Solar Energy Defined

Broadly speaking, solar energy is the energy that the earth receives from the sun. This energy is in the shape of solar emission, which makes the creation of solar electricity achievable. Solar energy is indispensable for life to exist on Earth as it aids in the growing of food.

The provision of light during the day that helps to grow our food, light our days, manipulate the pattern of the weather, provides heat, and it produces solar electricity.

Greatly dependent on synthetically developed devices like solar panels and solar cells produced from the sun provide a supply of clean energy which is not only low cost but also renewable.

Energy extracted from the sun has been used for many years to power small gadgets and devices that do not consume much energy such as solar calculators. With the advancement in technology related to solar energy scientists have become more competent at exploiting the energy that can be obtained from the sun. This has lead to a greater usage of solar energy as a replacement of conventional electricity.

We have already mentioned how solar energy is carried down to earth in the shape of solar radiation. The creation of electricity from solar energy is made possible through the photons that exist in this solar radiation.

What few people know is that energy extracted from the sun is also in part accountable for wind energy. Reason behind is that wind patterns are affected to a large degree by the sun. Additionally, solar energy plays a huge role in warming up the earth so as to sustain the use of geothermal heat pumps.

What are Solar Panels:

Solar panels can be explained as tools or instruments that change light into electricity. The name ‘solar’ panels generates from the fact that the biggest and most potent source of light on earth is the Sun. The term is interchangeable with ‘Photovoltaics’ which in simple terms means ‘light electricity’.

A group of solar cells put together forms a solar panel. When scattered over a large area, a significant collection of solar cells have the ability to produce power sufficient enough to be useful for human usage. The amount of light a solar cell produces is directly proportionate to the quantity of light that hits it. Therefore, solar panels are an integral part of some spacecrafts which enable them to absorb energy from the sun when pointed towards it. This way even when the spacecraft is facing away from the sun the panels can still do their job. The solar cells produced by DS1 are even better than conventional satellite solar panels as they use solar concentrators.

The basic principal behind the generation of electricity by solar panels is the same as that for standard electrical outlets – a free stream of electrons through a circuit. Silicon is the basic element that goes into the creation of solar panels. Upon stripping of all its impurities, silicon is a perfect platform for the conduction of electrons not to forget that their atomic level property adds up to its attractiveness for the purpose of creating solar panels

Now merely putting together 2 plates of silicon panels would not result in the creation of electricity. The missing positive and negative charge is essential to carry out this function. Therefore, silicon is combined with other metals such as phosphorus (positive charge) and boron (negative charge). Having placed the 2 metals between the solar panels, they are connected through conductive wires.

Now comes the important step of introducing solar energy to the panels. Of the various particles of energy released by sunlight the one that is needed to produce electricity is called photon. Photon acts on the electrons present in the panels and the breakage of these electrons by photons results in the production of electricity.

Solar panels are also referred to as photovoltaic cells. The biggest challenge facing scientists is to make solar panels that have a greater degree of efficiency and are small in size so they can be put to practical application and powerful enough so as to generate surplus energy at times when sunlight is missing.

Solar Energy Resources in the U.S. In spite of sunlight's considerable potential for providing energy, solar power supplies less than one percent of the United States’ energy requirements. This percentage is likely to rise with the progress and creation of latest and more proficient solar machinery.

Various kinds of collectors related to solar energy are utilized in order to satisfy the diverse need for energy. This includes;

• Passive solar building designs that arrest the heat from the sun so as to supply warmth and light.
• Photovoltaic cells change sunlight to electricity.
• Concentrating solar power structures center sunlight using mirrors to form a high intensity source of heat that in turn results in the production of power that could run an electricity generator.
• Flat plate collectors soak up the heat from the sun directly into fluids to supply hot water or heating of a space.
• Heating and cooling systems based on a solar process employ specific solar collectors and chemical procedures to fulfill the need for large scale hot water as well as heating and cooling.

Throughout the U.S, availability of natural sunlight differs to a large extent due to the difference in cloud coverage and height, and the changing seasons. For instance in the summers, lengthier day-light hours and a high angle of the sun provides more solar power than in the winter. These differences have to be considered when setting up solar collection services.

Pros and Cons

Starting with the advantages, solar energy can save a lot of money as after the preliminary investment it is virtually free. No fossil fuel is required and hence it’s amazingly beneficial for the earth’s energy resources. It is a renewable and clean energy form which helps protect our environment. Being sustainable it adds up to its benefits to our planet. What’s great is that since solar energy systems are able to work independently of any power grids, they can be set up in the remotest areas without any worries. A solar energy plant does not produce any sound or other harmful emissions and is practically maintenance-free.

Of course solar energy plants are not without certain disadvantages. The biggest of these is that they require a huge amount of money at the initial stage. The main reason for this is the huge costs involved in the purchase of the semi-conducting material used largely in a solar energy system. Also, installing solar panels need a large area so as to produce maximum effectiveness.

However, keeping in mind that everything has its pros and cons when weighed against its advantages investments in solar power appear to be a wise choice in meeting the growing demands for energy related products and the need to save our environment.