What Is Solar Energy And How Does Solar Energy Work

What is solar energy? - energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy

There are two types of solar energy being used today. They are Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic.

• Solar Thermal uses energy from the sun to generate heat. This method uses solar panels to store heat from the sun and transfers this heat to buildings for space heating or to water for domestic hot water use.
• The second type of solar energy in use is Photovoltaic which is the process used to turn energy from the sun into electricity.

These Photovoltaic electricity solar cells, convert solar radiation into DC voltage, which can be stored in batteries, used to operate DC powered equipment or inverted to AC (Alternating Current) voltage and used to supply power to our homes. When solar energy is stored in batteries (DC power)it can be used at night or during low solar radiation supply periods.

Photovoltaic cells (solar cells) are made from a silicon material. This material goes through a chemical process, which forms crystals and the end product is used in Photovoltaic cells.

Solar cells turn light energy from the sun into electricity, which we use in solar powered equipment such as calculators, some toys, radios, water fountains, battery chargers, solar lighting, solar attic fans, solar water pumps, solar powered generators and many other devices.

Although solar energy is a renewable energy source, is free to consume and causes no pollution, it provides only a small portion of the electricity that we use. Part of the reason solar energy is not used on a larger scale is the cost of capturing this abundant energy.

Solar Power How It Works

There are basically two categories that solar energy can be split into. Solar Thermal and Solar Electric

Solar Thermal Method And How It Works

• The sun heats water and the water is then circulated throughout your home to maintain a desired space temperature. Water or a glycol solution is circulated through heat exchangers that absorb heat from the sun and circulate this water throughout the space to be heated. The heat from the water is absorbed into the cooler space that requires heat and then returns to the heat exchanger to be heated again.
• Another variation of this is to use the sun to heat water for domestic use. The domestic water can be heated directly by circulating it through the heat exchanger or can be heated indirectly by using a system similar to the home heating method.
• A third example of solar thermal is to utilize the suns heat to directly heat air, which is then circulated through the space to be heated.

Solar Electric Method And How It Works

• In the solar electric method energy from the sun is converted into electricity through the use of photovoltaic cells.
• The materials that these cells are manufactured from react chemically to sunlight and create electricity. These photovoltaic cells are made up of many smaller cells and the electricity produced within each cell is combined to obtain a desired voltage.
• The electricity can be stored in batteries for later use or used as it is produced.

How Does Solar Energy Work

Solar power is an area of interest for many people who are concerned about the environment we live in and the dwindling supply of natural resources available to us. When searching for alternatives to fossil fuels, this is the topic that comes up most often. For those who are just beginning their research into solar energy and it’s possible benefits to home owners, this article is a great place to start and should provide you with some valuable information. As the heading suggests this is a brief description of solar energy, and if you have ever asked how does solar energy work this is a good general introduction. This article will cover photovoltaic cells and how they create electricity.

Solar power system technology has advanced a great deal since its beginnings due largly to demand. A photovoltaic cell is a device that generates electricity by reacting to the suns light rays. To generate a useful amount of electricity, many of these cells are combined to create a solar panel. These panels are also known as photovoltaic cells, solar cells or solar panels.

A solar panel typically generates 12 volts DC (Direct Current). These panels can be used individually or they can be wired together in what is called a solar array. The number of panels used in the array is determined by a number of factors such as sunlight but here are many other factors that determine solar power effectiveness.

Some factors that determine how well solar energy works

• The amount of electricity required
• How much sunlight is available
• Weather conditions - the conditions on any given day
• Climate - Weather patterns over a long period of time. Early morning fog for example.
• Location
• Pollution (smog)
• Air Density

In most situations, you will require some way to store the power that is generated by your solar system. This is accomplished with batteries. Batteries will store the electricity until it is needed. In some areas homeowners who remain connected to the electrical utility grid can sell surplus electricity that they generate back to the electric company for credits. During high demand or low supply times these credits can be used to buy electricity back from the utility, everybody wins.