Introduction:
Solar power is a renewable form of energy in which the power of the sun is harnessed to produce electricity. It was discovered 100 years ago, yet, more development and implementation has occurred only recently. In 1958, the solar panel technology was utilized for the first time to power satellites and till this day it is used to power satellites such as International Space Station.
History: In 1873, electrical engineer Willoughby Smith discovered that the element selenium is photoconductive when exposed to sunlight. Later in 1876, William Grylls Adams and his student discovered that, selenium can conduct electricity. In 1905, Albert Einstein came up with the theory of photoelectric effect, which is the breakage of electrons from the surface when light hits the surface. In 1958, NASA used the solar panel to power the satellites. Starting 1970s, advances were made in this field to make it more efficient and cheaper.
Direct Applications: The direct applications for solar energy is that it can be used to provide electricity to the remote areas where the electricity grid is not available to people. Furthermore, people in remote areas can be provided with thermal energy through thermal energy systems that uses sun’s energy to heat water.
This is how electricity is produced:
In a solar cell, crystalline silicon is sandwiched between 2 conductive layers, which are basically silicon doped with phosphorous and boron. The one that is doped with phosphorous is called
In 1954 Bell Laboratories invented the first photovoltaic (or solar) cell, made from the semi-conductor silicon, and other elements. It was the first way to convert sunlight directly into electricity. When the space program was launched in the 60's, it
explains, “A solar panel works by allowing photons, or particles of light, to knock electrons free
In this modern fast paced world that we live in, there are many issues that are looked over, energy is one of these. As a world, we are dependant on dwindling fossil fuel supplies and take for granted electricity, oil, and gas. There are four completely renewable sources of energy around us that should be used and developed, they are: wind, growing plants, flowing water, and the sun. These sources of energy are the ones we should be tapping, because they are reliable and renewable. Harnessing the suns energy is the most certain and ultimate energy source. Looking at a brief history and some facts about solar energy, a glimpse of the future can be seen, a future not dependant on
According to solarhome, the term solar power more specifically refers to the use of the sun’s energy for electricity.
This webpage tells in great detail about the way solar power works. It talks about the protons being turned into energy. It talks about the size of the PV system. It describes how to maintain the solar panels to keep them going
In order for one to further understand the importance of solar energy, the problem of global warming must be explained. As defined by Webster’s Dictionary, “Global Warming” is an increase in the earth’s average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect. With an average increase in atmospheric temperatures, our planet is slowly deteriorating. In order to stall or halt this global destruction, countries must turn to solar energy as a cleaner alternative to the depletion of fossil fuels. Solar energy creates a homeostasis for the climate. Due to its ability to decrease global climate changes, solar power can address global warming in several ways.
Solar energy is the most plentiful and purist renewable energy source available. Because it is completely natural, it is considered to be a clean energy source. It does not disrupt the environment or threaten the Eco-systems the way oil and some other energy sources tend to. Nor does it cause greenhouse gases, air or water pollution. Solar energy is an immensely important aspect of life and has been since the beginning of time. Increasingly, we are learning how to harness this important resource and use it to replace traditional energy sources. Modern technology can utilize this energy in a variety of ways, such as; generating electricity, providing light or a comfortable interior environment, and heating water for domestic, industrial, or commercial use. One day solar energy may well become our primary form of energy. This would lead to a clean environment, less money spent on utilities, and a healthier world. It is highly important because it has the potential to allow technology and nature to co-exist peacefully.
Solar power is nothing completely new; it has been used for years to power small devices from calculators to watches, but what is new is its improved efficiency. Solar panels can be used to collect energy from the sun and now are being used on a much larger scale. Homeowners and business can use energy generated from the panels to power their homes and offices and have it purchased by energy suppliers. Solar power is proving to be an economical energy source available to the public that is consumer friendly.
Solar power has been around for many years. The very first silicon based photovoltaic was invented by Bell Labs back in 1954. At this time the cost per watt was high at $285 and in 2009 it dropped to a mere $3.00 per watt (Solar Tech USA, 2014). Solar energy dates back as far as the 2nd century with the Greeks and Romans starting fires through broken glass. Indirect benefits from solar have been used way back to even photosynthesis (Bengtson, 2012). Passive solar energy was used to heat building by using the design to capture the sun for heating and lighting. Moving into the 20th century major changes have accrued and there is now concentrating solar power technologies for centralized solar thermal plants (Bengtson, 2012). The public believes that solar is not yet ready to take charge and become a major source of power, yet some experts disagree.
Solar energy and its use isn’t new to the world. It has been used by various societies beginning from 7thCentury B.C, when the sun’s heat was concentrated by glass and mirrors to light fires. Today, we have everything from solar-powered buildings to solar-powered vehicles. By and large solar technology has some environmental, economic, psychological and ethical implications for our society. Actions taken by companies and individuals to increase the use of solar technology will create good local jobs, improve our environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil while doing what’s ethical and moral for our society.
Solar power harness the sun 's energy to create electricity. Solar energy assets are enormous and boundless, and they can be tackled anyplace that gets sunlight. The measure of solar radiation, otherwise called insolation, coming to the earth 's surface consistently is more than all the energy at present devoured by every single human activity yearly [1]. Various variables, including geographic area, time of day, and current climate conditions, all influence the measure of energy that can engage in for electricity creation or heating purposes.
Solar panel is made up of solar cells. Earlier solar cells are of low efficiency and large in size but now a day very high efficient solar cells are available. Solar cell prize much higher, it is difficult to afford solar energy.
There solar cells are divided in three categories: the first, second and third generation. The first generation cells were the first ones to be developed and they were consisted of systems that occupied a large area, in spite of the high quality. The type of technology used in these solar cells required the use of a large amount of energy for the transformation of solar energy into electrical, what implied in high costs. The cell is composed of a purified silicon wafer doped, at the same time, with boron and phosphorus. The phosphorus part doped, is exposed to the sun. The part doped with boron is at the bottom of the cell, and it is greater than the other one. Front and rear contacts are placed, and the front contacts on the phosphorus part, causes shadow and reflection, decreasing the efficiency of the cell. It would be theoretically possible to reduce the losses by reflection, decreasing the amount of front contacts, but
Solar energy may define as the energy received by the earth from the sun. This solar energy is in the form of solar radiation. With the help of solar cells, solar radiation can convert into electricity. Sun is a highly powerful energy source, humans and natures are directly depending on the sun. For example in hydro-electricity the solar energy needed for the evaporation of water after that it returns to earth as rain and provides water in dams. In biomass, the solar energy used that process. Solar cells directly converted solar radiation into electricity, during the process time there is no noise or pollution are there. These cells made with some semiconducting materials. If use solar cells in our home it will help to reduce the greenhouse gas emission, minimise the percentage of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and mainly reduce the necessity of fossil fuels and natural gas use to produce electricity. According to the Ben Sorensen, solar energy is one of a good source of substitute energy, for the reason that it is renewable, economical and does not pollute our environment. Thus, this essay will be divided into three parts. Firstly, we will talk about fossil fuels and its demerits. Secondly, we will look at the issues and implications of solar energy. Finally, we will focus on the advantageous and disadvantageous of solar energy respectively.
On 1839, Alexandre Edmond Becquerel, discovered that certain materials produced small amounts of electric current when exposed to light.