Bryan Wong asked:


Most power plants in the United States and all over world are using fossil fuels to operate and generate electricity. They have been used as an energy source as long as man has learned to generate power. These traditional fuel sources have been around for ages and when man started using this energy sources no one though about the consequences. Fossil fuels will eventually run out and there will be a shortage of it in near future. This shortage in will have its affect on our daily live and various industries. Today we see some of these affects already, prizes are raising and electricity is becoming more expensive. Although these fuels are more scares, the need will still be here and will not decrease in near future. To solve this shortage we will need to look for other possibilities for our energy demand.

Fortunately, alternative energy sources are growing in interest. For instance, locations with high water falls are experimenting on building a hydro-electric power plant, which turns out to be successful. Other locations with high wind speed make use of a power wind mills that can convert wind power into electricity. Also thermal and tidal powers are good alternatives.

Solar energy is also one of the energy sources that is gaining in interest. This form of energy has steadily been growing. Today it is widely used in the US and other parts of the world and the advantages are numerous. Our solar energy source, the sun, its life span is estimated to be another 4.5 billion years. It is fair to say that this energy source is almost endless.

Rate of Energy from the Sun

The sun’s radiation reaches a certain unit of area in space in the region of the Earth’s orbit and is estimated to be at 1,400 watts per square meter. Out of this, photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells) can capture 19 to 56 watts per square meter (for 15% efficiency) or an equivalent of 0.45 to 1.35 kilowatt per hour (kWh) in an annual day and night average.

Therefore, if there would be more area that will be covered by several solar panels, these panels can produce slightly more energy in the form of electricity than what is currently available from oil, gas, and other sources of energy combined (assuming 8% solar cell efficiency).

Conversion of Solar Energy

There are two ways of conversion of solar energy. First is the direct solar energy which involves only one conversion into a usable form. For instance:

* Sunlight hits the solar cell, converting it into electricity.
* Sunlight hits the absorber surface of a solar thermal collector, converting into thermal energy which can be used to heat homes during cold season.
The second is the indirect solar energy which involves more than one conversion to reach a usable form. For instance:
* Plants use photosynthesis to transform solar energy to chemical energy, which can be burned later as fuel to generate electricity (also known as bio-fuel technology).
* Hydro-electric dams and wind turbines are indirectly supplied by solar energy through its interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere.

Pros and Cons of Solar Energy

Just like any other types of energy resources, this energy source has its pro’s and cons.
Pros:

* Pollution-free.
* Solar facilities can be run with little extra input or maintenance.
* It is abundant. As mentioned earlier, most of the inhabited areas here on Earth can be reached by sunlight.
Cons:
* Although it is abundant, some areas receive little sunlight. Thus, power that will be produced in these locations is a minimum.
* Only available during daytime, thus a need to conserve to energy for use in night time.
* Photovoltaic cell technologies generate direct current (DC) power which needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) power used in distribution grids.

Once massive development of the use of solar energy is materialized, expect that every household or industry in the world will now be powered by solar energy. It is not just a dream, it will be a dream come true.

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Radha Kishan asked:


The Sun, worshiped by Pharos and kings, mentioned in almost all the Religious scriptures, symbolizes the beginning of all known energies that ever existed. Man kind was marveled of its magnificent appearance and power to effect almost all the climate changes in this world and built temples to worship the sun gods.

Though mankind gave away the gods that they believed in the past, they indeed still respect the sun as the source of aboundent energy. Modern day science has calculated that the sun unleashes a staggering one thousand watts of energy to a square meter of the Earth’s surface every second. That is enough energy of keep your iron on for one hour or lighting up a blub for 25 hours. Although the sun releases energy in such quantities mankind is still able harness a fraction of it.

In the modern days mankind has harnessed solar energy through the use of solar panels. Although the technology used to turn sunlight into electricity is still in its infancy stages, scientist are working hard to introduce more new and better technologies to harness the sun. One day we can be hopeful enough to go and buy a solar panel that will be reliable to support large household.

The Solar panel is made up of photovoltaic (PV) arrays. The word photovoltaic is a combination of the two words photo which refers to light and voltaic which refers to electricity. These photovoltaic modules are assembled to make up a photovoltaic cell also known as solar cell. These cells are installed and interconnected in a panel to create a photovoltaic array also known as a solar panel.

The photovoltaic (PV) cells are made out of material used in semiconductors (Crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide are the best substance currently in use). When light strikes these substances a portion of the energy that is with the light is absorbed, as result electrons the basic building blocks of electricity are released allowing them to flow freely. These electrons are directed in to single direction to obtain the necessary current. This current, together with the voltage defines the power that the solar panel can produce.

The main problem associated with the solar panel is its cost; with a PV panel costs ranging from $1 to $2 per watt companies are finding it difficult to produce viable solar panels for the market. Consumers on the other hand opt for budget solar cells, which provide lower output levels resulting in consumer disappointment.
Despite all of this disadvantages if you are interested in installing and using solar panels follow these steps.

First consider and have clear idea on what would you want to power up using a solar panel. There is a verity of smaller spot lights that could lighten your backyard. You can also invest on smaller solar panels that could be used to lighten up your garage lights or any remote place where it is difficult to provide electricity. Remember a solar panel is equal to a mobile power source. Unlike generators solar panels doesn’t pollute the environment when it’s active. With a little maintenance you will be able to sustain a good flow of power.

When purchasing the solar panel make sure that you purchase the “Plug & Play” type. This will reduce the hassle of having to read lengthy user manuals. Most of the solar panels arrive with all necessary connectors and controller and cost around $200 to $ 300, so that you can get on business right away. Be sure that the panel is capable of charging even during overcast days, so you can have power at any time of the year. Having the solar panel it is very important to select a suitable spot to install it. Most of the solar panels take about five to six hours to get fully charged, so it is important to expose much of the surface of the panel to the sun.
Always be prepared to obtain an expert advice if you feel that you are ready to invest on more solar panels. They can help you to get the best solar panels that will suite your requirements.
Such trends towards implementing small solar panels to produce power can make the once "green dream" a reality.

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