Going Green With Solar Energy

Solar is an energy source derived from radiation of the Sun’s rays. Basically there are two common types of solar energy: solar thermal energy and solar photovoltaic energy. Solar thermal energy converts the radiation into heat whereas photovoltaic energy converts the radiation into electricity. The primary focus is on the latter source of energy.

For photovoltaic solar energy to work, photovoltaic cells are required to convert sunlight into energy through the photoelectric effect. These cells are also known as solar cells and are made of silicon composite materials which absorb the sun’s rays. Solar energy will excite the electrons in the cells, thus converting the energy into a DC current of electricity. This form of electricity would then be converted into AC and then back into DC for general electricity consumption purposes.

Solar power is renewable and has the perpetuality advantage due to the Sun being its one and only primary source of energy. It does not create any chemical residue which may pollute the environment. Other sources of energy have their own drawbacks and adverse effects on the environment. Coal and gas deposits will run out one day and these sources of energy generates a considerable amount of pollution onto the environment. Nuclear fission generates tremendous amount of power, but they leave an adverse effect on the environment with a possibility of severe catastrophic outcomes.

Solar energy also gains widespread approval due to its practicality. Photovoltaic panels can be easily placed and installed into residential or even industrial units. For a residential home, one popular way would be to place solar panels directly on the roof, with direct exposure to sunlight. Industrial units usually opt for solar towers or substations to generate their own source of electricity. It may seem straightforward, but solar power presents its own drawbacks. Solar power generates a small amount of energy compared to conventional power supplies. It may be practical for individual households to have their own solar panels, but it might not be feasible for industrial units to invest in solar power on a large scale. Another reason might be the reliance on the Sun. Most industries need to keep a clockwork progress and they cannot afford to have a cloudy day block out their main power source.

Solar power is fast gaining popularity over its more conventional counterparts. Nowadays, solar power is preferred mainly due to it being environmentally friendly. Being a renewable source of energy, solar power remains independent of the amount of sunlight so it does not require any raw materials to keep the power supply going. Solar power also does not pollute the environment and it does not present any environmental threats compared to other energy sources.

As of now, solar power is being heavily endorsed by government bodies worldwide. From a cost benefit standpoint, solar energy presents more benefits compared to its drawbacks. Solar power stations are being constructed as an alternate source of power for some countries like Germany and Spain. More and more technological projects are incorporating solar power into their plans. An example would be in Japan and USA, where the feasibility of creating solar powered cars for daily road use is being investigated. With oil reserves running dry, you won’t be surprised to see solar powered cars on the road one day.