The exponential growth of the use of solar energy is one of the major trends of our time. We’ve all heard of solar power and how much it has been benefiting people all over the globe. If you are new to this topic, here is a quick overview of what solar energy is and how it is being used nowadays.
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is the energy derived from the sun. It is one of the most-studied energy sources out there, and researchers have been studying how to harness its energy for centuries. While solar power can be generated and used anywhere in the world, it is most commonly found in regions with large amounts of sunshine, such as the southern part of Europe and the tropical parts of South America and Africa. The most common and most-efficient way to generate solar energy is through photovoltaic cells, which are essentially electronic devices that convert light energy into electrical energy. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are often found incorporated into solar panels, which are solid structures that can be placed on a roof to generate power for a house. As the world becomes more aware of the benefits of solar energy and seeing as how much we depend on non-renewable fossil fuels for electricity, many industries and organizations have been racing to develop and implement solar technologies.
In recent years, solar power has seen phenomenal growth thanks to the decreasing cost of solar panels and the falling price of energy generated by the sun. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) reports that the residential solar market grew by 41% in 2018 compared to 2017. The industry association further states that there were 411 million solar modules installed worldwide in 2018. If current growth trends continue, the world could see 1.8 billion solar modules by 2028.
How is Solar Energy Being Used?
Thanks to the aforementioned exponential growth in the adoption of solar energy, we’re now seeing it used in a variety of ways. While solar energy was once used solely for generating electricity, its versatile nature and portability has caused it to flourish as a portable power source. The most common use for solar energy today is to power electronic devices, especially mobile phones and laptops. Several major electronics companies and brands have invested in developing and manufacturing solar-powered devices, demonstrating the industry’s interest in this growing market. There’s also been a rise in the use of solar energy for industrial purposes, such as sugar cane crops processing and thermal power generation.
One of the reasons why solar energy is so practical is due to its widespread availability. As mentioned above, most of the world’s supply of solar panels comes from Europe and America’s southern states. These regions experience a long period of sunshine, which means the sun will always be able to provide enough energy to meet our needs. Additionally, photovoltaic technology has made it possible to manufacture solar panels and devices in a highly efficient and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, because they are a reusable resource, the environment also benefits from the increased use of solar energy.
Where Can I Buy Solar Energy Systems?
If you are interested in incorporating solar energy into your home or business, it’s a good idea to do some research into the various systems available on the market. In most cases, these systems will consist of just the hardware you need to begin utilizing solar energy. The various solar companies out there strive to make the whole process of installing a solar energy system as easy as possible for homeowners, so they can reap the benefits of this clean and renewable energy as soon as possible.
To purchase a solar energy system, you will first need to determine the optimal direction for the sunlight that enters your home or business. For this reason, it is best to look into the direction your windows are facing. If any of the windows are facing north, you will want to position the system to capture as much northern light as possible. Similarly, if any of the windows are facing south, you will want to avoid placing the system in that direction. This way, you will maximize the amount of sunlight that will enter your home or business and be able to convert it into usable energy.
After you’ve established the right direction for your solar energy system, you can begin shopping for the necessary equipment. You will want to purchase at least two 12V lead-acid batteries in order to store enough electricity to meet your daily needs. These batteries will typically be sealed and maintenance-free. In addition to the batteries, you will need an inverter in order to change the direct current (DC) of the electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC), which can be used by your electric appliances. The inverter will be a crucial part of the system and can ensure your devices start up and operate when you turn them on. It is also vital that the inverter is able to change directions or connect in parallel (when there is more than one incoming circuit) in order to handle the power from two or more sources. For best results, look for a 240V unit that can deliver at least 15 amps.
Once you’ve obtained the above items, you can begin setting up and configuring your solar energy system. The first step is to secure the area where you will place the panels. This is usually done by installing metal railings or a wooden board along the top of the windows that will be used for mounting the solar panels. If there are no windows on the east or west side of your home, consider other alternative places such as the roof or the garage. Installing a system on the roof is ideal as it offers easy access to all surfaces, which helps make the whole process faster and more efficient.
The Advantages Of Using Solar Energy
Aside from being a portable and practical energy source used to power a variety of electronic devices, solar energy has a variety of advantages. One of the biggest is its inexhaustible nature. The world’s solar resources cannot be harvested and used in the same way, so if we ever run out of fossil fuels, we will still have plenty of clean energy available to us. The ability to generate power at any time and place is also a major advantage of solar energy. You don’t have to depend on the traditional power companies for electricity, so if you run out of supplies, you can always come back and re-energize your device.
Solar energy is also an environmentally-conscious choice, as it is renewable and there is no longer a need to mine fossil fuels in order to power our devices. With solar energy, we don’t have to contribute to the degradation of the environment, as we are not consuming more resources than we are producing. The construction and maintenance of solar energy systems is also less costly than that of traditional power plants. With solar energy, you don’t need as much money upfront in order to generate electricity, as you will only need to buy the necessary equipment, and then maybe add another $50-75/mo for electricity bills. This makes solar energy much more affordable.
The Disadvantages Of Using Solar Energy
While the above advantages make solar energy a practical and viable choice for powering our world, there are a variety of disadvantages that come with utilizing this as a power source. One of the biggest is the fact that sunlight can be both harmful and beneficial, depending on where you are and what you are doing. If you are working or playing outside, it’s best to wear sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid overexposure to the sun. You also need to be careful when disposing of cigarette butts and other forms of toxic wastes, as they will pollute your environment.
Another disadvantage of utilizing solar energy is the fact that it is not available in all places. For this reason, it is generally best to purchase a solar energy system for your home or business if you live in an environment where it is available. If you don’t, you can still benefit from the many advantages of this clean and sustainable source of power by investing in a backup generator.
The above information offers an overview of what solar energy is and how it is being utilized today. As you can see, there are a variety of applications for this clean energy, so it is a good choice for any eco-friendly or environmentally-conscious individual or business.