Solar Power: How Does It Work?
Understand the workings of solar power and find out why it is so important in this eye-opening article.
Solar power – what is it and what makes this so important?
The sun, shining bright above our heads, provides an abundant supply of radiant energy through its rays. This radiant energy, also known as solar energy, is essentially made up of electromagnetic waves. In man’s quest for alternative energy, we have invented some very effective means of harnessing a part of this radiant energy through suitable means, to convert it into various other useful forms of energy, chiefly electricity. And this is what solar power is all about that is widely being looked upon as the most promising alternative source of power for the future. Solar power can really be an engrossing subject to study. This article will touch upon many of the essential aspects of solar power to help us better understand its true nature and scope.
Understanding how solar power works?
Solar power can be found in various applications and is being widely regarded as the most viable source of alternative energy, alongside other such forms as wind and hydro power. It therefore becomes tremendously important to find out more about solar power and how it can help us avoid an imminent energy crisis in the time yet to come. Sun’s energy is transmitted through its rays which contain large amounts of electromagnetic waves. Of the total amount of radiation received by the earth at any given time, more than two-thirds gets absorbed by the earth’s surface, water bodies and vegetation. The remaining one-third is usually reflected back into space. The radiation that is absorbed by the earth, in turn, heats the atmosphere and generates what is known as radiant heat. Solar radiation is directly responsible for about 99 percent of the usable flux of the renewable energy on earth. However, the actual scope and range of usage of solar power, along with the cost-effectiveness of it all, depend on how efficiently the incumbent radiation is used by existing solar power technologies and equipment.
Solar power, as stated earlier, has many different applications. However, the actual use and application of solar power varies from one requirement to another and is further determined by the various techniques used to capture and convert solar energy. Broadly speaking, solar power can be divided into two types depending on it is used – active solar power and passive solar power. Active solar power uses sunlight to charge photovoltaic cells and solar panels that in turn produce various other forms of energy such as heat, electricity and mechanical energy. The solar cells produce power that is used to run pumps and spin fans that eventually produce all these different other forms of energy. The use of passive solar energy involves using sunlight to guide the designing of buildings with well-lit and well-circulated spaces, citing a building optimally to the sun and so on.
No matter in what form it is used, the advantages of using solar power are simply undeniable. Today, there’s hardly any doubt as to the potential of solar power to emerge as a completely viable and fully sustainable alternative to conventional power. Indeed, solar power has become an inseparable part of our lives. Today, solar power has found applications in a most diverse range of fields such as the domestic front, urban planning and architecture, agriculture (including horticulture and greenhouse), solar lighting, solar heating, ventilation and cooling, disinfection and desalination, cooking, electricity and so on. Indeed, the importance and acceptance of solar power in today’s world only continues to grow with every passing day. All said and done, however, one must also remember that solar power has a few disadvantages as well.
Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of solar power
Any study of solar power should include an exposition on the various advantages and disadvantages of using the sun as a source of power. The chief advantage of using solar power, one that far outweighs whatever disadvantages it might have, is its clean and environment-friendly nature. Unlike conventional power plants, solar power production does not cause emission of harmful gases or pollutants and thus, helps keep the environment green. It also spares the natural resources of the planet (such as coal and petroleum) from getting exploited.
Moreover, the sun is a perennial source of energy, never to get exhausted and this makes it completely sustainable. No wonder, solar energy is finding its ways into more and more areas of our lives with every passing day. However, speaking of disadvantages, solar power needs a steady and consistent supply of strong sunlight in order to be really effective. Some areas may not be able to receive this requisite amount of sunlight. Nonetheless, research is continuing in this field to overcome these shortcomings and make solar power more practical and dependable.
The best thing about solar technology is that it can be realized with even the simplest of means. However, building solar panels at home calls for some degree of familiarity with the subject. A step-by-step guide that clearly walks you through all the necessary steps, can prove to be really useful in this regard. Solar power is the ideal choice for you if you seriously want to go ‘green’ and also save a lot of money on your electricity bills.
Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor, home energy consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy". Jim has written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
By Jim Martin
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