and quiet way to produce energy. Solar energy is good for remote or rural areas where it may be difficult to get power lines. Although solar panels are expensive to install they are low maintenance after installation. However, there is a need for a large, open area for the solar panels. Solar panels can only absorb energy during the day and even though the energy can be stored for use at night, it can be expensive to store energy. Solar panels are also less effective in bad weather when there is less sunlight to be
I am certain that all have heard of the terms green house gases, fossil fuels, and global warming. Have you ever questioned what will happen if nothing is done about the environmental problems facing the world today? What if I answer you that, we can merely use the power from the sun to power up our entire planet without the use of harmful energy sources, which affect our atmosphere? The power from the sun is what we call solar power. Solar power is the energy that comes from the sun as light and heat energy, and then it is later converted into electrical energy through solar panels (Nelson, 2008). This kind of power is completely free, right? Why should we put a lot of expense on other sources of energy, when there is a complete free and healthy power? It is evident that solar energy is a healthy source of energy, which will help stop global warming all together, but it is economically efficient to switch everything to solar energy. Solar energy is capable of becoming the world's future power supply because, it is renewable, eco-friendly, and extremely efficient when strategically placed.