Solar Panels

 By Yusuf Chy

Solar Panels

In general, solar energy can be described as the energy that is received from the sunlight and converted by a mechanical source for home use. It's cheaper and reliable for operations since the sun is readily available. On the other hand, solar panels are the mechanically built materials whose main purpose is to convert solar energy to electrical energy. They are built from an element called silicon. It is the core duty of the silicon element to covert the solar energy to electricity. The solar power can either be directly or indirectly gotten from the sunlight. When it's cloudy the intensity of the solar power delivered perfectly, the photovoltaic solar materials deliver sun rays into electricity and the oslar thermal receiver changes the solar power into heat solvents, such as oil and water. This type of power is used in, iPod chargers, charge batteries water heaters, cell phone chargers and spacecrafts.
How do solar panels work? They practically work on the photovoltaic invention. Its name is derived from the technology used, which is also known as PV, which is made from silicon element. They are basically semiconductors made from sand built into large computer chips. When sun rays falls on the PV materials, the PN junction in it with its metal conductor helps produce electricity. At this juncture, the PN junction is the positive and negative charges that assist to produce electric current. Solar energy is available in different systems, grid connection, inverters and power storage. In a different system, the PV takes up large space up the roof to produce more energy. It can also be built on land space and produce up to 5-9 Megawatts per hour. They can also be useful in street lighting.
How are solar panels made? They are basically made from three-dimensional points; the crystalline silicon production, the crystalline silicon panels and the amorphous silicon panels. This stand of the solar-energy production is what is used in the present. In the crystalline silicon production, for example, when the silicon element is melted and cut it is named the poly crystalline silicon. In its other mode when it is built and cut, it becomes mono-crystalline silicon. In both cases, they are about; a hundred percentage pure silicon. In the second case of the crystalline silicon panels, they are normally broken into pieces and then sliced, finally being polished with doping materials. This changes the state of electric charge inside them to cells. The amorphous silicon panels are made from silicon alloys combined with multilayer cells for energy production. This combination explains how the solar power is made.
What are latest technologies of solar panels? The newest technology of solar energy has emerged in a wide range of things. This starts with the green power alternatives which is common for home use. The other aspect of it is the Power cooling and heating systems in homes. The high-technology appliance and periodic lighting at home is the other good examples of solar-energy development. New personal computers development for smart homes is also left out of the latest ideas of the solar power.

Yusuf Chy writes extensively on Solar panels [http://howtoinstallsolarpanel.com/solar-panels/], and provides information on how to install solar panels [http://howtoinstallsolarpanel.com/how-to-install-solar-panels/].

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By Anita Van Wyk 

Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages

Many of us know that solar energy is a good thing, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU.
Solar Energy Advantages
1. Saves you money

• After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
• The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
• Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost.
• If your system produce more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This is called net metering.
• It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
• Solar energy does not require any fuel.
• It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
• The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
• The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.

2. Environmentally friendly

• Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
• It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.
• Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.
• It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
• It's generated where it is needed.
• By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.

3. Independent/ semi-independent

• Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.
• A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independent, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.
• The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.
• Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.

4. Low/ no maintenance

• Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.
• Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
• They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
• More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family's needs grow.

Solar Energy Disadvantages

• The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
• The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.
• Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.
• The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.
• The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air.
• Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See http://www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to save electricity and money.
• As far as solar powered cars go - their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught up in today's rat race.

To learn more about solar energy, go to http://facts-about-solar-energy.com/
You'll discover ...

• what solar energy is
• how solar energy works
• interesting facts about solar energy
• how much solar energy costs
• passive solar energy for homes, and
• how to build solar energy systems

There's a whole section for students, teachers and parents; whiles homeowners can obtain FREE QUOTES for their solar energy projects. You'll find book and product reviews some helpful energy saving tips.
Please email any questions to info@facts-about-solar-energy.com

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By Curt Sommer

Solar Energy 101

 

The process of producing electricity with a solar system is not really a great mystery. It's actually a very simple process, and the real mystery is why the US isn't using more of it. The purpose of this post is to provide a brief overview of how solar PV systems work. In essence, the light from the sun hits the panels, and the electrons in the solar cells become activated. What this means is that they start moving around a lot more and in doing so, they start bumping in to each other more frequently. The interaction of the electrons produces electricity in the form of friction.

A solar panel or module, is comprised of individual solar cells. A cell is primarily silicon with some circuitry. The more cells contained in a panel, the more energy it can produce. A string of panels makes up an array and multiple arrays comprise a solar PV system. A PV system (Photo-Voltaic) is different from a hot-water system which is used specifically to heat water. A Concentrated Solar Power system (CSP) uses mirrors to focus sunlight on water, causing it to boil producing steam, which is then used to generate electricity. However, the focus of this post is specifically on PV systems.
PV systems are generally connected to the grid, but for people in more remote locations a battery back-up system is often more practical. There are two primary types of solar panels; mono-crystalline and polycrystalline. Without going into a lot of detail there are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Silicon is most often used in solar panels as the primary active material in a solar cell because it has unique chemical properties. A silicon atom (Si) is comprised of twelve electrons on three separate 'shells' or layers. The outermost 'shell' has four electrons that are highly reactive. The outer electron shell of a silicon atom is seeking reach of state of equilibrium by 'sharing' its electrons with other atoms. Conversely, those other atoms will share their electrons as well.
Of course they're always moving to begin with but the energy from the sun causes their rate of interaction to increase. By bumping in to each other more frequently they generate friction. This friction is a source of electrical energy. From there it's just a matter of channeling the current through all the wiring to the inverter. The inverter converts the electricity from direct current to alternating currently because the electrical grid is not designed to handle direct current.
The transformed current flows to where the demand is the closest. Depending on the demand within the building, the current will go there first to satisfy any existing demand. In a grid tied system any excess current is supplied to the grid. If it's an off-grid system then presumably there is a battery back-up system to store excess current generated by the system for later use.
Most systems are designed to meet the average load of the building they serve, but they are typically not over-sized. Over-sizing a system is not very economical and utility companies generally don't approve them in the first place. Producing electricity from the sun is a very practical way to meet our electrical demand. Producing energy in the same location it is used is more efficient than transporting it over great distances.

How do solar energy systems actually work? This article provides a general overview of how a solar system produces electricity. It is intended for those who are looking for a basic understanding of how a solar PV system works. For more information please visit my blog at http://ezsolarhouse.com

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