How
does solar
energy work?
As the energy from the sun
comes to us, light in
the form
of photons, and heat radiation is either scattered, reflected,
transmitted, or absorbed. Part of this energy is absorbed
by the earth's atmosphere and about 35 percent is reflected
back into space. Parts of the energy spectrum that are blocked
from us are very harmful like ultra violet (UV). Fortunately,
almost all UV light is blocked by our atmosphere. The way in which the
sun's energy reacts with materials is integral to the way in which
electricity is produced via photovoltaic panels and solar thermal.
Photovoltaic cells are designed with a
positive and a negative
field and as photons are absorbed by silicon it frees electrons
through the bottom of the cell and then through wires as
electricity.This is DC power and to be used in your home it
must be converted into AC through an inverter.
How does solar energy work?
Check out this short
video for more.
How
does solar
energy work ?
With Solar Thermal, the sun's
energy is used to
either heat
water for your home, or on a larger scale, heat the oil used
in the massive Solar Power Towers (see image below) that then heat
water to very high temperatures to produce steam to power
turbines.These Solar Plants can produce enough electricity to power
tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
Solar thermal for your home is
a great way to save money on your water
heating bills. Even if you do not live in an area with alot of direct
sunlight, solar water heating systems can produce plenty of hot water
for just about any sized home.
The great thing about solar energy is
that it wont run out for
billions of years. It is clean it is safe and the applications
run from the very small, like watches and calculators, all the way up
to huge Solar Generating Towers.
It can also be used in remote areas where traditional power
sources are not available. In poorer nations solar power is a
terrific way for people to get cheap energy for refrigeration
and cooking and indoor lighting.
By the way, please check out Solar-Aid.org
a great organization trying to help
spread solar power to places that can really use it.
Return from the How Does Solar Energy
Work ? page to the
Solar Power Information
page
or the Homepage.
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