What is solar energy ? How is the solar energy used to generate electricity in a solar power plant ?
What is solar energy ? How is the solar energy used to generate electricity in a solar power plant ?
Solar energy is the energy that is harnessed from the sun.It is emitted by the Sun in the form of heat and light. It is one of the most renewable and readily available source of energy on planet Earth. The usage of this energy has been seen since ancient times by using simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they would cause wood to catch fire.
There are two main ways to harness this energy.
- Through production of electricity
- Solar collector devices
Using Solar Energy to generate Electricity:-
The initial step to convert solar energy to electricity is to install Photovoltaic (PV) cells or solar cells. Photovoltaic means light and electricity. These cells arrest the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. These solar cells are made of materials that show photovoltaic effect, meaning when the sun rays strike the Photovoltaic cell, the photons of light spook the electrons inside the cell triggering them to start flowing, ultimately producing electricity.
There are three main types of solar panels.
- Polycrystalline – This utilizes Multicrystalline Silicon
- Monocrystalline – This is ideal for small spaces
- Thin Film – Typically bigger in size and a lot more efficient during the day
Solar energy is the energy that is harnessed from the sun.It is emitted by the Sun in the form of heat and light. It is one of the most renewable and readily available source of energy on planet Earth. The usage of this energy has been seen since ancient times by using simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they would cause wood to catch fire.
There are two main ways to harness this energy.
- Through production of electricity
- Solar collector devices
Using Solar Energy to generate Electricity:-
The initial step to convert solar energy to electricity is to install Photovoltaic (PV) cells or solar cells. Photovoltaic means light and electricity. These cells arrest the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. These solar cells are made of materials that show photovoltaic effect, meaning when the sun rays strike the Photovoltaic cell, the photons of light spook the electrons inside the cell triggering them to start flowing, ultimately producing electricity.
There are three main types of solar panels.
- Polycrystalline – This utilizes Multicrystalline Silicon
- Monocrystalline – This is ideal for small spaces
- Thin Film – Typically bigger in size and a lot more efficient during the day
