You may have heard of solar energy, also known as solar power, but not really know what it is or how it works. Here, we will discuss the basics of solar energy and how it can be used to power your home or business.
Solar Energy Defined
Solar energy is the energy that the sun gives off, which you can use to power your home or business. It is a form of clean energy that does not cause pollution and is completely sustainable. A sustainable source of energy would be ideal if you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint or simply want to be good to the environment. The sun is a renewable resource, so there is no need to worry about running out of energy anytime soon.
The Types Of Solar Energy
At the moment, there are three types of solar energy that you can use: photovoltaic, solar thermal, and conventional solar. Let’s discuss each one in depth.
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy
Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is the conversion of light energy into usable direct current (DC) electricity. For the most part, photovoltaic solar energy comes in the form of solar panels, which are connected to a management system (known as a solar controller), that tracks the sun’s position and adjusts the output accordingly. The electricity generated from photovoltaic solar energy is very clean and green, as it does not cause pollution. This also makes it very efficient. However, the initial investment in photovoltaic solar energy can be quite high. In addition, you have to keep replacing the panels as they gradually break down over time due to exposure to the elements and sun’s radiation.
Solar Thermal Energy
Solar thermal energy is the same as photovoltaic solar energy, with the exception that it relies on the heat produced by the sun rather than electricity. This type of solar energy is used more commonly in large-scale projects, such as solar farms, where you have large solar collectors that absorb the energy from the sun and transfer it into heating water or steam for use. Solar thermal energy also has the benefit of not needing any special tools to produce it, as it can be done manually. The cost of generating solar thermal energy is generally higher than photovoltaic solar energy because there is more to buy (solar collectors, pump systems, etc.).
Conventional Solar Energy
Last but not least, we have conventional solar energy, which is simply the use of the sun’s rays directly on solar panels for electricity generation. Conventional solar energy has the lowest price point of the three types of solar energy we discussed so far, but the least efficiency. To be more specific, conventional solar energy has an efficiency percentage of about 15%, which means that for every 100 units of energy, you’ll get back about 15 units of electricity. The installation of conventional solar energy is the most basic of the three types, and generally speaking, it is the most common one. It does not require very many tools or any special knowledge to be installed in a straightforward manner. The initial investment of conventional solar energy is the least of the three, which makes it the least expensive option. The downsides are that it is the least efficient and less environmentally-friendly of the three types of solar energy. For this reason, it is generally avoided in hot and sunny climates where temperature regulation is a major concern. The major downside of conventional solar energy is that you have to live with the reality that not every location is suitable for this type of installation. You need a large amount of space for it to be effective, so make sure you have ample room to setup the system comfortably.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
When the sun is out, you can actually see it light up the sky and know that it’s there, even when it’s cloudy outside. This is because the sun is much brighter than anything else in the sky and can penetrate through the clouds to provide light and warmth to the Earth. Since the sun is such a vital source of energy for life on Earth, it makes sense to harness it and use it to power our homes and businesses.
To begin using solar energy, all you need to do is install a system that collects the sun’s rays and converts them into usable electricity. To do this, you will need a place for the panels to be installed, which is generally located on the roof or other open spaces facing south (to allow for the maximum amount of sunlight). Once you have your panels, you can generate as much electricity as you need, which you can store in a battery bank (also known as a charger station) or use directly.
Saving Money And Conserving Energy
One of the major advantages of using solar energy rather than other forms of energy is that it is extremely cost-effective. Conventional energy sources, such as fossil fuels, are very costly to purchase and use (especially when compared to solar energy). In general, fossil fuels are more expensive than solar energy because they require more processing to be usable. In the grand scheme of things, this added processing costs more than the fuel itself, making it more expensive to use.
As a consumer, this means you’ll pay less for your energy needs, which in turn, can lead to significant cost savings. When you factor in the savings of using less energy, the cost savings from using solar energy is almost inevitable.
In addition to this, using solar energy means you are conserving natural resources. If you are generating your own electricity from the sun, you’re not consuming natural resources to generate it. This is in sharp contrast to when you use conventional energy sources to generate electricity, which do require natural resources to be produced (including water, which is increasingly scarce in some areas).
Going Green
With the global climate changing and natural resources becoming more scarce, it’s more important than ever to consider our options for sustainable energy sources. When you use less energy, you’re less likely to generate as much pollution as you would if you used conventional energy sources. In addition, less energy use means less heat dissipation into the atmosphere, which helps to maintain a better balance between the Earth and its inhabitants (assuming, of course, that you live in a temperate climate).
When it comes to going green with your energy use, the benefits of using solar energy are too numerous to list here. At the very least, you’ll be doing your bit to help prevent climate change. With solar energy, it’s possible to generate your own electricity and avoid polluting the environment, all while helping to keep the lights on!
Do you use solar energy to power your home or business?