Solar energy is a sustainable and non-polluting source of energy that has been utilized for centuries. It wasn’t up until recently that the innovation to harness solar power efficiently and cost effectively ended up being available. Solar energy is one of the most plentiful renewable resources on this planet. It’s discovered in the sunshine and heat from the sun,along with from other sources such as geothermal,hydropower,wind,biomass,and even ocean waves. Solar power can be converted into heat or light,or be used to produce electricity straight. There are a number of ways to utilize solar power,each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The three main techniques of using solar energy are photovoltaic panels,concentrated solar energy systems and thermal collectors. Let’s take a closer take a look at how photovoltaic panel technology works …
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What are Photovoltaic Panels?
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Photovoltaic panels,also known as solar panels,are the most economical and extensively utilized technique of harnessing solar energy. These panels are made from semi-conductive components that absorb sunlight and transform it into electricity. Panels are mounted on rooftops or installed on the ground,and wired together to form an “array.” The quantity of energy created depends upon the amount of sunshine that hits the panels,their performance,size of the setup,and the environment. Solar energy is considered a renewable resource source because the sun will constantly be around,and the amount of energy it produces is constant. Today,there are a variety of photovoltaic panel designs available such as crystalline silicon,thin film,and cadmium telluride.
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Concentrated Solar Power
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Focused solar power,or CSP,uses mirrors to focus sunlight on solar collectors. The heat from the collectors is utilized to produce steam to drive turbines that create electrical energy. Just like photovoltaic panels,the sun’s intensity and available surface area are important consider the quantity of energy that can be produced. CSP plants are most effective in locations where sunlight is abundant and temperature levels are high. The technology is frequently used to produce electrical energy for big commercial operations,such as mining and water desalination. CSP is a fairly brand-new kind of solar power that has higher getting capability than photovoltaic systems.
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Thermal Collectors
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Another kind of solar energy is thermal collectors,which utilize the sun’s heat to drive a process that generates electrical power. Thermal collectors are used in solar water heating unit,and in solar thermal power plants,likewise known as concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. Solar thermal energy is another technique of harnessing solar power,separate from photovoltaic systems. Like photovoltaic systems,solar thermal collectors use sunshine to create energy. Solar thermal collectors can be installed on roofs or utilized at bigger scales to produce electrical power. Large-scale solar thermal plant operations,however,are unusual in the U.S.
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How Solar Panels Work
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Photovoltaic panel have photovoltaic cells that gather the sun’s energy and change it into electricity. Each photovoltaic cell is comprised of 2 layers: an electron-rich layer that is positively charged,and a negatively charged electron-deficient layer. When light hits the top layer,it knocks loose electrons from the bottom layer. As the electrons move from one layer to the other,they produce a current,which can then be utilized to power devices,charge batteries,or link to the electricity grid. The quantity of energy a solar panel can produce depends on a variety of elements,consisting of: The quantity of sunlight available in the location The number of hours of sunshine a day The effectiveness of the photovoltaic panels The voltage of the system Solar power is a sustainable source of energy,however one that depends on sunlight. If there is no sunshine,the panels do not produce power even though they do not pollute or add to climate modification.
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Pros of Using Solar Energy
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Sustainability – Solar energy is derived from a naturally occurring resource. It’s a renewable energy source so it does not go out like nonrenewable fuel sources do. There is likewise no threat of depletion like there is with natural resources like water and minerals.
No greenhouse gases – Like other kinds of renewable energy like hydropower,geothermal and wind,solar energy doesn’t produce any greenhouse gases.
No pollution – When photovoltaic panels are used inside your home or in metropolitan settings,they can produce energy without producing any pollution.
No fuel costs – Solar panels are powered by sunlight,not by a fuel. This means that you don’t have to fret about buying or storing fuel,or any associated costs.
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Use of existing facilities – You can use the existing electrical wiring in your home to power your photovoltaic panel system.
Grid-tied systems – Unlike other alternative energy sources,you can connect your photovoltaic panels to the grid. This permits you to sell your excess energy to your local energy company.
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No water usage – Hydropower is among the largest factors to renewable resource sources,but it requires a lot of water. Solar panels do not require any water,which is especially essential in deserts.
No land use – Unlike wind turbines,photovoltaic panels do not require any land for installation.
No wildlife impact – Solar panels don’t kill birds and other wildlife like other energy sources do.
Cons of Using Solar Energy
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Seasonal variability – Solar energy is dependent on the quantity of sunshine readily available in a region at a provided time. In general,the amount of sunshine is greater in the summer than in the winter season. The quantity of sunshine received in the winter season is typically adequate to fulfill the energy requirements of a family.
Enough sunshine – Solar panels need to be located in a way that they can receive direct sunshine,a minimum of six hours a day. If they don’t get enough sunlight,they can’t generate electricity.
Less hours of sunshine in winter – Because sunshine is lower in winter season,it takes longer for photovoltaic panels to produce the exact same amount of energy as in summer season.
Atmospheric conditions – Clouds can obstruct the sun and decrease the quantity of energy reaching solar panels.
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Conclusion
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Solar energy has been around for centuries,but only in the past few decades has technology advanced to the point where it can be utilized successfully. The 3 main approaches of making use of solar power are photovoltaic panels,concentrated solar energy systems and thermal collectors. Photovoltaic panel are the most cost-effective and extensively utilized technique of harnessing solar energy,while CSP uses mirrors to focus sunshine on collectors. If you would like more information,please see -
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