How Does Solar Energy Work?
Usually, when people wonder: Just how does solar energy work?their real question is: How does solar power work? Solar power is when the energy of the sun is converted to electricity, before that it is known as solar energy.
Elecrical generation is one of the most commnon ways to generate power for everyday use. There are two main ways for this to happen. One way to do it is by using solar energy to heat water,which creates steam, which is used to turn a turbine to make electricity. Photoboltaics is another way. This article focuses on the use of photovoltaics.
Photovoltaics-what are they?
Your solar calculator has small photovoltaic cells. They have the ability to turn sunlight into electricity. Originally, photovoltaics were developed for the space program to supply electrical power for satellites.
As with many other common items, new uses for the solar cells were discovered, and today we can use this space technology to generate electricity right in our own backyard! Those solar panels you so often see on top of buildings usually contain photovoltaics, which have the job of transforming sunshine into electrical power.
Solar energy at work in my house?
Several basic requirements must be met to use solar power at home. First you need to determine if you have a clear, unobstructed exposure to the sun. This is naturally the south, in the Northern Hemisphere. Make sure that no shade is allowed to cover the panels, because the effectiveness of the system is greatly reduced.
You also need to determine the size of system your home requires. This is done by learning just how much sunlight you can expect in the course of a year. This information is easily obtained as meteorological data. This data will show the number of overcast day, clear, sunny days and so on. there are in a year.
You can determine your electric bill by analyzing this information together with your average power usage. The weather conditions.
Can you store electricity?
Naturally, you need electrical power every day, not merely when the sky is clear or during the daytime. On overcast days and at night you need to have a storage method for the power.
One method is to be attached to the grid, or utility. You can make use of their electricity and sell what is unused back to them. When you sell it back you naturally sell it at a discount, so they can resell it later on. Another thing, your electric company must agree, plus there are some issues regarding safety that mus be dealt with. A lot of people are able to pay very little for their power by doing this this way.
The next most common method for storing solar power is with batteries. It is necessary to spend some money, make plans, and have enough storage space. Though it is minimal, they do require maintenance. Most batteries do not last in excess of a few years, and need to periodically be replaced.
Always handle batteries carefully because they are hazardous. The acids can potentially leak, and they should be stored in a ventilated room.
AC-DC Power
This is not about an Australian rock band, but about the type of electricity generated by your solar panels. The power you make is DC, also known as direct current. The power used by the utility company is AC, or alternating current.
So, if you intend to sell power back to the utility company, you need to convert this electricity from DC to AC. This is easily accomplished by using an inverter. Inverters can actually be an integral part of the construction and be wired riight into the system, or it can be a stand alone device.
Jon Arnett, Randy Hough and company have been involved with energy saving programs for many years in such places as Alaska, Wisconsin, Norway and Croatia. Recently they constructed a passive and active solar heated villa in Croatia, which is beautiful and efficient at the same time (plus it is right on the Adriadic Sea). Check out their website: http://www.SolarOnYourOwn.com to help you in your quest for reducing your energy dependence. Find out how you can save money, save energy, and save the earth!
