Clean energy sources, such as solar energy, can help meet rising energy demands while reducing pollution and preventing damage to the environment and public health at the same time. Solar energy is an excellent alternative to fossil fuels for many reasons: Using solar energy to replace the use of traditional fossil fuel energy sources can prevent the release of pollutants into the atmosphere. Solar energy uses fewer natural resources than conventional energy sources. Solar energy and shading are important aspects in building designs. Thermal mass is used to conserve the heat that sunshine distributes to all buildings. Daylighting techniques optimize the use of light in buildings. Solar water heaters and provide domestic hot water and heat swimming pools. In agriculture greenhouses powered by solar energy can expand growing seasons and pumps powered by solar cells (known as photovoltaics) provide water for farm animals. Solar power techniques produce water for millions of people worldwide. Simple applications include clotheslines and solar cookers which concentrate sunlight for cooking, drying and pasteurization. Other solar power applications include sunlight for high-temperature material testing, metal smelting and industrial chemical production. Solar vehicles providing ground, air and sea transportation are in experimental stages.
Solar thermal technologies uses the solar heat energy to heat substances, such as water or air, for applications such as space heating, and water heating for homes and businesses. Solar energy is harnessed through the use of solar panels. Solar panels are basically a device that gathers and coverts the solar energy from the sun. Solar panels have been greatly improved in the past few years as more research and studies have gone into finding out more about solar energy. It is something that has to be used more in the coming years. The world's current energy resources are not going to last. Soon there will be no choice, but to find an alternative and solar energy is looking to be one of the front-runners. Solar power can range from simple applications you can do at home to large factories and buildings that use solar power. Using solar power, where and when it is feasible can cut down on greenhouse gasses and lesson the impact of global warming.
Photovoltaic PV Devices / Solar Cells:
Photovoltaic PV devices or solar cells change sunlight directly into electricity. A photovoltaic cell, commonly called a solar cell or PV, is the technology used to convert solar energy directly into electrical power. Solar electric power generated using "photovoltaic," or "PVs," is used in hundreds of applications throughout many parts of the United States and around the world. Solar Photovoltaic PV is a zero maintenance, zero fuel cost electric generator. Photovoltaic principles are used to produce electricity. A solar panel PV panel is made of the natural element, silicon, which becomes charged electrically when subjected to sunlight. PV systems are often used in remote locations that are not connected to the electric grid. The amount of electrical energy produced by a PV array depends on the insulation at a given location and the collector bank orientation, tilt angle, and module efficiency.
Solar Cells convert light energy into electricity at the atomic level. The most important parts of a solar cell are the semiconductor layers. This is where the electron current is created. There are a number of different materials available for making these semi-conducting layers, and each has benefits and drawbacks. Unfortunately, there is no one ideal material for all types of cells and applications. In addition to the semi conducting materials, solar cells consist of a top metallic grid or other electrical contact to collect electrons from the semiconductor and transfer them to the external load, and a back contact layer to complete the electrical circuit. Then, on top of the complete cell is typically a glass cover or other type of transparent encapsulant to seal the cell and keep weather out, and an anti-reflective coating to keep the cell from reflecting the light back away from the cell. A typical solar cell consists of a cover glass, an anti-reflective layer, a front contact to allow the electrons to enter a circuit and a back contact to allow them to complete the circuit. Solar cell systems are already a very important part of our lives. The simplest systems power many of the small calculators and wrist watches we use everyday. PV power is the cheapest form of electricity for powering these small devices.
PV systems are often used in remote locations that are not connected to the electric grid. When the two surfaces are connected through an external load, electricity flows. To increase power output, cells are electrically connected into a packaged weather-tight module. That steam can then be used to turn a turbine to make electricity. PV systems use semiconductor materials that convert sunlight directly to electricity. Scientists are working to convert sunlight to cheap electricity. They are working with new materials that can make devices used for converting sunlight to electricity cheaper.
