Solar power technology is used to harness the energy of the sun, turning it into useable power. Solar cells can be used to generate electricity for a single home or, through solar power plants, entire cities. The technology is clean and environmentally friendly, but still accounts for less than one percent of the world’s energy demands.
Potential Power
A huge amount of energy is released by the sun and directed towards the Earth. The National Geographic website states that “Every hour the sun beams onto Earth more than enough energy to satisfy global energy needs for an entire year.”
Energy Conversion
There are two main ways of converting the sun’s rays into usable energy. Photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells, change sunlight directly into electricity; large-scale solar power plants, meanwhile, use solar thermal collectors. Electricity is generated by heating fluids to produce steam. This steam is then used to power electrical generators.
First Solar Oven
A Swiss physicist called Horace-Bénédict de Saussure is regarded as one of the pioneers of solar power energy. In 1767, Saussure created the first known solar oven using sheets of glass to focus the power of the sun’s rays.
Home Solar Systems
The basic construction of a home solar system is not overly complicated. According to the Facts About Solar Energy website, a home solar system consists of solar panels, an inverter, a battery, a charge controller, wiring and a support structure.
Versatility
The technology used in the production of solar energy is particularly versatile. The National Geographic website states that solar cells can generate energy for “satellites in Earth orbit and cabins deep in the Rocky Mountains as easily as they can power downtown buildings and futuristic cars.”
Largest Solar Power Plant
As of July 2010, the largest solar power plant in the world can be found in the Mojave Desert in the U.S.A. The plant’s solar reflectors cover an area of 1,000 acres, producing 90 percent of the world’s commercially produced solar power, as stated by the Alternate Energy Sources website.
Environmental Impact
Solar energy is one of the most environmentally friendly methods of producing electricity. Solar energy causes no air or water pollution and does not produce greenhouse gases. However, as highlighted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration Energy Kids website, there are some indirect environmental side effects. Small amounts of waste materials, such as chemicals and solvents, are produced in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells. Large solar power plants can also have a negative impact upon local ecosystems if not properly managed.
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