What+is+Solar+Power?

What is solar power?



The suns energy can be used to do wonderful things. When plants grow the store the suns and energy and when they are burn't they relases that energy in the form of heat.The dictionary definition of solar power is, “energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy, ‘the amount of energy falling on the earth is given by solar constant, but very little use been made of solar energy.” Solar power is energy harnessed from sunlight. It is a clean and sustainable source of renewable energy. It also can replace non- renewable fuels and power a whole entire house. Instead of burning fuel the sun rays are saved as energy. There are two very specific ways as to which the suns ray is converted to energy. One way is through solar thermal application, which is when the energy from the sunis used to heat air or liquid.The sencond way is through photoelctric applications, which is when you use photovoltaic cells to convert the solar energy into electricity.The suns rays are captured by a solar water heating system that is made up of metal envelopes that are heated by the sun and heats water as it passes by. The sun’s rays are also captured through photovoltaic conversion of radiant energy to electricity.The suns rays hit the panel once they hit the panel they go through cables that are connected to the house.

Solar Thermal: There are two types of solar thermal the first one is called a flat plate collector. A flate plate collector contains plates uses solar radiation to heat carrier fluids, which are either liquid like air, oil, or water. These fluids can be heated to about 80 degrees C.The second type is concentrating collector. This type of solar thermal uses their panels for air conditioning because more heat is needed. The rays from the sun are focused on one area where then the heat becomes concentrated.This method heats liquids to more than 80 degress C. The heat from the concentrated collector is used to boil water and the steam is used to power wind and hydroclectric systems.

Photoelectric Application:

The photoelectric application depend on photovoltaic cells which depend on semiconductors to convert solar energy into electricity. The cells aren't very good and low maintenance. Photovoltaic cells were discovered by Edmond Becquerel in 1839. These cells consists of postive and negative slices of silicon. Once the suns proton comes in contact with the cells neutrons are knocked off the slice of silicon. The negative charges are attracted to the silicon but is trapped by a magnetic feild.Small wires on the silicon catch the neutrons and when the wire is connected to a circuit an electric current is produced. Solar Power S.Lindo