Solar Power And Solar Energy

Solar energy is the conversion of power from the sun to usable electricity (Alternative Energy, 2014). The most common source of solar energy utilizes photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity (Alternative Energy, 2014). Photovoltaics use a semi-conductor to absorb the radiation from the sun, creating and emitting electrons, which are then harnessed and used as electricity (Alternative Energy, 2014).

The greatest energy that can be produced by the sun is electricity. Photovoltaics, or solar cells, capture the sun and convert it into electricity. Solar cells were discovered by the Europeans back in the 1870’s when they used selenium to develop the telegraph. They found that when light hits selenium it would produce and electrical current. Soon enough there were many scientists and engineers working on photovoltaic systems. Silicon and Selenium proved to be the two best elements to conduct electricity when light hits them. Photovoltaic systems (PV cell) work by converting the suns light into electricity. A semi conducting material absorbs the sunlight, that energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms, this allows the electrons to flow through the material to produce electricity. The further development of solar cells can be attributed to the satellite industry. Solar cells were expensive and there was no use for them until satellites came. Because it is impractical to tether satellites it became important to develop solar energy at any cost that would power these satellites. This created a sustainable market for solar power, the first of its kind.

Basically, Photovoltaic (PV) panels use layers of silicone doped with other materials and sandwiched together to extract free electrons using sunlight. A dopant on one side of the panel generates a negative charge and on the other side a dopant generates a positive one. This creates an electric field and when sunlight passes through the panel it has the chance to knock an electron off an atom. Metal plates on the sides then collect these electrons, because of the potential from the electric field, and a current is generated which goes on to be converted to alternating current in an inverter and then used to power our homes (Dhar, 2013). Photovoltaic panels are ideal for any residential application because they require little to no maintenance as they have no moving parts, they can just be set up and run as much as necessary to supplement household power. Unfortunately though they only supply power when the sun is out so they would never be able to be the primary power source for a home. Commercially, thermal plants have the ability to produce large amounts of power in multiple phases and as technology improves it may soon even be able to run around the

The major problem with solar energy is that it is very costly to buy the equipment although the price has plummeted since 1970 (Corcoran, 2003). At that time solar energy cells cost about $200 per watt, today, it is about $5.00 per watt (Corcoran, 2003). There are a number of innovations intended to change this disadvantage. For instance, SunPower of Sunnyvale in California has devised a way to make the solar energy cells cheaper (Business Wire. 2004). The new cells have a 20 percent efficiency which means they will generate about 33 percent more energy (Hogan, 2003). Part of the savings is in a new way to extract silicon. The company SunPower estimates that average American families need 2000 to 3000 watts and the new solar cells can be met by using about 15 square meters of solar panels (Hogan, 2003). This is far less space than the regular

A solar cell is a device which produces electricity through the conversion of light energy, through the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect is a chemical and physical phenomenon, and relates to the creation of electrical current within a material when it is exposed to light. Solar cells are considered to be photovoltaic, despite whether the source of light is produced artificially, or is from the sun.

Photovoltaic cells, are used in buildings in the way of photovoltaic panels also known as “Solar PV Panels” to provide and deliver electricity directly into the building. They are often being mixed up with “Solar Thermal Panels”, as they are both put on the roofs of the buildings and look very similar, however they provide

Solar power is among the very best environmental choices within the energy sector that is accessible to everyone. This source of energy will be in existence for as long as the earth exists. However, you must determine if it's not fiscally unwise to spend money on this alternative power source resource. These suggestions can help you in your journey to utilizing solar power.

In today’s world, Earth is facing a major energy crisis and consumes large amounts of energy. Moreover, both developed and developing nations continue to grow reliant on nonrenewable energy to power their rapidly expanding nations. Not only will the world run out of these resources, but the Earth will suffer because of the consequences that come with using fossil fuels. Luckily, there are alternative sources of energy such as the renewable and clean sources of solar energy. For the time being, fossil fuels are more affordable and easy to sell to a variety of markets. On the other hand, solar energy continues to grow and will eventually become more affordable and efficient than nonrenewable energy. Also, solar energy will eventually become cost effective and provide a strong return on investment. Furthermore, solar energy is renewable and will be around even when fossil fuels run out and solar energy will only continue to become more efficient and versatile in the future (“The Pros and Cons”). While fossil fuels may be more affordable, solar energy is cleaner, renewable, and will soon become a far cheaper power source.

In the last decades energy consumption have come to a time where people started noticing the climate changes and the effect of fossil fuel energy for been environmentally destructive, by producing pollutions and other effect. After realizing the effect engineers come up with solar panel, an alternative to fossil fuel energy but less harmful for the environment and the pocket. Solar panels which uses renewable energy like the sun to light homes heat and produces electricity. Unlike fossil fuel solar panels are less harmful for the environment. From it creation few decades ego, just recently solar panel started getting popularity in homes in the United States and around the world. When it was invented people were not interested about it, because of the high installation price, however the price have changed dramatically since then. Even though scientific data shows that solar energy is a better alternative to fossil fuel, many people still wondering about global warming, the benefit and the necessity of solar panels

Most Americans would agree that global warming is a real threat to our planet, and that implementing alternative energy sources is a major step to combating the effects of it. Yet, only 4% of American homeowners have residential solar panels installed, and only 40% have even considered the option (6). It is a widespread myth that solar panels are only for the rich, and should be considered a luxury. While It turns out that solar panels have become increasingly affordable for the middle class over the past decade, with the White House announcing several policies to ensure so (2). And if solar panels are not the right choice for you due to living space or economic position, there are other alternative energy systems out there worth

The ability to generate electricity from sunlight is a relatively new and exciting technology that offers many new opportunities in generating ‘green’ electricity. This technology is called solar photovoltaics or more simply, PV. PV offers the ability to generate electricity in a clean, quiet and renewable way. It makes use of the abundant energy from the sun, to generate electricity without the production of

Solar photovoltaic (PV): The transmutation of sunlight directly into electricity by using photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic systems can be lodge on rooftops, integrated at the top of building designs and vehicles, or scaled up to megawatt scale power plants.

There are many forms of renewable energy . Most of these renewable energies depend in one way or another on sunlight. Wind and hydroelectric power are the direct result of differential heating of the Earth 's surface which leads to air moving about (wind) and precipitation forming as the air is lifted. Solar energy is the direct conversion of sunlight using panels or collectors. Biomass energy is stored sunlight contained in plants. Other renewable energies that do not depend on sunlight are geothermal energy, which is a result of radioactive decay in the crust combined with the original heat of accreting the Earth, and tidal energy, which is a conversion of gravitational energy.

Solar panel, which full name is called solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics, capture the sun 's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells do not need direct sunlight to work, they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting (energy saving trust, 2014). At the beginning of solar panel 's carry out, it is not known to many people who are used to the traditional way of electricity supplement. However, people started to realize that the traditional energy is not unlimited, and will be depleted quickly with the popularize of new power knowledge. Additionally, The Solar panel which was only a niche

Solar energy has been around for decades and as time has evolved it has become the center of renewable energy. In order for you to fully understand the environmental and economical benefits of solar panels you must first understand and know their purpose. A solar panel is a panel designed to absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating. With the recent rise in energy costs many people have been looking to alternative sources of energy, this is where we see solar panels and solar energy come into the picture. Solar panels have a variety of benefits ranging from higher property values, economic growth, and health benefits.