Solar energy is one of the most renewable and readily available source of energy on the planet which can be used for consumption through solar panels which converts sunlight into electricity. So does it work ? But before that let’s talk about what exactly Solar Energy is ?
What is Solar Energy ?
Just like any other star, our Sun is like a natural nuclear reactor which emits radiant light and heat. This light and heat are actually photons which travels a distance of 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers in 8.5 minutes. It is one of the most recyclable source of energy.
In 2011, the International Energy Agency said that,”The development of affordable, clean and inexhaustible solar energy technologies will have huge long term benefits. It will increase nations’ energy security through reliance on an affordable, independent, inexhaustible and pollution free energy source. In 2017, the same agency reported that the solar energy has become world’s fastest growing source of power, making solar energy’s growth surpassing any other fuel.
How Solar Panels work and how it generates electricity ?
Photovoltaic (PV) Panels also known as Solar Panels are made up of photovoltaic cells (solar cells). These cells are made of silicon which is a semiconductor material like those used in computer chips, calculators and other electronic devices. They are constructed with a positive layer and negative layer which creates an electric field.
When photons (sunlight) hits the cells, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms. The conductors attached to the positive and negative of a cell which forms a circuit and the electrons flow through the cell, generating electricity.
In 2016, 1.3% of the global power was generated by solar energy. Solar power is anticipated to become the world’s largest source of electricity by 2050.
Comments
Post a Comment