Solar Energy & Solar Panels

Most power plants in the United States and all over world are using fossil fuels to operate and generate electricity. Fossil fuel has been used as an energy source as long as man has learned to generate power. Fossil fuel has been around for ages and when man started using this energy sources no one though about the consequences. Fossil fuels will run out and there will be a shortage of it in near future. This shortage in fossil fuel will have its affect on our daily live and various industries. Today we see some of these affects already, fossil fuel prizes are raising and electricity is becoming more expensive. Although fossil fuels are more scares, to need for fossil fuels will still be here and will not decrease in near future. To solve this shortage of fossil fuels we will need to look for other possibilities for our energy demand.

Fortunately, alternative power sources are growing in fees. As an example, locations with high water falls are experimenting on building a hydro-electric power plant, which turns out to achieve success. Other locations with high wind speed utilize a power wind mills that may convert wind energy into electricity. Also thermal and tidal powers are good choices.

Solar energy is also one of the energy sources that is gaining in interest. Solar energy has steadily been growing. Today solar energy is widely used in the US and the advantages are numerous. Our solar energy source, the sun, its life span is estimated to be another 4.5 billion years. It is fair to say that this energy source is almost endless.

Rate of Energy from the Sun

The sun’s radiation reaches a certain unit of area in space in the region of the Earth’s orbit and is estimated to be at 1,400 watts per square meter. Out of this, photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells) can capture 19 to 56 watts per square meter (for 15% efficiency) or an equivalent of 0.45 to 1.35 kilowatt per hour (kWh) in an annual day and night average.

Therefore, if there would be more area that’ll be covered by several solar cells, these panels can produce a touch more energy in the shape of electricity than what’s now available from oil, gas, and other power sources mixed ( presuming 8% solar cell potency ).

Conversion of solar electricity

There are 2 ways of conversion of solar power. First is the direct solar energy which involves only one conversion into a serviceable form. For example :

Sunlight hits the solar cell, converting it into electricity. Sunlight hits the absorber surface of a solar thermal collector, converting into thermal energy which can be used to heat homes during cold season.

The 2nd is the indirect solar electricity which involves more than one conversion to reach a serviceable form. For example :

Plants use photosynthesis to transform solar energy to chemical energy, which can be burned later as fuel to generate electricity (also known as bio-fuel technology). Hydroelectric dams and wind turbines are indirectly supplied by solar energy through its interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere.

Pros and Cons of solar power

Just like any other types of energy resources, solar energy has its ins and outs.

Pros:

Pollution-free. Solar facilities can be run with tiny additional input or upkeep. It is abounding. As discussed earlier, almost all of the inhabited areas here on Earth can be reached by daylight.

Cons :

Although it is abounding, non-tropical locations can receive small daylight. Therefore , power that’ll be produced in these locations is a minimum. Only during daytime therefore unavailable during night time. Photovoltaic cell technologies generate direct current ( DC ) power which should be converted to AC ( AC ) power employed in distribution grids.

Once massive development of the use of solar energy is materialized, expect that every household or industry in the world will now be powered by solar energy. It is not just a dream, it will be a dream come true.

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Solar Energy & Solar Panels

Improve our earth and go solar!!!