A Share Of Massive Solar Energy Can Be Captured For Your Use
Immense Power The solar energy emitted from the sun is taken for granted daily. This immense fireball of hydrogen and helium gas located 93 million miles from earth showers our planet with its light and energy. The amount of sunlight striking the earth in one hour has enough sunlight energy to provide the entire planet with power for a year! Unfortunately we have not been able to capture the power of the sun on a global scale over the years. This is largely due to our reliance on fossil fuels as our main energy source. We can still harness the power from other energy sources cheaper then we can from the suns energy. Despite this, we are seeing more attention given to solar energy for home use in recent years. Solar Panels When the suns rays bombard the earth, many of those rays are reflected back into space but there is plenty of solar energy to fuel homes all around the planet. But how do we effectively capture this energy? The most effective way we have found to date is with solar power panels. If you look at the history of solar power you will realize that solar power panels have been around almost 50 years. Today they have become more efficient and streamlined due to advancements in solar technology. In the past it was generally the wealthy that could afford to have a solar power installation but now the systems are becoming more widely accepted and affordable. Solar Power-How It Works Each solar panel is made up of photovoltaic cells or (PV). The cells are most often comprised of silicon or other semiconductor material. The solar power panel is built with these cells arranged together in a uniform fashion that comprise a module. During construction the cells are all connected together so that they can carry an electrical current. The panels are then arranged and fastened down in a southern orientation to the sun. This can be done at ground level but more often solar power installations are completed on rooftops. When light from the sun strikes the panels and semiconductor cells, the suns energy is absorbed into the cell. Once the energy is absorbed, electrons are knocked loose and are able to travel freely inside the module. DC to AC Current It is this action of the electrons traveling freely through the array that creates electricity. Direct current (DC) is what is being created and transferred out of the solar panel. Alternating current (AC) is what your home uses so a conversion need to take place. The power that comes down from the solar panel can be handled in one of two ways. It can stay as DC and go to batteries to be stored for later use or it can go through an Inverter and be turned into AC power for immediate use by your home. The stored power in the batteries will flow through the inverter at a later time upon demand by your home. Solar energy is one of the most promising alternative supplies of power for the 21st century. It is quiet, clean, and inexhaustible and has extensive uses for domestic purposes. This is an energy source that is well worth taking a look at. It can even be a consideration for a DIY solar energy installation. It will cut your electric bills and make you money once the system is paid off. In addition to saving money, you can know that you are doing your part toward saving the planet by reducing your carbon footprint.
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