How Solar Energy Works
The Sun is the source of life on our planet. It?s not only the source of light, but also the source of heat and other forms of energy. Even the energy stored in our food, fossil-fuel; all these are actually results of previous ?insolation? (sunshine). Probably that?s why old civilizations used to worship the sun as a god. It?s amazing to know that one hour of solar energy, if fully harnessed, can fulfil a whole year of energy need on earth!
How Does Solar Energy Work?
The sunlight reaches the earth?s surface in form of:
1. light or the visible radiation (frequencies that produce the spectra ?violet to red? while passing through a prism)
2. heat or invisible infrared radiation (frequencies below [=infra] red spectrum)
3. high-frequency ultra-violet radiation (frequencies beyond [=ultra] violet spectrum). The use of the light needs no elaboration. The heat is the energy we use to dry clothes, run the water-cycle (evaporation-cloud-rain). The UV is that causes the tan on our skin or causes skin-cancer.
But the light form is used in another way now-a-days, a way that has opened towards the new horizon of renewable energy; the solar-electricity. This process of converting the light into electricity is called PV or photovoltaic.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Can someone give me a simple definition of how solar energy works?
how is it converted from the solar panels to actual energy you would use in your home-
ANSWER:
Long answer: Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon, which is currently used most commonly. Ba¬sically, when light strikes the cell, a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor. The energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely.
PV cells also all have one or more electric field that acts to force electrons freed by light absorption to flow in a certain direction. This flow of electrons is a current, and by placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of the PV cell, we can draw that current off for external use, say, to power a calculator. This current, together with the cell's voltage (which is a result of its built-in electric field or fields), defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce.Medium answer: Energy from solar radiation is absorbed in the solar panel, causing electrons to be released, which supplies voltage from the panel.
Short answer: Magic
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QUESTION:
Please tell me which internet sites provide the best explanation of how solar energy works to a 9 year old?
Any sites that would explain how photovoltaic cells work?-
ANSWER:
you'd be better off understanding it yourself and then teaching it to your kid since then they can ask you questions and you'll understand them better than a stranger.
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QUESTION:
Explain how solar energy works?
Please explain, how it convert the heat energy in electrical energy, unless I got that bit wrong.
Start from the top and just go, but please, even though I must sound stupid, but can you say it simply..
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ANSWER:
Follow the path of solar energy from the Sun to your world:
http://www.earth4energyguide.com.cn
The Sun produces radiant energy by consuming hydrogen in nuclear fusion reactions. Solar energy is transmitted to the earth in portions of energy called photons, which interact with the earth's atmosphere and surface. It takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds for the sun's energy to reach the earth.The Earth receives and collects solar energy in the atmosphere, oceans, and plant life. Interactions between the sun's energy, the oceans, and the atmosphere, for example, create winds, which can produce electricity when directed through aerodynamically designed wind machines.
Solar photovoltaic cells convert solar radiation into electricity (photovoltaic literally means "light energy"; "photo" = light, "voltaic" = energy). Individual cells are packaged into modules, like the one shown at the right; groups of modules are called arrays. Photovoltaic arrays act like a battery when the sun is shining, producing a stream of direct current (DC) electricity and sending it into the building or sharing it with the grid.
A weather station, located on or near the array, tracks current weather conditions at the site. The weather station usually contains an anemometer to measure wind speed, a pyranometer to measure the amount of solar energy reaching the array, and a thermometer to measure the temperature. The electronic signals from the weather station are transmitted to the data acquisition system where they are interpreted and stored for collection on a periodic basis.
The DC disconnect switch allows professional electricians to disconnect the photovoltaic array from the rest of the system. With the switch in the "off" position, workers can safely perform maintenance on other system components.
The inverter converts direct current (DC) electricity generated by the array into alternating current (AC) electricity for use in the building. Most electrical loads (energy-consuming devices like lights, motors, computers, and air conditioners) in schools, homes and businesses use AC electricity.
The transformer ensures that the voltage of the electricity coming from the inverter is compatible with the voltage of the electricity in the building.
The AC disconnect switch allows professional electricians to disconnect the building's electrical system from the solar photovoltaic system. With the AC disconnect switch in the "off" position, workers can safely perform maintenance on the solar photovoltaic system's components.
The electric meter keeps track of the amount of electrical energy produced by the solar photovoltaic system and sends electronic signals to the data acquisition system where they are recorded. Electrical energy is measured in kilowatt-hours. How much energy is contained in a kilowatt-hour? We're glad you asked. Use our calculator to find out.
The data acquisition system (SolTrex logger) receives signals from the weather station and the electric meter. It runs a computer program to calculate and record the weather conditions and electrical output of the system, and it allows system owners and others to log in and download information from home, work, or elsewhere.
The electrical distribution panel receives electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic system, combines it with other electricity supplied by the electric utility company, and routes the energy throughout the building to power lights, appliances, computers, and other energy-consuming devices.
