What is Solar Energy & How Does Solar Power Work?

We cannot imagine a day without electricity. Therefore, there is always something that we need that concerns electricity. But, judging by the limited fossil fuel resources and the exhaustible source of electricity, we will need to look for alternatives pretty soon. Solar energy is the answer. 

Nonrenewable energy is exhaustive. But solar energy has immense potential and is abundant. This might shock you, but 173,000 terawatts of solar energy hit the earth all the time. This amount of energy is 10000 times more than the global requirement of energy every day,

In this article, we will enlighten you on what solar energy is and how it works. Then, if you have any other questions, like how much power does a 300-watt solar panel produces, we will answer that.

What Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is an abundant and non-exhaustive source of energy. It is the most viable energy source that proves to be a promising alternative to nonrenewable fossil fuel energy. 

To use solar energy, we need to install solar panels. The sunlight falls on the solar panel and converts into Direct Current or usable electricity. But in some countries where all the electrical equipment runs on Alternative Current, they need to use an inverter to convert into AC.

Solar power is one of those energies that not only can replace the use of fossil fuel but also, it can minimize the percentage of global pollution. We call it Green Energy because of its eco-friendly nature. Solar technology is advancing and making its way towards industrial and commercial use.

How Does Solar Energy Work?

The sun is an enormous nuclear reactor. It radiates energy all the time. The energy particles present in the sun are called photon particles. These photon particles move 93 million miles to earth within 8.5 minutes.

As these photon particles hit the earth, it has the potential to generate enough electricity for the whole world to run for about a year.

In the solar system, the solar panels use Solar Photovoltaic technology and convert the photon particles in the sunlight into electricity using semiconductors. As the sunlight hits the semiconductors within the PV cells, the electrons become free. The bus bars now collect the running electrons resulting in electricity.

Interesting Facts About Solar Energy 

  • Solar energy is free and can be found abundantly. The sunlight comes to earth in less than ten minutes and is available everywhere. 
  • There are multiple use cases of solar energy. We can transform it into PV cells, artificial photosynthesis, solar heating, solar thermal energy, and solar architecture.
  • The earth gets around 174 Petawatts of solar energy. But approximately 30% of that energy gets reflected in space. The rest of the power gets absorbed by the ocean, the clouds, and the land. 
  • The solar chemical processes can replace fossil fuels as the primary source of chemical energy. It can be made transportable or storable.
  • Solar energy is eco-friendly and produces no pollution. If the world were to rely only on solar power, global pollution would be minimized by 50% at least. 
  • It is the most abundant renewable energy that can be used in technology. 
  • Various countries use solar power to energize their spaceships.
  • It receives 1336 watts of direct solar radiation, which we can turn into renewable solar energy.
  • In the Mojave Desert of California, the most extensive solar panel is situated. The solar panel covers acres.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know what solar energy is and how it works, you may still have some questions that need answering. So here are some frequently asked questions on the internet that people look for answers for.

  1. What Are The 2 Main Disadvantages Of Solar Energy?

Apart from the advantages, two significant disadvantages make solar energy occasionally unreliable. Here are the two disadvantages-

  • Solar energy is affected by weather/ climate. If the sky is cloudy, you won’t get enough solar energy.
  • The output of solar energy depends mostly on direct sunlight.
  1. Can I Run My House On Solar Power Only?

Yes, it is possible to run a house totally on solar energy. But you must know that it is expensive. If your home requires more electricity, you need more solar panels to generate more electricity. And more solar panels only mean more spending.

  1. Are Solar Panels Bad For Your Roof?

No, solar panels do no damage to your roof. If you install the panels correctly, there will be no damage to your roof.

It also depends on the reliability of your solar installer. If your solar installer is qualified, licensed, and professional, you will need not worry about your roof. The solar panels do not damage your roof.

Conclusion

This article gives you a clear view of solar energy, what solar panels are and how they work. Understanding all these questions should make us aware of the uses of solar energy and how it can help us prevent pollution. 

We must take steps to make the way of solar energy clearer in the future. Please share your feedback relaying what you think about solar energy and go here to save. For more information and to explore further resources,.

AUTHOR BIO

Miranda Shaffer is a passionate blogger. She loves to share her thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world through blogging. Miranda Shaffer is associated with Simply Law Zone, World Health Life, lower My Legal fees, True Health Tips, Circle Box Blog, Plus Life Styles, Voice Of Action, Newss Toner,World Tech 24, Tech Mag News, & Proudly Updates .

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates

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