The Sun`s heat and light are used to create electricity from solar energy, which is also a type of renewable power. It can be harnessed in many ways, including photovoltaic cells and concentrated solar power systems.
Radiant energy from the Sun is composed of ultraviolet (UV), and infrared radiation. Almost half of this energy is absorbed by Earth and its atmosphere, while the other half is reflected back into space.
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Solar Panels
Solar panels are a simple way to generate electricity using the sun`s energy. These panels are composed of multiple solar cells made from silicon semiconductors. They absorb sunlight during the day and generate an electric current.
There are two primary technologies that can harness the sun`s energy and convert it into electricity: Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). Most commonly, PV is used in residential solar panels.
The most common panel technology is based on polycrystalline or monocrystalline solar cells that absorb light from the sun and convert it into electric currents. These cells produce more electricity per watt if they are efficient.
Cell temperatures rise well above 25 degC during sunny weather, which can reduce power output by 8-15%. This has led to a number of manufacturers releasing more efficient panels based on high-performance N-type HJT, TOPcon and IBC cells. SunPower Maxeon is the industry`s leading panel technology, but other manufacturers are also launching more effective panels.
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters use clean energy to heat your home`s water, avoiding the need to burn fossil fuels or coal. These systems are less expensive than traditional gas and electric water heaters. They can also be used to produce electricity for other appliances, such as lights, TVs, and appliances.
Solar systems are an excellent way to reduce your utility bills by up to 70%. You can also get tax credits, rebates, and incentives for installing solar systems.
Depending on your region, you can choose between direct and indirect solar water heating systems. The direct systems use the sun to warm a fluid that then flows through a heat exchanger to hot water in a storage tank.
Solar Hot Water
Solar hot water systems use the sun`s energy to heat your household hot water. There are several components to these systems, including solar collectors, which absorb heat from the sun, a storage tank, heat exchanger and a controller.
Solar water heating systems are ideal for reducing a home`s reliance on expensive grid-powered electricity and the carbon emissions that result from it. You can also reduce your hot water bills by up to two-thirds.
Indirect systems are the most popular type of solar hot-water heater in America. They combine a cold water line with a heated transfer liquid that doesn`t mix with tap water. The fluid moves through a series of pipes that connect to the solar storage tank.
Direct systems are the best option for homeowners in the U.S. because they are more resilient to cold and retain heat better during winter. However, they are more costly than direct systems.
Solar Electricity
Photovoltaics is a method of producing solar electricity. In a photovoltaic cell, a thin semiconductor wafer (a semiconductor is a material made from two layers of silicon) is doped with positive or negative substances that create an electric field at the junction between the two layers.
The electrical field pushes loose electrons into motion, which causes them to flow out of the junction in a direction that generates an electric current. These electrons are then transferred to wires and connected to a solar inverter, which converts the electricity into usable form for your home.
For maximum efficiency, solar power systems can be connected to the utility grid or can operate independently. Grid-tied systems can have excess energy from the panels fed back into the grid to offset the cost for buying it from the utility. Net metering is a term used to describe this practice.