Solar energy comes from 150 million kilometres away. The sun is composed of about 70% hydrogen and 28% is helium, leaving only 2% for metals. The main elements react to produce solar energy.
Solar power is generated by nuclear fusion as enormous amounts of hydrogen convert to helium producing gamma rays of heat and light. The power is generated at the core of the Sun and spills out to the surface. From there it spills out into space, and some finds its way to Earth.
Just about the right amount of light travels through 150 million kilometres of space to strike Earth and sustain life here. It is fortunate that we do not get too much of the Sun’s 386 billion megawatts of power, or too little. That is the reason that some people refer to Earth as a very fortunate planet, that has precisely the right conditions for life. In other planets they do not exist in the same harmonious composition
For eons plants on Earth have been storing solar power. When they die and are buried the power remains in the form of coal or oil just beneath the Earth’s surface. One of Earth’s many blessings is that it has the warmth of sunlight every day in addition to treasures of natural resources buried just beneath the surface.
Most of the power that lights and drives our world is derived by burning coal or oil in order to generate electricity. The resources have been stored for centuries beneath the earth and are recovered laboriously. Now it is becoming obvious that they are being rapidly depleted.
Air pollution and alarming rates of depletion have made made the necessity of finding alternative sources critical. Coal and oil recoveries proceed apace, but fly in the face of many environmental concerns.
There is now a strong movement towards nuclear power, but its generation is a dangerous process. The movements of air and water are used increasingly, but are still not sufficient to meet demands for energy.
In this scenario photovoltaic cells make their entry. Made of silicon, each cell absorbs sunlight and transfers it to an electric field. They catch the sun’s power before it even reaches the Earth’s surface. In this way electricity becomes cheap and clean.
The problem lies in scale. Photovoltaic cells catch and convert such minute amounts of electricity that they have to be arranged in panels that have large numbers of cells working in harness. A whole roof full of solar panels provides just enough electricity for some household needs.
The Sun gives out power continuously, but is only caught when it strikes photovoltaic cells directly. Consequently this form of solar power is caught when the Sun shines in a panel, and is then stored in batteries. In this way it can be used at night, or in shady spots.
Solar energy may be found at work in many appliances such as calculators, lights and small electric gadgets. It was used half a century ago in space travel. After this photovoltaic cells found an even wider currency. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that it will be used to power cars in the future. When that day dawns motoring will become a lot more economical and the Planet will be much better off.
Solar energy is very useful when it comes to doing your part in saving our world. We would like to tell you all more about solar electricity right asap.
Posted in Solar Energy.Tagged with alternative energy, environment, green electricity, home, photovoltaics, property, pv panels, solar electricity, Solar Energy, solar panels, solar pv.By Chester Kennedy – February 3, 2011