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What Is Solar Energy? A Look At Solar Power
Solar power is a very hot topic right now, as the entire world is trying to move into adapting more green technology. Because developing countries are consuming resources at an increasing pace, scientists have realized and begun to fear the future consequences of our actions.
The answer to our future energy problems will be found in green, renewable energy. Because the sun isn’t going anywhere and outputs a lot of energy every single day, it is a very viable option to use energy from the sun to power our electronics. That is done primarily through solar panels.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Going back to the days of chemistry, you might remember a thing or two about electrons and protons. A solar panel is 2 plates with wires sandwiched together that use basic chemistry to create electricity.
As you might recall, electrons have a negative charge and protons have a positive charge. This is important in understanding the basics of how solar power works.
One plate in the solar panel is made up of silicon and phosphorus. This results in having one more electron than is needed. Because of the extra electron, that plate has a negative charge.
On the other hand, the other place has a positive charge. This plate is made out of silicon and boron, which leaves one extra proton in the outer "orbit"
So how do these two plates create electricity with a little help from the sun? Well when the sun releases energy, it releases many different types of particles. This is what creates light and heat. The main type of particle we’re interested in for the solar panels is the protons sent down from the sun. The protons bombard the silicon/phosphorus plate, which has the extra electron floating around.
Eventually that extra electron gets knocked off the outer ring. It doesn’t just float around though, because the silicon/boron plate attracts the electron (due to having a natural positive charge, and positive charges attract electrons).
As the electrons get pushed off of the first plate, electricity is created. This electricity is sent through the wires connecting the plates, which can then be used to power low amperage motors, light bulbs, or other electronic devices!
This is a wonderful method to create electricity because solar energy isn’t going away, whereas the amount of coal, natural gas, and petroleum in the earth is very limited.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Energy
There are drawbacks however. The primary drawback is that considering the size of solar panels, not much solar power is generated. This means it can be relatively expensive to build an array of panels to power a home or small business, much less a large business!
Certain things like angles also play a large role. If the angle of the solar panel is wrong, it can reduce efficiency by up to 50 percent! And although electricity generated by solar panel can be stored in a chemical battery, there usually is not much excess power generated.
Finally, solar panels that receive a lot of direct sunlight (thus generating more electricity) also degrade from harmful ultraviolet and infrared waves.
Scientists are always looking for new ways to increase the effectiveness of solar panels. By trying different compounds that make up the plates, they can hopefully make more efficient panels for large businesses and organizations. They are also experimenting with different ways to shield and protect the panels, allowing them to receive the sun's photons without damaging the panels too much. That will allow them to last much longer and provide better returns on the investment.
Even with these drawbacks, solar power is incredibly useful and will play a large role in the upcoming energy industry. Every day developing countries such as China and Brazil require more energy and resources, and modernized countries already have a large energy footprint to fill. There are many regions where solar panels are especially useful, such as those that don’t receive much precipitation, even in the winter.
For example, desert regions including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Nevada are perfect locations for large solar panel farms. Because most desert regions are not highly populated, there is plenty of inexpensive, open land to place these panels to power nearby cities.
Even though it is not the most cost efficient form of energy, many earth-conscious people have already invested in solar panels for their homes. Even if it cannot power 100% of the electricity, any little bit helps in slowing down the eventual use of fossil fuels.
In conclusion, solar power will be a critically important source of energy in the years to come.
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What Is Solar Energy? A Look At Solar Power
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