Everyone enjoys the benefits of solar electric energy without even thinking about it. The building or home owners also benefit by having a portion of their electrical needs met by solar power, resulting in lower monthly electric bills.
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QUESTION:
how solar energy works?
when is it used with water (steam)??
when is it not used with steam??i saw videos on youtube, were electricity is created directly from the sun without steam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4CTceusK9I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OAcv7k8Qc0is this another type of solar energy??
can u explain the difference??
can u give videos or any kind of sources??
i really appreciate it-
ANSWER:
To generate steam from sunlight, you need lenses or mirrors to concentrate the light. The mirrors or lenses are motorized to follow the sun during the day. Solar energy can also heat water without turning it into steam.
Electricity is generated directly from sunlight with photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. You've probably seen calculators that run on solar cells.
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QUESTION:
i want to make a replica of how solar energy works for class, how do i do that?-
ANSWER:
You may want to think about building your own solar panels…Let me start off by saying we (Agua-Luna) are a non-profit organization that live, promote & teach 100% “off grid” living & complete self sufficiency”. To give you an idea of this, we typically don’t leave the Ranch but once or twice a year.
The following steps were taking directly out of a DIY guide I offer to those who would like to run their homes on solar power, reducing their monthly utility bills or even selling power back the electrical companies. The entire guide is available at http://www.agua-luna.com/diy_guides.html. It’s pretty simple but if you have any problems feel free to email us directly at info@agua-luna.com we can walk you threw the process.
Materials you will need…
A sheet of copper flashing from the hardware store. This normally costs about .00 per square foot. We will need about half a square foot.
Two alligator clip leads.
A sensitive micro-ammeter that can read currents between 10 & 50 microamperes. Radio Shack sells small LCD multimeters that will do, but I used a small surplus meter with a needle.
An electric stove. My kitchen stove is gas, so I bought a small one-burner electric hotplate for about . The little 700 watt burners probably won't work -- mine is 1100 watts, so the burner gets red hot.
A large clear plastic bottle off of which you can cut the top. I used a 2 liter spring water bottle. A large mouth glass jar will also work.
Table salt. We will want a couple tablespoons of salt.
Tap water.
Sand paper or a wire brush on an electric drill.
Sheet metal shears for cutting the copper sheet.The first step is to cut a piece of the copper sheeting that is about the size of the burner on the stove. Wash your hands so they don't have any grease or oil on them. Then wash the copper sheet with soap or cleanser to get any oil or grease off of it. Use the sandpaper or wire brush to thoroughly clean the copper sheeting, so that any sulphide or other light corrosion is removed.
Next, place the cleaned & dried copper sheet on the burner & turn the burner to its highest setting.
As the copper starts to heat up, you will see beautiful oxidation patterns begin to form. Oranges, purples, & reds will cover the copper.
As the copper gets hotter, the colors are replaced with a black coating of cupric oxide. This is not the oxide we want, but it will flake off later, showing the reds, oranges, pinks, & purples of the cuprous oxide layer underneath.
The last bits of color disappear as the burner starts to glow red.
When the burner is glowing red-hot, the sheet of copper will be coated with a black cupric oxide coat. Let it cook for a half an hour, so the black coating will be thick. This is important, since a thick coating will flake off nicely, while a thin coat will stay stuck to the copper.
After the half hour of cooking, turn off the burner. Leave the hot copper on the burner to cool slowly. If you cool it too quickly, the black oxide will stay stuck to the copper.
As the copper cools, it shrinks. The black cupric oxide also shrinks. But they shrink at different rates, which makes the black cupric oxide flake off.
The little black flakes pop off the copper with enough force to make them fly a few inches. This means a little more cleaning effort around the stove, but it is fun to watch.
When the copper has cooled to room temperature (this takes about 20 minutes), most of the black oxide will be gone. A light scrubbing with your hands under running water will remove most of the small bits. Resist the temptation to remove all of the black spots by hard scrubbing or by flexing the soft copper. This might damage the delicate red cuprous oxide layer we need to make to solar cell work.
Cut another sheet of copper about the same size as the first one. Bend both pieces gently, so they will fit into the plastic bottle or jar without touching one another. The cuprous oxide coating that was facing up on the burner is usually the best side to face outwards in the jar, because it has the smoothest, cleanest surface.
Attach the two alligator clip leads, one to the new copper plate, & one to the cuprous oxide coated plate. Connect the lead from the clean copper plate to the positive terminal of the meter. Connect the lead from the cuprous oxide plate to the negative terminal of the meter.
Now mix a couple tablespoons of salt into some hot tap water. Stir the saltwater until all the salt is dissolved. Then carefully pour the saltwater into the jar, being careful not to get the clip leads wet. The saltwater should not completely cover the plates -- you should leave about an inch of plate above the water, so you can move the solar cell around without getting the clip leads wet.
now place in the sun with the magnified on top.
The solar cell is a battery, even in the dark, & will usually show a few microamps of current.
That’s it it’s that simple. If you’d a more detailed process & some pics (could
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