SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
Solar energy is the technology used to harness the sun’s energy and make it use-able. As of 2011, the technology produced less than one tenth of one percent of global energy demand. Many are familiar with so-called photovoltaic cells, or solar panels, found on things like spacecraft, rooftops, and handheld calculators.
On a much larger scale, solar-thermal power plants employ various techniques to concentrate the sun’s energy as a heat source. The heat is then used to boil water to drive a steam turbine that generates electricity in much the same fashion as coal and nuclear power plants, supplying electricity for thousands of people.
The following is a list of products powered by sunlight, either directly or through electricity generated by solar panels.
- Solar air conditioning
- Solar balloon
- Solar charger
- Solar backpack
- Solar cell phone charger
- Strawberry Tree
- Solar chimney
- Solar-powered waste compacting bin
- Solar cooker
- Solar dryer
- Solar-powered fan
- Solar furnace
- Solar inverter
- Solar keyboard
- Solar lamp
- Solar pond
- Solar road stud
- Solar street light
- Solar traffic light
- Solar Tuki
- Solar-powered flashlight
How do solar panels work to generate electricity?
A standard solar panel (also known as a solar module) consists of a layer of silicon cells, a metal frame, a glass casing, and various wiring to allow current to flow from the silicon cells. Silicon (atomic #14 on the periodic table) is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity. When light interacts with a silicon cell, it causes electrons to be set into motion, which initiates a flow of electric current. This is known as the “photovoltaic effect,” and it describes the general functionality of solar panel technology.
Advantages:
- Solar power is pollution free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation
- Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels
- Renewable clean power that is available every day of the year, even cloudy days produce some power
- Return on investment unlike paying for utility bills
- Virtually no maintenance as solar panels last over 30 years
- Creates jobs by employing solar panel manufacturers, solar installers, etc. and in turn helps the economy
- Excess power can be sold back to the power company if grid intertied
- Ability to live grid free if all power generated provides enough for the home / building
- Can be installed virtually anywhere; in a field to on a building
- Use batteries to store extra power for use at night
- Solar can be used to heat water, power homes and building, even power cars
- Safer than traditional electric current
- Efficiency is always improving so the same size solar that is available today will become more efficient tomorrow
- Aesthetics are improving making the solar more versatile compared to older models; i.e. printing, flexible, solar shingles, etc.
- Federal grants, tax incentives, and rebate programs are available to help with initial costs
- No trenching is needed since the solar can be close to or at the place of installation