How the focus is shifting towards the use of solar energy
Thankfully, the world is going sensitive towards issues related to environment with shifting focus to solar energy. And amid all pollution and global warming related issues, the good news is that efforts are actually being taken by people around the world to bring environment friendly energy generating ways into limelight.
How much do we know about solar energy? It is true that we hear the term a lot these days as nations search for new ways to get off of fossil fuels. But it is also true that for many of us the term solar energy is somewhat vague. Most of us can figure out that it is some kind of energy that comes from the Sun but that is about the extent of our knowledge. This article looks into some of the very basic elements of solar energy.
One particular word that you will hear often in terms of solar energy for the home is photovoltaic. If you break this word down, you get photo which means light and voltaic which means electric. When we talk about home solar energy we often talk about photovoltaic cells, and this is a term you should become familiar with as well.
Use of photovoltaic cells for harnessing solar energy
Photovoltaic cells are those black squares that make up a solar panel. Most of us have seen these before. They can be virtually any size at all these days, from very small to large enough to install on rooftops. These PV cells are quickly becoming more efficient and less expensive. This is due to vast improvements in the way the cells are being designed. Newer PV cells allow the sunlight that hits them to be concentrated or focused on a pinpoint area of the cell. This greatly increases the amount of power that the cell can generate.
As mentioned above, the size of solar energy cells is decreasing at the same time that the efficiency ratings are rising. This means that solar energy cells are becoming cheaper to produce. And all of these factors added together means that PV cells are quickly becoming a viable option for home energy.
One such way is to produce energy using solar energy. Solar energy is produced from the sunlight with the help of photovoltaic cells. It is a clean energy and does not cause any harm to the environment.
However, solvents and chemicals used in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells do cause harm to the environment. But, the harm caused by these chemicals and solvents to the environment is very less when compared damage caused by the fossil fuels like gas, oil, and coal.
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Why Do We Need To Switch to Solar Energy?
If you continuously use the fossil fuels, it will dry up faster. As a result, you need to find alternate energy sources for your daily needs. Also, the extraction of these fuels from the earth and using them is highly expensive when compared to renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy. Therefore, everyone is giving much importance to the solar energy. The solar energy can be harnessed and used for millions of years without worrying about its depletion.
The generation of solar energy and storage is much cheaper when compared to other sources of energy. It requires only initial investment. You can utilize the solar energy for various applications including water heating, heating of the home, running cars, thermal heating for businesses, coffee roasters, cooking, and water treatment plants. You can also use the solar energy for all of the electrical appliances and for lighting in your home.
Regular use of solar energy saves you from the pollution caused due to the use of fossil fuels.
You can breathe a fresh air and protect your health from the dangerous gases in the air. It reduces the carbon footprint and prevents global warming. As a result, you can save the life of aquatic animals.
Animals and plants use the solar energy in their everyday life for survival. Plants utilize the solar energy for the production of nutrients in the cells and survival. Humans make use of the sun rays to produce vitamin D.
Solar energy is vital for the survival of humans, plants and other animals on this Earth
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It reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and safeguards the environment. You can prevent greenhouse gases with regular use of solar energy.
All people are advised to reduce carbon footprint with the help of solar energy and use a public transport to limit the carbon footprint and safeguard the environment.
Installation of Solar Panels to harness solar energy and save fossil fuels
With the installation of solar panels on your rooftops helps to reduce your electricity bill and gas bill. You can increase the value of your home and benefit from tax credits of up to 30% of the total system cost. The solar panels, which consist of photovoltaic cells, are installed over the rooftops to harness solar energy and save utility bills. It is necessary to select the area where the shades do not fall on the panels. The solar panels are installed facing the sun on your rooftop to get more sun rays and generate maximum energy.
Photovoltaic cells are manufactured using silicon to convert the sun’s rays into electricity. A group of cells is used to produce higher amounts of electricity. You can produce 200 watts of energy in a rooftop area of 200 sq. ft. It is necessary to select efficient photovoltaic cells for electricity production.
Besides advances in solar energy cell technology and lower costs to consumers for these devices, another very important benefit to solar energy is its cleanliness. Solar energy produces electricity; the same type of electricity that your local power plant produces. The difference is that solar energy is clean energy. It does not require any fossil fuels to be burned in its production. It does not produce any toxic gases or fumes, either in its production or in its consumption and it is unlimited—in the sense that as long as the sun is above and the device is working, it will produce energy.
One of the most common ways that solar energy is being used in homes is through solar panels that have been installed on rooftops. These panels are installed so that they get the most direct exposure to the Sun. These solar panels can be used to heat the home, generate electricity for the home, and even heat the water.
The solar panel produces DC and later converted into AC for use in business or home. Inverters are used to convert the DC energy produced by the solar panels into AC energy for home and business uses. The initial cost of solar energy is more but offers great savings over a period of time.
Perks Of Using Solar Energy
- No electricity bills: You need not pay the electricity bills every month standing in long queues at your local electricity board. You need to bother about voltage fluctuations. It safeguards electrical appliances at your home and business establishments. You need to choose quality solar panels, batteries, and inverters for building your own solar energy system. The battery is also very important to store the solar energy and supply when necessary to the electrical appliances.
- Low maintenance: Most of the modules are offered with a 25-year warranty. So, you don’t have to worry about the maintenance of the systems. However, you may need to replace the batteries every 8 or 10 years in the long term. Batteries are also offered with 5 years warranty. The maintenance of solar panels is very less. You need not spend your hard earned money for the maintenance of solar panels frequently. You can forget about power cuts too in your area.
Applications of Solar Energy
Solar powered mobiles are also widely used across the world. It reduces the dependence on the power source of your vehicle.
Solar powered calculators are also in use across the world. You need not depend on the cells for powering your calculator. You can find a myriad of solar applications across the world.
Solar lanterns are widely used in the gardens for lighting purpose. It saves the energy bills. You can also make use of solar powered lights for camping. They are affordable and durable. You can also make use of the solar powered light during distress and disaster conditions.
Solar powered appliances can be used in the relief operations during floods, and earthquakes etc. The day is not far away when we can have solar powered car batteries on a large scale.
Installation of Solar Panels on Canals
Governments across the world are emphasizing on utilizing the clean and renewable energy – solar energy. Many state and federal governments are installing the solar panels over the canals to produce solar energy on a large scale to help overcome the energy shortage and boost productivity.
Where to Buy Solar Panels, inverters, and batteries to harness solar radiations?
A lot of firms are offering readymade solar energy systems at reduced rates. You can also purchase a complete solar energy system at online stores and enjoy discounts. You can also benefit from free shipping to your doorstep. Hopefully, this would slowly revolutionize the way we use energy today and make a way for a greener and safer planet.
