How Solar Power Works: A Beginner's Guide to Renewable Energy.

Solar energy was used by humans for hundreds and hundreds of years. 

In 1839 and at the age of just 19, French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic (PV) effect while experimenting with a cell made of metal electrodes in a conducting solution. He noted that the cell produced more electricity when it was exposed to light – it was a photovoltaic cell.. In 1954 PV technology was born when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson developed the silicon PV cell at Bell Labs in 1954. ( National Grid)

The Solar Energy Industries Association(SEIA) defines solar power as energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. 

There are several reasons why people might prefer renewable energy options like solar power. These reasons include: 

1. Solar energy is a renewable energy -. Solar energy is clean. It creates no carbon emissions or greenhouse gases. It avoids the environmental damage associated with mining or drilling for fossil fuels. Furthermore, solar energy also uses little to no water. This provides for the continued implementations of SDGs 11,12 and 13

2. Solar power requires minimal maintenance: Solar panels are simple to care for since they don't have parts that break down with use. Just keep them clean and in good shape to make sure they work right.

1. Solar energy is flexible- It can power homes and gadgets and reach places where it's hard to get grid power, like distant areas, space satellites, and boats.

1. Energy independence: Solar panels allows you to create your own power, so you don't have to depend on the power grid. This means you can be self-sufficient in energy and achieve energy independence. 

There are several types of solar power systems but in today’s article I will only discuss a few and how they work. 

A solar system connectable to the grid is a type of solar energy installation. Grid tied panels for solar work by capturing sunlight with the help of its panels and converting them into electric power which are fed into the existing utility grid. Standard rooftop or ground mount units take in light from the sun and convert it to DC form (direct current). This will then be converted into AC electricity by an inverter, which can be used by home appliances and is compatible with an electrical grid. This AC electricity powers loads connected to mains inside a building. Importantly, the excess electricity produced by these modules return back to the grid through a two-way metering system. As such, this relationship between solar PV systems and utility power grids promotes more effective use of renewable sources, potential cost savings and improves grid dependability.

A PV system has one or more solar panels, inverter, and other electrical as well as mechanical components which can utilize the energy from the sun to generate electricity. Every panel forms a small electrical amount until when it is joined with others thus forming a solar array that can produce much more. The power produced by these panels is direct current (DC). However, American electronic devices and utilities employ alternating current (AC). Therefore, an inverter is used to convert the DC electricity from the solar panels into AC electricity that can be used to power devices or be sent to the electrical grid. After this stage, AC power generated from inverters may either be utilized locally for consumer electronics or fed to the grid for use elsewhere.

Solar power plants convert sunlight energy into electricity using solar thermal technology. These facilities utilize the sun’s power as an energy source. They are made up of collectors fitted with mirrors that collect and direct sunlight onto a receiver, which is warmed by it generating some kind of liquid for steam to be produced before moving on to turn a turbine through which running water in turn runs over a generator thereby producing electricity. To maintain optimum performance, solar thermal power stations use tracking systems to follow the sun path throughout the day from east to west when it moves across the sky. Generally, these operations encompass large fields or arrays of collectors that deliver heat to drive turbines and generators.

As renewable energy trickles into our lives more with each passing day, we must understand the industrial applications of solar energy. We will continue to see new applications of solar technologies to improve our environmental impact, reduce daily energy costs, and make our lives better overall. In the commercial sector, businesses use solar power to reduce costs and create energy independence. Solar power is also used in manufacturing facilities to power machinery and equipment, promoting sustainable production. In agriculture, solar energy is used for irrigation systems, livestock operations, and remote farm equipment, increasing productivity and reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, solar panels on vehicles, boats, and planes offer a sustainable alternative to gas guzzling  traditional engines, therefore powering transportation in a more sustainable way.   In educational institutions, solar power is a valuable teaching tool, educating students about renewable energy and promoting environmentalism among the student body. 

Linkedin: Jelon Thomas

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Jelon Thomas, 17, Trinidad and Tobago

References:

1. Hello sunshine: The future of solar power. Solar energy explained | National Grid Group. (n.d.). https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/how-does-solar-power-work#:~:text=Solar%20power%20works%20by%20converting,over%20acres%20of%20rural%20land.

2. Crail, C. (2024, February 6). Solar Energy Pros and Cons: What are the advantages and disadvantages?. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/ 

3. U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - independent statistics and analysis. Solar thermal power plants - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (n.d.). https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-thermal-power-plants.php 

4. Main page. Energy Education. (n.d.). https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Main_Page