Solar Energy

With the world’s increasing concern on the environment, using alternatives to the use of non-renewable and polluting fossil fuels is highly recommended, such as the solar energy. The technology is so advanced that even using sun and light energy is able to generate electricity. By inserting solar panels in several areas, light or the sun’s energy is transferred to electricity by Photovoltaic solar cells.

Solar energy is obtained from the depths of the sun. As hydrogen atoms are fused with helium atoms, the sun endures a continuous stream of thermonuclear explosions. Solar panels convert solar radiation into useful electrical energy and store them in batteries for our use. Solar radiation strikes the earth every day to meet earth's energy needs for an entire year and solar panels help us to convert the energy into usable energy to meet the needs of modern life.

What are solar panels?

The cells (photovoltaic cells) are arranged in grid-like pattern on the surface when the light is being collected by the solar panels. Then, it is converted into electricity.
Picture taken from: www.wikipedia.com

What are solar panels made up of?

Solar panels are made up of crystalline silicon. Photovoltaic (solar) cells work well with gallium arsenide and it is produced especially for use in photovoltaic (solar) cells.

The operation efficiency can be affected by years of overheating and physical wear. Solar cells can become less efficient over time as well. Generally, the amount of power solar panels produce is influenced by the quality of the solar panel.

Energy can be concentrated by using reflective materials such as the mirror, which is then converted into electricity.

Process of making crystalline silicon solar panels:

The making of crystalline silicon solar panels involves cutting crystalline silicon into tiny bits which is less than a centimeter thick. These are then polished and treated to repair and gloss any damage from the slicing process. After polishing, dopants and metal conductors are spread across the tiny bits of crystalline silicon. (Dopants are materials that alter an electrical charge in photovoltaic solar cell). The conductors are aligned in a grid-like pattern on the top of the solar panel facing the earth. To protect the solar panels, thin layer of cover glass will be placed on top of the photovoltaic cell and thermally conductive cement is attached to it. It helps to keep the panels from becoming overheated.

Components of the generator:

Two components are required in the solar energy generator. One is the collector, another is a storage unit.

Collector: There are 3 types of collectors, flat-plate collectors, focusing collectors, and passive collectors. The most common use is the flat-plate collectors as it doesn’t lose some of the radiation easily and the radiation absorbed varies with the temperature. Its function is to collect the radiation that falls on it.

Storage unit: The storage unit is needed because solar energy is not constant; the amount of radiation varies with weather. The storage unit is able to hold the excess energy when the more energy is being generated and is released when minimum production of energy is received.

Advantages:

• It does not produce harmful effects, unlike fossil fuels, where the emissions of the fossil fuels are harmful to the environment.
• It is a renewable source of energy that does not cause greenhouse effects or any pollution.
• It can protect the environment as reliance on pollution-generating sources of energy is reduced.
• reduce world’s energy consumption
• cut energy bills.
• It is highly reliable and is suitable for places which are hard to get to.

Disadvantages:

• Installing a solar energy system is costly.
• A large area is needed for installation of solar panels to achieve a good level of efficiency.
• Efficiency is affected by the

1) Location of the sun,

2) Presence of clouds or pollution in the air.

• No energy is produced during nighttime.

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