What is Solar Energy?
The Sun is an infinite reservoir of renewable energy. The size of solar energy reservoir is larger than all other renewable energy sources combined. Even if only 2% of solar energy hits the surface of the earth, humanity’s current energy needs would be met.
Most renewable energy is ultimately solar energy. The sun’s energy can be used directly for heat or electricity. Hydropower comes from falling water, which occurs because solar energy evaporates water at low elevations that later rains on high elevations. The sun also creates wind through differential heating of the earth’s surface. Biomass energy comes from plant matter, produced in photosynthesis driven by the sun. Thus biomass, wind, and hydropower are just secondary sources of solar energy.
The Sun is an infinite reservoir of renewable energy. The size of solar energy reservoir is larger than all other renewable energy sources combined. Even if only 2% of solar energy hits the surface of the earth, humanity’s current energy needs would be met.
Most renewable energy is ultimately solar energy. The sun’s energy can be used directly for heat or electricity. Hydropower comes from falling water, which occurs because solar energy evaporates water at low elevations that later rains on high elevations. The sun also creates wind through differential heating of the earth’s surface. Biomass energy comes from plant matter, produced in photosynthesis driven by the sun. Thus biomass, wind, and hydropower are just secondary sources of solar energy.
How does Solar Energy work?
Solar energy comes in three basic forms:
1) low temperature solar thermal
2) solar electric or photovoltaic (PV)
3) high-temperature solar thermal energy
Low-temperature solar applications include solar water heating and solar space heating. Sunshine strikes some surface, usually black for maximum solar absorption, which in turn heats air or water. A protective layer of glazing helps to retain heat captured. Solar heat can be stored in high-mass materials like water or stone. Low- temperature solar energy typically uses simple and proven technologies.
Solar water heating is already financially competitive with fossil fuels in many climates. Solar space heating is also possible, but a challenge with solar space heating economics is that monthly demand and supply are almost exactly opposite: the greatest demand is in winter, when there is the least supply of sun, and the most sunshine occurs in summer when demand for heating energy is lowest. In practice this means that solar space heating systems almost always require some supplemental heat source, since the marginal cost of gathering solar energy in the depths of winter is extremely high. Supplemental heating adds to the cost of solar heating systems.
Solar energy can also be used to produce electricity instead of heat. Photovoltaic (PV) cells employ semiconductor material to generate a flow of electricity when struck by sunlight. Though the technology is now well developed and reliable, it is also expensive compared to current energy sources, perhaps three times as expensive as fossil-fuel generated electricity, depending on the specific circumstances being compared. Costs of solar PV have fallen considerably, and are projected to fall further; an important issue, discussed further below, is whether and when solar costs will reach a fully competitive range.
Solar energy comes in three basic forms:
1) low temperature solar thermal
2) solar electric or photovoltaic (PV)
3) high-temperature solar thermal energy
Low-temperature solar applications include solar water heating and solar space heating. Sunshine strikes some surface, usually black for maximum solar absorption, which in turn heats air or water. A protective layer of glazing helps to retain heat captured. Solar heat can be stored in high-mass materials like water or stone. Low- temperature solar energy typically uses simple and proven technologies.
Solar water heating is already financially competitive with fossil fuels in many climates. Solar space heating is also possible, but a challenge with solar space heating economics is that monthly demand and supply are almost exactly opposite: the greatest demand is in winter, when there is the least supply of sun, and the most sunshine occurs in summer when demand for heating energy is lowest. In practice this means that solar space heating systems almost always require some supplemental heat source, since the marginal cost of gathering solar energy in the depths of winter is extremely high. Supplemental heating adds to the cost of solar heating systems.
Solar energy can also be used to produce electricity instead of heat. Photovoltaic (PV) cells employ semiconductor material to generate a flow of electricity when struck by sunlight. Though the technology is now well developed and reliable, it is also expensive compared to current energy sources, perhaps three times as expensive as fossil-fuel generated electricity, depending on the specific circumstances being compared. Costs of solar PV have fallen considerably, and are projected to fall further; an important issue, discussed further below, is whether and when solar costs will reach a fully competitive range.
Why should I install it?
- Cost efficient: The world currently gets about 80% of its energy supplies from fossil fuels because these sources generally provide energy at the lowest cost. However, the cost advantage of fossil fuels over renewable energy sources has been decreasing in recent years, and certain renewables can already compete with fossil fuels solely on financial terms. Renewable energy costs are expected to decline further in the future, while fossil fuel prices will likely rise.
- Less investment during installation: Apart from the initial investment in solar panels, there is no other cost involved in the generation of solar power. The savings made from going off-grid can easily be invested in other projects. This can not only be done by different industries, but also individuals. Commercial solar projects can be profitable for many industries as these ensure the use of solar energy for powering different machines and equipment.
- Power in remote areas: There are many areas like mountains, forests and islands, which do not receive power, owing to their remote location. Remote and rural areas are now taking advantage of power to initiate different development projects in their areas. Consequently, education and medical facilities have increased in these areas by the introduction of solar power.
- Lower power costs: The ever increasing cost of fuel and power has become a big issue for many under-developed and developing countries. The socio-economic condition of people living in these areas is not as per the normal standard. Hence, it becomes imperative to provide these people with cheap power and energy. The governments in these areas look for options, like solar energy, to initiate a better and proper distribution of power. This has also helped these people to grow and develop themselves so that they can erase the economic inequality in the country.