What is solar energy?
Solar energy has been the chosen energy source for many people for more than a century because it's environmentally friendly and unlimited in supply. Solar energy can be direct sunlight that shines on a specific area and can be captured by using solar collectors. Solar energy is heat and radiant radiation from the Sun which is captured by the use of several different technologies including solar photovoltaic, solar thermal energy, solar thermal power, solar architecture, active solar modules and Artificial Photosynthesis.
Solar energy can be converted from one form to another, depending on the technology employed. Photovoltaic cells are made from silicon, boron and gallium arsenide crystals and are used to convert sunlight into electricity using a photoelectric effect, resulting in direct current form or as an alternating current. They are often installed on the roof where they can capture most of the solar energy available, leading to solar energy savings. Solar Thermal energy is also harnessed through the use of heat exchangers, boilers and pumps to heat water and air coming into a building, while a Solar Thermal Power Plant uses heat from the sun to generate electricity for industry, manufacture and water treatment.
Active solar thermal systems are often heated using heat exchangers which provide mechanical heat exchange between the heated fluid and the liquid containing the heating elements such as oil or natural gas. A wide variety of heat pump applications including water heaters for home use and small commercial plants use the solar energy captured by heat exchangers to heat water. Since solar energy directly hits the earth, the potential to save on electric bills from electrically generated heat is large. The largest concentrated areas of solar heating can have a measurable benefit in terms of decreasing electrical output for a typical application.
There are various solar products available.
Solar energy can be converted from one form to another, depending on the technology employed. Photovoltaic cells are made from silicon, boron and gallium arsenide crystals and are used to convert sunlight into electricity using a photoelectric effect, resulting in direct current form or as an alternating current. They are often installed on the roof where they can capture most of the solar energy available, leading to solar energy savings. Solar Thermal energy is also harnessed through the use of heat exchangers, boilers and pumps to heat water and air coming into a building, while a Solar Thermal Power Plant uses heat from the sun to generate electricity for industry, manufacture and water treatment.
Active solar thermal systems are often heated using heat exchangers which provide mechanical heat exchange between the heated fluid and the liquid containing the heating elements such as oil or natural gas. A wide variety of heat pump applications including water heaters for home use and small commercial plants use the solar energy captured by heat exchangers to heat water. Since solar energy directly hits the earth, the potential to save on electric bills from electrically generated heat is large. The largest concentrated areas of solar heating can have a measurable benefit in terms of decreasing electrical output for a typical application.
There are various solar products available.