Solar Panels:
Home developers are using solar energy as the latest feature in new homes. A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Lots of small solar cells spread over a large area can work together to provide enough power to be useful. The more light that hits a cell, the more electricity it produces. Solar cells are comprised of silicon which is specially treated so when light strikes it, it causes electrons to flow. It's a direct converter of light energy to electrical energy. Typically, solar panels are mounted flat on the roof, each one generating about 200 watts of electricity when the sun is shining on it. The panels are strung together to form an array. The minimum system is five panels generating approximately 1,000 watts of electrricity. Solar panel manufacturers are designing solar panels with neater and cleaner designs that are more transparent and neater than traditional solar panels.
Solar panels make electricity in all kinds of conditions, from cloudy skies to full sunlight, in all seasons of the year. But they don't work at all during the nighttime. To make electricity available after sundown, the energy must be stored during the day for later use. The usual storage device is a rechargeable battery. Besides solar panels and rechargeable batteries, modern photovoltaic systems are usually equipped with some kind of electronic charge controller. The main job of the charge controller is to feed electricity from the solar panel to the battery in the most efficient manner and to prevent the solar panel from overcharging the battery. The charge controller also protects the solar panels from electrical damage. Photovoltaic panels, like computers and other technologies, are getting cheaper and easier to buy. In fact, many people consider them a great alternative to gas-powered generators or connections to the regular electricity supply. Some countries such as Japan have encouraged businesses and communities to install solar panels on the roofs of new buildings to reduce the need for electricity from other sources.
Many homes and businesses have both a connection to the commercial electrical supply system (often called the "electricity grid"). The solar panels can provide all or most of the building's electrical supply during the day, and the grid supplies whatever other electricity may be needed during the night. In some cases, the panels make more electricity than is needed in the building. Solar panels can also be used to operate traditional air conditioners. As it happens, the periods of intense heat correspond to the periods of peak electricity production from photovoltaic cells. As long as you have solar panels, which generate sufficient to electricity, you can operate air conditioners at no cost.
Solar Lighting:
Solar lights are becoming more common in the home and office. Hybrid solar lighting collects sunlight and routs it through optical fibers into buildings where it is combined with electric light in hybrid light fixtures. Sensors keep the room at a steady lighting level by adjusting the electric lights based on the sunlight available. This new generation of solar lighting combines both electric and solar power. Solar lighting, as well, lights many outdoor decks. Solar lighting often illuminates yards and gardens as well as swimming pools. Solar lights work by recharging during the sunlight hours, and shining bright with that power at night. Solar panels are located on the lights, and these panels collect solar energy and charge a battery with that energy. The battery, in turn, powers the lights at night, eliminating the need for another power source.
Solar lighting is now the choice for gardens, landscaping and lighting paths. Lighting products typically come in sets of two to six self-contained lights. Each light typically is comprised of a metal or plastic stem with a lighting mechanism on the top. The lighting mechanism uses LED technology and is powered by a small solar panel built into the top of the piece. The lights can be purchased with or without backup batteries depending on your needs.
Outside the home solar lighting can be used for camping, street and traffic lighting, bus shelters and advertising billboards. The applications for solar powered outdoor lighting systems are endless. These units can be used for security and safety lighting, rural area lighting, dock lights, park lighting, parking lot lighting, parkway lighting, walkway lighting, street lighting, transit lighting, and other outdoor area lighting applications. Solar powered traffic warning signals and other traffic lights rely upon sunlight for its power source so the availability of electrical power from the grid is not a factor. The benefits of solar powered lights are that they are affordable and safe. The benefits of solar lighting are numerous. Low energy costs are one major reason, as the sun is well known for providing solar radiation without charge. Solar power products have few moveable parts, which mean that fewer parts exist to break. They last for a long time and require little attention once installed, therefore they require little maintenance. Perhaps the greatest benefits of solar lighting are the environmental benefits. Solar lighting gives off no emissions and does not contribute to global warming in any way. Solar power is a renewable resource. Other energy resources, such as coal and oil, have finite supplies. The power of the sun, on the other hand, will keep on shining, potentially beyond human existence. Solar lights continue working even if there has been a power outage. Because the energy isn't coming off of an electrical grid, power outages make no difference. Solar energy is free and environmentally friendly. As well as saving money, you can play a part in offsetting global warming by using solar energy in your home or business.