What Is Solar Energy?
The sun is a source of thermal energy, which can be
converted into other forms such as kinetic energy (the mechanical energy
generated from moving objects), light, and heat. In its simplest form, solar
power can be harnessed by using solar panels to collect photons
(electromagnetic radiation) from sunlight. These are then converted into
electrical current for human use or stored in batteries for later use.
The sun is a giant
ball of plasma that releases intense amounts of energy through nuclear fusion.
This energy travels toward Earth and reaches us in the form of photons. These
photons are absorbed by solar cells, which can be made out of silicon or
another material like cadmium telluride. The photons knock electrons free from
their atoms, thus creating a charge flow within these cells. This flow can then
be used to power electronic devices or send electricity into a grid, where it
can be shared with others. Photovoltaic modules are an effective way to harvest
solar energy because they're inexpensive to manufacture and incredibly
lightweight compared with other types of solar-cell technology (like
concentrated-solar panels).
According to a study by NREL, an energy research lab
in Colorado, grid-tied systems that convert DC power into AC were only 32
percent efficient in 2016. However, a new type of solar panel is on its way to
making power conversion much more efficient. Perovskite cells are still under
development but are as much as twice as efficient as
traditional silicon-based photovoltaic modules. This means they could become a
big part of future renewable energy efforts. Because they're made using
low-temperature processes and can be manufactured on flexible plastic sheets,
they're also easier and cheaper to produce than most other solar panels.
The Benefits of Renewable Energy
While traditional energy sources, such as coal and
natural gas, are known for their reliability and consistency, they can also
come with significant drawbacks. Renewable energy sources, such as solar power,
on the other hand, offer certain advantages that make them particularly
attractive to homeowners. For example, in many cases, renewable energy systems
cost less than $10 per watt to install — one-fourth of what you’d pay for a new
heating system. It’s no surprise that more people are taking advantage of
renewable energy’s money-saving benefits. Today an estimated 2 million homes in
America rely on a renewable source of electricity—about twice as many as five
years ago.
Although renewable energy systems do cost more
upfront, they can save you money in other ways. In many cases, homeowners will
be eligible for tax credits or rebates that offset much of their initial
investment. Some states also offer special pricing plans for solar power, so
it’s worth checking into if you live in one. You should also keep in mind that
although traditional energy sources like natural gas and coal aren’t as
expensive up front, they come with hidden costs, such as pollution and
environmental destruction.
How Does Solar Power Work?
Most solar power panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells,
which convert sunlight directly into electricity. These PV cells consist of a
negative and positive layer of semi-conducting materials separated by an
insulating layer. When sunlight hits these photovoltaic cells, electrons in
both layers are energized and can flow freely across their respective
electrodes. If connected to a circuit, they will generate electricity—without
using any fossil fuels. However, since direct sunlight doesn’t always occur in
high quantities or at convenient times during daylight hours, solar panels also
work during nighttime hours via an alternative method called a conversion.
During conversion, surplus electricity is converted into another form of energy
that can be stored for later use instead of being wasted as heat.
Solar power is a viable option for a large number of
household energy needs. Even after you factor in installation costs and taxes,
solar energy usually costs less than traditional power sources. Its price will
vary based on your location, but it’s likely to be cheaper in many countries
throughout North America, Asia, and Australia where sunshine is plentiful. In
these areas, you can expect to see immediate cost reductions after installing
solar panels due to greatly reduced electricity bills. The biggest obstacle for
most people interested in switching to solar power is gathering all their
upfront costs upfront—it can take several years before you recoup your initial
investment through savings. However, financial incentives are available for
certain individuals as well as businesses that make going solar more affordable
and accessible than ever before!
Advantages of Solar Power
One advantage of solar energy over electricity
generated by traditional methods is that it doesn’t produce greenhouse gas
emissions. Many people are familiar with carbon dioxide, but there are other
greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide and methane, which contribute to global
warming. Also, solar power does not use water or fossil fuels to create
electricity; instead, it relies on photovoltaic cells (the panels you may have
seen on roofs) and/or concentrated solar thermal systems that use mirrors to
concentrate sunlight onto tubes filled with a liquid that turns into steam. The
heat from these processes boils water in a conventional boiler system and
generates steam for an electric turbine to generate electricity.
Not only does solar power not produce greenhouse gas
emissions, but it can be a great option for those who want to cut down on their
monthly electric bill. The cost of electricity varies depending on your area
and energy company, but in 2016, it cost $0.12/kWh nationwide—and that’s before
you take into account federal, state, and local taxes! Although solar power
costs more than traditional electricity at first, many people find that they
can recoup their investment costs in as little as one to three years. While
this is dependent upon several factors such as where you live, how much
sunlight you receive, and your access to tax incentives or rebates (if any),
installing solar panels can save thousands over time compared with buying
electricity from your utility company.
The Different Types of Solar Technology
There are
several types of solar technology that are used to harness solar energy. It's
important to understand how each type works because not all of them can be used
in your area. For instance, if you live in a cloudy climate or have snow on
your roof year-round, you're probably out of luck when it comes to panels. But
if you have access to both ample sunlight and plenty of unshaded roof space,
solar panels may work for you. You'll also want to learn about other available
options such as solar water heaters and concentrating solar collectors. Take
some time to research these technologies so that when you start shopping for an
energy system, you'll know what makes sense for your home or business.
In
general, solar technology works by converting light into energy. The most
common type of system is a photovoltaic (PV) array that generates electricity.
Panels on your roof can convert sunlight into usable electricity that you can
send directly to your home and use for anything from lighting and appliances to
running an electric car. It’s also possible to capture solar energy without
producing actual electricity. These technologies are called thermal collectors
because they collect heat rather than electricity. The most well-known thermal
collector is a water heater that heats water using solar power during sunny
days so you have hot water at night or in cold weather.