Solar energy is the most abundant source of energy on Earth. This energy can be captured and used in several ways and, as a renewable resource, is an important part of our clean energy future.
Principal Relationships
What is solar energy?
- Solar energy comes from the sun and can be captured with different technologies, mainly solar panels.
- The "photovoltaic effect" is the mechanism by which silicon solar panels harness the sun's energy and produce electricity.
Solar energy: what is it and how does it work?
- The sun provides energy to our planet through particles of sunlight (photons), which contain usable energy.
- Solar energy is responsible for all of our weather systems and energy sources on Earth. Every hour, enough solar radiation hits the planet's surface to meet our global energy needs for an entire year.
Energy Source
Our sun is a massive nuclear reactor. Deep at its core, nuclear fusion reactions produce massive amounts of energy that radiates from the sun's surface into space in the form of light and heat.
How is solar energy used?
Solar energy can be harnessed and converted into usable energy using photovoltaics or solar thermal collectors.
Photovoltaic Energy (PV)
Solar PV panels convert sunlight directly into electricity that can be used immediately, stored in a solar battery or sent to the grid. Sunlight strikes a semiconductor material (usually silicon), ejects electrons, and generates an electric current. This electrical current must be converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) using a solar inverter, since the electrical grid uses AC electricity.
Solar Thermal Energy
Solar thermal energy directly uses heat from solar radiation. There are three general types of solar thermal energy:
- Low temperature: for heating and cooling, as in passive solar building projects.
- Average temperature: for water heating, where heat from the sun is captured by collectors on the roof and used to heat the water in the house's pipes.
- High temperatures: for large-scale electricity generation, where mirrors focus sunlight into tubes containing a liquid that carries heat energy to create steam that turns a turbine and generates electricity.
Benefits and Diffusion of Solar Energy
Solar energy is one of the fastest growing and cheapest sources of energy in the world. As solar panel technology improves, the economic benefits of solar power continue to improve, adding to the environmental benefits of choosing a clean, renewable energy source.
How to Benefit from Solar Energy?
Individual property owners can save money by installing a solar photovoltaic system at home. To find the right system for the right price, it is recommended to use platforms that offer quotes from qualified and verified installers.
Solar energy is a clean, renewable and increasingly affordable source of energy that will play an important role in the future of global energy.
