Sunlight not only can make us feel calm and happy on a bright sunny day but can also be put to work to reduce our electricity bills. With constant talk of dwindling resources and serious issues with climate change, it’s no wonder that an increasing number of people are looking for ways to save money, resources, and the environment. One popular method is solar energy.
Solar panels have become very popular as they offer a handful of benefits such as being an eco-friendly source of energy and a cheaper way of powering your house. Read on to learn about where in the world solar energy is the most popular, how do solar panels work, what are solar panels made up of and much more.
Understanding of the Topic Solar Energy.
Evolution of Solar
In the year 1767, Horace Benedict, a Swiss Scientist invented the world’s first solar collector. The insulated box was constructed out of three layers of glass, designed to absorb heat energy. This mechanism was known as the first solar oven and could reach a temperature of 110 degrees Celsius.
Next solar energy milestone occurred in the year 1839. French Scientist Edmond Becquerel discovered the Photovoltaic effect by placing an electrode in a conductive solution. As soon as the electrode was exposed to sunlight, a current was generated.
It was in 1950s, Bell Laboratories produced the very first silicon solar cell- an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity via the photovoltaic effect. Assemblies of solar cells are now used to make solar modules, which generate electrical power from sunlight for residential and commercial buildings.
How do Solar Panels work?
When photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms. If conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell, it forms an electrical circuit. When electrons flow through such a circuit, they generate electricity. Multiple cells make up a solar panel and multiple panels can be wired together to form a solar array. The more panels you can deploy, the more energy you can expect to generate.
Solar panels work best when they are installed pointing directly at the sun, and in a position where nothing is blocking them. The weather will also play an important part on the effectiveness of the panels.
What are solar panels made of?
Photovoltaic solar panels are made up of many solar cells. Solar cells are made of silicon like semiconductors. They are constructed with a positive layer and a negative layer, which together creates an electric field, just like in a battery.
Aakash has outlined they key advantages and disadvantages of solar power below:
Advantages of solar power
- Solar energy is an immaculate and renewable source of energy
- Once a solar panel is installed, solar energy can be produced free of charge
- Solar energy will last forever
- It causes no pollution
- Solar cells create no negative impact at all.
- No maintenance is required to keep solar cells running.
- There can be a high return on an initial investment because of the amount of free energy a solar panel can produce
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- As with all the renewable sources of energy, solar energy has regularity issues. The sun does not shine at night, and it may be cloudy or rainy during the day
- Solar panels require additional equipment’s like inverters to convert direct power to alternating current for use on the power network
- For a constant supply of electric power, particularly for on-grid connections, Photovoltaic panels require inverters as well as storage batteries, increasing the initial investment for solar power accordingly
- Solar panel efficiency is generally low, in contrast to the higher effectiveness of other renewable energy systems
- In spite of the fact that PV panels require no excessive maintenance or operating costs, they are fragile and can be damaged easily. Extra insurance costs are therefore essential to protect a PV Investment
Conclusion:
Gone through the complete article? Then we at Aakash are sure that the topic Solar Energy would not bother you anymore. All you need to do is practice all the questions of Chapter Renewable Sources of Energy and you will become a master. Furthermore, join our regular Classroom Program and start scoring well. All the best.
Aakash Education Services Limited is now on Telegram. To get all the latest information, tips & tricks, answer solutions for the latest ongoing exams. Subscribe to Aakash on Telegram. Subscribe to our Youtube channel. |
---|