Solar energy has been increasing in popularity over the years as more and more people are becoming eco-conscious. Solar energy is a great alternative energy solution to our current polluting methods. Solar panels are what is used to transform sunlight into energy by collecting solar radiation from the sun which then converts the energy to electricity for consumption. The term “solar panel” actually describes two different types of devices that both produce electricity from sunlight: solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors.
Solar Photovoltaic Panels
Photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, are secured on the surface of the solar panel in a grid pattern. These photovoltaic cells or modules (cells grouped together by electricity, packaged into a single frame) are called a photovoltaic array (solar array). These modules require some form of protection from the elements which is why they are grouped together into solar panels by being mechanically fastened and wired together. Solar panels are usually covered with a glass covering and frame with a backing made of metal, plastic or fiberglass.
Solar voltaic cells gather sunlight and then convert it into energy by a process called Photovoltaics. When light strikes the solar cell, some of the light is absorbed within the semiconductor material (usually silicon). What this means is that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor and in turn this causes energy to knock loose electrons which then begin to flow freely.
Solar cells have multiple electric fields which force electrons that are freed by the photovoltaic process to flow in a certain direction, also known as a current. This current can be used to draw off electricity to be used later externally. The cell’s voltage as well as the current in the cell, determines how much power (wattage) the solar cell produces.
Solar Thermal Energy Collectors
Solar thermal collectors are specially designed collectors that collect heat by absorbing sunlight to provide heat. These collectors come in all forms – from simple solar hot water panels to much more complex installations such as solar parabolic, solar trough and solar towers. The more complex solar thermal collectors are found in power plants where the heat generated by them produces electricity by boiling water which causes it to create steam that drives a turbine connected to an electrical generator.
The most common type of solar thermal collector is the flat plate. A flat plate collector is used like most thermal collectors to produce energy by thermal radiation. An insulated box that contains a black metal sheet which absorbs sunlight is place on a roof or anywhere in direct sunlight. Sunlight then heats the water in the storage tank and pipes cause the water to go through the system. The flat plate solar collector is a passive system that is used in many homes and hotels.
How Much Energy Do Solar Panels Produce
The amount of energy made by a solar panel depends on how well the the individual parts of the panel were made. There are three main types of solar panels available: monocrystalline panels have the highest output per cell area and are the most expensive. Polycrystalline cells are slightly less expensive. Thin film type, though considered unbreakable, are only half as efficient per cell area.
Most panels are made out of silicon but pure silicon is not a great conductor of electricity because it’s electrons cannot move around and are locked in it’s crystalline structure. So in order to properly conduct electricity impurities (silicon atoms mixed in with different atoms) are introduced to it.
A big problem of using solar panels is how little electricity is actually generated compared to their size. A single solar cell might be enough to power a small device such as a calculator, but something like a house or car might need a many as several thousand. Also if the panels are not positioned correctly the efficiency can be severely reduced.
The Future Of Solar Energy
We are getting closer and closer to fully realizing the great potential of solar energy. Research is making solar energy more cost-efficient all the time but there is still much room for improvement before it will replace other forms of generating electricity. They still require much too much room to be truly efficient but that is not to say we shouldn’t be using them. There are many benefits to solar power such as being pollution free and that it uses an unlimited resource – the sun.
Critics of solar power are right in certain aspects: it is lagging behind the times. With more people concerned about our dependence on fossil fuels, funding and research is growing which is great as CO2 emissions growing more and more each day.
In the past, solar panels were made of silicon but since silicon is becoming more scarce and expensive, other materials are being looked into and used. This has caused a brand new creation of solar panels. Made out of plastic, these panels are much cheaper than they used to be and work just fine to produce electricity that many individuals need.
Solar Energy For Your Home
Competition, and more recently research, have brought down the price of solar panels quite a bit. It used to be that solar energy was only taken advantage of in rural areas but that is no longer true. Many urban and suburban areas are now using solar energy. Individuals that want to help the environment and save some money on their power bills are building solar panels everyday.
If you are one of these people that are considering taking advantage of solar energy to reduce your power bill or just reduce your dependence on the power company, you have to make sure that your property will be able to use solar panels. The first thing to consider is how much sunlight does your property receive. Also installing solar panels is not cheap, it can run upwards of 20 grand. It might be expensive up front but it can also save you a lot over time.
Solar panels are perfect for homes in rural areas far outside any power grids. Once they are installed, you won’t have to forgo any of the modern day conveniences of the city. And solar energy is completely silent unlike noisy generators.
As you can see solar energy is a great source of alternative energy for all. It taps into a great unused and unlimited energy source that benefits everyone, all the while saving the environment for future generations.
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